Season Announcement
Familiar names fill Circle Theatre's inspiring 2023 season in Fort Worth
"The Mountaintop" at Dallas Theater Center in 2015.
Blind Lemon Jefferson, Martin Luther King, Jr., Dear Sugar, the real Josh Cohen, and Mr. Rogers. These are all lead characters in Circle Theatre's 2023 season, which features a true-to-life protagonist in each show that exemplifies the theater’s values of innovation, integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, and service.
"These delightful and inspiring stories will spark curiosity, empathy, and joy in our patrons," says executive director Tim Long. "In a time where we crave authenticity, Circle Theatre is keeping it real for 2023.”
The theater, located in Sundance Square, begins its season with Lonesome Blues, which was recently produced at Dallas' Undermain Theatre.
Born blind but ultimately able to express his deepest emotions through music, Blind Lemon Jefferson was discovered on a street corner in the Deep Ellum section of Dallas in 1925. He made more than 80 records over the next four years — becoming one the most prolific and influential performers of his generation and propelling the growth of rhythm and blues, soul, doo-wop, rap, and hip-hop. Written by Alan Govenar and Akin Babatunde, and directed by Babatunde, it runs February 2-11, 2023.
Katori Hall's The Mountaintop is next, directed by D. Wambui Richardson.
On April 3, 1968, after delivering one of his most memorable speeches, an exhausted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. retires to his room at the Lorraine Motel while a storm rages outside. When a mysterious stranger arrives with some surprising news, King is forced to confront his destiny and his legacy to his people. It runs March 30-April 15, 2023.
Tiny Beautiful Things, based on the book by Cheryl Strayed and adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos, is a celebration of the simple beauty of being human.
Based on Cheryl Strayed’s journey as the beloved anonymous advice columnist for “Dear Sugar," where thousands of people turned to her for words of wisdom, compassion, and hope. Reluctant to claim that she has all the answers, Sugar looks to her own past and draws on her life experiences to bring light, laughter, and humanity to others. Directed by Susan Sargeant, it runs June 1-17, 2023.
The regional premiere of The Other Josh Cohenhas book, music, and lyrics by Steve Rosen and David Rossmer, and is directed by Joel Ferrell with music direction by Cody Dry.
Josh Cohen just can’t get a break. He’s single, broke, and to top it all off, his apartment’s been robbed of everything but a Neil Diamond CD. Soon though, his luck takes a turn when a mysterious envelope arrives that changes his life forever. Thus begins the hilarious and quirky romantic comedy about a good guy caught in a lifelong battle with bad luck. It runs August 24-September 16, 2023.
Closing out the season is I’m Proud of You, adapted for the stage by Tim Madigan and Harry Parker and based on Madigan's book I’m Proud of You, My Friendship with Fred Rogers.
Former Fort Worth Star-Telegram writer Tim Madigan recalls how an interview with the icon of kindness and everyone’s neighbor, Mr. Fred Rogers, led to a wondrous and life-changing friendship. Throughout this friendship, Fred helped Tim mend his relationships and become a better husband, father, and brother. This world premiere is directed by Parker and runs November 2-18, 2023.
Individual ticket prices are $40-$50, with preview performance tickets $20-$25. Call 817-877-3040 for further information and reservations, or visit CircleTheatre.com to buy tickets online.
