Theatre News Wire

After 26 years as a company member and 9 years as Artistic Director, Kevin Bellie will step down from his current position at Circle Theatre on November 14th.

This date marks the opening of Pippin: A Bollywood Spectacular, Bellie's final production as Artistic Director. In his tenure as AD, the company has seen several performance locations, numerous Jeff Awards, visits from entertainment luminaries (Rupert Holmes, Michael John LaChiusa, Marvin Hamlisch, Russell Crowe), World Premieres, Chicago Premieres and a thriving subscription base. Bellie plans to continue to work as a free-lance director/choreographer. Bellie says "Circle Theatre has been a major part of my life since I was a teenager. Who I am as a theatre professional was formed by my mentors, Circle Theatre co-founders, Karen Skinner and Wayne Buidens. As Circle continues to step forward into its future, it is time for a new vision to make its mark."

Taking his place as Artistic Director will be local artist Jon Landvick, a company member who has been transitioning into the role for the past few months, ensuring a smooth evolution.

Jon Landvick - Jon is honored to be making the move from company member to Artistic Director. He has been seen in Circle's productions of Tommy (Uncle Ernie), Kiss Me, Kate (ensemble), and A Little Night Music (Mr. Erlanson). In addition, he was the musical director for Reefer Madness. He has also been a set builder, lighting designer, and pit musician for Circle's youth program, CYTEA. Outside of Circle, he has been on both sides of the curtain as well. As an actor, he has been seen with Porchlight Music Theatre (Sweeney Todd, Cabaret), Light Opera Works (The Student Prince, The Secret Garden), Bohemian Theatre Ensemble (The Wild Party), Metropolis Performing Arts Center (Forever Plaid, Speedating the Musical, Damn Yankees), and Next Theatre (The Adding Machine). As a musical director, he has worked with Metropolis Performing Arts Center (You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown), Timber Lake Playhouse (Hair & Anything Goes), Theatre Nebula (Into the Woods), LZP (Victor / Victoria & Phantom), and Wishing Star Theatre (Into the Woods - music director & producer). Jon has a BA in music education and theatre from Western Illinois University. He has taught in the Illinois public school system where he has been a director, music director, set designer, lighting designer, and make up designer for middle & high school productions.

Kevin Bellie - Kevin has been Circle Theatre's Artistic Director and a company member for 26 years. Directorial/choreographic credits at Circle include Jeff Recommended and awarded productions of Urinetown, The Baker's Wife, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Can-Can, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Mack & Mabel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Nine, Triumph of Love, The Life, Grand Hotel, and Sweet Smell of Success. Other credits include Noble Fool's 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Drood and The Tafettas; McLeod Summer Playhouse's A Chorus Line; choreography for Porchlight's Gypsy, Circle's Tommy and MSP's The Producers.

Celebrating its 27th season, Circle Theatre is an artist-based company and the proud recipient of over 40 Jeff Awards. Circle has produced multiple world premieres, including Rebecca Gilman's The Glory of Living and The Crime of the Century, Jon Steinhagen's The Analytical Engine, the Midwest premiere of Michael John LaChiusa's The Wild Party, and the Chicago premieres of Marvin Hamlisch's Sweet Smell of Success, Jeff Daniels' Escanaba In Da Moonlight, Adam Rapp's Stone Cold Dead Serious, and in our 2011-2012 season, the critically acclaimed When the Rain Stops Falling.