Circle Theatre to Open 64th Season with CATS

Circle Theatre, Grand Rapids' go-to destination for exceptional theatrical arts in an intimate setting, will open their Main Stage season with a production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS starting on Thursday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m. inside the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Aquinas College.

Under the direction of Todd Avery, the 2016 Audience Choice Musical will take audience members on a visually breathtaking journey filled with heartfelt song, dance and impressive acrobatics paired with stunning makeup and elaborate costuming. CATS tells the story of the annual gathering of Jellicle cats at which one time, one special cat is selected to ascend to the Heaviside layer. A true musical theatre phenomenon, CATS is one of the longest-running musicals in both West End and Broadway history.

"This season is particularly exciting because we are truly offering something for everyone and we're also the first community theater in Grand Rapids to put on a production of CATS," says Lynne Brown-Tepper, Managing Director of Circle Theatre. "The talent of both the performers and the production staff this season is one of the best I've seen in all of my 16 years at Circle."

Audience members looking to delve even further into the CATS experience can "Meet the Cats" at a special meet and greet session with members of the cast following performances on May 7, 15 and 20. Tickets are $5 and include a mix and mingle for "paw-tographs" and a special photo op with select felines on the stage. Tickets are limited and can be purchase at the box office or online.

"Circle Theatre feels like home to so many people and we want to extend that to our audiences through our performances," says Todd Avery, director of CATS at Circle Theatre. "You'll see powerful acrobatics, plenty of awe-inspiring makeup and costuming choices and some incredibly talented vocalists fully embodying their feline character. Audiences won't want to miss any of it."

Circle 360: CATS and Cosmos is another opportunity exclusively for media and sponsors to get an all-encompassing look at what goes into creating the magic of CATS at Circle. On Tuesday, April 26 at 8 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center lower lobby, media and sponsors will get a sneak-peek performance, learn about the magic of costume and wig design with costumers Bill Dunckel and Val Fischer and Wig Designer Scott McGuire, hear from director Todd Avery and watch the fascinating transformation of a cast member with Makeup Artist Erick Gerson. A Q&A session will follow and cosmos will be served. Those interested can RSVP to Noddea Skidmore, Director of Audience Development at nskidmore@circletheatre.org on or before Monday, April 25.

2016 celebrates Circle's 64th year of producing plays and musicals for West Michigan audiences. Other Main Stage productions this season include comedic farce Perfect Wedding, musical comedy First Date, heartfelt comedic play Over the River and Through the Woods, jukebox spoof comedy musical Rock of Ages. Circle Theatre attendees can also look forward to the Magic Circle family production of classic tale Charlotte's Web. Circle's unique and diverse Summer Concert Series performances include Any Way You Want It: Arena Rock Anthems, Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough: The Music of Michael Jackson, Made in the Mitten: Michigan Music Greats and Classic to Cosmopolitan: Nashville Past & Present. All performances will be held at Circle Theatre's home, the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Aquinas College.

Other CATS shows will run May 6 & 7, 11-14, 18-21 at 7:30 p.m. and May 15 at 5 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call the box office at 616-456-6656 or visit Circle's website www.circletheatre.org.

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