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The Odd Couple - On the Mainstage April 3 – 21
by: Neil Simon
Compulsive neat freak Felix Unger is thrown out of his house by his divorce-bound wife. He wanders aimlessly through the streets of New York before gravitating to the apartment of his best friend, incorrigibly sloppy sportswriter Oscar Madison. Oscar, himself in the process of a divorce, invites Felix to move in with him. Within a few days, this mismatched pair find themselves on the verge of mutual murder. Felix is a neat and tidy health nut, a photographer at a portrait studio, and a connoisseur of classical music. Oscar is the exact opposite: sloppy, messy, and with a terrible diet. Their relationship seems irreconcilable but they’ll learn that love, trust, and friendship are most important. There’s a laugh a second in this Neil Simon hit. It’s a foolproof comic situation (allegedly based on a chapter in the life of Simon’s brother) that features some of the funniest dialogue ever written for the American stage.
Songs My Mother Taught Me – on the Mainstage May 8 – 26
with: Lorna Luft
In this affectionate new musical, Lorna Luft pays tribute to her incomparable mother with riveting interpretations of Judy Garland’s most memorable songs, including “Rock-A-Bye Your Baby (With a Dixie Melody),” “Chicago,” “The Man That Got Away,” and “Come Rain or Come Shine.” There is even a duet, a passionate medley in which mother and daughter join voices on “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” and “Through the Years.” See it at Flat Rock before its planned limited run on Broadway.
Evita – on the Mainstage June 5 – 30
by: Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice
Perhaps the greatest collaboration of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice, Evita tells the story of Eva Peron, perhaps the most notorious public figure in Argentina’s history. The illegitimate child of a rural landowner and a seamstress, Eva began her career as a performer and then rose to prominence as the wife of the dictator Juan Peron. Beloved by the people and despised by the aristocracy, Eva’s exploits come to life through a compelling score that fuses haunting chorales with exuberant Latin, pop and jazz influences.
Les Misérables – on the Mainstage July 10 – August 18
by: Claude-Michel Schonberg, Alain Boubill and Hebert Kretzmer
This international sensation may be the most popular musical in the world. Epic, grand and uplifting, Les Misérables packs and emotional wallop that has thrilled audiences for a generation, and now for the first time, it will be on the Flat Rock stage. Set in early 19th-century France, Les Misérables is the story of Jean Valjean, a French peasant of abnormal physical and moral strength, and his never-ending quest for redemption. After serving 19 years in jail for having stolen a loaf of bread for starving relatives, Valjean decides to break his parole and start his life anew, but he is relentlessly tracked down by a police inspector named Javert. Along the way, Valjean and his cohorts get swept into a revolutionary period in France, where a group of young idealists make their last stand at a street barricade. Our all-new production will feature a cast of thirty performers and a new production design that will make this musical a “can’t miss” summer event!
Deathtrap – on the Mainstage August 22 – September 15
by: Ira Levin
Sidney Bruhl, a successful writer of Broadway thrillers, is struggling to overcome a dry spell which has left him with a string of failures and a shortage of funds. A possible break in his fortunes occurs when he receives a script from a student in the seminar he has been conducting at a nearby college – a thriller which Sidney recognizes immediately as a potential Broadway hit. Sidney’s plan, which he devises with his wife’s help, is to offer collaboration to the student, an idea which the younger man quickly accepts. Thereafter, suspense mounts steadily as Sidney’s intentions are revealed and the plot begins to twist and turn with such an abundance of thrills and laughter that audiences will be enthralled until the final, startling moments of the play.
Hank Williams: Lost Highway – on the Mainstage October 2 – November 3
by: Randal Myler and Mark Harelik
Don’t miss the spectacular musical biography of the legendary singer-songwriter frequently mentioned alongside Armstrong, Ellington, Presley and Dylan as one of the great innovators of American popular music. Lost Highway is an honest and mesmerizing portrait of the drifting cowboy from his beginnings on the Louisiana Hayride, to his triumphs on the Grand Old Opry, to his eventual self-destruction at twenty-nine. Along the way, we are treated to over twenty of Williams’ best-loved songs like “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “Move it on Over” and “Hey, Good Lookin’.” If you liked The Buddy Holly Story, you’ll love Lost Highway!
The Three Musketeers – on the Mainstage November 7 – November 24
adapted by: Ken Ludwig
This adaptation, based on Alexandre Dumas’ timeless swashbuckling story, is a humorous tale of heroism, treachery, close escapes and above all, honor. The story, set in 1625, begins with d’Artagnan setting off for Paris in search of adventure. Along with d’Artagnan goes Sabine, his sister, who poses as a young mnan and quickly becomes entangled in her brother’s escapades. Soon after reaching Paris, d’Artagnan encounters the famous musketeers Athos, Porthos and Aramis. He joins forces with his heroes to defend the honor of the Queen of France. But along the way he must confront the most feared man in Europe, Cardinal Richelieu his henchman Rochefort, and the most dangerous foe of all, the infamous Countess de Winter who will stop at nothing to exact her revenge. This is exciting and daring adventure for the whole family!
A Christmas Story – on the Mainstage December 4 – 22
by: Phil Grecian, Based on the motion picture written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown & Bob Clark
The only thing little Ralphie Parker hopes to find under the Christmas tree is an official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range mold BB rifle with a compass in the stock. He doesn’t simply want it – he’s consumed with an aching desire for it. But before he can hope to receive his Christmas wish, Ralphie must deal with concerned mothers, unsympathetic teachers, bundled-up brothers, major “fra-gee-lay” awards, frozen flagpoles, Bumpus hounds, unsavory soap, a terrifying Macy’s Santa and the even more terrifying Scut Farkus. Based upon the classic 1983 motion picture, this play is a hilarious and heartwarming holiday treat anyone will enjoy…as long as they don’t shoot their eye out!
The Little Prince – At Playhouse Downtown March 8 – 17
by Rick Cummins and John Scoullar
Adapted from the book by Antoine de Sain Exupery
Children of all ages will enjoy the story of a world-weary and disenchanted Aviator and a mysterious, regal “little man.” During their two weeks together in the desert, the Little Prince tells the Aviator about his adventures through the galaxy: how he met the Lamplighter and the Businessman and the Geographer, and about his strained relationship with a very special flower on his own tiny planet. The Little Prince talks to everyone he meets – a garden of roses, the Snake and a Fox who wishes to be tamed – from each he gains a unique insight that he shares with the Aviator: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” At length, both the little man and the Aviator must go home, each with a new understanding of how to laugh, cry and love again. come to Playhouse Downtown and experience this beloved story as told by our YouTheatre students.
Cotton Patch Gospel – at Playhouse Downtown April 24 – May 19
by Tom Key and Russell Treyz
Music and Lyrics by Harry Chapin
Called the “Greatest Story Ever Retold,” this bluegrass musical is a modern retelling of the Gospel in the setting of rural Georgia with songs that are the final, and perhaps best work of Harry Chapin (best known for the number-one hit, “Cat’s in the Cradle”). Herod is recreated as Governor of Georgia, Caiaphas as Dr. Caiaphas, a member of a board of politicians, and Pilate as a local governor who sentences Jesus and sends him to Lee Correctional Institute. Witness a unique retelling of the story of Jesus, brought to life through bluegrass music and imaginative storytelling.
Drama critics have praised this show, as have a broad spectrum of religious commentators:
“Powerful drama and a joyous celebration. This musical succeeds mightily.” – The Episcopalian
“The show offers a vivid witness. This is the Gospel.” – The American Baptist Magazine
“Entertaining and inspiring, it will lift your spirits and renew your hope.” – The Long Island Catholic
The Big Bang – at Playhouse Downtown June 27 – July 14
by: Jed Feuer and Boyd Graham
This frenetic entertainment is long on shtick and historical hilarity. Two producers are attempting to raise 83.5 million dollars for a twelve-hour staged musical history of the world which will features a 318-person cast, 6,428 costumes and 1,400 wigs. From the Big Bang to the present, the two producers attempt to give potential investors a taste of the impending extravaganza by portraying some of history’s most notorious figures. Adam and Eve, Napoleon, Nefertiti, Caesar, Mrs. Ghandi, Attila, Columbus, Minnehaha, Tokyo Rose, Eva Braun and more are all brought to life by the two harried producers. In the process, the opulent Park Avenue apartment “borrowed” for the occasion is trashed as the two snatch the furnishings to create makeshift costumes while singing and clowning their way through inventive re-creations of the past.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) at Playhouse Downtown August 1 – August 18
by: Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield
Whether you know you love or think you loathe Shakespeare, this play is for you. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) embodies one of comedy’s most essential impulses: the adolescent urge to take a baseball bat to the culturally revered. Three actors take you on an irreverent, yet surprisingly comprehensive, romp through all thirty-seven of Shakespeare’s plays (plus a sonnet or two). You’ll be treated to a mix of pratfalls, puns, willful mis-readings of names and dialogue, clunky female impersonations, clean-cut ribaldry, and broad burlesque.
CATS – at Playhouse Downtown from September 4 – October 6
by: Andrew Lloyd Webber
The entire Playhouse Downtown will be transformed into a junkyard for the gathering of the Jellicle Cats. Based on the universally-popular poetry of T.S. Eliot, CATS tells the story of the annual ascension of one special cat to the Heaviside layer. A true musical theatre phenomenon, CATS opened at London’s New London Theatre on May 11, 1981 and ran for a record-setting 21 years. Now, see it up close and purr-sonal at Playhouse Downtown.
O Holy Night – at Playhouse Downtown December 12 – 22
based on the gospels of Luke and Matthew
For two weeks in December, Playhouse Downtown will host a new musical adaptation of the classic Nativity Story told through traditional and modern Christmas music. Four powerful singers are joined by a choir and a live band to present new arrangements of beloved songs and carols. This is a Christmas event that will celebrate the “reason for the season” and is a must-see for anyone who loves the story and music of Christmas.
Music On The Rock – at Playhouse Downtown
Tributes to:
Dolly Parton - February 6 – 9, 13 – 16
Neil Diamond - March 20 – 23, 27 – 30
Creedence Clearwater Revival - April 9 – 13
Sting and The Police - May 23 – 25, May 30 – June 1
Peter Paul & Mary - June 12 – 15, 19 – 22
Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5 - July 17 – 20, 23 – 26
The Eagles - August 21 – 25
Donna Summer & the Sounds of the 70s - October 16 – 20, 23 – 27
Wayward Sons: Kansas, Skynyrd & the Allman Brothers - November 5 – 9
