The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Contributed by Coralville Arts

Review | City Circle’s ‘Catch Me if You Can’ musical is a delightful adaptation of a classic film

Charlie Hickman, Arts Reporter July 19, 2024

City Circle’s “Catch Me if You Can” production is a worthy adaptation of the blockbuster Steven Spielberg film and Broadway musical. The musical delivers a colorful spectacle and clever story...

Hancher Auditorium is seen in Iowa City on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. Hancher will put on a variety of shows for the 2024-2025 season including “Hadestown”.

Performing Arts at Iowa announces programming for upcoming academic year

Charlie Hickman and Riley Dunn July 11, 2024

Performing Arts at Iowa is heading into a busy season of musicals, lectures, concerts, recitals, and more. Every branch of Performing Arts at Iowa — Hancher Auditorium, School of Music, Department...

Should Disney keep making sequels?

Should Disney keep making sequels?

Riley Dunn and Charlie Hickman June 18, 2024

No When the Walt Disney Company first rose to prominence over 100 years ago, it gained an audience by pushing boundaries and creating engaging stories that captured the hearts and minds of many of...

Pictured (L-R): Natalie Shaw (Cady Heron), Kristen Amanda Smith (Gretchen Wieners), Maya Petropoulos (Regina George), and Maryrose Brendel (Karen Smith). Photo by Jenny Anderson, 2023.

Hancher announces 2024-25 Broadway series 

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor May 1, 2024

The University of Iowa’s Hancher Auditorium announced its 2024-25 season Broadway series lineup on Wednesday.  The series will include “Dear Evan Hansen” in December, “Hadestown” in January,...

Actors rehearse for Anti-Hero: Revenge of the Swifties in the David Thayer Theatre in Iowa City on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The play was written by Derick Edgren Otero and directed by Meredith G. Healy. The production is part of the New Play Festival held by the University of Iowa Department of Theatre Arts.

Graduate play about Taylor Swift fandom kicks off IC New Play Festival

Riley Dunn, Arts Reporter April 29, 2024

Fans and haters of Taylor Swift came together Monday night to watch “Anti-Hero: Revenge of the Swifties,” the fandom-inspired opening production of this year’s New Play Festival. The New Play...

©Aimee Sposito Martini

Hancher presents creative, collaborative modern opera with ‘Fierce’

Riley Dunn, Arts Reporter April 23, 2024

Nearly two years after debuting at the Cincinnati Opera, “Fierce” is coming to Iowa City’s Hancher Auditorium. The 21st-century opera follows the trials and triumphs of four teenage girls as they...

Performers practice during a dress rehearsal of Iris at the Theater Building in Iowa City, on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

Review | Stage reading of ‘Iris’ portrays difficult human emotions

Riley Dunn, Arts Reporter March 31, 2024

Keep an eye on “Iris,” Iowa City. On Saturday night, the play’s actors took center stage at Alan MacVey Theatre to deliver a reading of playwright Olivia Clement’s latest work in progress....

Cecilia Oberdoerster and MK Shultz perform during an improv comedy show by Iowa City-based improv team Paperback Rhino at the James Theater on Thursday, March 7, 2024. (Ava Neumaier/ The Daily Iowan).

Behind the scenes: Iowa City’s longest-performing improv group, Paperback Rhino

Charlie Hickman, Assistant Arts Editor March 7, 2024

As the comical collective of Paperback Rhino exploded on The James Theater stage Thursday night, the audience was abuzz. Before the night of improvisational games had begun, Captains Payton Chapman and...

The ensemble cast sings “Children Will Listen” during a performance of Into The Woods in the  University of Iowas E.C. Mabie Theatre Building on Wednesday, Feb. 28th, 2024. The show is running from March 1-3 and 7-9.

Review | UI’s ‘Into the Woods’ is a stirring reprise of the original

Grant Darnell, Arts Reporter March 6, 2024

Roughly five minutes into the University of Iowa Theatre Arts Department’s production of “Into the Woods” — specifically when Jack’s mother sings the line “while her withers wither with...

The ensemble cast sings “Ever After” during a performance of Into The Woods in the Theatre Building at the University of Iowa on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. The show is running from March 1-3 and 7-9.

Behind the scenes: UI Theatre’s revives Sondheim classic ‘Into the Woods’

Sophia Connolly and Lily Czechowicz March 3, 2024

Since its premiere in 1986, countless interpretations of Stephen Sondheim’s play “Into the Woods” have seen stages around the world and, for the past six weeks, the University of Iowa’s cast...

Photo contributed by Evan Hilsabeck of City Circle Theatre Company

Review | ‘Red’ is an immersive and philosophical play

Charlie Hickman, Assistant Arts Editor February 25, 2024

John Logan’s award-winning play “Red” has been revitalized by City Circle Theatre Company through an intimate, wildly entertaining performance. The biographical drama depicts painter Mark...

Photo contributed by Rob Cline

Seeing the stage from both sides: Two Iowa actors to perform in ‘Hairspray’ at Hancher

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor February 20, 2024

Both Sarah Hayes and Amy Rodriguez were present at the national Broadway tour stops of “Rent” at Hancher Auditorium — Hayes as an audience member in 1999 and Rodriguez as a student stagehand in...