Tag Archives: Civic Theatre

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre announces 100th Anniversary lineup; eight inaugural and legacy productions

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Grand Rapids Civic Theatre announces its Centennial Season. (Photo Courtesy, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre)


By WKTV Staff
greer@wktv.org


“A story for the ages, a stage for the future.”

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre has announced its Centennial Season, which features eight titles to be produced by one of the oldest and largest community theatres in the nation. The selection of shows was specially curated for the 100th anniversary: a blend of Inaugural Productions gracing the Civic stage for the first time, and an array of Legacy Productions – audience favorites making their triumphant return to the theatre’s historic canon.

Come From Away

The season begins on September 11, 2026, with Come From Away, a musical based on the true story of when the isolated community of Gander, Newfoundland, played host to the world 25 years ago on September 11, 2001. Undaunted by culture clashes and language barriers, the people of Gander cheered the stranded travelers with music, an open bar and the recognition that we’re all part of a global family. An Inaugural Production for Civic or any community theatre in GR, the Tony Award-winning musical will run through September 27, 2026.  


Grand Rapids Civic Theatre announces its Centennial Season. (Photo Courtesy, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre)

Dragons Love Tacos

In mid-October, a high-energy family musical returns: What happens when you invite a flock of dragons to a taco party with spicy jalapeño salsa? Find out in this imaginative theatrical adventure based on the popular children’s book Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri. An entire run of “Pick Your Price” public performances allows the community to experience live theatre – maybe for the very first time –  with a manageable price point that audience members decide. Performances are October 8 – 18, 2026, with family friendly showtimes at 6 p.m. and weekend matinees at 2 p.m.

Annie!

The holidays will bring a family favorite back to the stage with Annie! With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. With the help of her fellow orphans, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. Civic’s holiday show, a tradition for the West Michigan community for close to 30 years, will run November 20 – December 20, 2026. This Legacy Production was previously staged six times since 1984, including two School of Theatre Arts productions.

A Chorus Line

2027 will kick off with a kick-line! A Chorus Line, also known as the ultimate love letter to living a life in the theatre, will make it’s return after more than twenty years since its last Civic run in 2006. Astunning concept musical capturing the spirit and tension of a Broadway ensemble audition, this brilliantly complex fusion of song, dance and authentic drama is a Pulitzer Prize-winning classic. This Legacy Production was first on stage at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre in 1986. Forty years later, the Centennial Season performances of this “singular sensation” will take place January 15 – 24, 2027.

Dear Evan Hansen

Seventeen-year-old Evan Hansen has felt invisible his entire life. But when a tragedy shocks his community and thrusts him into the center of a rapidly evolving controversy, Evan is given the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to be somebody else. Penned by the songwriters of The Greatest Showman and La La Land, Dear Evan Hansen is a new classic, with a message that has resonated with audiences around the world: “You Will Be Found.” This Inaugural Production for Civic will be the first time a Grand Rapids community theatre produces this Tony Award Best Musical winner; see it on stage from February 19 – March 7, 2027.

Finding Nemo JR.

In the spring, we just keep swimming! Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s School of Theatre Arts programs join together to present Disney’s Finding Nemo JR. This 60-minute musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie Finding Nemo features new music by the award-winning songwriting team of Frozen, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. Civic audiences will be delighted with this Inaugural Production from March 25 – 28, 2027 with family friendly showtimes at 6 p.m. and weekend matinees at 2 p.m.

Our Town

Described by Edward Albee as “the greatest American play ever written,” Our Town presents the small town of Grover’s Corners in three acts: “Daily Life,” “Love and Marriage” and “Death and Eternity.” Narrated by a stage manager and performed with minimal props and sets, the play depicts the simple daily lives of the Webb and Gibbs families as their children fall in love, marry, and eventually, die – in one of the most famous scenes in American theatre. This Legacy Production, first produced at Civic in 1940, will return for its fifth iteration on the Civic stage from April 23 – May 2, 2027.

Les Miserables

To close out the Centennial Season, Civic will present an epic tale of passion and redemption in the throes of revolution. Les Misérables is one of the world’s longest running musicals — a true modern classic based on Victor Hugo’s novel and featuring one of the most memorable Tony Award-winning scores of all time. Set in 19th Century France, this modern classic is as groundbreaking today as when it first premiered in London in 1985. Previously seen on the Civic stage in 2014, this Legacy Production will return from June 4 – 20, 2027.  



Grand Rapids Civic Theatre announces its Centennial Season. (Photo Courtesy, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre)



Pick Your Price Wednesdays

In addition to these exciting titles, an equally special announcement is the continuation of affordable and accessible theatre with “Pick Your Price Wednesdays.” The amount patrons pay is based on what they are able and willing to give the production, whether that is the cost of a small coffee or the bill for a large dinner. Grand Rapids Civic Theatre continues their efforts with a wide variety of accessible programs and resources, including the recently introduced Spotlight Social Club – a sensory-friendly program for adults, teens, and kids with neurodiversity and/or intellectual or developmental disabilities and their caregivers. Returning programs include special performances for the Deaf and hard of hearing community, pre-show touch tours for the visually impaired, and Relaxed Environment Performances. In addition, the theatre will continue to provide live video feed in the lobby, braille printed and large print programs, alternative seating, and more. A full schedule of accessible programming and resources will be available at grct.org/accessibility.

Stage Door Drinks + Libations will return, offering craft beer, wine, seltzers, and sodas on select nights throughout the season. The bar is offered alongside standard concession selections, and opens one hour before showtime. Centennial Season dates will be released later in 2026 at grct.org/stagedoordrinks.

Ticket packages, freshly reimagined to best serve audience members and how they’d like to experience live theatre, are available now at grct.org with a variety of options. Full Season Pass: This is for the theatre goer that doesn’t want to miss a thing during the Centennial Season: Come From Away, Annie, A Chorus Line, Dear Evan Hansen, Our Town, and Les Mis, along with the two Theatre For Young Audiences shows: Dragons Love Tacos, and Disney’s Finding Nemo JR. MainStage Pass: This offering is designed for folks who are interested in an adult night out! It includes all of the shows in the Full Season Pass without the Theatre For Young Audiences titles. For families with children: The Family Pass is available at price points for adults, students under age 18, and pre-K aged children; it includes admission to Dragons Love Tacos, Disney’s Finding Nemo JR., and the holiday show, Annie. 

In addition to the exciting lineup, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre will also present a variety of Special Events to celebrate 100 years, including a free celebratory Block Party on Sunday, September 27, 2026, and an elegant gala at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park on Thursday, May 6. 2027. Details will be forthcoming.

For Centennial Season and Special Event sponsorship opportunities, contact Kimberly Vincent, Director of Development, at k.vincent@grct.org. To make a tax deductible contribution to Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, visit grct.org/donate. 

Civic hosts auditions for ‘Kinky Boots’

Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Recreation,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre will host auditions for its production of “Kinky Boots” Feb. 13.

“Kinky Boots”, inspired by true events, is the story of Charlie, a straight-laced business owner, who inherits his family’s family shoe factory. Uninspired by the work but desperate to succeed, Charlie forms an unlikely partnership with cabaret performer and drag queen Lola. Together, they produce a line of custom high-heeled boots to save the business. In the process, Charlie and Lola discover that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible.

 

Winner of six 2013 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The score was written by Cyndi Lauper with book by Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein.

The cast calls for 25-30 adults, ages 18 and older, of all gender identities and ethnicities, and two male children, ages 9-13.

 

Auditons for children roles will be from 5 – 6 p.m. Feb. 13 and adult roles will be from 6 – 10 p.m. Callbacks will be Feb. 15 and 16.

For more information, visit grct.org.

Civic Theatre brings Broadway to the ballpark

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment,

By Anna Johns

WKTV Intern

Fifth Third Ballpark and the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre have come together to offer Broadway at the Ballpark. This performance is a concert of classical and contemporary Broadway tunes performed by West Michigan actors.

Performances will take place at Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 W. River Dr NE. Performances will take place on Oct. 1 – 3. There will be two showings per night, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Tickets are $100 for 12’x12′ plot in the outfield for up to six people. Parking is free and concessions will be available. For tickets and more information, visit https://www.fifththirdballpark.com.

Fate and Free Will cross at Civic Theatre’s ‘Good People’

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Courtesy of @grcivictheatre instagram
Courtesy of instagram: @grcivictheatre

susanne_albaitisThere’s the age-old debate, fate vs. free will. Margie has made choices in her life, or was it really just her fate?

 

Good People, running September 9 – 25 at Civic Theater, takes a look into the life of Margie, a single mother who loses her job in the first scene. Her boss Stevie is no tyrant, rather the son of a friend who is only trying to keep “corporate” happy. Margie is chronically late to work, leaving the young man no choice but to let her go. When Margie pleads with Stevie to keep her, we begin to see a glimpse of how Margie’s life has reached this point.

 

Margie grew up in South Boston, a working class neighborhood where getting out was more the exception than the norm. Like many of her friends, Margie remained in South Boston after she got pregnant in high school. Her baby, Joyce, was born with special needs. This made finding and keeping a job difficult for Margie because there were days where she was unable to leave on time if Joyce was upset. She often relied on friends, who proved to be inconsistent, for daycare. And college? Forget about it. Margie’s parents did not encourage her to try in high school, college was never an option.

 

But there was someone who made it out of South Boston, Mike. Mike became a doctor, a fertility specialist and he moved to a big house in Chestnut Hill. He married a younger woman, Kate, and together they had a daughter. Margie knew Mike in high school, they even dated for a few months before Mike left for college.

 

Margie and Mike’s past begins to unfold when Margie seeks out Mike for a possible job in his office. Margie takes it one step further when she shows up at his home for a party that he had explained was cancelled.  Part heart-felt reunion, part awkward culture clash, the evening revealed and kept many secrets.  It also made you wonder, was Margie’s, or anyone’s, station in life the result of their decisions, or just their fate?

 

This small cast delivered a huge performance. From the accents to emotions, the cast had it covered. There were a lot of laughs too. The three ladies, Margie, Jean and Dottie are South Boston’s version of Monica, Rachel and Phoebe. They bicker, go to bingo and you can tell there’s a lot of love for each other in there too. Kate’s tenderness balanced Mike’s tough, but understandable attitude toward Margie. She is the voice of reason when the evening of the party takes an uncomfortable trip down memory lane.

 

Good People, a thought provoking, dramedy, is a must see start to Civic Theater’s amazing 2016-2017 season. Visit the Civic Theater website for more information.