Magic Circle Theatre Records

The Magic Circle Theatre was founded in Seattle, Washington by Goodman Theatre School alumnus Guy Giarrizzo. The theater was dedicated to the investigation of innovative techniques and the development of new plays that were original and imaginative. Giarrizzo defined their style as “theatre that encourages a spontaneous organic and total environment between performer and audience.”

After a year in Seattle, Magic Circle moved to Chicago and became one of the resident theaters at the Body Politic in January 1973. Their first two productions, Bite On! and a Japanese Noh-style adaptation of Sophocles’ Antigone were well received and the theater decided to make Chicago its permanent home. That year, Magic Circle was also presented with the Chicago Drama Critic’s MacArthur Award for Outstanding Ensemble Work.

In September 1973, Magic Circle moved to the Wellington Avenue Church where it continued to present original work and avant-garde adaptations such as Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters, set in an asylum-like atmosphere inspired by Chekhov's short story Ward No. 6, and a science fiction musical based on Christopher Columbus called Plumed Serpent: The Fourth Voyage of Kristopher Kolumbus. Magic Circle was also host to other companies, such as the San Quentin Drama Workshop, as well as collaborating with local theaters. One such collaboration was the Jeff Award-winning Green Julia by Paul Ableman, produced with the All-Media Drama Workshop.

Magic Circle disbanded in 1977 when Giarrizzo left his role as director.