Circle in the Square Theatre Question
Circle in the Square Theatre Question
Circle in the Square Theatre Question#1
Posted: 6/25/12 at 8:25pmThe Circle in the Square Theatre is an in the round theatre, but I know shows have played there that did not play completely in the round and that a thrust stage was used (Spelling Bee and Rocky Horror). How can the theatre double as both? Are sections of the seating completely removable? Also does the lobby loop all the way around the theatre? Just curious.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
Circle in the Square Theatre Question#2
Posted: 6/25/12 at 8:30pm
Yes.
There is an upper lobby and a lower lobby. Neither wrap around the theater.
Edited because you learn something new every day!
Circle in the Square Theatre Question#2
Posted: 6/25/12 at 8:37pmThe only section in the theater that can be removed is the 400 section. The seats are made to be removed since they will fold up. The rest are pretty much permanent.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
Circle in the Square Theatre Question#3
Posted: 6/25/12 at 8:46pm
Wait...now I'm confused. So is the 400 area where the stage was built for Spelling Bee?
Circle in the Square Theatre Question#5
Posted: 6/25/12 at 8:54pmIsn't there an escalator and a staircase on opposite sides of the box office? I can't wrap my head around the design of this building.
Circle in the Square Theatre Question#6
Posted: 6/25/12 at 8:57pmIf facing the box office the left side there is an escolator, the right side are the stairs. Both lead into the lobby where 3 doors enter inside the theater.
Circle in the Square Theatre Question#7
Posted: 6/25/12 at 9:10pm
Okay that makes sense 
Where is the actual auditorium in relation to the escalator and staircases?
Circle in the Square Theatre Question#8
Posted: 6/25/12 at 9:12pmThe theater is under the sidewalk in front of the theater and the Gershwin. Since when you get downstairs via the escalator you have to go right to get the theater and left via the stairs.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/03
Circle in the Square Theatre Question#9
Posted: 6/26/12 at 1:49pm
Circle in the Square (CITS) was built as a deep thrust stage. The 400 section of seats was added later to increase the seating capacity. The seats can be removed fairly easily to return to the initial configuaration. That area of the theatre is an operational stage.
The original layout was patterned after the off-Broadway theatre also called CITS. The most recent Off-Bway incarnation is on Bleecker Street, and I think is now a retail space. I think the marquee is still there. The original CITS (before my time) opened in the 50s, was an arena stage and was on Sheridan Square hence the name Circle in the Square. I'm not sure exactly where this theatre was located.
Above the 400 seats is a fly floor and there is wing space on either side.
It was not common during the first 15-20 years CITS was open for them to stage plays in the round. Virtually every review of every production (and it was a nonprofit subscription company with 4 productions a season) mentioned that the stage was very difficult to play upon with the two long sides and then the short forestage.
Nota bene: the nonprofit Circle in the Square had a not-great track record for those 15-20 seasons. The score was about one good, two so-so and one disaster per season.
The all-star Uncle Vanya is legendary, but their Pal Joey is also legendary but for the opposite reason.
Circle in the Square Theatre Question#10
Posted: 6/27/12 at 2:53am
The CITS downtown on Bleeker Street! It was pouring down rain one night in the early 80s and I did not have an umbrella or a raincoat and I stopped as I passed the theater and bought a ticket to a play I knew nothing about (just to get out of the rain). The play was named GREATER TUNA and it turned out to be one of the most pleasurable (and funniest) nights that I ever had in the theater.
Updated On: 6/27/12 at 02:53 AM
Broadway Star Joined: 5/12/03
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