Circle Theatre of Oak Park Presents Their 27th Season
ON OUR MAINSTAGE & STUDIO STAGE
Circle Theatre celebrates its 27th season with a varied slate of poignant dramas, raucous and clever comedies, and musicals that run the gamut from elegant to campy to a fresh spin on an old classic. Join us at our space at 1010 Madison Avenue in Oak Park for a mix of edgy and classic theatre with a twist, including a Chicago premiere.
The Baker’s Wife Music & Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz Book by Joseph Stein Directed by Kevin Bellie Previews November 11, 12 & 15 November 16, 2011 – January 22, 2012
The Baker’s Wife: a charming gem by the creator of Wicked, this romantic musical has developed a loyal following for its lush score featuring the song “Meadowlark.” A provincial French town suffers from the absence of a bakery and the lack of good gossip. When a new baker arrives with his much younger, very beautiful wife, the town immediately seizes on the idea that she will leave him, leading to unexpected consequences for everyone. Circle is proud to present this seldom-seen musical, under the direction of Artistic Director, Kevin Bellie.
Kevin Bellie – Kevin is Circle Theatre’s Artistic Director and a company member for over 24 years. Directorial/choreographic credits at Circle include Jeff Recommended and awarded productions of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Can-Can, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Mack & Mabel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Nine, Triumph of Love, The Life, Grand Hotel, and Sweet Smell of Success. Other credits include Noble Fool’s 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Drood and The Tafettas; McLeod Summer Playhouse’s A Chorus Line; choreography for Porchlight’s Gypsy, Circle’s Tommy and MSP’s The Producers.
The Ritz By Terrence McNally Directed by Bob Knuth Previews February 10, 11 & 14 February 15 – April 1, 2012
The Ritz: when heterosexual businessman Gaetano Proclo discovers he’s being pursued by the mob, he finds himself hiding in a gay bathhouse with an increasingly bizarre and endearing cast of characters. He takes on the guise of a Broadway producer to further hide his identity and farcical merriment ensues. Directed by Circle’s own Bob Knuth, we look forward to presenting Terrence McNally’s raucous farce.
Bob Knuth – Bob is Circle Theatre’s resident scenic/graphic designer and has directed/scenic designed Little Night Music, Kiss Me Kate, The Analytical Engine, Little Women (adaptation), Enchanted April, Jane Eyre, She Loves Me, Dear World, Meet Me In St. Louis and The Secret Garden (nominated for ten Jeff Citations). His design credits include About Face, Red Hen Productions, Emerald City, Noble Fool Theatricals and the original Chicago Children’s Theatre. He has been nominated for fourteen Joseph Jefferson Awards (winning twice for scenic design) and is currently the art director for Second City.
When the Rain Stops Falling By Andrew Bovell Directed by John Gawlik Previews April 27, 28 & May 1 May 2 – June 17, 2012
When the Rain Stops Falling is a beautifully heartbreaking story that takes us on a journey across time where the acts of the past prove devastating to the next generation. From 1959 to 2039, featuring four generations of a family, the play manages to be epic and astonishingly intimate at the same time. Named Time Magazine’s Best New Play of 2010, Circle stages this Chicago Premiere with guest director, John Gawlik.
John Gawlik – An actor/director, John has appeared with or directed productions for many Chicagoland companies. Recent directing credits include Around the World in 80 Days, Over the Tavern and Red Herring for Fox Valley Rep. Additional directing credits include The Ruby Sunrise for The Gift Theatre Company which was named one of the Top Ten shows of 2009 by TimeOut Chicago Magazine. Recently he performed in The Lonesome West with The Gift Theatre. John is the Artistic Director of Fox Valley Rep and an ensemble member of The Gift Theatre.
Almost An Evening By Ethan Coen Directed by J. Christopher Brown Previews April 27, 28 & May 1 May 23 – July 1, 2012 (Presented in the Studio space) Almost an Evening is a dark comic trio of plays that explore the theme of hell–both here and hereafter–featuring the worst clerical error in eternity; an unlikely steam room encounter; and a heated debate between God and, well…God. Written by Ethan Coen (of the Coen brothers of Fargo, No Country for Old Men and The Big Lebowski fame), Circle will present this quirky trinity in the studio space next to our Mainstage, directed by Chris Brown.
J. Christopher Brown – Chris is a director, actor, and teaching artist in the Chicago area. Recent Circle productions include Twelfth Night and Alice in Wonderland for Circle Theatre’s Emerging Young Artists program. Chris directed the premieres of Let Them Eat Cake by Jill Olson and Promises by Jeremiah Howe at Gorilla Tango Theatre. Chris worked as assistant director for Keira Fromm on Redtwist Theatre’s production of Lobby Hero, which was Jeff – nominated for Best Production and Best Director. Other directing credits include American Buffalo, Topdog/Underdog, and A Tell-Tale Heart, which Chris also adapted.
Reefer Madness Book & Lyrics by Kevin Murphy Music by Dan Studney Directed by Matthew Gunnels Previews July 13, 14 & 17 July 18 – August 26, 2012 Reefer Madness takes the over-the-top morality tale of the 1936 film cult classic, and pushes it to the edge of ridiculous. Innocent teen Jimmy is lured into the dangerous world of marijuana, a world full of insanity, promiscuity, recklessness and murder. This campy musical will have you tapping your toes to a Tom Jones-esque Jesus, and just might make you hungry for a snack. Circle has secured director Matthew Gunnels, who is no stranger to camp classics, to bring this satire to our stage.
Matthew Gunnels – A director/actor, Matt has directed Pussy on the House; Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical; Eating Raoul: the Musical as well as several incarnations of Rudolph the Red Hosed Reindeer for Hell in a Handbag Productions. Other directing credits include In Trousers (Top Ten Theatre Shows of 2005 – Time Out Chicago) and Macabaret for Porchlight Music Theatre, and The Wizard of Oz at Timberlake Playhouse. An Artistic Associate of Emerald City Theatre, he develops new musicals for young audiences, including Peter Pan and Dr. Seuss’s Green Eggs & Ham and Other Stories. As an actor, Matt last appeared on the Circle stage as Bazzard in The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
Marvin’s Room By Scott McPherson Directed by Mary Redmon Previews August 17, 18 & 21 August 22 – September 30, 2012 (Presented in the Studio space)
Marvin’s Room explores the challenges and transformations inherent in child-rearing and aging-parent obligations. Two sisters are forced after years of estrangement to deal with leukemia, care of their bed-ridden father, and the dichotomy of a family coming back together. Circle’s production of this touching drama of family and faith will take place in the studio space, and will be directed by Mary Redmon.
Mary Redmon – Mary’s directorial debut with Circle was last season’s Jeff-nominated The Man Who Came To Dinner. Her directing credits include One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Into The Woods, Noises Off, A Moon For the Misbegotten, You Can’t Take It With You, Dancing at Lughnasa, Working, Lovers and Translations with companies such as Daley College, Oak Lawn Park District, Orland Park Village Players, St. Xavier University’s Theatre II and the Oak Park Village Players.
Dearly Departed By David Bottrell and Jessie Jones Directed by TBA Previews September 14, 15 & 18 Sept 19 – October 28, 2012
Dearly Departed is a hilarious comedy set at a Bible Belt funeral. After the patriarch keels over in the first scene, the Turpin family tries desperately to pull themselves together to plan the funeral, but their family and neighborhood dynamics keep getting in the way. In the spirit of past Circle favorite, Escanaba In Da Moonlight, Circle will bring the drop-dead funny knee-slapper to life.
Pippin: a Bollywood Spectacular Music & Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz Book by Roger O. Hirson Directed and Choreographed by Kevin Bellie Previews November 9, 10 & 13 November 14 – December 23
Pippin tells the tale of an idealistic young man searching for self-realization, and finding a complicated world of tyranny, family betrayals, and the joys of a simple life. The bursting colors and rich culture of India will shine a new light on this dance-infused, Stephen Scwartz classic. Circle’s production will use Bollywood as its inspiration, with direction and choreography by Artistic Director Kevin Bellie.
Kevin Bellie – Kevin is Circle Theatre’s Artistic Director and a company member for over 24 years. Directorial/choreographic credits at Circle include Jeff Recommended and awarded productions of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Can-Can, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Mack & Mabel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Nine, Triumph of Love, The Life, Grand Hotel, and Sweet Smell of Success. Other credits include Noble Fool’s 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Drood and The Tafettas; McLeod Summer Playhouse’s A Chorus Line; choreography for Porchlight’s Gypsy, Circle’s Tommy and MSP’s The Producers.
All Mainstage and Studio Performances will be held Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm & Sundays at 3pm
CIRCLE THEATRE’S EMERGING YOUNG ARTISTS (CTEYA) TWELFTH NIGHT By William Shakespeare Directed by J. Christopher Brown October 20 – 23, 2011 Twelfth Night, or What you Will, is Shakespeare’s magnificent tale of mistaken identity, and the journey of untwisting all the emotional knots. The production will feature the direction of J. Christopher Brown.
HELLO, DOLLY! Music & Lyrics by Jerry Herman Book by Michael Stewart Directed by TBA March 29 – April 1 Hello, Dolly! is the buoyant musical classic of a clever matchmaker and those who get caught up in her game. CTEYA will present this lyrical adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s The Matchmaker.
HAIRSPRAY Music by Marc Shaiman Lyrics by Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman Book by Mark O’Donnell &Thomas Meehan Directed by Shawn Quinlan Music Directed by Carolyn Brady Riley August 9 – 12 Hairspray is the bouncy story of teenager Tracy Turnblad and her efforts to integrate a 1960’s dance show. The production will be directed by CTEYA Artistic Director, Shawn Quinlan, and music directed by Circle company member, Carolyn Brady Riley.
CTEYA performances take place on the mainstage, with showtimes of 7:00pm on Thursdays, 2:00pm on Saturdays, and 7:00 pm on Sundays.
