By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
After almost a year since the lights in area theaters went dark, there is a glimmer of hope that the stages may soon be filled with actors, antics and song.
Both Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and Circle Theatre have announced upcoming productions starting as early as April along with Coldwater’s Tibbits Opera House announcing that it too will host the Tibbits Young Audiences’ spring musical “The Nifty Fifties” and have a summer theater schedule.
There are other companies, such as Broadway Grand Rapids, which have made the announcement that its 2020-2021 season has been moved to the 2021-2022 season. Actors Theatre Grand Rapids has productions listed but dates have not been announced.
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Last month, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre announced the Ten for All Festival, a playwriting contest that will feature original 10-minute plays from local playwrights.
“We are thrilled to present this unique festival as we move back toward in-person performance in 2021,” said Grand Rapids Civic Theatre executive and Artistic Director Bruce Tinker. “We are taking advantage of this unique opportunity to open our stage to the many talented playwrights we have right here in West Michigan.”
Submissions are open from now until Feb. 26. From those submission, 12 semi-finalists will be selected, three each from four categories: comedy, drama, youth, and wildcard. During the semi-finals, which will take place March 18 – 21, the 12 selected will be featured in Zoom readings and scored by celebrity judges from around the community. The top-scoring play in each of the four categories will move on to the finals and be publicly performed on stage at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre the week of April 9 – 11.
The finalists will be performed back-to-back as one hour-long program at the Meijer Majestic Theater. Audience members will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite piece and one play will receive the honor of Audience Choice. Cash prizes are being offered for the Audience Choice winner, finalists, and semifinalists.
“West Michigan is home to so many truly gifted artists and playwrights,” said Civic’s Associated Director Allyson Paris. “We are eager to lend their voices a platform and to open our space to them. Our community is the core of our mission, and this is a unique opportunity for us to showcase that.”
Details on submissions and future contest information is available at www.grct.org/tenforall.
Circle Theatre
Last fall, Circle Theater announced its plans to host its 69th Main Stage season. The company’s season will kick off with live concert performances in May that will run throughout the summer and fall.
“Right now we are hopeful that we will be able to open our first production,” said Circle Theatre Executive and Artists Director Lynne Brown Tepper, “even if it is with reduced capacity. However, as is the case with the other area arts organizations, we will adapt as necessary with any restrictions that may occur at or around that time.”
John Kander’s 1966 musical “Cabaret” will be added to Main Stage season running from July 15 – 31. Set in 1931 Berlin during the waning days of the Weimar Republic as the Nazis are rising to power, the musical focuses on the hedonistic nightlife at the seedy Kit Kat Klub and revolves around American writer Cliff Bradshaw’s relations with English cabaret performer Sally Bowles.
Next up will be Michael Frayn’s farce “Nosies Off,” which follows the backstage antics as the actors and crew put on a performance. “Noises Off” runs Aug. 12 – 28.
In September will be the iconic musical “Hair,” which follows the hippie counterculture and sexual revolution of the late 1960s. One of the musical’s most famous numbers is “Age of Aquarius.” “Hair” is Sept. 9 – 25.
Also in September will be the Annual Season Party, “American Graffiti: In Concert, which will be Sept. 12.
Virtual concert and performance opportunities are available. All performances are at the Aquinas College Performing Arts Center, 1703 Robinson Ave. SE. Tickets and membership packages are on sale. For more information, visit circletheatre.org.
Tibbits Opera House
The Tibbits Summer Theater will take place at The Ponds event pavilion in Coldwater. The location, according to Tibbits Opera House officials, will provide social distancing and mask-wearing while offering an outdoor venue.
“If we are outside again, we wanted to capitalize on the beautiful setting and choose shows that fit well in that setting, and if we are able, can just as easily move back to the theatre,” said Artistic Director Peter Riopelle.
The summer line-up for Tibbits is “The Best of Broadway,” June 16 – 23; “The Fantasticks, June 30 – July 7; “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, July 14 – 23; and “On Golden Pond,” July 29 – Aug. 6.
For more information, call 517-278-6029 and tibbits.org.
