Orphans, hair dressers, and murderers will headline next season for Circa 21. This week the dinner theater in downtown Rock Island announced the schedule for its 42nd season.
Director of Audience Development, Brett Hitchcock, says the lineup includes 5 musicals and 2 comedies, starting in November with "Annie."
"After "Annie," we kick off with one of our Quad Cities premieres which is Disney's hit show "Newsies" in January. It'll be followed by a new comedy - we're doing the US premiere - called "Diamonds and Divas: A Murderous Fiasco."
Hitchcock says Circa 21 will also bring back the popular comedy, "Sheer Madness."
"It's the longest running comedy in US history - it takes place in a hair style studio. It's about a murder in the audience - so they're involved throughout the whole show - kind of a who-done-it type of thing which is just a really fun time."
Next season will also include a premiere of "Grumpy Old Men," based on the 1993 movie, and the musical "Holiday Inn."
The theater is usually planning and booking shows at least one year ahead - HItchcock says that's aimed at motorcoach tour operators who need that lead time to plan their tours. Each year they account for about one-third of Circa's audience.