Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse

Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse, also known as the Fort Armstrong Circa '21, is a historic dinner theater located in the Quad Cities area. The venue is housed in the Fort Armstrong Theatre, which boasts a rich history dating back to its opening on January 19, 1921, during the silent movie era. The inaugural event featured the film "Midsummer Madness" by William DeMille, accompanied by a ten-piece orchestra and various musical and comedic acts. The theater's opening night was further celebrated with appearances by film co-star Lila Lee and congratulatory telegrams from notable figures such as Paramount Pictures President Adolf Zukor, director Cecil B. DeMille, and comedian Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle. Designed by architect Benjamin Horn from the Cervin & Horn practice, the Fort Armstrong Theatre is an Art Deco style building with a façade of Indian red brick and polychrome terra cotta, the latter of which was crafted by Rudolph Sandberg and produced by the Midland Terra Cotta Company of Chicago. The building is adorned with Illinois-themed terra cotta decorations, including spears, arrows, birds, snakes, and corn, and is distinguished by its curved northeast corner and the vibrant colors of the terra cotta frames. By 1929, the theater transitioned from silent films to "talkies," or talking pictures, reflecting the evolution of the film industry. The theater remained a movie house for 55 years, with various operators adding modern touches. However, competition from newer theaters and increasing operational costs led to a decline in ticket sales, putting the theater at risk of closure. In August of 1976, Denny Hitchcock purchased the theater and undertook extensive remodeling. Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse opened in June 1977, introducing a unique dinner theater concept to the Quad Cities. The interior was redesigned with Las Vegas-styled seating and now accommodates 334 guests on the main floor. In 1978, the Fort Armstrong Theatre was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Circa '21 has since become a cultural landmark, offering a variety of productions including comedies, dramas, musicals, mysteries, and children's shows. The venue has hosted celebrity attractions such as Tony Bennett, Mickey Rooney, Phyllis Diller, Pat Boone, The Smothers Brothers, The Lettermen, Dennis Miller, and Roseanne. It is also one of only two dinner theaters in the country with a performing wait staff known as The Bootleggers. The theater underwent a significant renovation in 2001, coinciding with its 25th Anniversary Season. These renovations included repainting the interior, updating the restrooms, recarpeting the entire theater, and installing a new marquee that replicates the original from 1920. Circa '21 continues to serve its patrons in an elegant atmosphere, inviting them to enjoy the performances and the beautiful surroundings of this historic venue.