City Circle Acting Company of Coralville will present the musical Oliver! December 11-20 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. Performances are December 11,12,18,19 at 7:30 pm and December 13 and 20 at 2:00 pm.

A holiday favorite from the pen of Charles Dickens, Oliver! tells the story of orphan Oliver Twist as he goes from mistreatment in the London workhouses to falling in with a gang of pickpockets led by the roguish Fagin, the kindhearted Nancy, and the menacing Bill Sykes, before finally finding a home. It's a cruel world for orphans; but even in the darkest moments, love has a way of shining through.

The show features a talented cast of 74 actors ranging in age from 7 to 85 as well as 20 musicians, and a technical and production team of more than 20. With music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, Oliver! is directed by Elizabeth Tracey.

During the performances of Oliver!, City Circle will be collecting donations for the Coralville Ecumenical Food Pantry. Anyone who donates will be entered to win tickets to an upcoming City Circle performance with winners drawn at each performance.

Tickets to the show are $12-$27 and can be purchased online at http://www.coralvillearts.org or by calling 319.248.9370 or in person at the CCPA box office at 1301 5th Street and at the Coralville Recreation Center at 1506 8th Street.

City Circle Acting Company is the community theater program of the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.  Since 1997, City Circle's mission has been the production of high quality dramatic, musical, and performing art pieces for the enjoyment of the public.  Upcoming City Circle productions include Oliver (December 11-20), Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (February 12-14), and 1776 (April 29-May 8).

Owned and operated by the City of Coralville, the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts is dedicated to enriching the community and contributing to the vitality of Coralville by offering an accessible, affordable venue for a variety of performances, presentations, and public and private events.  The 472 seat theater opened August 26, 2011 and has hosted performances from City Circle Acting Company, Orchestra Iowa, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, Dan Knight, Lola Astanova, Lorie Line, Judy Carmichael, Jim McDonough, Nolte Academy of Dance, and many others.  Coralville schools are also able to use the Center free of charge up to three times per year. The Center was named 2012 Member of the Year by the Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

###

City Circle Acting Company of Coralville will host an information meeting for persons interested in directing a show in their 2016-17 season. The meeting will be held Sunday, November 8 at 1pm in the lobby of the Coralville Center of the Performing Arts at 1301 5^th Street.

This will be an informal gathering with City Circle's Play Selection Committee to learn more details about the upcoming season including production budgets, production teams and the director selection process. Direct questions to info@citycircle.org.

City Circle Acting Company is the resident theatre company of the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.

***

The Clinton Area Showboat Theatre will be holding local auditions for their community holiday production. Auditions will be held on Saturday, November 7 from 6-­8pm and on Sunday, November 8 from 1-­3pm at Mullany Theatre on the Ashford University Campus.

This year's show is Adam's Gifts by Peter Filichia and directed by Kris Doss. Loosely based on Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol, the story follows William Pront, a greedy landlord who has cut corners on his tenants for years. His employee, Jason Romano just wants to make a living and to finish writing his book. Pront's greediness leads to Jason quitting, a stranger appearing, and Pront reliving life through his younger self. William learns a lot about himself, but most importantly is finally taught to read from the most unlikely of people. Adam's Gifts is a story of redemption and the heart­melting surprise of feeling needed.

Roles are available for males and females, middle school to adult. Auditions are drop­in and no preparations are necessary. Cold readings will be provided. Anyone interested in helping with technical, backstage work should attend one of the audition dates. Rehearsals will likely be scheduled Monday through Fridays from 6pm­-9pm.

Performances are scheduled for December 11-­13 and 18­-20. Shows will be at 7:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3pm on Sundays.

The Clinton Area Showboat Theatre will offer a Season of American Classics for the summer of 2016. The upcoming 2016 season includes Neil Simon's The Odd Couple (June 4­-11), Meredith Wilson's The Music Man (June 16 to July 4), the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic South Pacific (July 8-­17), Grease ! (July 21­-31), and Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie (August 4-­13). Matthew Teague Miller is Producing Artistic Director for the 2016 season.

For more information about any Showboat events or to purchase season tickets, visit: www.clintonshowboat.org.