Download the 2011-2012 Circle Presents Brochure

Download the 2011-2012 Circle Presents Educator Survey

Download the Circle Presents Theatre Etiquette Guide

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RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL CIRCLE PRESENTS ORDERS.

Please call the Circle Theatre Box Office at (616) 456-6656
(M-F, 12-5PM)

Please reserve your tickets at least 24 hours in advance.

Payment WILL NOT be accepted on the day of the performance at the venue.

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Circle Presents Season | 2011-2012

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RAINBOW FISH

Monday, May 14, 2012
10:00AM (SOLD OUT)
12:30PM

Tuesday, May 15, 2012
10:00AM (SOLD OUT)
12:30PM

Pioneer Auditorium at Wealthy Elementary,
East Grand Rapids
(Capacity: 850)

Recommended for Grades Pre K – 2

With her lovely coloring and shimmering scales, the Rainbow Fish is used to being the most beautiful creature in the ocean. So when the other fish ask her for some silver scales, she refuses. How can she sacrifice the one thing that makes her so unique? Will some good advice from the wise old Octopus persuade the Rainbow Fish to share her gifts with those around her?

ArtsPower has turned Marcus Pfister’s bestselling book into a delightful and touching musical about the value of sharing true friendship with others.

Curriculum Connections: Literature Based, Communications & Language Arts, Music, Relationships & Families

Download the RAINBOW FISH Study Guide

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PREVIOUS 2011-2012  PRODUCTIONS

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BEN & ME

November 14 & 15, 2011
10:00AM & 12:30PM
Gerald R. Ford Museum
(Capacity: 250)

Recommended for Grades K – 6

At a rally to denounce history’s unfair treatment of mice Amos, the mouse, relates his overlooked partnership with Ben Franklin. After discovering how each can benefit from the other, Ben convinces Amos to put their partnership in writing. After all, “the pen is mightier than the sword.” As a result, Amos becomes instrumental in Ben’s many inventions and discoveries. But when Ben makes Amos a “guinea mouse” during his electricity experiments, Amos revolts. Soon after, Ben and the other colonists are also revolting against British rule. With the tables turned, Amos reminds Ben that “the pen is mightier than the sword,” and inspires him to help write the Declaration of Independence.

Curriculum Connections: Biography, History, American Personalities, Social Studies, Inventions

Collaboration with the Gerald R. Ford Museum

Limited Seating.  Entry to the museum FREE with ticket purchase.

Download the BEN & ME Study Guide

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SKIPPYJON JONES 

January 26, 2012
10:00AM & 12:30PM
VanSingel Fine Arts Center, Byron Center
(Capacity: 775)

January 27, 2012
10:00AM & 12:30PM
East Kentwood High School Auditorium Fine Arts Center
(Capacity: 1450)

Recommended for Grades K – 3

Skippyjon Jones is a little kitten with big ears and even bigger dreams! Sometimes he pretends to be a bird, sometimes he pretends to be a llama, and sometimes he pretends to be a whale… Anything BUT what he is, a Siamese cat!

His Mama sends him to his room so that he can think about behaving like the cat he really is. While bouncing on his big boy bed, Skippyjon’s wild imagination takes over again as he catches his reflection in a mirror. “Holy guacamole,” Skippyjon exclaims. “My ears are too big for my head, my head is too big for my body. I am not a Siamese cat – I am a CHIHUAHUA!” And not just any Chihuahua, he dons a mask, a cape, and an accent, and transforms into Skippito Friskito, the greatest canine sword fighter in old Mexico!

Based on the book by Judy Schachner, Skippyjon Jones is an enchanting musical about unleashing your powerful imagination and following your dreams.

Curriculum Connections: Literature Based, Communication & Language Arts, Music, Multi-Cultural, Relationships & Family

Download the SKIPPYJON JONES Study Guide

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THE COLOR OF JUSTICE

Tuesday, February 7, 2012
10:00AM (SOLD OUT)
1:00PM
Grandville High School
(Limited Capacity)

Wednesday, February 8, 2012
10:00AM
12:30PM
Aquinas College Performing Arts Center 
(Capacity: 400)

Recommended for Grades 3 – 9

Theatreworks USA proudly presents the story of a courageous young girl and a great warrior for justice, and their battle for equal rights.

The story begins in the 1950s, a time in America when many schools were segregated and the practice of “separate but equal” was upheld by the United States Supreme Court.

Thurgood Marshall, prominent legal counsel for the NAACP, has been traveling around the country looking for families who will challenge the segregation law, who have the courage to take their lawsuits all the way to the nation’s highest court.

One fateful day, he arrives in Topeka looking for a family who would step forward and join the battle in the Supreme Court case Brown vs. the Board of Education. And he finds the Carter family. Eight-year-old Grace Carter is tired of “colored” schools having to settle for ripped books and hand-me-down school supplies from well equipped white schools.

And so the little girl and the great man begin a battle: a battle against bigots and Klansmen; a battle against fearful friends and neighbors who want to leave wellenough alone; a battle that costs Mr. Carter his job and Grace her best friend; but a battle that they ultimately win, changing their lives and the lives of black schoolchildren all over America.

Curriculum Connections: Communication & Language Arts, Social Studies, History, Multi-Cultural

Download the COLOR OF JUSTICE Study Guide

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HONEST ABE:
A CHARACTER YOU CAN COUNT ON

Thursday, February 9, 2012
10:00AM (SOLD OUT)
12:30PM

Friday, February 10, 2012
10:00AM (SOLD OUT)
12:30PM (SOLD OUT)

Gerald R. Ford Museum
(Capacity: 250)

Recommended for Grades K – 5

Face to Face Productions celebrates the Abraham Lincoln with a new musical HONEST ABE: a character you can count on.  The show explores how the elements of good character shaped and influenced one of our greatest presidents.  Join young Abe as he overcomes adversity every step of the way to become the 16th President of the United States.

*Character Counts: www.charactercounts.org

Curriculum Connections: Community Studies; Biography; Government; History; Presidential Elections

Collaboration with the Gerald R. Ford Museum

Limited Seating.  Entry to the museum FREE with ticket purchase.

Download the HONEST ABE Study Guide

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RAMONA QUIMBY

Thursday, February 16, 2012
10:00AM (SOLD OUT)
1:00PM (SOLD OUT)
Grandville High School
(Limited Capacity)

Friday, February 17, 2012
10:00AM
12:30PM
East Grand Rapids Performing Arts Center
(Capacity: 650)

Recommended for Grades 1 – 5

Hold onto your hats as you follow the latest breathless adventure of the world’s most animated elementary school student. Ramona, the exasperating but lovable thirdgrader, has delighted young readers for over fifty years through the books of Newbery Medal-winning writer Beverly Clearly. Now, she comes to life on the stage in Ramona Quimby.

While intended to tickle the funny bone, the play also incorporates issues that touch on the lives of real families. Ramona’s life is a mess! Her older sister Beezus is a pain, her Aunt Bea may marry a dork, and her Dad just lost his job. She even thinks that her teacher hates her. Life is no picnic, and growing up isn’t easy. But with the help of her loving and patient family and friends, Ramona faces these challenges - as audiences laugh and cheer her on.

Curriculum Connections: Literature Based, Communications & Language Arts, Current Issues, Relationships & Families

Download the RAMONA QUIMBY Study Guide