A Review of Annie Get Your Gun

by Sharon Falduto
Photos by Jackie Blake Jensen Photography

Coralville – I had personal reasons for wanting to be the reviewer for City Circle’s production of Annie Get Your Gun. For one, I’ve been a fan of Irving Berlin for most of my life. Chances are, I was one of the few 13-year-olds in 1986 who had a cassette of Bing Crosby singing Berlin’s hits on her Walkman. Also, my oldest daughter portrayed Annie Oakley in her 6th grade class’s “wax museum,” so I thought she should see the musical of Annie Oakley’s life.

A Review of Next To Normal

by Matthew Falduto

Coralville – Mental illness is a destructive force. It can destroy the person afflicted, but even more it can devastate that individual’s family. The timely musical Next To Normal, playing for only one more performance at 2 pm today at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts,  shows this devastation in all its emotional force.

A Review of Fiddler on the Roof

by Matthew Falduto
Photos by Jackie Blake Jensen

Coralville – At its heart, Fiddler on the Roof is a story of home. The denizens of Anatevka are facing the threat of forced relocation and Tevye and Golda are struggling to cope with their growing daughters who are leaving the home. It’s a thought provoking show with a lot of heart and a lot of humor. City Circle does an excellent job exploring the story, providing its audience with an enjoyable evening.

A Reflection on Fiddler of the Roof

by Matthew Falduto

Coralville – Tomorrow night, Coralville audiences will experience a classic musical theatre show – Fiddler on the Roof, music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and book by Joseph Stein. Directed by Ian Zehren, and featuring scene stealing actor Chris Carpenter as Tevye, the show promises to be an excellent adventure at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.

A Review of August: Osage County

by Sharon Falduto
Photos by Jackie Blake Jensen

Coralville – Tracy Lett’s August: Osage County, presented by City Circle Acting Company of Coralville at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts on October 21 and 22 at 7:30 and October 23 at 2pm, is not a lighthearted romp. It’s a cynical, engaging and harrowing look at a dysfunctional family flayed open like a fish and displayed for antagonistic consumption.

So Much Theatre!

Grace and Glorie at ITAC in Amana

This is one of those weekends when there’s almost too much theatre going on. Here’s a quick recap of all of your theatre going options for the weekend.

August: Osage County Opens Friday

Coralville – City Circle Acting Company of Coralville will present Tracey Letts’ award-winning drama August: Osage County directed by Elizabeth Tracey on October 21-23 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. Performances are October 21 and 22 at 7:30 pm and October 23 at 2:00 pm.

City Circle’s In the Heights Opens June 17

Rehearsal photo from In the Heights

Coralville – City Circle Acting Company of Coralville will present its annual teen musical In The Heights on June 17-19 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. Performances are June 17 and 18 at 7:30 pm and June 19 at 2:00 pm.

A Deep Dive into City Circle’s 2016-17 Season

by Matthew Falduto

Coralville – City Circle has started doing ‘theme seasons.’ For 15-16 it was the “British Invasion” season, and next year will be: “We Can Do It: A Season of Powerful Women.” Some of the 2016-17 plays fit that theme a little better than others. Annie Oakley from Annie Get Your Gun, sure! But Fiddler on the Roof? Well, the three daughters are independent minded, so okay… I guess I see it. But may I humbly suggest that the best way to do a season of powerful women is to choose a season of all female playwrights?

All that said, the plays City Circle has chosen are an exciting bunch.

A Review of 1776

by Matthew Falduto
photos by Jackie Jensen/IC Pixx

Coralville – I doubt many of us spend time each day thinking about being an American, but burning within all of us who live from the New York Island to the Redwood Forests is a fire of patriotism. It’s important to remember and reflect on that essential part of ourselves. City Circle’s production of the musical 1776 offers one such opportunity as it chronicles the efforts of the Second Continental Congress to create the Declaration of Independence. The show is filled with patriotic moments, well presented by a cast of strong singers.