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diana.nollen@sourcemedia.net

About Diana Nollen

Diana Nollen is the Arts & Entertainment writer and event critic for SourceMedia Group. She also has worked as a features writer and editor, entertainment editor and news editor for The Gazette and the editor for her hometown weekly newspaper in Mediapolis. In addition, she spent four years at the helm of a children’s theater program, 10 years as a theatrical costume designer and two years as the host and assistant producer for Kidz Korner on local cable TV. Nollen has a degree in Communications and Theatre from Central College in Pella.

Broadway musical will “rock” Cedar Rapids

Jacob Smith by any other name would be — Dennis. The last time we saw the Monticello native onstage, he was a Dennis. Next week, we’ll see him be a Dennis again. But neither of these Dennises are menaces. Smith … Continue reading →

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Check out the ‘Talking Trees’ in Decorah

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REVIEW: ‘SPANK!’ makes sold-out Paramount audience cry with laughter

CEDAR RAPIDS — A full house of (mostly) female fans yelped and screamed throughout “SPANK!” last night (5/10/13) at the Paramount Theatre. They weren’t in pain — although some of the singing and writing was purposely painful. Instead, this “Fifty … Continue reading →

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Holding on: Dream is still alive for Wilson Phillips

  Armed with great genes and tight harmonies, Wilson Phillips soared to superstardom off the trio’s 1990 debut album and stayed there for three years. Then they were gone — off to explore new professional opportunities in solo recording and … Continue reading →

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‘Spank!’

On the stiletto heels of “Fifty Shades of Grey,” which dominated last summer’s literary pop culture scene, comes “SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody.” Technically, it is not associated with or authorized by author E.L. James or Vintage Press, but considering … Continue reading →

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REVIEW: Daugherty’s ‘American Gothic’ paints new pictures with thrilling sonic sweeps

CEDAR RAPIDS — Orchestra Iowa took a cheering audience on a wild ride through Grant Wood country Saturday night (5/4/13) with the world premiere of Michael Daugherty’s “American Gothic.” The 20-minute work in three movements — commissioned by the orchestra … Continue reading →

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Find your fun

Summer festivals are springing up all over, ushering in a season of fun in the sun. Whether your tastes run artistic, sporty, ethnic or historic, Eastern Iowa truly has something for everyone. Iowa City’s Summer of the Arts brings the … Continue reading →

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Orchestra Iowa premieres ‘American Gothic’

Composer Michael Daugherty and violinist Luke Witchger rip through the virtuoso orchestral bluegrass of “Pitchfork,” the final movement of “American Gothic,” during an Art Bites preview at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art at noon Wednesday (5/1/13). Orchestra Iowa commissioned … Continue reading →

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Wicked fun

  Under the green makeup and flowing gown, the Wicked Witch of the West is — GASP — a man. David Morton is stepping out of his comfort zone and into heels for the first time for Theatre Cedar Rapids’ … Continue reading →

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Cedar Rapids comedian hopes to break Guinness World Record

The Midnight Swinger is getting ready for the longest one-night mic stand of his life. David Scott, 43, really is a standup guy from Cedar Rapids, but his larger-than-life alter-ego is a Vegas lounge comedian who does clean, upstanding material. One … Continue reading →

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