Organization
Playhouse on the Square
Memphis' only professional resident theatre company.
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Current &
Upcoming Events
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Current Events
05/11/12-
06/03/12 |
A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline
Playhouse on the Square
Presented by Playhouse on the Square
at Playhouse on the Square
May 11-June 3, 2012
A tribute to the life and music of the country legend, from her humble start in the Shenandoah Valley, to the Grand Ole Opry, to the tragic loss of a superstar at a young age. This lovingly crafted homage features performances of classic hits including, "Walkin After Midnight," "Crazy," "I Fall to Pieces," and many more.
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Upcoming Events
06/08/12-
07/08/12 |
Tuna Does Vegas
The Circuit Playhouse
Presented by Playhouse on the Square
at The Circuit Playhouse
June 8-July 8, 2012
When a conservative radio host announces on the air that he and his wife will renew their vows in Sin City, all of the residents of Tuna, Texas’s third smallest town, come along for the ride. Favorite characters from past ‘Tuna’ productions return, and new ones are introduced by a cast of two actors. “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but what happens when Tuna hits the slots may lodge delightfully in your head for a lifetime.”- L.A. Times
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06/29/12-
07/22/12 |
Xanadu
Playhouse on the Square
Presented by Playhouse on the Square
at Playhouse on the Square
June 29-July 22, 2012
Based on the cult film, a Greek muse descends from the heavens to 1980s Venice Beach, California to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to create the greatest entertainment achievement- the first Roller Disco! The muse commits the ultimate faux pas, falling in love with the mortal, and her jealous sisters plot to bring them down. An electrifying musical tale about following your dreams with chart-topping tunes that The New York Times hailed as, "outlandishly enjoyable."
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07/06/12-
07/29/12 |
Race
TheatreWorks
Presented by Playhouse on the Square
at TheatreWorks
July 6-July 29, 2012
In David Mamet’s searing drama about America’s most controversial topic, two lawyers defend a wealthy white executive charged with raping a black woman. When a new legal assistant gets involved in the case, the opinions that boil beneath explode to the surface in this high-voltage verbal joust that is “…an absorbing glimpse into a world full of misunderstandings.” – USA Today
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Past
Events
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Media
Reviews
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Member
Reviews
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Member Reviews
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Event Name: Present Laughter
"Review by Glenda Mace - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver"
Comment
posted by:
Glenda Mace - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver
from Memphis, TN,
Apr 26, 2012
Present Laughter opened Friday at Circuit Playhouse. This comic play was written by Noël Coward in 1939 before the outbreak of WWII and first staged in September 1942, during a wartime tour of Britain with Coward in the lead role of Garry Essendine. Coward said at the time, “Present Laughter is a very light comedy and was written with the sensible object of providing me with a bravura part.” The reviews were excellent and through the many professional revivals since, the reviews have been excellent. The Circuit Playhouse production will continue that trend.
Director, Bob Hetherington, Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance at The University of Memphis, has assembled an excellent cast and crafted each comedy nuance to move the play along at the brisk pace required to keep the audience laughing.
Jerry Dye plays Garry Essendine with a flawless comic fervor that I am sure would win applause from Noel Coward himself.
The supporting cast consists of resident company members, associate company members and actors who have graced stages troughout the city of Memphis each embuing their character with a perfect taste of 30’s British society ranging from high to low and giving Mr. Coward’s scintillating prose the perfect shading to bring down the house.
The opening scene reveals Daphne Stillington, a young lady of class, who has obviously spent the night in the Essendine spare room. Wearing only a man’s pajama top, she is looking for Garry and a cup of tea. Before Garry finally appears, she encounters the maid, Miss Erikson, played by JoLynne Palmer, Fred, the butler and former stevedore, played by Dave Landis, Monica Reed, Essendine’s long suffering but acerbic secretary, played by Irene Crist, and Liz Essendine, the wife from whom Gary has never obtained a divorce, played by Claire Hayner. Then young playwright, Roland Maule, played by Standrew Parker bursts in. Roland has a crush on Garry and is relentless in his pursuit. Add Morris Dixon, manager (Brent Davis), Hugo Lyppiat, producer (Joshua Quinn), and Joanna Lyppiat, femme fatale (Sarah Hoch). Is this looming menage-a-trois threating to upset the apple cart? In waltzes our dear Daphne’s aunt who just happens to be Lady Saltburn. The plot thickens and comedy ensues. Who could ask for more?
Wouldn’t you just love to move into Mark Guirguis’s flawless art deco set, props by Lydia Baughman or lounge about in Garry’s dressing gowns or go out on the town in one of the lovely evening gowns designed by costumer Amie Eoff, Lighting, Colin Cauche, Sound, Zach Badreddine, all combine for a perfect production.
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Event Name: Spring Awakening
"Review by Glenda Mace - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver"
Comment
posted by:
Glenda Mace - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver
from Memphis, TN,
Mar 06, 2012
Spring Awakening
Books and Lyrics by Steven Sater; Music by Duncan Sheik
Based on the play by Frank Wedekind
Circuit Playhouse
Spring Awakening opened at Circuit Playhouse on Friday night to a sold out house. The play has credentials. It opened off Broadway in the summer of 2006, moved to Broadway that fall where it ran for 888 performances. It won eight Tony’s at the 2007 awards. It is a musical adaptation of Frank Wedekind’s 1891 play portraying a group of young Germans coming of age in a socially and sexually repressive society. Wedekind’s play was scandalous in its day, portraying teen sex, violence and suicide. These themes were so forbidden that the show went un-staged for 15 years. When it was finally produced in 1906 in Berlin, it was heavily edited. It wasn't performed in English for nearly a century.
Given that material, you know the musical adaptation is not romantic comedy. Although set in 19th century Germany, the universal emotions felt by the five girls and six boys in Spring Awakening are presented up-close and personal in the vernacular of twenty first century language and accompanied by rock music. The sexual urges, social uncertainty, an urge to grow up quickly while fearing what that means, are given expression by characters stepping out of their repressed enclosure, grabbing a microphone and telling you what is on their minds. It is moving and powerful.
The three central characters are Wendla, played by Sara Hoch , an innocent girl who intellectually understands nothing about the physical urges of her body. Melchior is played by Ben Laxton. He is more knowledgeable and tries to finds expression for his many tangled emotions through keeping a private journal. His friend Moritz, played by Nick Mason, is repressed and frightened by what he doesn’t know and struggling academically. Ilse is played by Kelsy Hopkins. These are talented interns you have seen perform in several Playhouse productions this year and they continue their outstanding performances. They are supported by the strong cast of young actors: Kyle Blair, Michael Thomas Grant, Christian Green, Kilby Hodges, Andrea Rouch, Sam Shankman, and Cassie Thomas. Veteran actors, Carla McDonald and David Foster represent all the adult characters in the play. With Direction by Dave Landis, Music Direction, Renee Kemper and Choreography by Courtney Oliver it is an exceptional production.
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Event Name: In the Next Room, or the Vibrator Play
"Review by Glenda Mace - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver"
Comment
posted by:
Glenda Mace - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver
from Memphis, TN, USA,
Jan 20, 2012
The term Hysteria is rarely used today except in a
vague way to describe a person who is exhibiting
uncontrollable fear, sadness, or other emotional
symptoms. However, in the 1880s the term Hysteria
was most often linked with Female and most often
used to describe a type of sexual dysfunction
thought to bring on madness in women. This
madness was sometimes “treated” by mechanically
inducing orgasms, without any overtly sexual
activity using an electrical devise for stimulation.
Sarah Ruhl’s play, In The Next Room or the vibrator
play, tells the story of a physician, Dr. Givins,
(Joshua Quinn) a modern man of science, whose
clinic treats such symptoms. Dr. Givings is assisted
by his nurse, Annie, played Liz Sharpe.
It has long since been proven that in most cases,
physical and emotional repression overtly imposed,
no matter what the circumstances, can produce dire
reaction and mental and physical anguish. This is a
play about repression. It is handled with a light and
healing touch and a great deal of wit and humor but
it is about repression and bigotry and those
symptoms unfortunately cannot be cured with a
vibrator. Ms. Ruhl’s play investigates the longing for
love and connection. Looking at the circumstances
and mores within which women lived, the feeling is
evoked that corsets were not the only reason that
women of the Victorian Age could not take a deep
breath.
Placed on a beautiful period set, the play introduces
us to Catherine Givings, the Doctors wife(Andrea
Rouch). She is a new mother who is unable to breast
feed her baby girl and very concerned about the
child’s well being. The first patient we see in the
clinic is Sabrina Daldry(Lyric Peters Malkin).
Symptomatically hysterical indeed, she is brought
there by her husband played by Kyle Blair). It is
clear that he is concerned about her but mostly to
the extent that her behavior makes his life
uncomfortable. The Daldry’s introduce their maid,
Elizabeth(Claire Kolheim), as a possible wet nurse
for the Givings. The introduction of the black
Elizabeth gives rise to prejudice, jealousy and adds
another social strata to the proceedings. There is
also a male patient, Leo Irving,(Nick Mason) who
represents the artist with a more continental view of
sexuality and the world.
In The Next Room is skillfully and sensitively
directed by Dave Landis and Irene Crist. And special
applause goes to the designers of set, lights, sound
and the period costumes. Sarah Ruhl’s play was
nominated for three Tonys at the 2010 awards,
including best play. It is a must see.
In The Next Room or the vibrator play opened
January 13, at Circuit Playhouse and plays through
February 5.
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Event Name: The Club
"Review by Glenda Mace - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver"
Comment
posted by:
Glenda Mace - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver
from Memphis, TN,
Jan 10, 2012
Eve Merriam’s The Club, was first produced at Circle in the Square Downtown in New York City in Oct. 1976. The production directed by Tommy Tune won an unprecedented 10 OBIE awards that season.
A POTS at the Works production of The Club opened at TheatreWorks Friday, January 6. The play is set in an upper-class white men’s club just as the world is entering the 20th century, a male stronghold where privilege still claimed its right to insensitivity and chauvinism. Billed as A Musical Diversion, certainly with very little dialogue, the men express their many opinions of women in songs of their time. The POTS at the Works production waltzes these epithets along with lightness and humor. Yes, in the face of sexism and bigotry, the laughs are still there. “Both biting social satire and audience-pleasing entertainment, The Club gets everyone thinking about gender roles and stereotypes.”
Remarkably, these bigger than life tuxedoed men, drinking a cocktail and smoking a cigar, are played by women. The production is directed by Ann Marie Hall. Ms. Hall has skillfully staged The Club to allow each character to develop rather than exist as a mere caricature. Multitalented Mimi Goode is music director and pianist for the production.
Listed in the program by only their first initial and last name to allow some audience members to hold the illusion, S. Stover, M. Bucignani, M. Goode, S. Hoch, R. Johnson, and M. L. O’Neal bring the men of The Club to full stature. Mary Buchignani and Sally Stover give particularly nuanced performances. Dancing accolades belong to Henry and Johnny. Played by M. L. O’Neal and S. McFadin the tap numbers are lively and fun.
The Club performs at TheatreWorks Thursdays – Sundays through January 29.
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Event Name: Aesop's Fable-ous Christmas Tree
"Review by Glenda Mace - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver"
Comment
posted by:
Glenda Mace - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver
from Memphis, TN,
Dec 05, 2011
Circuit Playhouse opened its doors Saturday to the premiere of a fabulous children’s Christmas story that is bound to be repeated in years to come. Michael Gravois’s new work, Aesop’s Fable-ous Christmas Tree, combines an energetic rhythmic rap style for the original songs, with a story that informs through humor and surprise. There are puppets and an assortment of clever and artistically crafted ornaments for the Fable-ous tree. It is just right for younger children.
Michael Gravois, who also directed the piece, has assembled a talented group of players. Some are from previous Playhouse/Circuit associations and many graduates from the BFA program at the University of Memphis. The cast deserves much of the credit for the success of this delightful show. They bring freshness, pace and humor to the fast changing fables. There are some gifted singing voices as well, directed by Rene Kemper. The closing carol sung in harmonic a cappella is lovely.
There was an opening reception after the Saturday show. I was talking with a six year old who had just seen the performance. I asked, “what was your favorite part of the show?” She said she didn’t have a favorite. They were all her favorites because they were all so good. Now, that is my recommendation. Go see the show and take a child. Both of you will enjoy this joyous production.
Aesop’s Fable-ous Christmas Tree plays Saturday and Sunday matinees only, through December18.
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Event Name: Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge
"Review by Glenda Mace - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver"
Comment
posted by:
Glenda Mace - Artsmemphis Rants & Raver
from Memphis, TN,
Nov 29, 2011
Friday night, Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge, written by Christopher Durang, opened at Circuit Playhouse. Directed by CopelandWoodruff, a wild and funny outing it is. Based on A Christmas Carol that most of us know so well, Christopher Durang has turned it on its ear and upside down. Perhaps it is best described as Ebeneezer Scrooge’s nightmare of the original Charles Dickens’ nightmare. A musical nightmare invented as only Christopher Durang could dream it. No one is conforming to our expectations. The expected visitations are skewed. Due to a very ditzy, ineffectual spirit, played spiritedly and effectively by Calire D. Kolheim, Scrooge keeps winding up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Visited by the ghost of Christmas past they wind up in Bob Cratchit’s house a bit earlier than planned to find Mrs. Cratchit in a mood we have never experienced in the well known version. Mrs. Cratchit, played by Alice Berry with sparkling ill humor, makes it plain from the start that she is living in a time and place she is ready to leave. Her disdain for the Victorian sentimentality and overplayed pathos makes her immediately likeable to Scrooge. Not to give away the plot, as if I could in this wacky story, but Scrooge, played by Jim Palmer, has an unexpected change of heart. Palmer underplays the role to perfection. A script that gives every opportunity to chew the scenery a bit, Palmer has kept Scrooge emotionally honest in each scene. It is all fun to watch.
In this wild ride written in 2002, Durang pointedly references: Kenneth Lay and The Enron Scandal which happened in 2001 and Harry and Leona (The Queen of Mean) Helmsley which may have been even a bit dated in 2002. Then we venture into the more universally known (due to continued production and reruns) Oliver Twist, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Touched by an Angel. I may have failed to mention a couple.
Others in the cast are Tripp Hurst as Bob Cratchit, JoLynne Palmer as Little Nell, Phillip Hugen as Tiny Tim and the ensemble, most of whom play several roles, John Dylan Atkins, Jarrad Baker, Jon Castro, Luca Conti, David Geoffrey Hammons, Chandler Keen, Ryan Patterson, David Rhea, Cheryl Wolder, and Tamara Wright. All take the challenge of keeping the audience entertained and on track in this riotous ride.
Mrs. Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge plays at Circuit Playhouse most evenings Thursday- Sunday through December 23. It is sharing the stage with Aesop’s Fables opening December 3, so check the schedule to confirm play dates.
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Event Name: Avenue Q
"Review by Glenda Mace - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver"
Comment
posted by:
Glenda Mace
from Memphis, TN,
Oct 11, 2011
Avenue Q, music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, book by Jeff Whitty, opened at Circuit Playhouse Friday night. It is billed as Sesame Street for adults and this comedy lives up to its billing. Don’t be fooled by the charming puppets and the disarming actors who propel them. This is not a kiddy show.
Early in the first act I fell under the spell of Avenue Q. It is funny, edgy and charming. It is the story of the post college, under-employed stratum of creative dreamers who have come to live on one of the lesser known alphabet streets in lower Manhattan. Some are searching for their purpose in life and some just searching for a job. From the opening number, music expresses much of what is going on with the characters. Princeton, a recent college graduate, looking for a job and an apartment arrives on the scene with the musical question What Do You Do with a B.A. in English? You are introduced to most of his neighbors with the tune, It Sucks to Be Me – Brian, an aspiring comedian who has just lost his day job- Kate Monster, a kindergarten teaching assistant - Rod a possible gay, anal-retentive Republican banker - Nicky, his slacker roommate -Christmas Eve, Brian's Asian fiancée and a therapist with no clients - Gary Coleman, yes, THE Gary Coleman, is building superintendent and the neighbors argue over whose life sucks the most. You are introduced to Trekie Monster with the lyrical, The Internet Is for Porn. Lucy, the Slut sings Special and when you throw in the Bad Idea Bears you have the cast. And be advised: The graphic antics of the puppets as Gary Coleman, and company sing You Can Be Loud as the Hell You Want (When You're Making Love) are quite funny and quite explicit. And on the sentimental side, Christmas Eve and Kate sing The More You Ruv Someone (The More You Want to Kill Them).
Jordan Nichols has done an excellent job directing the show and choreographing the movement of the puppets. Music Director, Renee Kemper and the orchestra are outstanding. And credit to the scenic designer, Jimmie Humphries, the orchestra is playing from an open window on an upper floor of the tenement.
A stellar cast who has mastered their puppet craft and the art of telling their story: Brian (Kyle Blair), Bad Idea Bear (Sarah Koch), Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut (Kelsey Hopkins), Gary Coleman (Claire D. Kolheim), Princeton/Rod (Ben Laxton), Nicky/Trekkie Monster (Nick Mason), Bad Idea Bear (Patrick Mullen, Jr.), Christmas Eve (Maya Naff), Mrs.T (Andrea Rouch).
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Event Name: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
"How to suceed in buisness without really trying"
Comment
posted by:
Pal, H
from memphis, TN,
Sep 03, 2011
Not good at all. Not appropriate for the kids even though the staff told me it would be appropriate for the kids when I purchased the tickets. I was embarrassed with my wife and 2 young boys there and had to walk out of there in the intermission. My wife went and talked to the manager. Staff seemed little concern and we never heard from them even when they took our information. Very unsatisfied with overall service and little concern from the management. One unhappy customer.
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Event Name: Disney's Camp Rock: The Musical
"Review by Glenda Mace - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver"
Comment
posted by:
Glenda Mace - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver
from Memphis, TN,
Aug 30, 2011
Disney’s Camp Rock: The Musical opened Friday at Circuit Playhouse. It is the regional premiere for this musical based on the Disney Channel’s original movies, Camp Rock and Camp Rock II, The Final Jam. The Circuit production features a high energy cast of twenty-four young Memphis actors who exhibit a lot of talent as dancers and performers. It is directed by Amy Hanford, a veteran Memphis director and choreographer. This production is choreographed by Chris Hanford, Amy’s son.
Disney’s Camp Rock is a show written for the High School Musical fans. The stage version of the Camp Rock movies has a light plot, just enough story to hang the choreography on but the kids take hold and make it work.
Featured in the cast are the leads; Teirinii Jackson, who plays Mitchie, the aspiring singer with a terrific voice and Chris Hanford, who plays Shane, the rock star who has come to Camp Rock as an instructor for the summer.
Noelia Warnette-Jones and Eric Henderson are the adult directors of the rival camps.
Rounding out the camp cast are: Halle Brown, Ian Godwin, Trey Jacobs, Madeline Fisher, Curtis Scott, Patsy Detroit, Chandler Keen, Karl Robinson, Jr., Becky Githinji, Terrian Jacquel Bass, Jesse Jones, Jari Head and the incredible ensemble Katie Rose Carnes, Carly Nahon, Kahlil Bostick, Marcus Byers, Eboni Cain, Kaylyn Raquel Myers, Kayle Sierra Singletary and Annie L. Strong.
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Event Name: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
"How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"
Review
posted by:
Debbie Mason
from Peachtree Corners, Georgia,
Aug 25, 2011
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