All posts by Mischa

PRENZIE PLAYERS 2024 TWELFTH NIGHT GALA

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.

From Much Ado to Much ADONE!

Much Ado about Nothing

August 2023

Directed by Jarrod DeRooi

…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.

Madeline Dudziak, River Cities’ Reader
JC Luxton (Benedick) and Lily Blouin (Beatrice) [Photo Credit: Mattie Gelaude]

See also John Turner’s interviews with cast and others:

“The People of Much Ado”

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.

Noah Stivers (Claudio), Denise Yoder (Doña Petra), JC Luxton (Benedick) [Photo Credit: Mattie Gelaude]

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

Much Ado Is Back: August 3-6

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!

WE WILL BE ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS FOR THESE NEW DATES SOON [UPDATE: RESERVATIONS CAN NOW BE BOOKED (CLICK HERE)!]

MUCH ADO will be playing at the Village Theatre (2113 E. 11th St, Davenport), August 3-6.

As always, keep in touch and follow us on Facebook for the latest!

Much Ado Cancelled, For Now

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!

The Prenzie Players

A NEW PRENZIE PLAY IS IN THE WORKS

SHAKESPEARE’S MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING OPENS IN MARCH!

Reservations: https://tinyurl.com/PrenzieMuchAdo

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.]

Reservations: https://tinyurl.com/PrenzieMuchAdo

Auditions for Much Ado About Nothing

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]

As always, keep in touch and follow us on Facebook for the latest!

The Two Noble Kinsmen

By William Shakespeare and John Fletcher

Directed by Catherine Bodenbender

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 “The Two Noble Kinsmen”!

Announcing auditions for “The Two Noble Kinsmen” by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher

Click here for the Facebook Event

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]

Farewell, Wives…

The Merry Wives of Windsor

November 2019

Directed by Jake Walker

“…a feast of unstuffy pre-Thanksgiving goodness… definitely not a production to be missed” –Madeline Dudziak, River Cities’ Reader

Click here for a slide show of production photos (courtesy of TKPhotoCo) on Facebook

Kitty Israel, Emma Regnier and Mike Carron in Merry Wives of Windsor
Photo Credit: Mattie Gelaude

One bawdy knight. Two merry wives. Three sticky situations.

Falstaff Greets Mistress Ford
Photo Credit: TK Photo Co
Master Brook and Falstaff
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.

Quickly Speaks with Shallow and Slender
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

We Wish You a Merry …

The Merry Wives of Windsor
By William Shakespeare

Directed by Jake 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.

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/458734658086964/
Reservations: https://tinyurl.com/PrenzieMerryWives
Email – [email protected]
Website – prenzieplayers.com
Unclaimed reservations will be released to general public five minutes before curtain.


Reservations: https://tinyurl.com/PrenzieMerryWives
Email – [email protected]
Website – prenzieplayers.com
Unclaimed reservations will be released to general public five minutes before curtain.

Email – [email protected]
Unclaimed reservations will be released to general public five minutes before curtain.