New Vic Theatre Lives Up To Its Name With New Works
The New Vic Theatre in Kalamazoo, Mich., provides theater-goers in southwest Michigan and northern Indiana a taste of new theater in an intimate cabaret setting. Patrons are certain to find something novel and exciting in its eclectic mix of original and recently debuted works.
There’s something quaint about the New Vic Theatre, beginning with its genteel boast of having staged “fine theatricals since 1966.” Like theaters, opera houses and music halls of old, the New Vic gladly shoulders the task of introducing its audiences to new fare: More than 80 percent of the plays produced at the New Vic are new to Kalamazoo. Some — Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Green Julia by Paul Abelman, Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been? and The Memoirs Of Pontius Pilate, both of the latter by Eric Bentley — actually debuted at the New Vic prior to their Broadway premieres.
And like theaters of old, the New Vic provides year-round entertainment. The Vic’s season begins in February each year and ends Dec. 29. The popular January Concert Series features a variety of musical acts.
With just 100 seats, performances at the New Vic Theatre are always intimate affairs. Recent productions range from the Tony Award-winning Norman Conquests trilogy of plays by Alan Ayckbourn to Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie to A.R. Gurney’s comedy of manners, The Dining Room. The New Vic has even turned its hand to an original comedy revue of its own with Take My Wife ... Please! in 2009.
But even a company as committed to the out of the ordinary as the New Vic Theatre has its traditions. One is the annual staging of A Christmas Carol, which has been produced during each holiday season since 1980.
You can check out the latest season here. Except for during the holiday season, most performances are on the weekends.
Tickets are $25 for musicals and $23 for other plays. Reservations must be paid at least 48 hours before curtain for regular tickets, 10 days in advance for group tickets. Tickets for A Christmas Carol must be paid by Oct. 1. Season tickets are $114. There are no refunds. Reserve tickets by telephone at (269) 381–3328 or by e-mail at newvicinc@aol.com. Box office hours are Tuesdays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and during performances.
While the New Vic Theatre is always in search of talented actors, auditions are by appointment only at this time. Telephone, e-mail or drop by for more information.
Posted by Ivonne Rovira
