Billy Elliot the Musical A Southwest Michigan Premiere! T Kalamazoo s Community Theatre he Tony Award-winning musical Billy Elliot the Musical is an inspiring and moving tale about the importance of following your heart. A heartfelt and undeniably entertaining musical, with music by the legendary Elton John, Billy Elliot the Musical has had audiences leaping to their feet all over the world since its debut in London in 2005 and on Broadway in 2008. Set in working-class England, young Billy dreams of trading in his boxing gloves for ballet slippers, but his widowed father cannot understand or support his passion. But Billy was born to dance, and he defies the expectations put on him and takes a leap of faith in order to live his dream. Andrew klepser will be taking on the role of Billy in the Civic s production. Currently a 7th grader, Andrew is tackling a role about a boy who wants to dance ballet, yet he has never studied ballet himself. Andrew says that learning ballet is his biggest challenge in rehearsals, but one would never guess that when watching him! He is enjoying working with the huge cast in Billy Elliot the Musical and the friendships he is forming. When asked what he thought opening night would be like, his reply was Awesome! This musical has a passionate following, and the Civic has already fielded out of state calls from youth who were interested in auditioning for the show, as well as for Billy groupies who attend productions whenever and wherever they can. The Civic s production will be featured on a website solely dedicated to Billy Elliot the Musical productions around the world - betm.theskykid.com. The site has information on every young actor to ever play the role of Billy, (including our Andrew) as well as theatres from around the world that have produced this incredible show. Billy Elliot s story is a compelling reminder to live one s dream and be proud of who you are! We hope you will join us for our closing musical of our 89th season. Parental Advisory: Billy Elliot the Musical contains strong adult language and though the show is primarily about a boy pursuing his dreams, there are subplots that deal with societal issues including spousal abuse and homosexuality. This show is not recommended for most children under the age of 10. FLYING BY FOY MAY 2018 TICKETS ON SALE NOW! PLAYING May IN THE CIVIC Music by Elton John Book and Lyrics by Lee Hall 4 - May AUDITORIUM PERFORMANCE DATES: [RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 10+] 20 Friday May 4th 7:30pm Saturday May 5th 7:30pm * Sunday May 6th 2:00pm Friday May 11th 7:30pm Saturday May 12th 7:30pm Sunday May 13th 2:00pm Friday May 18th 7:30pm Saturday May 19th 7:30pm Sunday May 20th 2:00pm Denotes ASL Interpreted performance * Denotes Post Show Creative Conversations As good as it gets. Newsday 2017-2018 Civic Main Season Presenter: Production Sponsors: FOR TICKETS VISIT KazooCivic.com or call the Box Office at 269-343-1313 BOX OFFICE: 269-343-1313 BUSINESS OFFICE: 269-343-2280 WEB: kazoocivic.com FOLLOW US ON:
TONY HUmRICHOUSER Interim Artistic Director T ony Humrichouser will join the Civic staff in August this year as Interim Artistic Director and will be directing the Civic s 90th season opening production Hello, Dolly! Tony is an award-winning actor, choreographer, director and educator from Detroit. A Western Michigan University alumnus, Tony performed in numerous productions at the Civic while an undergrad at WMU, and most recently directed the Civic s critically acclaimed productions of Irving Berlin s White Christmas and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. The Civic s Executive Director, Stephen Carver recently stated, We are thrilled to have an opportunity to work with Tony. His long volunteer history as a performer with the Civic, along with his professional accomplishments and his love of teaching theatre makes him a perfect fit for the Civic. I believe our patrons and volunteers will immediately see Tony s artistic impact both on stage and in the volunteer experience. Tony holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre Performance from Western Michigan University and an M.F.A. in Acting from Rhode Island College. He is a graduate of the Trinity/Brown Consortium in Providence, RI and a member of the Actors Equity Association. ONLY $ 55 May 20, 2018 BRUNCH Join us for a brunch at The Park Club, Billy Elliot the Musical, and high tea at The Ladies Library. A collaboration with The Park Club & The Ladies Library THE MEL BROOKS MUSICAL YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN Welcome Home Tony! I would like to welcome Tony Humrichouser as the new Interim Artistic Director for the Civic. I am truly excited to have Tony join our team. Because of his long history with the Civic, he completely understands and embraces what the Civic is and why the Civic exists in the world. Quite frankly he gets us. We speak the same theatre/civic language. In my opinion he s a perfect fit for our theatre family. Because that is exactly what we are a theatre family. A place where everyone is welcome to come and play, learn and grow. Everyone belongs here. At the Civic, Tony found his theatrical home during his first year in college. In a Facebook post a few years ago, Tony published what the Civic meant to him and it spoke volumes to the impact the Civic can have on members of our community. Growing up in a home that didn t understand theatre, Tony s parents resisted the idea of him leaving home to pursue a theatre education at Western Michigan University. They questioned the merit of a career in theatre. But Tony was determined and left home against his parent s wishes. During his college years at WMU, the theatre department was highly competitive and at times Tony felt confused because to some, a music theatre major was equal to a non-actor. He began to question his decision to leave home and thought about returning home to the Detroit area and enrolling at Wayne State. However, during his first year in Kalamazoo he was cast in Brighton Beach Memoirs at the Civic and a shift happened. Tony felt he had found a theatre family where he was welcomed, appreciated, encouraged to grow, and where he found his voice in his theatrical career. In his Facebook post, Tony credits his years at the Civic for saving him by providing him with a community that appreciated and accepted him. Tony credits that simple act of acceptance with changing the course of his life. Since that time, Tony has gone on to a dynamic professional artistic career. He is an artist, actor, director, choreographer, dancer, and teacher. All the necessary skills for our Artistic Director, plus the interpersonal understanding of what the Civic is, and the impact we can have on our community. The Civic has always been a teaching institution. We provide our community with education in the craft of producing professional quality theatre. In Tony, I believe we have an artistic leader that totally supports our mission, our vision for the future, and will help the Civic continue to bring exciting theatrical/educational opportunities to our volunteers. Stephen Carver Executive Director RADIATION: A MONTH OF SUN-DAYS SOUNDS OF THE 60S A MIDSUMMER NIGHT S DREAM Stephen Carver Executive Director PLEASE NOTE: All roles in Civic productions, unless otherwise announced, are open to all who audition. The Civic goal is to foster and develop theatrical talent in our community and encourage anyone, regardless of experience, to audition for our productions. UPCOmING EVENTS AT A GLANCE May 4 at 7:30pm Billy Elliot the Musical OPENS in the Civic Auditorium May 12 (10:00am & NOON) FREE INSIDE ThE CIvIC WORkShOPS The Comedy of Errors (ATA) & hello, Dolly! May 18 at 7:30pm harriet the Spy (CYT) OPENS in the Parish Theatre May 20 & 21 at 4:00pm Shakespeare Outside The Comedy of Errors (ATA)
MACBETH DISNEY S THE LITTLE MERMAID KEN LUDWIG S BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY UPCOMING ROCK OF AGES CALENDAR GIRLS NO WAY OUT AUDITION PREP Hello, Dolly! Sunday, May 20th at 7:00pm Monday, May 21st at 7:00pm LOCATION The Carver Center - 426 S. Park St CASTING Seeking a highly diverse cast of 30 ages 16 and up REQUIREMENTS Those auditioning will need to prepare 16-32 measure (approximately 30 seconds long) of a Broadway song. Please bring your sheet music as an accompanist will be provided. You will also be taught a movement combination and may be asked to read from the script. Love, Loss And What I Wore (CCSS) Sunday, August 19th at 7:00pm Monday, August 20th at 7:00pm The Civic in Song: 1929-2018 (SCRT) Sunday, August 19th at 7:00pm Monday, August 20th at 7:00pm CREW Production Crew positions are available for Stage Management Team, Light Board Operator, Sound Board Operator, Follow Spot Operators, Floor Crew, Fly Crew, Props Crew, Hair-Make Up Crew and Dressers. FREE AUDITION PREP INSIDE ThE CIvIC Saturday, May 12th (Noon-3:30pm) at The Carver Center REhEARSAL SChEDULE July 30, 2018 September 20, 2018 ADvANCED REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED PERFORMANCES September 21, 2018 October 7, 2018 (Possible Holdovers thru October 14, 2018) Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Sunday, September 9 at 7:00pm Monday, September 10 at 7:00pm The miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (CYT) Sunday, September 23 at 4:00pm Monday, September 24 at 4:00pm For detailed audition information or to register online please visit KazooCivic.com Saturday, may 12, 2018 ShAkESPEARE OUTSIDE: ThE COMEDY OF ERRORS Ages: Teens (13-19) hello, DOLLY! Ages: Adults (16+) ADvANCED REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED Saturday, August 11, 2018 LOvE, LOSS AND WhAT I WORE Ages: Adults (16+) ThE CIvIC IN SONG: 1929-2018 (SCRT) Ages: Adults (50+) Saturday, August 25, 2018 ThE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE Ages: Youth (9-high School Senior) ChITTY ChITTY BANG BANG Ages: Adults (16+) For detailed production, audition and workshop information or to register online please visit KazooCivic.com May 20 & 21 at 7:00pm May 28 June 2 June 4 July 4 July 9 hello, Dolly! Memorial Day volunteer CELEBRATION Staff holiday Independence Day Academy of Theatre Arts SUMMER CLASSES BEGIN
RED SEUSSICAL JR. LOST BOY FOUND IN WHOLE FOODS THE GOOD DOCTOR BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL HARRIET THE SPY CHANGING LIVES THROUGH CHANGING TIMES 90th Season Celebration Tickets are now available at kazoocivic.com or the Box Office 269-343-1313 Brush up on your Civic trivia by following our social media over the summer - then join us for a fun filled evening on Saturday, September 29th at 7:30pm in the Parish Theatre Up to 15 teams of 4 can compete for prizes (and recognition.) Tickets will also be available for those that just want to observe and be part of the fun. SAVE THE DATE 2017-2018 Volunteer Celebration will be held on SATURDAY, JUNE 2ND, 2018 MUSICAL NUMBERS AWARDS FRIENDS FOOD & FUN This event is FREE to everyone. The Celebration begins at 7:00pm in the Civic Auditorium with a reception and dancing immediately following in the Carver Center Studio and the Muzzi Dance Studio. Those planning on attending must RSvP by 5:00pm Friday, June 1st. Please RSVP via email at Volunteer@Kazoocivic.com or call 269.343.2280 x1013 HELLO, DOLLY! September 21 - october 7, 2018 CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG November 23 - December 9, 2018 TENDERLY: THE ROSEMARY CLOONEY MUSICAL January 11 - January 27, 2019 THE COMPLEAT WRKS OF WLLM SHKSPR (abridged) January 25 - february 9, 2019 ONCE ON THIS ISLAND february 22 - march 10, 2019 PSYCHO BEACH PARTY april 5 - april 14, 2019 WAR PAINT may 3 - may 19, 2019 CIvIC YOUTH THEATRE THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE November 9 - November 17, 2018 MADAGASCAR JR. march 8 - march 16, 2019 PIPPI LONGSTOCKING may 17 - may 25, 2019 CARvER CENTER STUDIO SERIES LOvE, LOSS AND WHAT I WORE october 5 - october 14, 2018 THE FATHER february 8 - february 17, 2019 RIPCORD march 22 - march 31, 2019 SENIOR CLASS READER S THEATRE THE CIvIC IN SONG: 1929-2018 october 26 - october 28, 2018 HARvEY april 19 - april 28, 2019 PURChASE BEFORE JUNE 30Th SAvE EvEN MORE! Purchase online at KazooCivic.com or call 343-1313 July 11 at 11:00am August 19 & 20 at 7:00pm August 19 & 20 at 7:00pm September 3 September 9 & 10 at 7:00pm Shakespeare Outside The Comedy of Errors (ATA) OPENS The Civic In Song: 1929-2018 (SCRT) Love, Loss, And What I Wore (CCSS) Labor Day Ian Fleming s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
OPEN HOUSE June 9th The Carver Center noon-1:30pm ThE ShAkESPEARE OUTSIDE PROGRAM is a program for teens ages 13-19 to produce, rehearse and perform a 60 minute version of a Shakespeare play in parks within the greater Kalamazoo area with a focus on the city parks of Kalamazoo that may not have programming in the summer. SHAKESPEARE the of ACADEMY Sunday, May 20th at 4:00pm Monday, May 21st at 4:00pm LOCATION The Carver Center - 426 S. Park St OUTSIDE Comedy ERRORS OF THEATRE CASTING Seeking a highly diverse cast of teens ages 13-19 REQUIREMENTS Those auditioning will need to read from the script. CREW Production Crew positions are available for Stage Management Team FREE AUDITION PREP INSIDE ThE CIvIC Saturday, May 12th (10:00am-11:30am) at The Carver Center REhEARSAL SChEDULE Monday-Friday, June 18-July 10 (10:00am-1:00pm) PERFORMANCES July 11-July 15 & July 18-July 22, 2018 ARTS REGISTER TODAY for 2018 Summer Classes and Camps! The Academy of Theatre Arts is a professional-level training program where the process is what is most important. We are more interested in what happens along the way and the skills that are gained and honed. No matter what, ALL students are welcome to participate in all Academy programs. We acknowledge and support that engagement and success looks different for each student, and our faculty prioritizes keeping their teaching style, activities, and goals flexible to the needs of our students. The Academy of Theatre Arts is for ALL students, ALL abilities, ALL ages from 3 to adults, and ALL experience levels! Summer 2018 Catalogs Available in the Business Office Easy Online Registration! Enroll today at KazooCivic.com If you experience any difficulty enrolling online, please contact Nicki Poer, Director of Education & Outreach at 269-343-2280 or email Education@kazooCivic.com Scholarships provided in part by Heritage Community of Kalamazoo. Registration is easy! Enroll online today at www.kazoocivic.com or call 269-343-2280. HERE CUT
ThE kalamazoo CIvIC ThEATRE 329 South Park Street Kalamazoo Michigan 49007 N o N - P r o f i t o r g a N i z a t i o N u S P o S t a g e PA I D grand rapids, mi P e r m i t N o. 2 3 5 BIGGER. BOLDER. COLOR PRINTING PROVIDED BY RIVERRUN PRESS; ART DIRECTION BY JANET GOVER; GRAPHIC DESIGN BY TAMARA DIAMOND NOW ON SALE! PLAYING IN THE PARISH THEATRE PLAY Each season, since the early 1940s, thousands of youth from the greater kalamazoo area have been entertained and educated through attendance of or participation in our Civic Youth Theatre program. For many of our young patrons, a Youth Theatre production serves as an introduction to theatre as an art form. Eleven year old Harriet is a writer. She is also a spy! Every afternoon Harriet practices wri ting by following a spy route, observing her friends and neighbors, and writing about them in her trusty notebook. She writes down everything she sees, thinks, and feels about everyone.everything! When Harriet loses her notebook, it is found and read by her classmates, and her snooping is exposed. Harriet learns that her honest opinions have hurt her friendships and the feelings of her friends and neighbors. A heartfelt story about being true to yourself - Harriet the Spy is a sneaky family favorite with an important lesson. May 18 Adapted for the stage by Leslie Brody Based on the book by Louise Fitzhugh Production Sponsor: - May 26, 2018 FOR TICKETS VISIT www.kazoocivic.com OR CALL THE BOX OFFICE AT 269-343-1313