The story of us
About Us
Established in 1985.
Muskegon Civic Theatre is a voluntary organization providing exceptional community based theatrical experiences by and for adults and children of all backgrounds. This is accomplished through a variety of diverse productions and educational opportunities in all elements of theater in Muskegon and West Michigan communities.
MCT is a consolidation of the former Civic Opera Association, Port City Playhouse and Muskegon Youth Theatre. The combined history of these theatre groups has spanned decades of service in the greater Muskegon area. 1 deposit casino nz.com Our predecessors include the Little Theatre of Muskegon and the Greater Muskegon Civic Theatre in addition to our named parent organizations. We are governed by a Board of Directors, and we operate under an approved set of Bylaws, policies and procedures.
Muskegon Civic Theatre is the only community theatre in Muskegon County.
Our organization utilizes volunteers in all aspects of the performing arts. During the course of a production season, we utilize the contributions of up to 350 volunteers, which equates to approximately 30,000 hours of volunteer time. For every actor that you see on stage, there are numerous technicians behind the scenes supporting them!
We are always seeking people who want to experience the joy of community theatre. Please feel free to visit our volunteer page or call: (231)722.3852
Our History
Community theatre in Muskegon – a Heritage of 85 Years! Muskegon Civic Theatre, since 1985 and still going strong!
1935-1940
Little Theatre of Muskegon
1950-1958
Greater Muskegon Civic Theatre
In August 1950, a church building on Sanford Street was purchased by the Greater Muskegon Civic Theatre and became the home for its productions.
1951-1983
Civic Opera Association
Civic Opera Association was founded in 1961, when it opened with a production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Mikado,” COA concentrated on musicals, most of them expansive. The company performed in a variety of venues, including the Central Campus auditorium at Muskegon High School and the Michigan theater which would become the Frauenthal.
1961-1983
Port City Playhouse
Port City Playhouse got rolling in 1961 in an old church building (the former Greater Muskegon Civic Theatre) on Sanford Street, across the street from where the Muskegon High School Big Reds play football at Hackley Stadium. Starting with a production of playwright Noel Coward’s ghostly comedy of manners, “Blithe Spirit,” Port City Playhouse operated until 1983.
1981-1984
Muskegon Youth Theatre
Established by Janet Smith as a division of Civic Opera Association
1985 and Still Going Strong!
Muskegon Civic Theatre
Formed in 1985, MCT is a merger of three former Muskegon entities: Port City Playhouse, Civic Opera Association
Each of these organizations has brought its own heritage and talent to many area stages and to many community audiences over the years. They have improved and contributed to the quality of life in Muskegon.
April 1985, marked the beginning of a new era for community theatre in Muskegon. The merger of Civic Opera Association, Port City Playhouse, and Muskegon Youth Theater produced a stronger, more viable theatre organization, Muskegon Civic Theatre.
MCT’s inaugural production was The Man Who Came to Dinner by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, presented on the Frauenthal Theater Stage. Our large musical productions continue to appear on the Frauenthal stage, our smaller productions appear in the Beardsley Theater, and in January 2010, we introduced a black box theater setting.
Muskegon Civic Theatre is a registered 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, is governed by a Board of Directors and operates under an approved set of Bylaws, policies, and procedures.
MCT Show History
Most of MCT’s shows are performed at the Beardsley Theater MCT’s largest productions and Black Box productions are mounted inside the
Frauenthal Theater itself.
1985-1986
The Man Who Came to Dinner
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat
A Streetcar Named Desire
Androcles and the Lion
You Can’t Take It with You
1986-1987
My Fair Lady
Li’l Red
Bus Stop
Jesus Christ Superstar
1987-1988
Babes in Arms
Tintypes
Crimes of the Heart
Tissue*
West Side Story
1988-1989
Silver Linings*
Shenandoah
The Diary of Anne Frank
The Real Inspector Hound
Purlie
1989-1990
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Arsenic and Old Lace
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
The Gin Game
1990-1991
Barnum
Steel Magnolias
Inherit the Wind
Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?
1991-1992
The Boys Next Door*
The 1940’s Radio Hour
Harvey
Driving Miss Daisy
Bubbling Brown Sugar
1992-1993
Tomfoolery
Rumors
Love Letters*
On Borrowed Time
Oklahoma!
1993-1994
The Taffetas
Twelve Angry Men
Run for Your Wife
Oliver!
1994-1995
Forever Plaid
The Cemetery Club
A Raisin in the Sun
Guys and Dolls
1995-1996
Taking My Turn
Out of Order
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Rags
1996-1997
Rodgers & Hart
Wait Until Dark
Fences
Damn Yankees
1997-1998
Look Homeward, Angel
Leader of the Pack
Born Yesterday
The Music Man
1998-1999
Moon Over Buffalo
Two by Two
Do Not Go Gentle
Li’l Abner
1999-2000
Plaza Suite
Ain’t Misbehavin’
Anne of the Thousand Days
Jesus Christ Superstar
2000-2001
Sylvia
Tapestry
A Few Good Men
Kiss Me, Kate
2001-2002
They’re Playing Our Song
Marvin’s Room
Miss Evers’ Boys
Annie Get Your Gun
2002-2003
Quilters
Inspecting Carol
Anatomy of a Murder
Peter Pan
2003-2004
G.I. Jukebox
The Foreigner
To Kill a Mockingbird
The King and I
2004-2005
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change
Angel Street
Beau Jest
Gypsy
2005-2006
Sophisticated Ladies
Art*
The Diary of Anne Frank (Kesselman)
Blithe Spirit
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
2006-2007
Chapter Two
Seussical
The Miracle Worker
Brigadoon
2007-2008
Crowns
Chicks & Ducks (The Duck Variations)*
The Last Night of Ballyhoo
Deathtrap
The Wizard of Oz
2008-2009
Noises Off
Side by Side by Sondheim
The Lion in Winter
Thoroughly Modern Millie
2009-2010
Social Security
Nuncrackers
Rabbit Hole*
Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution
The Sound of Music
2010-2011
Something’s Afoot
The Dining Room
Always…Patsy Cline*
The Piano Lesson
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat
2011-2012
Hairspray
Doubt
Proof*
Lend Me a Tenor
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
2012-2013
Dial M for Murder
Forever Plaid presents Plaid Tidings
Leaving Iowa
Crimes of the Heart
The Music Man
2013-2014
The Great American Trailer Park Musical
The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays
Time Stands Still*
The Dixie Swim Club
Legally Blonde the Musical
2014-2015
Working
A Christmas Story
Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks*
Other Desert Cities
Peter Pan
2015-2016
Moonlight and Magnolias
Accomplice
The Fantasticks
To Kill a Mockingbird
Into the Woods
2016-2017
A Murder is Announced
Hands on a Hardbody
The Drawer Boy
I Hate Hamlet
Mary Poppins
2017-2018
My Way
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Guys on Ice
A Rasin in the Sun
Monty Python’s Spamalot
2018-2019
Disenchanted!
Becky’s New Car
The Old Settler
The Women of Lockerbie
Shrek The Musical
2019 - 2020
The 39 Steps
A Christmas Carol
Fun Home
Our Town
Mamma Mia! – Canceled due to COVID-19
2020-2021
Silver Anniversary – YouTube Production
Fire Pit Follies – Backyard Cabaret Concerts
The Rocky Horror Show: Live in Concert! – Outdoor Concert
Disenchanted!: Stay-at-home Version
Sister Act: Live in Concert! – Outdoor Concert
Port City Playhouse & Civic Opera Association Show History
These productions either took place at Port City Playhouse (now the MCT Scene Shop), at Muskegon High School, or at the Frauenthal Theater.
Port City Playhouse
Port City Playhouse got rolling in 1961 in an old church building (the former Greater Muskegon Civic Theatre) on Sanford Street, across the street from where the Muskegon High School Big Reds play football at Hackley Stadium. Starting with a production of playwright Noel Coward’s ghostly comedy of manners, “Blithe Spirit,” Port City Playhouse operated until 1983.
1961
Blithe Spirit
1964
Death of a Salesman
Come Blow Your Horn
Under The Gaslight
The Bad Seed
Little Women
1965
Auntie Mame
No Time for Sergeants
Life With Father
1966
Mary, Mary
Family Portrait
Once Upon A Mattress
Oliver!
1967
A Streetcar Named Desire
Barefoot
The Odd Couple
1968
A Man for All Seasons
Gypsy
Amhal and the Night Visitors
1969
Never Too Late
Love Rides the Rails
A Girl Could Get Lucky
Snow White
Don’t Drink the Water
The Chalk Garden
1970
Apple Tree
Macbeth
Cactus Flower
Impossible Years
Wait Until Dark
1971
The Hobbit
Ten Little Indians
Hello, Dolly!
Girl
Charlie’s Aunt
Plaza
Child’s Play
1972
Spofford
Forty Carats
You Know I Can’t Hear You When The Water’s Running
My Daughter, Your Son
1973
Babes In Arms
Butterflies Are Free
The Robe
Stop the World
Dames at Sea
Little Women
Goodbye Charlie
See How They Run
1974
The Unsinkable Molly Brown
I Never Sang for My Father
Lily, the Felon’s Daughter
Arsenic and Old Lace
You Can’t Take It With You
1975
Beauty and the Beast
Kiss Me, Kate
Dracula
The Man Who Came to Dinner
Blazing Guns at Roaring Gulch
Everybody Loves Opal
Who Killed Santa Claus
1976
Guys and Dolls
Girls in 509
Prisoner
The Mouse That Roars
Pools Paradise
Night Watch
1977
Funny Girl
Anastasia
Sunshine Boys
Norman, Is That You?
Last of the Red Hot Lovers
Silver Whistle
1978
Applause
Cat
I Do, I Do
1979
Family Portrait
The Wizard of Oz
Cuckoo
No Sex Please; We’re British
1980
Annie Get Your Gun
Runner
Vanities
Biggest Their in Town
1981
Carnival
Invitation to a Murder
Roomies
Two by Two
On Golden Pond
1982
Dames At Sea
Love Rides the Rails (or Will the Mail Train Run Tonight)
1983
The Odd Couple
Civic Opera Association
Civic Opera Association was founded in 1961, when it opened with a production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Mikado,” COA concentrated on musicals, most of them expansive. The company performed in a variety of venues, including the Central Campus auditorium at Muskegon High School and the Michigan theater which would become the Frauenthal.
1951
The Mikado
The Red Mill
1952
The Chocolate Soldier
1953
Sweethearts
1954
Rose Marie
1955
Kiss Me, Kate
Festival of Comedies
1956
Carousel
Festival of Comedies
Smokey Mountain
1957
Annie Get Your Gun
HMS Pinafore
1958
The King and I
Damn Yankees
1959
Showboat
Guys and Dolls
1960
Desert Song
South Pacific
1961
Naughty Marietta
Oklahoma!
1962
Where’s Charlie?
The Music Man
1963
Little Mary Sunshine
The Student Prince
1964
Wonderful Town
Of Thee I Sing
1965
My Fair Lady
The Sound of Music
1966
Camelot
How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
1967
Brigadoon
Half a Sixpence
1968
Most Happy Fella
Finigan’s Rainbow
1969
Kismet
Flower Drum Song
1970
Mame
Oliver!
1971
Hello, Dolly!
West Side Story
1972
Fiddler on the Roof
Cabaret
1973
Man of La Mancha
Promises, Promises
1974
Carousel
No, No, Nanette
1975
The King and I
Sugar
1976
1776
There’s No Business Like Showbusiness
Gypsy
1977
The Merry Widow
Fiddler on the Roof
The Sound of Music
1978
South Pacific
The Best of COA
New Moon
Amahl and the Night Visitors
1979
The Wizard of Oz
The Best of COA Past Present Future
Showboat
1980
The Unsinkable Molly Brown
The Pajama Game
Broadway Memories
1981
Camelot
Gifts of Broadway
The Music Man
1982
Kismet
Double Feature
Can Can
1983
Chicago
Grease
Amahl and the Night Visitors
1984
A Little Night Music
Annie
Theatre Staff
Muskegon Civic Theatre is the only full-time, non-profit, community theater organization in Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa counties with local support and resident participation. We are always looking for people who want to experience the joy of community theatre!
Jason Bertoia
Managing Director
Kirk Wahamaki
Artistic Director
Erin Sharpe
Administrator of Education
Theatre Board
Claire Root Benson
President
Jocelyn Hines
Board Member
Amy White
Vice President
Bob Scolnik
Board Member
Lieschen Montgomery
Secretary
Melissa Brown
Board Member
Cozette Thomas
Board Member
Michael Ramsey
Board Member
Contact Info
(231) 722-3852
[email protected]
Location
425 W Western Ave #401
Muskegon, MI 49440
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
9am - 5pm