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By Jonathan Turner
Exceptional live performances – communing, transfixed, with strangers in a darkened theater – make indelible memories that last a lifetime.
Being a longtime Quad Cities resident (and arts journalist), I have certainly had these experiences, many at the gorgeous, classy Adler Theatre in downtown Davenport.
Off the top of my head, I count concerts by Jackson Browne and Sara Watkins (from front row!), Weird Al Yankovic; touring productions of “Jersey Boys,” “Book of Mormon,” “Chicago,” QC Symphony Orchestra gala concerts featuring Midori, Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Emanuel Ax, and the transcendent, dreamlike performances of Ballet Quad Cities’ “The Nutcracker” among my most treasured memories at the 2,400-seat Adler.
“The Nutcracker” by Ballet Quad Cities returns to the Adler Theatre Dec. 13 at 2 and 7 p.m., and Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. (credit: Joseph Maciejko).
Akin to seeing Paul McCartney (for free) at Vibrant Arena in Moline in June 2019, the May 14, 2015 sold-out concert of the QCSO with internationally beloved cellist Yo-Yo Ma was electrifying and unforgettable. The delicious icing on the cake of the orchestra’s 100th season, you could feel the buzzy thrill of anticipation in the packed crowd, and Ma’s trademark humility and brilliance shone for all to bask in his glow.
As author of the 2016 book “A Brief History of Bucktown,” about downtown Davenport, I was also lucky enough to learn about the history of this special place, and sing its bountiful praises.
As most QC natives know, the Adler began as the grand Art Deco movie palace (the largest then in Iowa), the RKO Orpheum, 136 E. 3rd St., part of the Radio-Keith-Orpheum movie theater chain. RKO had owned the Columbia Theater on Davenport, west on Third Street, and decided in 1926 it needed a bigger house.
The ten-story Mississippi Hotel (today’s Mississippi Lofts) formed an L over and around the new RKO Orpheum, first with 2,708 seats, and the $2-million complex was designed by A.S. Graven of Chicago, a well-known theater architect whose buildings included New York’s Paramount Theater.
A special section of the Davenport Democrat was published on Nov. 25, 1931, for the theater’s grand opening – including intricate descriptions of its interior features, such as gold-leaf ceiling, crystal light fixtures, and black ebony, walnut and marble details.
“The color of the auditorium is a deep tan, and every detail from seat ends to orchestra rail to chandeliers has been carefully thought out,” the newspaper said. “The result is impressive, rich and warm, luxurious yet soothingly comfortable.”
At the theater’s opening, the Davenport Daily Times reported of patrons: “Sunk into the luxurious comfort of seats that leave one rested after three hours, they felt a glow of pardonable pride in reflecting that Davenport boasts a theater equal to any in the United States.”
In addition to movies, the Orpheum hosted first-class live entertainment, including top singers and acts across many music genres, showing its last film for a long period on Sept. 11, 1973 (of course, in recent years, the QCSO has brought back blockbuster films shown at the theater, as it plays each movie’s soundtrack live – look for “The Lion King” and “Elf” with the QCSO in fall 2026).
After several years of darkness, in 1981 the (then) Davenport Chamber of Commerce bought the RKO and donated it to the non-profit RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, Inc.
In 1986, after a $4.25-million restoration (including new roof and plush red seats), the renamed Adler Theatre reopened with an April gala concert featuring Burt Bacharach and the QCSO.
The theater was named in honor of E.P. Adler and his son, Philip D. Adler, former newspaper publishers and leaders of Lee Enterprises, parent company of the Quad-City Times. Unfortunately, Philip (a University of Iowa alum) did not live to see the theater reopening – he died at 81 in 1984.
A $14-million renovation of the Adler was done in 2006, expanding the depth of the stage, and adding a loading dock, dressing rooms and elevators, and improving sound, lighting, HVAC and rigging. It allowed the theater to attract and host larger touring musicals for its popular “Broadway at the Adler” series.
In 2018, the Adler got a new vertical “retro-style” sign along the east side of the building, as well as a state-of-the-art electronic marquee at the entrance, featuring LED lighting.
A little over three years ago (Oct. 1, 2022), I wrote a review of another unique QCSO concert:
“The themes of persistence, courage, and resilience roiled in my head as tears streamed down my face Saturday night, during the thunderous, profoundly moving finale to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at Davenport’s Adler Theatre.
“I hate to admit it, but it must have been at least three years since I had the privilege of seeing a Quad City Symphony Orchestra Masterworks in person (thanks, COVID), and if there ever was a concert to come back to, it was this past weekend.
The Quad City Symphony Orchestra next performs at the Adler on Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m.
“Together with the outstanding, professional QCSO – kicking off their 108th season! – 130 singers joined in the reverent (and intermission-less) celebration of the immortal Beethoven choral symphony, as well the introductory, mesmerizing “Ode” by contemporary composer Jonathan Bailey Holland.”
You can have that kind of thrill too, as the Adler (part of the RiverCenter complex, and connected to the glorious Hotel Blackhawk next door) has a pretty packed schedule in the next couple months, including stand-up comedy legend Jerry Seinfeld on Jan. 17, 2026.
For more information, check out its website HERE.
Jonathan Turner is a veteran journalist and piano player, who has made the QC home since 1995 and loves writing about arts and culture. He is the author of the books “A Brief History of Bucktown: Davenport's Infamous District Transformed,” and “100 Things To Do in the Quad Cities Before You Die”.
