Rock Island’s Circa ’21 Delivers Purrrrfect ‘Garfield’ Musical
A beloved comic-strip feline is set to make his long-awaited debut at the Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse when the Rock Island theater presents its latest, utterly delightful family presentation GARFIELD: THE MUSICAL WITH CATTITUDE. Lauded by DC Metro Theatre as “a fast-paced musical comedy” that’s “vastly entertaining and perfect for kids (and grown-ups) of all ages.” This winning stage treat running through June 24 is a purr-fect entertainment for fans of family musicals, brought to life by Garfield cartoonist Jim Davis and a sensational team of professional talents.
Circa ’21 will present show-only performances of GARFIELD: THE MUSICAL WITH CATTITUDE on scheduled Tuesday through Saturday mornings and afternoons through June 24. Morning
productions, with the doors opening at 9:30 a.m. and the shows beginning at 10 a.m., will take place on June 8, 9, 10, 13, 16, 17, 20, 23 and 24. Afternoon productions, with 12:30 p.m. doors and 1 p.m. show times, are scheduled for June 10, 17 and 24.
Ticket prices for this show-only production are $10 per person. For tickets and information, contact the Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse at 1828 Third Ave., Rock Island or by calling 309-786-7733, ext. 2.
With Garfield creator Jim Davis himself co-writing the book alongside Michael J. Bobbitt and composer John L. Cornelius II supplying the music and lyrics, GARFIELD: THE MUSICAL WITH CATTITUDE is a new stage sensation inspired by everyone’s favorite orange, sarcastic, lasagna-loving tubby tabby, Garfield awakens to find that his birthday, obviously the most important day of the year, has fallen on a Monday. The horror! To make matters worse, all of his friends Jon, Odie, Arlene and even his nemesis Nermal have completely forgotten it’s his big day. With only his beloved teddy bear Pookie understanding his disappointment, Garfield leaves the comforts of home feeling rejected. But he soon realizes that in the outside world, there’s no TV, the food is garbage (literally) and animal control is always just around the corner. In this all-ages treat boasting hilarity and catchy tunes, our grumpy hero must learn about the little things, such as the value of friendship and the timeless adage “home is where the heart and the food is.”
Directing, choreographing and set designing GARFIELD: THE MUSICAL WITH CATTITUDE is Circa ’21 favorite Brad Hauskins, a star of the recent “Grumpy Old Men: The Musical” whose family productions for the theatre have included “Madagascar: A Musical Adventure, ” ”A Year with Frog & Toad” and “Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas.” Another adored venue veteran, Shelley Walljasper serves as the show’s music director. Additional members of Hauskins’ creative team include costume designer Bradley Robert Jensen, stage manager and props designer Kendall McKasson, lighting designer and assistant stage manager Emmett Boedeker, sound designer and engineer Ben Takitch, production manager Jeremy Littlejohn and scenic artist Becky Meissen.
Jeremy Littlejohn also portrays GARFIELD’s title character. His additional area acting credits including roles in The Mockingbird On Main’s “A Christmas Carol” and “Murder at Mistwell Manor.” Abigail Graham serves as the show’s dance captain, co-choreographer and portraying the sweetly empty-headed pooch Odie, the show’s cast is completed by Caitie Moss as Nermal, Sylvia Muchmore as Arlene and T.J. Besler, double-cast as Garfield’s owner Jon and a potentially nefarious animal-control officer.
Circa ’21 is excited to gather this group of wonderful talents for such an unforgettable adventure and encourages audiences to make reservations quickly at 309-786-7733 ext. 2 for the hilarious, tune-filled, furry fun of GARFIELD: THE MUSICAL WITH CATTITUDE.
