LIVE THEATRE 99 YEARS IN THE MAKING
To celebrate nearly a century of storytelling from the stage, we present a season rooted in empowerment,
standing up for what you believe in, and the grand adventures along the way.
THE 2025/26 GRAND RAPIDS CIVIC THEATRE SEASON:
WHY PURCHASE FLEX PASSES NOW?
IT’S OUR GOAL TO MAKE THEATRE ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL.
CLICK HERE to learn about our programs and resources, and scroll through the show descriptions below to mark your calendar for special performances in the 2025/26 Season. Look for expanded/additional offerings for this season like video feed in the lobby, braille printed programs, alternative seating, and more. Our accessible programming and resources are sponsored in part by Steelcase.
WE SERVE BEER, WINE, AND SPECIALITY BEVERAGES THROUGHOUT THE SEASON.
Arrive at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre on select performance dates 60 minutes before curtain to purchase your beer, wine, and specialty beverages in the lower lobby. And yes – you can enjoy your drink inside the theatre while you watch the show and return to Stage Door Drinks + Libations during intermission (where applicable)! All beverages from Stage Door Drinks + Libations will come in a reusable souvenir cup! Return with your glass to other Stage Door Drinks + Libations nights throughout the season and get a discount when you re-use your cup. See the show descriptions below for dates, and mark your calendar to join us!
Rock of Ages takes you back to the time of big hair, big egos and big guitar solos! This Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical about a group of rockers attempting to save their beloved Sunset Strip in the ‘80s features the hits of REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Journey, Twisted Sister, and more.
“As the show opens with blinding lights, shredding guitars and hammer-handed drumming, even nonbelievers may start inhaling the Aqua Net and embracing their inner rocker.” – Variety
Rated: R for language, crude humor, and sex
Rock of Ages is presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals | concordtheatricals.com
Dates: September 12 – October 5, 2025 (Wednesdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm)
Sponsor: This show is available for sponsorship. Contact Director of Development, Kimberly Vincent, at k.vincent@grct.org to secure your sponsorship today.
Accessible Programming: Audio Described and ASL Interpreted Performance with pre-show Touch Tour: Saturday, September 20; Relaxed Environment Performance: Wednesday, September 17; Pick Your Price Wednesday: all Wednesday performances.
Stage Door Drinks + Libations: Friday and Saturday, September 12 and 13, and Saturday, September 27.
For Pete the Cat, life is an adventure no matter where you wind up. So the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. That is, except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized second grader on planet Earth. But when Jimmy draws a blank in art class during the last week of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect pal to help him out. Together, they set out on a mission to help Jimmy conquer second grade art, and along the way, they both learn a little something new about inspiration. Join Jimmy and Pete on an adventure of friendship, all the way to Paris and back in a VW Bus!
“‘Believe in yourself’ is a common message in family theater, but this cat and his magic VW bus make delightfully unorthodox vehicles for it.” – The New York Times
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre is excited to invite Young Audiences to experience an entire run of “Pick Your Price” performances that allows the community to experience live theatre – maybe for the very first time – with a manageable price point that YOU decide.
Script and lyrics by Sarah Hammond; Music by Will Aronson; Original Pete the Cat series of books by Kimberly and James Dean.
Rated: G for the whole family
Pete the Cat is presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals | concordtheatricals.com
Dates: October 14 – 19, 2025 (SCHOOL SHOWS: Tuesday & Thursday 10:00am and 12:30pm; PUBLIC SHOWS: Thursday & Friday 6:00pm, Saturday & Sunday 2:00pm and 5:00pm)
Sponsor: This show is available for sponsorship. Contact Director of Development, Kimberly Vincent, at k.vincent@grct.org to secure your sponsorship today.
Accessible Programming: Pick Your Price for the entire run: The amount you pay is based on what you are able and willing to give the production, whether that is the cost of a small coffee or the bill for a large dinner. The important thing to us is that we are able to share live art with you, without the burden of a price point.
For the first time in forever, experience the musical phenomenon that has taken the world by storm! Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, Disney’s Frozen includes all the film’s beloved songs by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, along with new music written exclusively for the stage.
“A brilliant spectacle!” – Variety
Rated: G for the whole family; recommended for ages 6 and up due to some action, instances of death, and mild rude humor, much like the original film
Disney’s Frozen is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI
Dates: November 14 – December 14, 2025 (Wednesdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm, Saturdays* and Sundays at 2:00pm. *Saturday matinee performances begin November 22)
Sponsor: This show is available for sponsorship. Contact Director of Development, Kimberly Vincent, at k.vincent@grct.org to secure your sponsorship today.
Accessible Programming: Audio Described and ASL Interpreted Performance with pre-show Touch Tour: Saturday, November 22; Relaxed Environment Performance: Wednesday, November 19; Pick Your Price Wednesday: November 19 and 26
Stage Door Drinks + Libations: Saturday, November 29 (both performances) and Saturday, December 6 (both performances)
A saucy, sultry musical celebration of legendary jazz great, Fats Waller, Ain’t Misbehavin’ evokes the delightful humor and infectious energy of this American original as a versatile cast struts, strums and sings the songs that he made famous in a career that ranged from uptown clubs to downtown Tin Pan Alley to Hollywood and concert stages in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
“…the beautifully varied arrangements, the whole thing is exhilarating. Go and exhilarate yourself.” – New York Times
Rated: PG-13 for mature themes including some lyrics and dialogue that may contain slang or suggestive language from the time period
Ain’t Misbehavin’ is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI
Dates: January 16 – February 1, 2026 (Wednesdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm)
Sponsor: This show is available for sponsorship. Contact Director of Development, Kimberly Vincent, at k.vincent@grct.org to secure your sponsorship today.
Accessible Programming: Audio Described and ASL Interpreted Performance with pre-show Touch Tour: Saturday, January 24; Relaxed Environment Performance: Wednesday, January 21; Pick Your Price Wednesday: all Wednesday performances.
Stage Door Drinks + Libations: Saturday, January 17, and Saturday, January 31
When teenager Percy Jackson discovers he’s a demigod, he and his friends embark on an epic journey to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods. Adapted from the best-selling book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan and featuring a thrilling original rock score, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is an action-packed mythical adventure.
“One foot in Harry Potter and another in Dear Evan Hansen.” – Chicago Tribune
Rated: G for the whole family
The Lightning Thief is presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals | concordtheatricals.com
Dates: February 27 – March 15, 2026 (Wednesdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm; Saturday Matinee only on the first and last Saturday)
Sponsor: This show is available for sponsorship. Contact Director of Development, Kimberly Vincent, at k.vincent@grct.org to secure your sponsorship today.
Accessible Programming: Audio Described and ASL Interpreted Performance with pre-show Touch Tour: Saturday, March 7; Relaxed Environment Performance: Wednesday, March 4; Pick Your Price Wednesday: all Wednesday performances.
Stage Door Drinks + Libations: Saturday, March 14
A new version of the celebrated murder mystery that inspired Hitchcock’s masterpiece! Tony is convinced that his wife Margot has been cheating on him. Now it seems that the affair is over, but in his jealousy Tony spins a web of suspicion and deception that will tighten around them and ensnare them both in danger, recrimination and murder. Adaptation by Jeffrey Hatcher.
“Clever, funny and fast-paced… Even if you’ve seen Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 film adaptation of the Frederick Knott teleplay, you’ll want to see this smartly updated adaptation that has many surprise twists… Dial M lives up to its reputation as midcentury thriller, but seen through Hatcher’s fresh eyes, it’s also timeless.” – San Diego Union-Tribune
RATED: PG for mature situations
Dial M for Murder is presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals | concordtheatricals.com
Dates: April 17 – May 3, 2026 (Wednesdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm)
Sponsor: This show is available for sponsorship. Contact Director of Development, Kimberly Vincent, at k.vincent@grct.org to secure your sponsorship today.
Accessible Programming: Audio Described and ASL Interpreted Performance with pre-show Touch Tour: Saturday, April 25; Relaxed Environment Performance: Wednesday, April 22; Pick Your Price Wednesday: all Wednesday performances.
Stage Door Drinks + Libations: Saturday, April 18
A fabulously fun award-winning musical based on the adored movie, Legally Blonde The Musical, follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams at Harvard Law.
“…Legally Blonde is an assured and snappy production which fits slap-bang into the present day.” – London Theatre
RATED: PG-13 for suggestive language, references, and innuendo
Legally Blonde is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
Dates: June 5 – June 28, 2026 (Wednesdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm)
Sponsor: This show is available for sponsorship. Contact Director of Development, Kimberly Vincent, at k.vincent@grct.org to secure your sponsorship today.
Accessible Programming: Audio Described and ASL Interpreted Performance with pre-show Touch Tour: Saturday, June 13; Relaxed Environment Performance: Wednesday, June 10; Pick Your Price Wednesday: all Wednesday performances.
Stage Door Drinks + Libations: Saturday, June 20, and Saturday, June 27
Remember, with Flex Passes, you spend less money, and have more flexibility.
Plus, act fast; with Early Access pricing, you’ll buy 3 shows and get 1 free!
Early Access Flex Sale Pricing: 3/3/2025 – 3/21/2025
Regular Flex Pricing: 3/22/2025 – 9/12/2025 (Opening of the Season)
Single Tickets On Sale: 6/04/25
Last Day to Purchase Flex Passes: 9/12/2025 (Opening of the Season)
Support for Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s 2025/26 Season is provided by
National Endowment for the Arts
and
Michigan Arts and Culture Council