Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Announces 90th Season

The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and School of Theatre Arts have announced their 90th season, and it certainly has a "wow" factor.

The season is filled with performances reflecting its 90-year history of being one of the top amateur regional theaters in the country.

The 2015-16 begins in September with The Great Gatsby: The Roaring 1920’s. It was a time of glamour and decadent excess as captured by the F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, the Great Gatsby.

Self-made millionaire, Jay Gatsby, passionately pursues the elusive Daisy Buchanan in a story of obsession, greed and danger. See the only stage adaptation of this iconic lost generation story.

Next up is Sleepy Hollow, A Musical Tale. The new musical version of the classic Washington Irving story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, takes a modern-day spin on a classic tale. Three children are transported back in time, and find themselves in the middle of the odd characters, traditions, ghost and goblins of Sleepy Hollow.

Peter Pan follows with a sprinkle of pixie dust. Peter Pan and his mischievous fairy sidekick, Tinkerbelle, give the Darling children an adventure filled with the Lost Boys, Tigerlily and her warriors, pirates, the villainous Captain Hook and a ticking crocodile. Soar to new heights with the one boy who will never grow up – or old, Peter Pan.

From Neverland to New York and Barefoot in the Park we go. From the comic genius of Neil Simon, newlyweds Corie and Paul Bratter have it all, a first apartment on the top floor of a New York brownstone and all the love any couple could ever need. That is until the realities of living life as a couple starts to present themselves. A romantic comedy filled with nosey neighbors, demanding in-laws and a reminder that sometimes marriage isn’t a walk in the park.

One of the best loved musicals ever is next, My Fair Lady. Professor Henry Higgins makes a bet that he can transform Cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle and pass her off as a Duchess at the ambassadors’ garden party. Eliza triumphs over high society, wins her teachers’ love, and teachers those around her a valuable lesson.

In Freckleface Strawberry, Freckleface Strawberry is just like all the girls -- except she has bright red hair and something worse, freckles. She will do anything to get rid of those spots! But with the help of her loveable schoolmates she learns that everyone is different and that is what makes them special. This beloved children’s book, written by Academy Award Winning actress Julianne Moore, comes to life with the stage transformation.

Caroline or Change follows. It's a beautiful blending of blues, gospel, and traditional Jewish melodies accentuate this heartwarming story of Caroline, an African-American maid to the Jewish-American Gellman family. A single mother of four children, Caroline is compelled by the Freedom Movement, but fears reprisal. Set in 1963 Louisiana, a provocative story of political change, social change and pocket change.

The School of Theatre Arts Summer Repertory presents two  plays. Sideways Stories from Wayside School: Welcome to Wayside, a 30-story building with one classroom on each floor. The zany characters will take you on a bizarre classroom journey that promises to thrill and excite the entire family.

And then is Into the Woods, Jr. The Brothers Grimm hit the stage with an epic fairytale about wishes, family and the choices we make. This production is a part of the School of Theatre Arts Summer Repertory.

Ticket packages for the 2015-2016 season are on sale now at significant Early Bird savings.

For more information on Grand Rapids Civic Theatre or to purchase tickets, call (616) 222-6650 or visit www.GRCT.org.