PAST PRODUCTIONS: 2013-2014 SEASON

Grease
Dust off your leather jacket, pull on your bobby-socks and hand-jive the night away with Rydell High’s senior class of 1959! Head “greaser” Danny Zuko and girl-next-door Sandy Dumbrowski try to relive the high romance of their “Summer Nights” as the rest of the gang sings and dances its way through such songs as “Greased Lightnin’,” “It’s Raining on Prom Night,” “Hand Jive” and many more!

A Bit of This, A Bit of That
See another side of the cast of GREASE with this cabaret style performance of their favorite musical theatre selections.
A limited number of tables and chairs are available, and seating is general admission. Ticket price includes a beverage.

Little Shop of Horrors
A down-and-out Skid Row floral assistant becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon “Audrey II” grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore who offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite, finally revealing itself to be an alien creature poised for global domination! Charming, tuneful and hilarious, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, this affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi movies never fails to entertain.

Tarzan
Taken in and raised by a tribe of gorillas after being orphaned on the shores of West Africa, a young boy strives for acceptance by his ape father while grappling with his uniqueness. When a human expedition enters the jungle, Tarzan — now a man — encounters strangers like himself for the first time. Based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’ story and the hit Disney film, this action-packed musical features the songs of pop icon Phil Collins, including the Grammy and Oscar-winning “You’ll Be in My Heart.”

Les Misérables
In 19th century France, Jean Valjean is released from 19 years of unjust imprisonment, but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment. Breaking his parole in hopes of starting a new life, he initiates a life-long struggle for redemption during which he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways. Epic, grand and uplifting, its powerful affirmation of the human spirit has made this popular masterpiece an international smash-hit.

A Woman Called Truth
Throughout her life, Sojourner Truth came upon injustice and fought it with uncommon clear-sightedness, courage and wit. Combining her actual words with authentic slave songs, spirituals and folk songs of the period, this one-act play chronicles the life of this remarkable woman from the day she is sold away from her family as a young girl, through her struggle to free herself and her son, to her emergence as a popular and respected figure advocating abolition and women’s rights.

Brief Encounters
In four one-act plays by Darren V. Michael, two regulars find themselves alone and seeking companionship one evening at the local honky-tonk; a participant in a one-night stand discovers one small detail his partner neglected to share; a recent widow learns to stand on her own again with the arrival of a Syrian immigrant seeking a room to rent; and an expectant father discusses every awful conversation he’s feared with his new daughter as she begins to age rapidly before his eyes. Featuring “Willie Nelson Ain’t Dead,” “Feathers,” “A Widow Safe and Secure” and “Imaginary Conversations with My Daughter.”

Much Ado About Nothing
Boasting one of Shakespeare’s most delightful heroines, this imaginative, exuberant comedy contrasts two pairs of lovers in a witty and suspenseful battle of the sexes. A masquerade ball provides the setting for a case of mistaken identity, reminding us all of the failings and triumphs of the human condition in our never-ending search for perfect love.

My Way
Frank Sinatra made women scream when he walked up to the microphone; and with a twist of a phrase, men wept. His ability to interpret a song defined an American generation. Relive the magic of Ol’ Blue Eyes with this must-see musical celebrating the songs he made famous, including “Strangers in the Night,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “New York, New York” and more!

Tales of Hans Christian Andersen
Suspend your disbelief for a moment, and let the master of the fairy tale take you on an enchanting journey into the stories “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” “The Princess and the Pea,” “The Swineherd,” “The Steadfast Tin Soldier,” “The Little Match Girl” and “The Ugly Duckling.”

The Vagina Monologues
Spread the word! We’re back for the twelfth year! Eve Ensler’s touching, often hilarious series of monologues about women and performed by women has played to packed houses around the country.

A Year with Frog and Toad
Part vaudeville, part make-believe and all charm, this whimsical musical follows two great friends — the cheerful, popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad — through four, fun-filled seasons. A jazzy, upbeat score and a host of endearing characters equal perfect fun for the entire family!

Plaid Tidings
The Plaids are back! At first Francis, Jinx, Smudge and Sparky aren’t sure why they’ve returned to Earth for another posthumous performance, but a phone call from the heavenly Rosemary Clooney lets them know that they’re needed to put a little four-part harmony into a discordant holiday. Featuring “Plaid-erized” Christmas standards “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Let It Snow,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and more!

The Great Gatsby
Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, passionately pursues the elusive Daisy Buchanan. Drawn into their world of obsession, greed and danger is young newcomer Nick Carraway. In Fitzgerald’s opulent, iconic, carefree lifestyle of the Jazz Age, there lurks a materialistic center, making this breathtaking adaptation’s sharp depiction of the “American Dream” resonate anew for each generation.

The Rocky Horror Show
Dig out your fishnet stockings and sharpen your stilettos … that sweet transvestite and his motley crew are back for a limited engagement! On the way to visit an old college professor, two clean-cut young people, Brad Majors and his fiancee Janet Weiss, run into trouble and seek help at the freaky Frankenstein mansion. With Richard O’Brien’s cult favorite, prepare to do the “Time Warp” like you have never done it before! Rated “M” for Mature.

The Zinghoppers
Superheroes unite! Grab your cape and mask, and get ready to go on a one-of-a-kind adventure with the rising stars of early childhood education, the Zinghoppers! Join Conductor Jack, DJ Kitty, Penelope the Possum, Olo the Donky, and Coconuts the Kangaroo as they learn what it means to be a real superhero. Featuring songs from the band’s Emmy Award-winning PBS television series, this fun musical concert entertains and engages while teaching important life lessons about being a good friend, eating healthy, exercising daily and looking for numbers and letters in the world around us.

Spamalot
Lovingly ripped off from Monty Python’s classic film comedy, this Tony Award-winning musical retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail. But before they can find the grail, they’re taking a little side-trip to the Queen City — complete with a bevy of beautiful show girls, flying cows, killer rabbits, and French people!

An Evening with Rodgers & Hammerstein
Enjoy an intimate evening of music celebrating the work of the multi-award winning composing team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, featuring songs from Carousel, Oklahoma, Cinderella, South Pacific and more, performed by Ryan Bowie, Mickey Rafalski and Michael Spaziani, with Vicki King on piano. A limited number of tables and chairs are available, and seating is general admission. Ticket price includes a beverage. (On Saturday, August 31, at 8pm, the performers will be joined by the Cumberland Winds concert band for a special mainstage presentation.)