By Kayla Sosa | photos by Bryan Esler Photo

This summer, Circle Theatre is bringing three performances of Run the World: 80 Years of Girl Groups. With such a span across the millenium, there’s sure to be music for all ages. 

“We go all the way back to the Andrews Sisters all the way to current day Beyonce,” singer Michelle Matson said. “It’s so much fun because it’s such a variety of music.”

Other groups highlighted include The Supremes and Destiny’s Child. 

There are nine singers that make up the cast, ranging in age from 12-years old to mid-40s. 

“All of us are so positive and encouraging of each other,” Matson expressed. “It feels comfortable, it’s a very positive environment, and mistakes are welcomed and embraced. I’ve seen even those younger cast members sort of watching out of the corner of their eye at the rest of us who, maybe, are a little bit more seasoned. I think that’s really cool to be a part of that experience and help cultivate the talent in a younger generation.”

The cast and band are comprised solely of women performers.

“There definitely is that...girl power energy,” Matson said. 

One thing that surprised Matson in singing music from eight decades was how beautifully complicated the harmonies were, just as they are today. 

“When you’re singing something from The Supremes or The Andrews Sisters, you have those really tight, close harmonies. But that doesn’t change when you jump to Destiny’s Child, you still have those really tight harmonies and featured solos,” Matson said. “The format is so similar and it’s really cool to see where music has gone over those years and how it has changed.”

Matson hopes all people feel welcome to come to the show, especially because it’s not a typical musical theater performance. 

“It’s a lot more laid back,” Matson said. “There are songs that anybody from any generation will recognize and we encourage people to sing along, and we encourage them to be involved and stand up and dance in their seats, just like you would at any other concert performance.”

What: Run the World: 80 Years of Girl Groups
When: May 7, July 15, September 9 at 7 p.m.
Where: Circle Theatre, 1703 Robinson Rd SE
Cost: $18 General Public, $16 Season Flex Pass Holders

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Kayla Sosa is a multimedia journalism student at GVSU. She’s a local freelance writer and enjoys spending time with her husband, her kitty and her family. When she’s not writing, she likes to go on nature walks, do yoga and paint