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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

Dusty and White House Press Secretary Jean comfort Chief of Staff Harriet during a performance of POTUS at Riverside Theatre in Iowa City on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. The play was written by Selina Dillinger and directed by Angie Toomsen. Dusty is played by Christina Sullivan, Jean is played by Jordan Arnold, and Harriet is played by Jessica Link.

Review | Riverside’s latest play features complex themes during election season

Charlotte Ericson, Arts Reporter October 7, 2024

On Friday, Oct. 4, “POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive,” written by Selina Fillinger, premiered at Riverside Theater in downtown Iowa City. As the audience...

Patti Smith sings during a reading and performance at the Englert Theatre during the Infinite Dream Festival on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. Smith is an author, singer-songwriter, and activist who sang with her band, played guitar, and read from her award-winning writing during her two shows.

Patti Smith takes the stage for two nights at Infinite Dream Festival

Olin Myhre and Kate Wolfe September 30, 2024

Iowa City audience members brought the punk to The Englert Theatre on Friday night — or, as close to punk as Iowa City could offer the iconic Patti Smith. A multigenerational group of fans lined...

Contributed photo from Hancher Auditorium.

Stamptown comedy show sends Iowa City audiences into a laughing fit

Riley Dunn, Digital Editor September 29, 2024

Laughter echoed off the walls of the James Theater Friday night as audiences flocked to see the spectacle that is Stamptown. Filled with comedic moments and colorful characters, Stamptown mixes several...

University of Iowa undergraduate and graduate theatre students play Catholic summer campers during a performance of THE (T)RE(X)FORMATION at the Alan MacVey Theatre inside the theatre building in Iowa City on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. The play was written by MK Shultz and was shown Friday and Saturday.

Review | University of Iowa Theater Department debuts hilarious new production with student-written ‘THE (T-)RE(X)FORMATION’

Kayla Person, Arts Reporter September 22, 2024

When a kid goes to a summer camp, they expect plenty of things: bonfires, camp songs, cabin drama, and maybe even a crush here and there  — typical, normal teenage things. In the case of ‘THE (T-)RE(X)FORMATION,’...

Joshua and Emily Culbreath of Snack Break Movement Arts perform “HAUL” during the Prompt for the Planet event at Englert Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. The piece represented a view on fast fashion and specifically critiqued clothing retailer SHEIN.

Prompt for the Planet emphasizes sustainability at the Englert Theatre

Charlotte Ericson, Arts Reporter September 15, 2024

In 2018, Shannon Nolan, a University of Iowa student, and her professor David Gould created a mission that asked the next generation to lend their voices to the earth. Gould asked Inaugural Poet Amanda...

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, played by Mary Jane Knight, argues with The Commentator, played by Phillip Lopez, during a performance of Scalia/Ginsburg at the Riverside Theatre on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. The opera was written by Derrick Wang and will be showing Sept. 5-15.

Review | ‘Scalia/Ginsburg’ is a laugh-out-loud funny courtroom opera

Charlie Hickman, Arts Editor September 11, 2024

The greatest feature of art is its ability to reflect life. Art can offer an escape in many forms during a contentious, stressful election year such as this, whether through film, music, television,...

Customers enter The James Theater in Iowa City on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. The theater's latest production is a play that features a post-apocalyptic Johnson County.

Review | The James Theater’s latest production presents a post-apocalyptic Iowa City

Riley Dunn, Digital Editor September 9, 2024

Assassins, cults, and the undead take center stage in The James Theater’s latest production, “Once Upon a Time in the People’s Republic of Johnson County.” The play, set against the backdrop...

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...