The Civic Theatre: Wowing audiences with great shows, prices

When so many theaters are reducing their season lineup, the award-winning Civic Theatre boasts a full season of nine main plays, both contemporary and classic.

In addition, The Civic, as it is commonly known, puts on two other plays as part of the Senior Class Reader’s Theatre and three more performed solely by young people for the Civic Youth Theatre. Check out the season here. Senior Class Reader’s Theatre plays cost just $5 while Civic Youth Theatre shows are $7 — the price of a movie ticket!

“Even though we have been impacted by the recession, we’re still playing to 80 percent capacity. Our supporters are very, very loyal,” said Ben Zylman, the Civic Theatre’s director of marketing and development.

One of the nation’s premier community theaters, the Civic boasts 29 employees and 1,200 volunteers. It has been well regarded for decades. In 1960, it became the first community theater to perform A Raisin in the Sun, and it was the first one given permission by Walt Disney Co. to stage the blockbuster Beauty and the Beast and the first with Avenue Q.

The Civic is the result of a 2000 merger between the Civic Players and the 503-seat Civic Auditorium. In 1929, the Civic Players were born. Built in 1931, the Civic Auditorium began as a state-of-the-art theater.

For Friday and Saturday performances, single tickets cost $10 for students 12 and younger, $19 for older students and senior citizens and $22 for other adults. For Thursday and Sunday performances, prices drop to  $10 for students 12 and younger, $15 for older students and senior citizens and $18 for other adults. You can see a Civic Auditorium seating chart here.

But why not save money with a season subscription, which can save you up to 40 percent over buying individual tickets? Unlike other season subscriptions, with The Civic you can use two tickets from your subscription to take a friend with you to a performance.

“Our subscription packages are so incredibly flexible,” Zylman said. “A patron can truly tailor a season to their own interests.”

You can get a Single Adult subscription, good for eight performances, for $110. A Double Adult subscription, good for 16 performances, costs just $210. A Single Senior Adult subscription (eight shows) costs $99, while a Double Senior Adult one (16) costs $185.  You can get more details on a season subscription here. You can buy a season subscription on line, by calling (269) 343–1313 or by visiting The Civic’s Box Office weekday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (and in summer, only until 5 p.m.)

As a community theater, The Civic is always on the lookout for talent. Those interested in auditioning can find out more here.

The Civic also has programs for young people, including lessons and summer camps. For more information, check the Civic’s Education page. You can find registration forms and scholarship applications there. The Civic also offers five internships.

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