Prenzie Players will be hosting their annual fundraising event on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. The event will be held at The Village Theatre, 2113 E 11th St., Davenport, IA.
A silent auction will be held throughout the evening, as well as scenes, enacted poetry, and live music.
Tickets are $20 per person or $35 for two. This includes entertainment and heavy hors d’oeuvres, and complimentary wine and Jameson Irish Whiskey for the first hour of the event. Cash bar available throughout the evening.
For reservations, email [email protected] or phone 563-362-2899. Tickets will be available at the door, but we recommend you RSVP to ensure proper seating.
Please bring your family and friends: all are invited!
Help us celebrate the New Year and support us in our 20th season!
Our next show will be Hamlet by William Shakespeare, May 24-26, 30, 31 & June 1 at The Village Theatre.
…there are no actual weak links in DeRooi’s presentation, but its absolute strength is in the fun brought by Luxton and Blouin, who prove well-matched with their facial expressions, delivery, and the physicality…
The Prenzie Players’ Much Ado About Nothing is a gift to the Quad Cities: a true testament to how art can transform a space, and how classical theatre continues to be relevant.
After a three-and-a-half-year hiatus, the PRENZIE PLAYERS mounted a production this August [2023].
Prenzie Veteran Jarrod DeRooi directed Shakespeare’s MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. This comedy from Shakespeare’s middle period is one of his wittiest, with Benedick and Beatrice starting out with total disdain for each other that blossoms (with much help) into deepest love. Of course, everything that could possibly go wrong with this love story does, and the ways disaster is defeated are more than half the fun of this engaging work.
The cast is a Who’s Who of talent in the Quad-City area and beyond.
There are founding members of the Prenzie Players — JC Luxton playing the male lead (Benedick) and Denise Yoder as Dona Petra.
There are Prenzie regulars Jess White, Noah Stivers, Jen Brown, Mattie Gelaude and Kitty Israel in major roles.
People new to Prenzie include female lead Lily Blouin (Beatrice), who has participated in just about every other theater group in the QC area, and Iowa City actors John Smick and Ryan Elgin.
There are even some new faces to theater here. Mark Garden, who turned heads with his stunning work in his first-ever role in TWELVE ANGRY JURORS (Playcrafters) plays the ‘heavy’ Don John, and the troubadour Balthazar is to be the first role since high school for Davenport musician Jenny Lynn Stacy.
The Watch: Ben Graham (Dogberry), John Smick (Seacoal), Milo Houdyshell (Verges), and Mischa Hooker (Oatcake) [Photo Credit: Mattie Gelaude]
Jarrod DeRooi has been a Prenzie regular for 14 years and had the title role in CORIOLANUS in 2017.
This show promised to re-introduce the Prenzie motto: “Theater is not a passive experience.”
MUCH ADO played at the Village Theatre (2113 E. 11th St, Davenport), August 3-6.
Program
Cast
Jessica White Leonetta, former soldier of Messina
Lily Blouin Beatrice, Leonetta’s niece
Mattie Gelaude Hero, Leonetta’s daughter
Denise Yoder Doña Petra, Princess of Aragon
JC Luxton Benedick, an officer in Doña Petra’s army
Mark Garden Don John, bastard brother of Doña Petra
Kitty Israel Corrada, a soldier in Doña Petra’s army Ursula, a waiting gentlewoman to Hero
Ryan Elgin Borachio, employee of Leonetta Friar Francis
John Smick Antonio, Leonetta’s brother George Seacoal, a member of the Watch
Jen Brown Margaret, a waiting gentlewoman to Hero The Sexton
Mischa Hooker Hugh Oatcake, a member of the Watch
Ben Graham Dogberry, Master Constable of the Watch
Milo Houdyshell Verges, attendant to Dogberry
And Introducing…
Jenny Lynn Stacy Balthasar, a soldier and musician
Crew
Director:Jarrod DeRooi
Stage Manager: Liz Sager
Producer: Mike Schulz
Artistic Director: Catherine Bodenbender
Costumes: Kate Farence, THE CAST
Lighting Design: Roger Pavey, Catherine Bodenbender, Josef Bodenbender
Fight Choreography: Lily Blouin, Denise Yoder
Set Design: Jeremy Mahr, Jarrod DeRooi
Photography: Mattie Gelaude
Set Construction: Aaron E. Sullivan, Jenny Lynn Stacy, Denise Yoder, Jessica White, Deb Herman, John Herman, Joe DeRooi, Ron DeRooi, Cody Tebbit, Eila Tebbit, Matt Moody, Andrew Bruning, Emily Brehn-Stecher, Alice DeRooi, Jarrod DeRooi, THE CAST
Publicity: John R. Turner, Mischa Hooker, Denise Yoder, Kitty Israel, John Smick
Special Thanks
Matt Moody & The Village Theatre Brent Tubbs & The Spotlight Theatre Playcrafters Barn Theatre Mischa Hooker & The New Athens Players Jeremy Mahr Andy Koski Aaron E. Sullivan Andrew Bruning John and Sandy Turner Deb and John Herman Thorin Peugh & the Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity ReStore
SHAKESPEARE’S MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING OPENS IN AUGUST!
After being forced to cancel our March run of Much Ado About Nothing performances due to positive COVID tests among the cast, we are pleased to announce that we are planning to bring this production to the Village Theatre stage in August, with five performances over August 3-6.Watch Facebook for the latest!
To All the Friends and Supporters of the Prenzie Players:
We are heartbroken to announce this, but after being forced to cancel our first weekend of Much Ado About Nothing performances due to a positive COVID test among the cast, we are now forced to cancel the remainder of the March 23 – 25 performances as well.
Although there is every chance that the entire cast will be at full performance strength by this weekend, the safety of our patrons always come first, and we don’t want to risk anyone’s health in the service of presenting a show – even one, such as Much Ado, that we’re so very proud of.
At present, we are hoping to be able to re-stage the production at some time in the coming months, both as thanks to our wonderful supporters who have waited since 2019 for a new Prenzie offering, and to our gifted and tireless cast and crew, most of whom have been working on the show since December.
We will make another announcement as soon as plans regarding Much Ado’s future are finalized. But in the meantime, thanks to everyone for all the well wishes, encouragement, and support, and we look forward to entertaining you again in the very near future!
After a three-year hiatus, the PRENZIE PLAYERS are mounting a production this March.
Prenzie Veteran Jarrod DeRooi will direct Shakespeare’s MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. This comedy from Shakespeare’s middle period is one of his wittiest, with Benedick and Beatrice starting out with total disdain for each other that blossoms (with much help) into deepest love. Of course, everything that could possibly go wrong with this love story does, and the ways disaster is defeated are more than half the fun of this engaging work.
The cast is a Who’s Who of talent in the Quad-City area and beyond.
There are founding members of the Prenzie Players — J. C. Luxton playing the male lead (Benedick) and Denise Yoder as Dona Petra.
There are Prenzie regulars Jess White, Noah Stivers, Jen Brown, Mattie Gelaude and Kitty Israel in major roles.
People new to Prenzie include female lead Lily Blouin (Beatrice), who has participated in just about every other theater group in the QC area, and Iowa City actors John Smick and Ryan Elgin.
There are even some new faces to theater here. Mark Garden, who turned heads with his stunning work in his first-ever role in TWELVE ANGRY JURORS (Playcrafters) plays the ‘heavy’ Don John, and the troubadour Balthazar is to be the first role since high school for Davenport musician Jenny Lynn Stacy.
Jarrod DeRooi has been a Prenzie regular for 14 years and had the title role in CORIOLANUS in 2017.
This show promises to re-introduce the Prenzie motto: “Theater is not a passive experience.”
MUCH ADO will be playing at the Village Theatre (2113 E. 11th St, Davenport), March 17, 18; 23, 24, 25 [8:00 p.m.]; and a matinee on March 19 [2:00 p.m.]
After three years, the Prenzie Players celebrate their return to the stage with Shakespeare’s joyous comedy, Much Ado About Nothing!
Auditions will be held at the Village Theatre (2113 E. 11th St, Davenport) on Thursday, December 1st (6:00PM-8:00PM), and Saturday, December 3rd (1:00PM-3:00PM), with callbacks on Sunday, December 4th (2:30PM-4:30PM).
Performances will be the weekends of March 17th and 24th.
All ages, genders, shapes, sizes and levels of experience are welcome! Auditioning actors need not prepare pieces ahead of time. All auditions will be in the form of scenes read from the script.
If you have any questions or wish to audition but cannot make the audition dates, please contact [email protected].
Originally scheduled for Spring 2020. Postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 crisis: As with most theater and arts organizations, the pandemic has upended our plans, but we will be back!
Auditions for Prenzie Players’ production of “The Two Noble Kinsmen” will be held at Quad City Theatre Workshop at 1730 Wilkes Ave, Davenport, on the following dates:
Thursday, January 23 from 6–9pm Saturday, January 25 from 2–5pm Callbacks (if necessary): Sunday, January 26 from 6–9pm
Show dates: March 27–29 and April 2–4, 2020
Come ready to read from the script with your fellow actors. Everyone is welcome! ALL roles are open to anyone regardless of gender, race, or ethnicity.
If you want to play with us but are unable to make either audition date, let us know with as much notice as possible and we will do our best to accommodate you. Please contact director Catherine Bodenbender at [email protected]
One bawdy knight. Two merry wives. Three sticky situations.
Photo Credit: TK Photo Co
Photo Credit: TK Photo Co
In one of the Bard’s most enduring comedies, one of the Bard’s most enduring characters (Falstaff), arrives in Windsor with the intent to swindle two prominent families out of their money. But when he matches wits with the wives of said families, he finds that he may be in over his head.
Photo Credit: TK Photo Co
Photo Credit: TK Photo Co
Photo Credit: TK Photo Co
Photo Credit: TK Photo Co
Program
Cast
Kate Farence Shallow, a visiting justice of the peace
John Turner Sir Hugh, a Welsh parson
Noah Stivers Slender, Shallow’s nephew John, servant to the Fords
Michael Carron Sir John Falstaff
Mattie Gelaude Bardolph, servant to Falstaff Fenton
Josef Bodenbender Robin, Falstaff’s page
Denise Yoder Mistress Quickly
Mischa Hooker Doctor Caius, a French physician
Kitty Israel Mistress Page
Emma Regnier Mistress Ford
Nathan Klaus Master Ford
And Introducing…
Elliott Frieden Master Page
Jenya Loughney Pistol, servant to Falstaff Rugby, servant to Doctor Caius
Robert Cheney Nim, servant to Falstaff Robert, servant to the Fords
Annie Mitchell Anne Page Host of the Garter Inn
Crew
Director: Jake Walker Assistant Director: Aaron E. Sullivan Artistic Director, Light / Sound Technician: Catherine Bodenbender Set Design: Jake Walker Set Construction: Catherine Bodenbender, Aaron E. Sullivan, Jake Walker, The Cast Reservations Coordinator: Mischa Hooker Publicity Photography: Mattie Gelaude Graphic Designer: Nathan Klaus Marketing Team: Mischa Hooker, Kitty Israel, Nathan Klaus, Denise Yoder
Special Thanks
The Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House Dori Foster Quad City Music Guild Rockridge High School Byron Walker QC Theatre Workshop Rock Island High School Mike Turczynski Peg Walker
One bawdy knight. Two merry wives. Three sticky situations.
In one of the Bard’s most enduring comedies, one of the Bard’s most enduring characters (Falstaff), arrives in Windsor with the intent to swindle two prominent families out of their money. But when he matches wits with the wives of said families, he finds that he may be in over his head.
Show Dates: Opening Night – Friday, November 15 at 8 pm – Post-Show Audience Conversation Saturday, November 16 at 8 pm Sunday, November 17 at 3 pm – Bob’s Matinee
Thursday, November 21 at 8 pm Friday, November 22 at 8 pm Saturday, November 23 at 8 pm
Location: 1730 Wilkes Ave, Davenport, IA 52804
Tickets: General Admittance – Doors open 30 min before curtain
Inspired by QCTW’s vision of making theatre accessible to all, we are adopting the “pay what it’s worth” model. When you arrive at the theatre you won’t be asked for money. Once the show is over, however, we ask that you reflect on the experience, then stop out front on your way out and pay what you think it’s worth. No one should be unable to attend this show because of ticket prices; on the other hand, if you appreciate our work and have the means, we encourage you to be generous.
