OUR 2008-09 MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION

Our Mainstage production are full-length plays and musicals that are produced with the general audience in mind. In addition to our mainstage productions, we also produce a series of quality plays and musical for family audiences with children.

 

1776
September 12-28, 2008

Book by Peter Stone,
Music & Lyrics by Sherman Edwards


Our nation blazes into vivid life in a most unconventional way – through music. 1776 is a funny, insightful musical drama that tells the story of what happened at the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, leading up to the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence. 1776 accurately portrays the serious personal and political issues at stake – frequently in the characters' own words as recorded by these national icons at the time. Watch the birth of our nation from the perspective of our forefathers; proud, frightened, uncertain, irritable, charming, often petty yet ultimately noble figures determined to do the right thing for a fledgling nation.


A Wonderful Life
November 21 – December 20, 2008 & January 2-4, 2009

Written by Sheldon Harnick, Music by Joe Rapsos
Based on the Frank Capra film, “It’s a Wonderful Life”


Set in Bedford Falls, New York in the late 1920’s through the 1940’s, A Wonderful Life is George Bailey’s story. Bailey is that guy - always putting his ambitions aside to help his fellow man. In doing so, he never achieves his own goals and comes to believe that he is a failure in life. Feeling down on himself when a crisis occurs, he is pushed to the brink. Clarence, angel second-class, comes to his aide, showing him what the world would be like if he where never born. Truly, fine family holiday fare – a holiday treat for adults and children alike. Enjoy.


A Raisin in the Sun
January 23 – February 8, 2009

By Lorraine Hansberry

“What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a rainsin in the sun?” wrote Langston Hughes. Simple, yet, poignant, Hughes captures the struggle of the Younger family’s journey to buy their first home. Sacrifice, trust and love among family guide the audience in an exhilarating triumph over poverty and racism. After its Broadway debut, The New Your Times stated this pultzer and Tony Award-winning play “changed American theater forever.”.


The Producers
March 6-29, 2009

Music & Lyrics by Mel Brooks
Book by Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan

The popular award-winning, Mel Brooks musical comes to the Civic stage. Based on the Broadway smash and the Academy Award winning 1968 comedy film, The Producers, tells the story of down-on-his-luck theatrical producer Max Bialystock, former King of Broadway, and Leo Bloom, his mousy, neurotic accountant. Together they hatch the ultimate scam to raise more money than needed for a sure-fire Broadway flop and pocket the difference. To this end, they produce a musical called Springtime for Hitler written by escaped Nazi Franz Liebken. Then they get the insanely flamboyant Roger De Bris to direct. Finally, they hire as a lead actress the loopy Swedish bombshell Ulla (whose last name has over 15 syllables). As opening night draws near, what can go wrong?


The Foreigner

April 17 – May 3, 2009

By Larry Shue

Get ready for a classic comedy about mistaken identity. Set in a fishing lodge in rural Georgia, the comedy revolves around two of its guests, Charlie Baker and Englishman Froggy LeSuere. Charlie is so pathologically shy that he is unable to speak. As way of explanation, Froggy claims his companion is the native of an exotic country who does not understand a word of English. Before long, Charlie finds himself privy to assorted secrets and sinister schemes. His discoveries lead to a wildly funny chain of events where everything goes awry.


Willy Wonka
May 29 – June 14, 2009

Adapted for stage from Roald Dahl’s classic film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory"

Get out your golden ticket and join the world-famous candy man and his Oompa Loompas as they lead poor Charlie Bucket, the spoiled-rotten Veruca Salt, gluttonous Augustus Gloop, gum-chewing Violet Beauregarde, and television junkie Mike Teevee through a labyrinth of candied delight. A scrumptious musical theatre treat for your entire family! Watch out for Mr. Slugworth.