Ashlee McGreevy
Circle Theatre
Circle Theatre presents the Magic Circle Production of Rapunzel, an adaptation by Karen Boettcher-Tate, starting on Thursday, June 26 at 7 p.m. inside the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Aquinas College. Preceding the show at 5:30 p.m., join the cast for the Magic Circle Party. This one-night only event will feature refreshments, crafts, games, Storytime with the cast, and VIP seating for opening night. Tickets to the Magic Circle Party are $22 and can be purchased at circletheatre.org.
Under the direction of Emily Wetzel, Rapunzel tells a family-friendly story that audiences of all kinds can enjoy. Rene Shwartzbuckle is cuckoo for a turnip like vegetable called Rapunzel. When she spots a mouth-watering patch of the plant in Witch Izwitch’s garden, she sends her husband Walt out to “borrow” some. Witch Izwitch is certainly not amused. With her diabolical henchmen, the Glumpwarts, she terrorizes Walt into promising her his firstborn child in exchange for his freedom. We then jump ahead many years to Rapunzel (now you know where the name comes from!) Shwartzbuckle’s 18th birthday. The witch and the Glumpwarts show up as promised and whisk poor, innocent Rapunzel away to a tower in the forest and a boisterously entertaining rescue attempt begins!
“Rapunzel is a hilarious twist to the traditional story with different perspectives that all ages will like,” said Cooper Christian, who portrays Sam.
“Rapunzel is a story about recognizing your own unique strengths and using them to help others. Audiences will love the beautiful visuals, the hilarious characters, and the great ensemble work from the cast,” said Director Emily Wetzel.
2019 celebrates Circle’s 67th year of producing plays and musicals for West Michigan audiences. Other upcoming Main Stage productions this season include musical Hands On A Hardbody; play Superior Donuts, and musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Unique and diverse Summer Concert Series performances include “Run the World: 80 Years of Girl Groups;” “21st Century Broadway: Modern Musicals;” “Edge of the Millennium: Top Hits of 1999;” and “Imagine All The People: Songs That Inspire.” All performances will be held at Circle Theatre’s home, the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Aquinas College.
Other shows for Rapunzel will run June 27 and 28 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and June 29 at 1 p.m.
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the box office at 616-456-6656 or visit Circle’s website circletheatre.org.
