Creative ways to utilize Circle in the Square?

[bigbelterbaby]

Posted: 8/5/23 at 6:01pm

what are some shows that would be successful on a stage in the round? Ways they could possibly use the space to show a play or musical revival in a new way like with Oklahoma. There is currently nothing booked for the theatre except the Melissa Etheridge show through November. I’m sure they were hoping KPOP would be a bigger hit and money was lost. What are some of your favorite shows you’ve seen there? I’m not sure why as a non-profit they don’t produce their own season of shows similar to Manhattan Theatre Club. They could partner with the school to give students stage opportunities. 

[perfectpenguin]

Posted: 8/5/23 at 6:11pm

Only show I’ve seen there was Once On This Island and loved it! I thought Prima Facie could have worked in the round. The rain could be a challenge but if I remember correctly, it rained in OOTI so they could figure the rain out for Prima Facie.

I guess arguably any show could work in the round if you can figure out the logistics. 

[DJD4]

Posted: 8/5/23 at 7:36pm

perfectpenguin said: "I guess arguably any show could work in the round if you can figure out the logistics."

Thank you! I LOVE theatre in the round and I wish there were more "non-proscenium" theatres on broadway. Sacramento Music Circus solely produces productions in the round, and I have seen some incredible work done there. 

I guess one criticism is that any subsequent touring productions need to be completely re-designed. the recent OOTI and Oklahoma! revivals worked significantly better in the round than they did on tour.

 

Anyway, I love Circle in the Square. It's incredibly underrated.

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 8/5/23 at 7:47pm

Since seeing Secret Life of Bees at the Atlantic, I've said it would be perfect for Circle in the Square

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/5/23 at 8:16pm

I wanted FAT HAM to go here because it was thrust at the Public but I ended up liking the AA Theatre for it.

[jagman1062]

Posted: 8/5/23 at 8:40pm

Circle/Square used to have their own season of shows, ending about the late 1990s/early 00s. I believe their were several f reasons for the discontinuation, and certainly someone with more knowledge about this than I can give you details. I've seen some decent shows at that theater over the years including the Norman Conquests trilogy (I saw all three shows in one day), which is my favorite (collectively).  The worst of them was Glory Days. I saw it the night before it opened, which was also the day it closed.

I've seen a few shows there that I saw in other productions presented on a proscenium stage that worked well in the round (American Buffalo comes to mind), and Metamorphoses transferred from a traditional space Off-Broadway to Circle/Square, although I preferred it in a more intimate theater. I think most plays and small musicals will work well there depending on the staging - bigger musicals not so much unless they're radically reimagined, as was Oklahoma! Off the top of my head, I can see Next to Normal doing well there.

Updated On: 8/6/23 at 08:40 PM

[Melissa25]

Posted: 8/5/23 at 10:53pm

Circle in the Square is one of my favorite Broadway theaters.  The first play I saw there was Bus Stop with Mary Louise Parker and Billy Crudup.  My favorite musical there was Fun Home which I felt played much better in the round than in did at The Newman at The Public.  A very close runner up is Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill.  Everything about that show just gave me goosebumps.  

[TommyWho99]

Posted: 8/5/23 at 11:05pm

I thought either "Here Lies Love" or the new "Cabaret" that's coming in from London would've taken advantage of the space, since both of them are going for a whole immersive night club type experience. I'd figure it would be cheaper/easier to remodel Circle in the Square for either show than having to convert a traditional proscenium.

Updated On: 8/5/23 at 11:05 PM

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 8/5/23 at 11:15pm

I agree that Fun Home played much better at Circle in the Square than at the Public’s proscenium theatre. And Once On This Island will forever remain a highlight of my theatergoing experience. I love shows at this theatre because they tend to be creatively conceived and staged. Shows automatically feel immersive, like Spelling Bee to Lady Day and even KPOP, which somehow made the playing space feel massive. I wish more Broadway houses were thrust/in the round/flexible like this.

[bigbelterbaby]

Posted: 8/5/23 at 11:27pm

I guess it just takes a producer/director to make the decision to stage it that way. I hesitate to say that would be taking a "risk" but at the same time since the space doesn't get booked often I think it's easy to say most prefer a traditional stage setup. I don't know if they use the stage for other events or acting classes if there isn't a show running ? I know since it's in the basement it's might be hard to advertise but I would think as a tourist you will find your way just as easily as you would any other theatre. 

[Dom P]

Posted: 8/6/23 at 9:51am

jagman1062 said: "Circle/Square used to have their own season of shows, ending about the late 1990s/early 00s. I believe their were several f reasons for the discontinuation, and certainly someone with more knowledge about this than I can give you details. I've seen some decent shows at that theater over the years including the Norman Conquests trilogy (I saw all three shows in one day), which is my favorite (collectively. The worst of them was Glory Days. I saw it the night before it opened, which was also the day it closed.

I've seen a few shows there that I saw in other productions presented on a proscenium stage that worked well in the round (American Buffalo comes to mind), and Metamorphoses transferred from a traditional space Off-Broadway to Circle/Square, although I preferred it in a more intimate theater. I think most plays and small musicals will work well there depending on the staging - bigger musicals not so much unless they're radically reimagined, as was Oklahoma! Off the top of my head, I can see Next to Normal doing well there."

 

Perhaps The Avett Brothers "Swept Away" with Stark Sands and John Gallagher Jr. Comes in after its arena stage run.   The one play I saw there was Coward's "Present Laughter" with George C. Scott and a very young Nathan Lane.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/6/23 at 12:50pm

The Norman Conquests was probably my favorite thing I've seen there just from an experience. I just loved it so much. But Fun Home, to me, use the space the best. And Oklahoma made it a very fun, unique experience.

[OuttaTowner]

Posted: 8/6/23 at 2:46pm

Agree that Swept Away would fit well here.   I would suspect that once they set the production for Arena Stage, adapting for CITS would not be that daunting. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/6/23 at 2:53pm

I think they should go to the concert route. Give us an intimate night with different artists. Give us some comedians. I know Unions make these things more difficult but imagine like Jinx Monsoon or Bianca Del Rio from drag race doing a few weeks each. 

[ooblogway]

Posted: 8/6/23 at 6:37pm

The current problem with staging shows completely in the round is that high-paying audiences want cool design elements which are difficult, if not impossible, in the round.  Our suggestion is to completely gut The Circle in the Square and use it for immersive shows which have become very popular.

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 8/6/23 at 6:54pm

ooblogway said: "The current problem with staging shows completely in the round is that high-paying audiences want cool design elements which are difficult, if not impossible, in the round. Our suggestion is to completely gut The Circle in the Square and use it for immersive shows which have become very popular."

This is not such a bad idea! Only problem is who's gonna pay for it?

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 8/6/23 at 11:42pm

I thought Rocky Horror Show did a great job in that space.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/7/23 at 12:06am

I honestly don’t think that’s true. A good show is a good show. I mean a Doll’s House was a hit with zero design. I don’t think audiences expect it.