Current Season

OUR 2009-10 SEASON

Join Us
All evening shows begin at 7:30pm and matinees at 2:00pm. Please note we have moved all opening nights from Thursday to Friday. Contact the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre business office located at the corner of Division and Library in downtown Grand Rapids by phone, 616-222-6650.

Moon Over Buffalo
Comedy : January 15 - 31

A Comedy by Ken Ludwig

This backstage farce by the author of Lend Me a Tenor, tells the tale of Charlotte and George Hay, an acting couple not exactly the Lunts, who are on tour in 1953 Buffalo with a repertory consisting of Cyrano de Bergerac "revised, one nostril version" and Noel Coward's Private Lives. Fate has given these thespians one more shot at starring roles in The Scarlet Pimpernel epic and director Frank Capra himself is en route to Buffalo to catch their matinee performance. But, fate has a twist (or two) and misunderstandings pile on madcap misadventures. Will Charlotte make her stage appearance or run off with their agent? Will George be sober enough to emote? Will Capra see Cyrano, Private Lives or a disturbing mixture of the two? Moon Over Buffalo is a hilarious valentine to Theatre Hams everywhere.

Click here for photos and bios of our cast.

Tickets on sale now

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Musical : February 26 – March 21

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber; Lyrics by Tim Rice

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s lavish version of the biblical parable of Joseph will burst on the Civic stage with a large cast. The biblical parable of Joseph and his magnificent coat of many colors is set to an engaging cornucopia of musical styles, from country and calypso to pop and rock n’ roll. Follow Joseph from the favor of his Father’s eye through servitude in Egypt and the ultimate showdown with the brothers who sold him out of jealousy and which he forgives in a heartfelt reconciliation. Through the clever artistry of Rice and Webber, this Old Testament tale emerges both timely and timeless.

Sarah Plain and Tall
Children’s Comedy/Drama : April 23 – May 2

Adapted by Joseph Robinette
From the Newberry Award-winning book by Patricia MacLachlan

Set in the early 1900s, this charming, heartwarming story tells a universal tale of a single-parent family trying to cope. Jacob Witting and his two children, Anna and Caleb, place an ad in the newspapers seeking a wife and mother. Encouraged by her new sister-in-law who wants her out of the house, Sarah Wheaton, an “old maid” from Maine responds. In her letter, she proposes visiting the Witting family for a month to see how things work out: “I will come by train. I will wear a yellow bonnet. I am plain and tall.” Narrated by Anna, the story unfolds in a series of flashbacks from that sometimes tumultuous month. Sarah is a surprisingly strong, unconventional, and independent woman, and Jacob has very set ideas of what a “woman’s place” should be. As they come to know each other, adults and children learn a few things about themselves as well.

Doubt
Drama : June 4 - 13

By John Patrick Shanley; 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Set at a Catholic school in 1964, Doubt centers on a nun who confronts a priest after suspecting him of abusing a black student. He denies the charges, and much of the play's quick-fire dialogue tackles themes of religion, morality, and authority. Ben Brantley of the New York Times writes, "[Doubt is] a superb new drama …written with an uncanny blend of compassion and detachment, it is an inspired study in moral uncertainty with the compellingly certain structure of an old-fashioned detective drama. Even as DOUBT holds your conscious attention as an intelligently measured debate play, it sends off stealth charges that go deeper emotionally. It is tight and absorbing. One of the year's ten best."

2009-2010 SUMMER REPERTORY PRODUCTIONS

BFG (big friendly giant)
Children’s Comedy– Summer Repertory Theatre, August 2010

By Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory); Adapted for the stage by David Wood

Sophie’s big brother, Guy, gives her a copy of The BFG for her birthday. When the birthday party entertainment cancels, Sophie’s family and friends would rather act out the book than just watch the “telly belly bunkum box.” Sophie, of course, plays Sophie in the story. With puppets, masks and shadow-play the story unfolds with all the delightful language of the original. Book-Sophie sees the BFG collecting dreams one evening from her orphanage window. Because “human beans” must not learn that giants really exist, the BFG “takes her away hipswitch” to his cave where he protects her from the other children eating giants. The pair realizes they must do something to save the children of the world, but what? BFG is a lovable giant tale of unlikely proportions. NOTE: 10% of Roald Dahl’s royalties goes to help the Roald Dahl Foundation which helps UK children with brain, blood and literacy problems.

Pirates of Penzance Jr.
Children’s Comedy– Summer Repertory Theatre, August 2010

Book and Lyrics by Sir Williiam S. Gilbert; Music by Sir Arthur S. Sullivan

Before Pirates of the Caribbean, there were the dreaded Pirates of Penzance Jr.! The Pirate King's swash often buckles, his crew is often more bumbling than bold, but, not to worry, the policeman after them are definitely their "match!" Wacky, irreverent and entertaining, this is a hilarious musical farce of sentimental pirates, befuddled policemen, dim-witted young lovers, dewy-eyed daughters and "the very model of a modern Major-General" -- all morally bound to the often-ridiculous dictates of honor and duty.

Auditions Spring 2010 (Summer Rep Star Auditions)

Performs Wed-Sundays in rolling repertory July 30-August 8

Audition Information To Be Announced for April-May 2010

2009-2010 Completed Productions

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Musical : September 18 – October 4

Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Book by Rachel Sheinkin

A hilarious tale of overachievers' angst chronicling the experience of six adolescent outsiders vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. The show's Tony Award winning creative team has created the unlikeliest of hit musicals about the unlikeliest of heroes: a quirky yet charming cast of outsiders for whom a spelling bee is the one place where they can stand out and fit in at the same time. For more information visit mtishows.com.

Click here for photos and bios of our cast.

Captain Louie
Children’s Musical : October 23 – November 1

Based on “The Trip” (and other books) by Ezra Jack Keats
Book by Anthony Stein, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

Louie, the “New Kid in the Neighborhood,” feels lonely and friendless. Playing in his room, his favorite model plane, Red, suddenly suggests they take a trip back to his old neighborhood. Through his imagination, Louie and Red take off and travel back on Halloween to find the old neighborhood dark and empty. A gang of odd-shaped creatures chase Louie and take him to their hideout. Before things get too scary, Louie realizes that these are his old friends dressed up for Halloween, and they all set out for “Trick or Treat.” Along the way they meet Julio and the “Looza” on the block. A great story of friendships both old and new.

Click here for photos and bios of our cast.

Cinderella
Holiday Musical – November 20 – December 20

Music by Richard Rodgers; Music and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein

“I wish I could go to that ball tonight more than anything in the world! I wish it for every girl who ever wanted to go to a dance and was told she couldn’t. Impossible? You know what? If I really wanted to go to that ball badly enough, nothing could stop me. Impossible things are happening everyday!” -Cinderella

A classic tale of true love’s triumphant told with a beautiful score whose words and music are believable expressions of the characters singing them; coupled with an enchanted script that transports a new generation to the miraculous kingdom of dreams-come-true. Impossible you say? Well, quite possible as proved by this new 1997 Enchanted Edition. Complete with all the Rodgers & Hammerstein hallmarks of originality and charm, this version is enhanced with three new songs.

“Gossamer and magic! The score soars...CINDERELLA is a good show for kids.” -New York Post, 2001

Click here for photos and bios of our cast.

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