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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

Emma Hughs and Jennifer Hogan perform during a rehearsal of The Fog Comes on Little Cat Feet in the Artifactory building on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023.

Dreamwell Theatre presents world premiere of ‘the fog comes on little cat feet’

Stella Shipman, Arts Reporter March 1, 2023

A small room is lined with chairs and lit by fluorescents, filled with the sounds of a vending machine spitting out snacks, a telephone ringing off the hook, and hushed conversations between anxious...

Jun 12, 2022; New York, NY, USA; The cast of Six: The Musical performs during the 75th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday, June 12, 2022.

Review | ‘Six: The Musical’ at the Des Moines Civic Center is an energetic feminist reclamation

Stella Shipman, Arts Reporter February 21, 2023

Having been an avid fan of the “Six” musical soundtrack for quite some time now, I thought I knew what to expect when I took my seat for the live performance at the Des Moines Civic Center. As...

Actors Bryan Lawler (left) and Marty Reichert (right) perform "Never Say No" in the opening night of The Fantasticks at Willow Creek Theater in Iowa City on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.

Review | ‘The Fantasticks’ flips romantic comedy on its head

Stella Shipman, Arts Reporter February 14, 2023

The small theater on Gilbert Street echoed with laughter on Feb. 10 as audiences settled in for a romantic comedy of epic proportions in the Willow Creek Theatre Company’s presentation of “The...

Señor Fillmore, played by Johan Avila, helps Alma, played by Sara Alvidrez, with her work during a dress rehearsal for the University of Iowa theater department’s production of Braided Sorrow Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.

Review | ‘Braided Sorrow’ a tribute to women silenced by femicide in Mexico

Stella Shipman, Arts Reporter February 7, 2023

Blue light bruised the dark stage where a young girl sat on a small box. She ran her fingers over her long braid before slicing it off with scissors. The play “Braided Sorrow,” originally written...

Masha (Valerie Davine) and Sonia (Susan Fuhrmeister) cry themselves silly.

ICCT presents ‘Vanya and Sonia and Marsha and Spike,’ gives humorous look into hope and family

Emma Gaughan, Arts Reporter February 1, 2023

A great passion for theater is what unites the actors, crew, and volunteers that made the Iowa City Community Theater’s production of the Tony-Award Winning play “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and...

Actors Martin Andrews and Tim Budd perform in the final dress rehearsal for the play A Walk In The Woods at Riverside Theatre In Iowa City on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023.

Review | Riverside’s ‘A Walk in the Woods’ is a powerful play about human connection and hope.

Stella Shipman, Arts Reporter January 31, 2023

The Riverside Theatre transformed into a woodland grove in the mountains of Switzerland on the evening of Jan. 27, surrounded by three-dimensional trees of light and chicken wire with a single wooden...

The outside of the Riverside Theater is seen during day three of the Mission Creek Festival in Iowa City on Saturday, April 9, 2022.

Riverside Theatre’s ‘Will Power’ workshops help high school students learn Shakespeare

Stella Shipman, Arts Reporter January 24, 2023

Since 2000, Riverside Theatre in downtown Iowa City has engaged students in the Iowa City School District with the classic works of William Shakespeare through an educational program called “Will...

Contributed photo from Rob Merritt.

‘The Flick’ to bring human connection and expression to Riverside Theatre

Stella Shipman, Arts Reporter November 29, 2022

In an age of digitization and inability to connect, an emotional tale about communication — and lack thereof — between people led to the creation of “The Flick.” Riverside Theatre will present...

Actors sit around a table talking about the good old days of Shakespeare during a dress rehearsal for The Book of Will at The James Theatre in Iowa City on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022.

‘The Book of Will’ to bring Shakespeare literature and laughs to James Theatre

Stella Shipman, Arts Reporter November 16, 2022

A group of noblemen are gathered around a table in a tap house, slamming together mugs of ale and laughing in the warm candlelight as they share about and by their good friend William Shakespeare. From...

A dress rehearsal for the play Bacchae is seen the in the David Thayer Theater in the Theater Arts Building Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022. The play will premiere on Friday Nov. 4.

Review | “The Bacchae: A Tragedy in One Act” presents humorous and humanist adaptation of classic Greek tale

Stella Shipman, Arts Reporter November 5, 2022

Glowing beneath blue light swirling with stars and moons, giggling figures flitted across the stage in front of a mountainous backdrop inlaid with cliffs and caves.  The scene greeted audiences...

Trinity Christofferson, playing the role of the Mom, takes a call while Charlie Schmelzer, playing the role of Bobby, listens at the University of Iowa Theatre Building on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2022. Contributed photo of Jordan "JJ" Jones of a dress rehearsal.

Review | ‘The Lazaretto’ brought thrills and chills to UI theater

Stella Shipman, Arts Reporter October 16, 2022

No one knew what to expect when they took their seats in the Alan MacVey Theatre on Friday night. There was no program provided at the door, no cast list, and no precedent set by other performances....

Jessica Pray Patel sings "I Dreamed a Dream" during a performance of "Les Mis in Concert" at the Riverside Theatre on Oct. 9, 2022.

‘Les Mis in Concert’ at Riverside Theatre captured essence of Victor Hugo’s story

Stella Shipman, Arts Reporter October 9, 2022

The Riverside Theatre seats filled with people conversing quietly before the varied production of “Les Miserables” on Sunday night. As attendees stepped off of the elevator and entered the space,...