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“World Premiere, Pulitzer Prize Winner, Tony Winner, Regional Premieres, Comedies, Tragedies, Contemporary and Classic pieces redefined—THREE musicals, a brand new secondary
performance space, and a whole lot more!"
Circle Theatre: 2025
IGNITE: An Examination of How Art Impacts Life
Welcome to a season in which Circle Theatre delves into the transformative power of creating, and its profound effects on our existence.
"Circle Theatre’s 44th Season is our biggest ever, and it has something for everyone. From the world premiere of Destroying David, which confronts grief through art’s collision with personal tragedy to the groundbreaking ferocity of A Strange Loop, a Pulitzer Prize-winning musical that redefines self and society — we are exploring both beautiful and difficult subjects. Fast forward all the way to the contemporary twist of Mac Beth, which reimagines Shakespeare through the lens of adolescence. These are only some of the productions in Circle’s 2025 Season, where we invite you to witness how art reflects and reshapes the human experience by sparking conversations, building communities, and igniting our minds.” —Ashley H. White, Artistic Director
SEASON 2025: IGNITE
DESTROYING DAVID | JANUARY 30 – FEBRUARY 22, 2025
By Jason Odell Williams | World Premiere
Destroying David is a thrilling, emotionally charged journey where art and personal tragedy collide. What begins as an intriguing exploration of Michelangelo’s masterpiece soon takes a dramatic turn as an enigmatic Art Restorer intertwines the statue’s fascinating history with their own deeply personal story.
As the play progresses, the audience is drawn into a gripping revelation: the Restorer is grappling with a profound heartache, and they have orchestrated a private tour for our audiences with a shocking intention—to confront their own pain by targeting the most celebrated symbol of artistic perfection: Michelangelo’s David - and destroying it.
Destroying David is a high-stakes narrative about the lengths one will go to heal, the raw power of grief, and the transformative impact of both destruction and creation. This riveting story kicks off Circle Theatre’s 44th Season by examining perceptions of beauty, resilience, and the quest for redemption, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats as they witness firsthand the confrontation between artistry and anguish.
*contains adult language and situations*
SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT:
AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ | March 6 – 15, 2025
Music by Thomas “Fats” Waller; Conceived by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Murray Horwitz
Circle’s newly renovated lobby (coined “The Velvet Lounge”) serves as the backdrop for a fully immersive experience audiences won’t forget. Travel back in time all the way to 1929, with a lively production of Ain’t Misbehavin’, a vibrant revue celebrating the music of Fats Waller and the exuberance of the Harlem Renaissance.
This high-energy show captures the spirit of the era with its infectious jazz and ragtime rhythms, transporting its audiences to another time and place entirely. With only eight performances and 40 seats available each night, this exclusive event is not to be missed. Come experience the unforgettable melodies that defined a generation and made Harlem the epicenter of musical innovation and forever changed the landscape of American music.
*contains adult language and situations*
THE HATMAKER’S WIFE | April 17 – May 10, 2025
Book by Lauren Yee | Regional Premiere
The Hatmaker’s Wife by Lauren Yee is a captivating grown-up fairy tale where reality and imagination intertwine, exploring themes of identity, family, love, and the distractions that pull us away from these things that matter most.
When a young woman and her boyfriend move into their new home, they uncover the magical history of its previous occupants: a distracted hatmaker and his long-suffering wife, who has left him, taking his beloved hat along with her. Through a whimsical and surreal narrative, the play redefines the concepts of family, home, and love, bending time and space in delightful ways.
The story unfolds with a large dose of magical realism—walls that literally talk, words that appear out of nowhere, a house that comes alive, and, obviously, a golem with a softness for Cheetos. A truly fantastical adventure, The Hatmaker’s Wife is a modern fable that is part ghost story, part fairy tale, showcasing Lauren Yee’s imaginative and humorous take on what it means to find real love.
*contains adult language and situations*
A STRANGE LOOP | JUNE 19 – JULY 12, 2025
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Michael R. Jackson | Regional Premiere
The New York Times called it “a thrillingly original and provocative masterpiece.” Variety lauded it as “a groundbreaking work that challenges and delights.” The Guardian described it as “a daring exploration of self and society that resonates with powerful authenticity and humor.” What will Dallas-Fort Worth audiences have to say? You’ll find out soon as Circle Theatre proudly announces its first Mainstage Musical of the Season: the regional premiere of the highly acclaimed A Strange Loop by Michael R. Jackson.
This Pulitzer Prize-winning musical reshaped American Theater during its celebrated Broadway run and took home the 2022 Tony Award for Best Musical. A Strange Loop offers a bold and exhilarating dive into the life of Usher, a Black queer musical theater writer navigating his identity, creativity, and personal challenges as he crafts a show about his own complex journey.
More than just a production, A Strange Loop promises to leave audiences both exhilarated and introspective long after the final curtain. With its raw, adult themes and vital exploration of the queer Black experience, this musical offers a unique blend of song and storytelling that is intensely relevant, and vitally important. Buckle up for a nonstop ride with an electric score that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
*contains adult language and situations*
THE LAST FIVE YEARS | AUGUST 14 – SEPTEMBER 6, 2025
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown | Regional Premiere
We round out the Summer with a contemporary classic, one of the most beloved musicals about a tumultuous heartbreak to ever have been written. Fresh off its first-ever Broadway Run, starring Adrienne Warren and Nick Jonas, Circle Theatre will be the first to bring The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown back to the area!
The Last Five Years captivates its audiences with its innovative storytelling and beloved score. A powerful piece that speaks to the universal experience of love and loss, this critically acclaimed musical delves into the five-year romance between Cathy and Jamie, two aspiring artists, through a unique narrative structure: Cathy’s story unfolds from the end of their relationship moving backward, while Jamie’s perspective moves forward from the start.
Memorable melodies soar throughout the piece, which leave audiences considering all that can go wrong when two people collide - and all that could have gone right, had they ever truly seen one another.
*contains adult language and situations*
MAC BETH | October 9 - November 1, 2025
By Erica Schmidt | Regional Premiere
A regional premiere by Erica Schmidt, Adapted from William Shakespeare’s Macbeth
An exhilarating adaptation that revitalizes Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, Mac Beth infuses the tale of ambition and madness with a vibrant, contemporary energy. After school, seven teenage girls convene in an abandoned lot. They drop their backpacks, transform their uniforms, and dive into a DIY retelling of Macbeth. As the girls conjure kings, warriors, and witches, Shakespeare’s bloody tale seeps into their reality. Mac Beth recontextualizes a classic text to expose the ferocity of adolescence and the intoxicating power of collective fantasy.
Mac Beth’s setting amplifies the intensity and immediacy of the story, creating an immersive experience that brings new dimensions to the classic narrative. This thrilling adaptation, that critics have lauded as “vividly reimagined” and “boldly innovative,” blends timeless drama with a contemporary twist, and closes Circle’s 44th season with a captivating exploration of power, ambition, and identity.
*contains adult language and situations*
