Introducing... Our 2008-09 Season!
We are very excited about our 2008-09 season at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and School of Theatre Arts. Our goal is to provide West Michigan families with the highest quality community theatre productions possible. This current season has certainly been one of our best ever, with sold-out performances beyond our expectations. Now get ready for another exciting season filled with a great lineup of plays and musicals to entertain you!
All evening curtains: 7:30 p.m. All matinee curtains: 2:00 p.m.
1776
Book by Peter Stone,
Music & Lyrics by Sherman Edwards
September 12-28, 2008
Our season kicks off with the patriotic musical
hit, 1776. The birth of our nation blazes into vivid life in a most unconventional
way through musical theatre. 1776 is a funny, insightful musical drama
that explores the men behind the national icons: proud, frightened, uncertain,
irritable, charming, often petty and ultimately noble figures determined to
do the right thing for a fledgling nation.
Bunnicula
Book and lyrics by Jon Klein
Based on the “Rabbit-Tale of Mystery” novel by Deborah and James Howe
October 17-26, 2008
Chester the cat and Harold the dog have a happy
and content life, until one day their family brings home a sweet little bunny.
Or is it? Get ready for a fantastic theatre experience that will have your
entire family on the edge of your seats.
A Wonderful Life
Written by Sheldon Harnick and Music by Joe Raposo
November 21 – December 20, 2008 & January 2-4,
2009
A Wonderful Life
is an inspirational musical based on the classic Frank Capra film, “It’s
a Wonderful Life”, starring Jimmy Stewart, which, in turn, was based
on the 1938 short story by Philip Van Doren Stern, “The Greatest Gift”.
This 2005 Broadway concert is making its regional debut at the Grand Rapids
Civic Theatre this holiday season.
A Raisin in the Sun
By Lorraine Hansberry
January 23 – February 8, 2009
Set in Chicago’s South Side during the 1950s,
this groundbreaking play revolves around the divergent dreams and conflicts
within three generations of the Younger family. Sacrifice, trust and love
among family, and their heroic struggle to retain dignity in the face of a
changing world is a searing and timeless document of hope and inspiration.
This powerful drama is a pivotal play in the history of the American Black
theatre.
The Producers
Music & Lyrics by Mel Brooks
Book by Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan
March 6-29, 2009
The popular Tony® Award-winning musical comes
to the Civic stage. Based on the Academy Award-winning 1968 comedy film, The
Producers tells the story of down-on-his-luck theatrical producer Max Bialystock
and Leo Bloom, a mousy accountant. Together they hatch the ultimate scam to
raise more money than needed for a sure-fire Broadway flop and pocket the
difference. This is sure to be one of Grand Rapids’ best theatrical productions
of the year!
The Foreigner
By Larry Shue
April 17 – May 3, 2009
Get ready for a classic comedy about mistaken
identity. A shy Brit escapes his stressful life on holiday in backwoods Georgia.
To avoid the local yokels, he poses as a foreigner who speaks “no English,”
making him the perfect person with whom all share their deepest secrets and
sinister schemes. His discoveries lead to a wildly funny chain of events where
everything goes awry.
Willy Wonka
Adapted for stage from Roald Dahl’s classic film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
May 29 – June 14, 2009
Join the world-famous candy man and his Oompa
Loompas as they lead Charlie, the spoiled-rotten Veruca Salt, gluttonous Augustus
Gloop, gum-chewing Violet Beauregarde, and television junkie Mike Teevee through
a labyrinth of candied delight. A scrumptious musical theatre treat for your
entire family!
SUMMER REPERTORY PRODUCTIONS
Disney’s High School Musical 2
July 31, August 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 & 9
Book by David Simpatico. Songs by Matthew Gerrard and Robbie Nevil,
David N. Lawrence and Faye Greenberg, Randy Peteren and Kevin Quinn, Jamie
Houston, Brian Louiselle, Andy Dodd and Adam Watts, Antoniana Armato and Tim
James
Music Adapted, Arranged and Produced by Bryan Louiselle
Based on a Disney Channel Original Movie Written by Peter Barsocchini
It’s summer vacation for the Wildcats:
the responsibility of jobs versus fun and free time! Troy and Gabrielle hope
to have a great summer together, but Sharpay is just as determined to have
Troy all to herself, so she pulls strings and tells the manager of her father’s
Lava Springs Country Club to hire Troy at all costs. He does, but the cost
is hiring half the school along with him, including Gabriella as the pool
lifeguard! All your favorite characters plus a few new ones sing and dance
in the Lava Springs Talent Show, learning the difficulty and benefits of “all
for one and one for all!”
Sleeping Beauty
By Charles Way
August 1, 5, 7, 9
Once upon a time... get ready! Here comes a modern,
funnier version of one of your favorite tales. Briar Rose is an independent
and in-your-face kind of princess with a half-witted half-dragon to keep her
safe. Enter the Prince of course and you’ve got a funny
and amazing adventure that’s sure to please your whole family.
Questions? 616-222-6650 toll free: 866-455-GRCT
