Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse — Attraction in Rock Island

Ok... so we went for dinner without any idea of how things work other than "be there at 5:45." I hope to help any other newbies.

Doors open at 5:45pm (for dinner show). Be there a few minutes early to pick up tickets, etc. and head in. You'll be shown to your table which (if you have a small party) you may share with someone else. We were along the side of the theater so quarters were a little tight.

They'll take your drink orders and ask if you want the soup or salad. Either was good - but there's only one choice for dressing. It was a sweeter poppy-seed dressing and was pretty good. Soup was creamy chicken "something" (says my son... It was 90 degrees outside so a cold salad was my choice.)

After your salad you can go to the buffet. Food choice is limited but good. Herb roasted potatoes were good! Pasta dish was good! Fried chicken was a bit soggy, but I rarely eat the skin so I was happy. They had ham too, but it was a bit salty.

After dinner, you can order specialty drinks and desserts to be served after the pre-show and at intermission. Suggestion would be to order drinks for after the pre-show and dessert for intermission.

The pre-show consisted of the wait staff and "bootleggers" singing and dancing previews of upcoming shows.

We had our dessert first - the turtle pie was great and "The Special" was even better! Probably would have been better to wait until intermission.

The show, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, was fabulous! Acting, singing, and dancing was top-notch. Very impressed.

The drinks came at intermission which was just long enough to cycle everyone through the one restroom per persuasion. That's my only complaint - not enough restrooms. Intermission is also when you settle up your tab for any "extras" you may have ordered. Contrary to what one reviewer stated, there are refills on soft drinks until the show starts, and coffee, iced tea, and water are complimentary. Also, be generous to the wait staff... They work very hard, are very friendly, and also put on a pretty good pre-show! (No, I don't work for Circa 21, nor am I related to anyone who does. )

Overall, a great evening of fun, good food, and a great show! Highly recommended for anyone who wants that "fancy-unusual-classy" night...

We went for our first time with dearest friends and saw ‘The Church Basement Ladies’ which was outstanding!! however, the food was lacking and rather tasteless. Started with a basic salad and only option is ranch dressing followed by the chicken pot pie and it was gluppey and needs help! The pulled pork looked a better option…Don’t come hungry as the portions are child sized and tiny dollop of mash and onion laced grandma green beans, and a shriveled roll. Appetizers are extra and desert, I had the peach cobbler it was ok we decided to have it durning intermission. I think everything is pre-made and under heat lights. The bootleggeers were amazing and hats off to these beautiful talented stars.

When it’s showtime because of the position of the tables it’s is super awkward to position yourself to watch as your sat sideways to the stage we had table of four and tiny areas and terribly cramped, you have to shuffle your chair out and limited space with people behind you doing the same thing to try and turn your body to see the show, my husband was sat next to me and he found it very uncomfortable also and I ended up with pain towards the 2nd half of the show and this is a problem as many others around me said the same.

I think this has been this way since the 70’s beautiful concept but it needs a modern revamp and more comfortable way to enjoy their marvelous shows. Would be better two tables against wall sitting towards the stage, easier on body and necks.

It’s a shame you can’t see show without eating…or having the option of having appetizers and deserts only?

It’s definitely worth seeing and throughly enjoyed it and next time I will get a two seat so we can...

the show that i saw was absolutely amazing. i went for a theater class, and the service and people were very kind. the reason that i’m giving it 2 stars is because of the food. i’m experiencing the worst stomach pain ever right now, and the food was atrocious (considering that i rarely go out to eat). i recommend seeing the musicals, but the meal i was given was just gross. it was a hot plate with cold food that consisted of undercooked chicken legs and green beans, and bland macncheese and potatoes. the water was iced sink water, and i also got a root beer since i didn’t enjoy the water. the root beer was watered down and iced with the same water before, which made it even worse for me. when intermission finally came, they finally passed out the dessert i payed for. the strawberry shortcake was pretty good, but the slushee was awful. their blender was broken while i was there, which was completely not their fault. it was how they handled it and served it after. the “slushee” consisted of yet again, more sink water and ice and different syrups that really topped it off. i’m convinced that i have food poisoning now, since the food was disgusting. this 2 star review is for the food, not the service or show. the musical was absolutely amazing and everyone was super sweet, but i just wish the food would’ve been better.

you don’t have to take my word for the food, it might’ve been a...