Lyle The Crocodile Swims In As Circa’s New Kids’ Show
From left, Jack Theiling, Janos Horvath
One of America’s most popular children’s-book characters is ready to jump-start the summer in the Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse presentation “Lyle The Crocodile,” opening this week and running through July 23 at the Rock Island dinner theatre. A delightful musical adapted from Bernard Waber’s kids’-lit series, this magical family entertainment is filled with laughter, songs, and happiness, and boasts a first-rate cast of professional talents.
Circa ’21 will present “Lyle” on scheduled Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings and afternoons through July 23. Morning performances, with the doors opening at 9:30 a.m. and the shows beginning at 10 a.m., will take place on June 25, 28, and 30, and July 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, and 23. Afternoon performances, with 12:30 p.m. doors and 1 p.m. show times, are scheduled for June 23, July 16, and July 23.
Ticket prices are $8.50 per person and can be reserved by contacting the Circa ’21 ticket office at 1828 Third Avenue, Rock Island, IL or by calling (309) 786-7733, extension 2. You many also make reservations online now and pick your seats at www.circa21.com.
“Lyle” is the story of a friendly crocodile who turns up in a bathtub in an apartment in New York City’s Upper East Side. Lyle becomes good friends with the folks in the building – except for Mr. Grumps, who hates Lyle, parades, people, and pretty much everything. However, when Lyle rescues Mr. Grumps and his cat Loretta from a fire, Mr. Grumps has to apologize for the way he’s treated Lyle, who helps those around him learn that they should not judge others by how different they appear to be, and learn to love people – and crocodiles – for what they are.
From left, Jack Theiling, Ben Klocke
Featuring an endearing title character and many fun-filled songs, “Lyle” is sure to capture the hearts of family audiences of all ages. The show is being directed by frequent Circa ’21 director/performer Andrea Moore, who is also the theatre’s Operations Manager and whose performance credits for the Circa ’21 include roles in such musicals as “Cats,” “Grease” and “Joseph.”
Rachelle Walljasper, currently appearing in the theatre’s production of the musical Sister Act, serves as “Lyle’s” music director. Lyle’s cast boasts a marvelous cast of 11 professional actors, with Jack Theiling portraying Lyle, Doug Kutzli as Mr. Grumps, and the ensemble filled out by Kristin Gilbert, Morgan Griffin, Janos Horvath, Noel Huntley, Ben Klocke, Jordan McGinnis, Nicholas Munson, Cydney Roelandt and more.
