Latest Orcas Center production, Cirque-Us, not to be missed

May 23 – June 8, 7 p.m., Orcas Center

— from Robert Hall —

Grace McCune’s ‘Rock on the Rock Choir’ is one of the most important theatre productions we have on Orcas Island. Simply put, the addition of the next show in that series, Cirque-Us to our culture here in our small town is invaluable, even priceless.

Grace started the choir in 2008 with 15 adults and 20 children. Now, with the addition of Jake Perrine in 2010, the choir has grown to more than 54 adults and over 40 children, including several more dancers, the silks classes, and many many other community volunteer supporters.

This grass roots production has grown and reaped a communal bounty no one can deny. People from all walks of life (most who’ve never been on stage) gather here under one roof to laugh, cry, sing, dance – and perhaps most of all – to grow. With a youngest of four years to a good age of 80, year after year, everyone gets their heartstrings plucked in a drumbeat of connection. Friends, family, neighbors, and strangers, all tune in together to share this special taste of magic with a community we all love.

There have been other productions in the past that have been stellar, even unforgettable. We all have those shows we can’t forget – incredible productions with completely sold out shows, great acting, and good directing with loads of community members, and we’ve loved those experiences as well. But, this show is different. It’s unique. It’s the culmination of a ten year ongoing series of shows all built here from the ground up — no script.

What this show does for our culture here on Orcas Island is beyond measure. But I do know this, it connects us. If community theater is where the heart of theater is, this show is at the heart of this community.

This is grassroots Artivism and it’s the most important theatre there is. By us / about us / for us. It is the stuff most theaters can only dream of. Heartfelt and fun. Beautiful and thoughtful.