21 Minutes: A Circa ‘21 Podcast

This week on 21 Minutes: Emmett Boedeker  Emmett does a little bit of everything here at Circa ‘21. He came to us in 2022 for THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG and is currently appearing in and working as the deck hand for ROCK OF AGES!  21 Minutes is a new series where each week we sit down with a creative connected to Circa ’21 for a conversation that lasts… you guessed it… 21 minutes. Listen now on all...

This week on 21 Minutes: Bear Manescalchi Circa ‘21 audiences will remember Bear from MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS and as Frankie Valli in JERSEY BOYS. He’s back on the Circa ‘21 stage as Lonny in ROCK OF AGES playing now through November 7! 21 Minutes is a new series where each week we sit down with a creative connected to Circa ’21 for a conversation that lasts… you guessed it… 21 minutes. Liste...

This week on 21 Minutes: A Special Bonus Episode James Hesselman & Denny Hitchcock reflect on their time spent in New York City on September 11, 2001 and what happened when they returned.  21 Minutes is a new series where each week we sit down with a creative connected to Circa ’21 for a conversation that lasts… you guessed it… 21 minutes. Listen now on all major podcast platforms by searching...

This week on 21 Minutes: JAMES HESSELMAN      Mr. Hesselman starred in Circa ‘21’s National Tours of ANYTHING GOES and NUNCRACKERS. His original comedy LOVES, LIES & THE LOTTERY premiered on our stage in 2014 where his directing credits include PETER PAN, THE MUSIC MAN, LEGALLY BLONDE and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, among many others!  21 Minutes is a new series where each week we sit down with a cre...

This week on 21 Minutes: HANNA FELVER     Hanna is one of our beloved Bootleggers and has appeared on our stage numerous times! Audiences may remember Hanna from Jersey Boys, Come From Away, The Rocky Horror Show, Santa Claus, Arthur or Honky Tonk Angels! You can her in Rock of Ages in just a few weeks!  21 Minutes is a new series where each week we sit down with a creative connected to Circa ’21...

This week on 21 Minutes: CHASE AUSTIN    Chase is one of our beloved Bootleggers who will be making his main stage debut with ROCK OF AGES! 21 Minutes is a new series where each week we sit down with a creative connected to Circa ’21 for a conversation that lasts… you guessed it… 21 minutes. Listen now on all major podcast platforms by searching: “21 Minutes: A Circa ’21 Podcast” Follow this link:...

This week on 21 Minutes: SOPHIE KAEGI    Sophie is a Chicago actress who is currently appearing as Dorothy in THE WIZARD OF OZ! She’s been performing in the Chicagoland area since she was a child and most recently appeared in PARANORMAL ACTIVITY at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre!  21 Minutes is a new series where each week we sit down with a creative connected to Circa ’21 for a conversation that las...

This week on 21 Minutes: BRETT HITCHCOCK    Brett has been involved with Circa ‘21 for nearly all his life (his dad founded the company in 1977) and been on the full time staff since 1994. We learn how he joined the family business, how he’s watched the marketing side of the business change over the years and what his favorite show is (and it may surprise you)!  21 Minutes is a new series where ea...

This week on 21 Minutes: BRADLEY ROBERT JENSEN   Bradley joined us in the summer of 2022 and has been an incredible creative force behind so many of our productions, including Chicago , White Christmas , Baskerville , Murder on the Orient Express , Disaster! , and our current production of The Wizard of Oz . As our resident costume designer, he has brought creativity, artistry, and dedication to e...

This week on 21 Minutes: GILLIAN WEATHERFORD   Circa ‘21 audiences may remember Gillian as Mary Poppins in last summer’s MARY POPPINS! She returns to the Circa ‘21 stage this summer in THE WIZARD OF OZ! We talk about her creative childhood in Las Vegas, attending school in New York City and how she ended up here at Circa ‘21 in the winter of 2025 for BASKERVILLE.  21 Minutes is a new series where...

This week on 21 Minutes: JEREMY LITTLEJOHN   Jeremy is Circa ‘21’s Production Manager and is currently appearing in THE WIZARD OF OZ! He previously directed ELF in 2019 and has appeared in our productions of GARFIELD, HOW I BECAME A PIRATE and LUCKY STIFF!  21 Minutes is a new series where each week we sit down with a creative connected to Circa ’21 for a conversation that lasts… you guessed it… 2...

This week on 21 Minutes: KYLE DEFAUW   Circa ‘21 audience may remember Kyle from his performances in BEAUTY & THE BEAST, WHITE CHRISTMAS, LUCKY STIFF, MAMMA MIA and MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, among many others. Local audiences can catch in ROCK OF AGES this fall!  21 Minutes is a new series where each week we sit down with a creative connected to Circa ’21 for a conversation that lasts… you...

This week on 21 Minutes: TONY PARISE  Tony’s career has spanned nearly 50 years and includes work on various National Tours (42ND STREET, A CHORUS LINE, Circa ‘21’s tour of ANYTHING GOES) and several stints on Broadway (ME AND MY GIRL, CITY OF ANGELS and the Original Cast of 42ND STREET). He’s back at the helm of THE WIZARD OF OZ which is now playing right here at Circa ‘21! 21 Minutes is a new se...

This week on 21 Minutes: KIRSTEN SINDELAR  Kirsten is one of our beloved (and most requested) Bootleggers and performers! She shares her creative journey, her path to Circa ‘21 and what’s on the horizon!  21 Minutes is a new series where each week we sit down with a creative connected to Circa ’21 for a conversation that lasts… you guessed it… 21 minutes. Listen now on all major podcast platforms...

This week on 21 Minutes: SAVANNAH BAY STRANDIN Savannah is a Circa ‘21 regular who is currently working for Disney Cruise Line! We learn about her journey into the arts, her path to Circa and her current gig in Singapore!  21 Minutes is a new series where each week we sit down with a creative connected to Circa ’21 for a conversation that lasts… you guessed it… 21 minutes. Listen now on all major...

This week on 21 Minutes: NICHOLAS MUNSON Nick is one our most popular Bootleggers and frequent performer! He gained acclaimed outside of the Circa-sphere for his performance as Ursual in THE LITTLE MERMAID!  21 Minutes is a new series where each week we sit down with a creative connected to Circa ’21 for a conversation that lasts… you guessed it… 21 minutes. Listen now on all major podcast platfor...

This week on 21 Minutes, a BONUS EPISODE: Composer Brad Ross Brad Ross is an award winning composer and one of the creative minds behind Circa 21’s THE TALES OF CUSTARD THE DRAGON (running now through June 20) and JUST DESSERTS (insert the memorable humming here)! Full disclosure: Yes, we do break our 21 minute rule for the first time, but it’s worth it! It won’t be the last as our special Bonus E...

This week on 21 Minutes: SARAH HAYES Sarah has become a staple here at Circa ‘21 and has appeared in countless productions include COME FROM AWAY, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, MAMMA MIA, among many others. She also appeared in National Tour of HAIRSPRAY!  21 Minutes is a new series where each week we sit down with a creative connected to Circa ’21 for a conversation that lasts… you guessed it… 21 minutes. L...

This week on 21 Minutes: BRAD HAUSKINS Brad has done it all at Circa ‘21 and is well known for his time as a Bootlegger and for his many comedic performances on our stage!  21 Minutes is a new series where each week we sit down with a creative connected to Circa ’21 for a conversation that lasts… you guessed it… 21 minutes. Listen now on all major podcast platforms by searching: “21 Minutes: A Cir...

This week on 21 Minutes: SYD RICHARDSON Syd was one of our beloved Bootleggers for many years and has been seen in productions of DISENCHANTED, CLUE, GRUMPY OLD MEN, HONKY TONK ANGELS and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF!  21 Minutes is a new series where each week we sit down with a creative connected to Circa ’21 for a conversation that lasts… you guessed it… 21 minutes. Listen now on all major podcast platf...

This week on 21 Minutes: BOBBY BECHER Bobby is an audience favorite here at Circa ‘21 and known for his appearances in JERSEY BOYS, CHICAGO, MAMMA MIA, WHITE CHRISTMAS and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, among many others! 21 Minutes is a new series where each week we sit down with a creative connected to Circa ’21 for a conversation that lasts… you guessed it… 21 minutes. Listen now on all major podcast pl...

Denny Hitchcock is the dynamic producer behind Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse and its 50 year run in the Quad Cities.  Learn more about Circa ‘21 here: Circa21.com