As the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, it may seem as if there is nothing to do in Cedar Rapids. Sure, there is going to the movies or walking around Target for the 100th time. Or, there are a few community theaters in the area like Theatre Cedar Rapids, Giving Tree Theater and Rich Heritage of Cedar Rapids Theater. All three have shows playing year round. 

The oldest community theater in Cedar Rapids is Theatre Cedar Rapids (TCR). Upcoming shows one can see at TCR are musicals such as, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Kinky Boots and Mamma Mia. For those who are not into singing and dancing, TCR will also be putting on numerous plays such as The Humans, The Skins of our Teeth and Vanity Fair.

For those looking for a more intimate and relaxed environment, Giving Tree Theater is a quaint theater  in  uptown   Marion.  The  small theater got its reputation for being so quaint because of the seats. They have replaced the normal theatre seats for couches and side chairs. 

“We tell Great Stories with Big Heart. We want our audiences to experience the show not just when they watch it. When they leave, they should feel something, whether it is a comedy or a heartfelt drama,” Andrea Henley, owner of Giving Tree, said.

The 2020 season for Giving Tree includes, The Tin Woman, Boeing Boeing, 26 Pebbles and Cabaret. 

Last, but not least, is Rich Heritage of Cedar Rapids Theatre Company (RHCR). RHCR is a non-profit theatre company that resides in the MedQuarter District of downtown Cedar Rapids. 

“We are still quite unknown in the area, even after seven seasons of programming,” Matt Ford, executive director and founder, said. “Producing quality theatre is one way that we have built our current reputation and we will continue to do that in 2020.”

RHCR’s 2020 lineup includes,plays such as 24 Hour Play Festival, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, Marvel Spotlight: Hammered; A Thor & Loki Play and Squirrel Girl Goes to College, A Few Good  Men, An Evening with Sherlock Holmes and the musical, Willy Wonka Jr. 

All performances at TCR, Giving Tree Theater and RHCR are all put together on stage and off stage by volunteer actors in the area and are open to all to audition and to attend. More information about upcoming shows can be found on their websites. 

Go experience a live show at a theater near you.