Civic Theatre shakes up the summer by heading down the rabbit hole with two one-week only productions

Kentwood resident Micah Hamstra performs in “Alice in Wonderland.” (GRCT)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

When Kentwood resident Micah Hamstra saw that the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s Summer Repertory program was going to include “Alice In Wonderland,” he just knew he had to audition.

“The story has been a very big part of my life,” said Hamstra, who will attend Caledonia High School in the fall. “It really showed me how you could just be who you are.”

So Hamstra prepared by “knocking out” his musical audition followed by “blowing up” his script reading. Needless to say, he landed the role of Tweedledum and Humpty Dumpty in the upcoming “Alice In Wonderland” production.

The show along with “All Shook Up” wraps up the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s 2018-2019 season. The shows run during the same week, July 26 – Aug. 4, with the productions alternating performance dates. “All Shook Up” is July 26, 27 (afternoon), Aug. 1, 3 (evening), 4, and “Alice In Wonderland” performances are July 27 (evening), 28, 31, Aug. 2, and 3 (afternoon).

“It’s Elvis,” said Wyoming resident and Byron Center High School student Xavier Turner when asked why he auditioned for “All Shook Up.” “Who wouldn’t want to be involved in a show about Elvis?”

Wyoming resident Xavier Turner is in “All Shook Up.” (GRCT)

“All Shook Up” combines the songs of Elvis Presley with Shakespeare, being loosely based on the “Twelfth Night.”

“I knew of the show,” said Turner who plays the young, quirky, aspiring dentist, Dennis, “ I love that show so, I knew I wanted to get involved.”

This is Turner’s first time participating with Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and specifically selected the Summer Repertory program because of the classes tied to the production as well as the chance to be involved on the stage and behind it. Through the Summer Repertory program, each production has its own cast with the cast members of the opposite show serving as the back stage crew. For Turner, he will be helping with wardrobe and the fly rail for “Alice In Wonderland.” Hamstra will be helping with wardrobe for “All Shook Up.”

“Through this program you learn a lot more about theater,” said Hamstra, who said that “Alice” is his third production with Civic Theatre. “You really get the opportunity to learn everything that there is to do back stage along with being in the front.”

Both teenagers said that while they have enjoyed learned about the other aspects of the theater, their hearts are really in performance.

“I know I want to make a profession out of this and for me, I can sing,” said Turner, who has won several awards for his singing performances. “I knew the classes would be really helpful and that it is important to start now.”

Both Hamstra and Turner said they have found a community of family and friends through the production which has made being a part of it even more special.

“It sounds a little cliche but being part of a family has really made coming to this so much fun,” Turner said. “ The opportunity to see something come to life with this group of people has given me the realization of how much I look forward to coming here to do this everyday.”

Hamstra added that those bonds between the actors is what makes the shows fun which in turn makes the production even more exciting to the audience.

“It is just a lot of fun,” Hamstra said. “You have so many very talented people up there on stage just giving it their all.”

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m Saturday and Sunday with all shows at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, 30 N. Division Ave. Tickets are $10 – $16. For more information, visit grct.org or call 616-222-6650.