The Circle Star theatre was in San Carlos, down the penisula from San Francisco.That was where I first experienced 'in the round'. Ike and Tina was the first show I saw there.
You're right. Icould never get used to the 'in the round' sound. I went to, maybe, four shows there. Ike and Tina, Chicago, Neil Diamond and Hair(?).
That was in the early '70s.
jerol