QC Theatre Workshop Presents A Steady Rain

Davenport - The QC Theatre Workshop will present A Steady Rain by Keith Huff March 13-29. Written as a series of monologues and interrogations, A Steady Rain is an exploration of power and control in the hands of two Chicago police officers, and what happens when that power is misused. The show stars Mike Schulz and Thomas Alan Taylor. You can make your reservation here.

The QC Theatre Workshop has a unique ticket price model. From their website: "As part of our efforts to provide theatre that is accessible to everyone in our community, our ticket pricing is entirely "Pay What It's Worth." You will see the show first, then pay afterward based on what the experience is worth to you, and what it's worth to you to have this kind of live theatre in your community. We rely on the generosity of our patrons to keep the Workshop going and growing. Our future is in your hands. Thank you for your support."

A Steady Rain Opens March 13

Davenport - QC Theatre Workshop will be producing A Steady Rain by Keith Huff, opening March 13. More information here.

QC Theatre Workshop worth checking out

by Janet Schlapkohl

Davenport - QC Theatre Workshop is a young theatre company to watch. Under the artistic direction of Tyson Danner, the company is rapidly establishing itself as a local powerhouse. 

QC’s home is a charming square brick building on the National Registry of Historic Properties. It is a former elementary school and QC performances are in the gymnasium, transformed into a perfect black-box theatre, with audience comfort, intimacy, acoustics, and lighting all superbly accounted for. 

The company uses a unique concept for ticketing. After each performance audience members pay what they feel the experience was worth. The result is a successful theatre company. This is due in equal measure to their committed artistic vision and the obvious talent of their theatrical team.

Last night’s production of True West featured Jeremy Mahr in the role of Austin, and Mike Schulz as Lee. For this production of True West, the roles of Lee and Austin have been determined by a coin toss.

Tyler Reinert’s scenic design was spot-on for color, line and the appliances of an immediately familiar dated ranch house kitchen. Jess Fialko’s lighting offers the welcoming warmth of a kitchen contrasted with chilling tones for scene changes and evening. Bret Churchill found perfect country and western songs for interludes. Sounds of yapping coyotes and crickets suggested the West.

Tyson Danner’s directing was fast paced and vigorous. His actors played very well to an audience seated on three sides. A vintage aluminum dining table with a typewriter is center. Austin is seated at this table typing, when his brother Lee strides in, wobbling just enough in his cowboy boots to make us question his authenticity. This question of authenticity, of sincerity, trust, jealousy, love and hate carry the audience through the performance. Mahr and Schulz listen to each other and respond with both nuanced facial expression and violent physical explosion. The result is a compelling portrayal of sibling rivalry, family pain and loss. The audience laughed and gasped aloud.

Saul Kimmer, played by Brent Tubbs with a gleam in his eye and sweet smile is perfect as a Hollywood producer. Brent does not overplay the sleaze, which makes us find reasons to believe in Lee. Mom, played by Susan Perrin-Sallak appears only in the final moments. Yet her exhausted confusion, irrelevant conversation and denial of reality explains so much about the family.

While this show closed on Sunday, you definitely will want to check out the next production of QC Theatre Workshop.

True West Opens May 16

Davenport - For the first time ever in the Quad Cities, the toss of a coin will determine the cast of a show!

Jeremy Mahr and Mike Schulz are ready to play both lead roles in this thrilling Sam Shepard comedy. Just minutes before curtain, an audience member will toss a coin to determine that performance's casting! Join us for opening weekend and you just might be the lucky audience member that tosses the coin!

Ticket information here.


Source: QC Workshop Newsletter

My Sister Compelling, Intelligent, and Full of Grace

By James E. Trainor III
Photos by Janet Schlapkohl

Elizabeth Hinckler as Matilde;
Emily Hinckler as Magda.

Davenport - It's 1934. We're in a small, poor apartment in Berlin. Two sisters live here, trying to live out their dreams on the threshold of the coming nightmare. Magda (Emily Hinckler) is the actress; charming, confident, "the talk of Berlin." She comes home from the cabaret every night to care for her sister, sharing the glow from a great night's performance. Matilde (Elizabeth Hinckler) has cerebral palsy, and is confined to the home. It is difficult for her to move and speak with the ease and grace of her pretty sister, but it is obvious she is the brains of the operation. Matilde writes the jokes for her sister's act, and though she must miss the show, every night, Magda performs a special reprise before resting her weary head.

The only problem is, Matilde's material is getting more and more political, and the cabarets are coming under greater scrutiny as Hitler consolidates his power. What starts off as urbane joking about lesbians in pantsuits becomes nervous dialogue about the party's policy on "incurable" genetic disorders, which, given Matilde's condition, hits dangerously close to home. It is in this dark and dreadful period of history that Janet Schlapkohl's new drama plays out, a story which, for all its terror and tragedy, has a good deal of warmth and humor. My Sister does as wonderful a job portraying the courage of the human spirit as it does the perils of mindless conformity.