Three classic shows from some of Broadway's most legendary creators will comprise Reprise Theatre Company's 2010 season. For his second season, Artistic Director Jason Alexander has chosen "Carousel," "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. As a prelude to the season, Reprise will present a celebration of Richard Rodgers, the father of the American musical, in venues all over Los Angeles during Fall, 2009.
"Laughter, joy and magnificent music--that's what next year's all about," said Jason Alexander, Artistic Director.
Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Carousel" first opened on Broadway in 1945 and in 1999 was hailed by Time magazine as "the best musical of the 20th century - that set the standards for the 20th century musical." Based on a story by Ferenc Molnar, "Carousel" takes place between 1873 and 1888 in a small New England fishing village and revolves around the star crossed love affair between Billy Bigelow, a travelling carnival man, and Julie Jordan, a mill worker. The score includes songs that have become standards including "You'll Never Walk Alone," "Soliloquy," and "If I Loved You." Rodgers and Hammerstein considered it their personal favorite. "Carousel," directed by Michael Michetti and choreographed by Lee Martino, plays from January 26 to February 7.
Inspired by the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus," A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," with book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, earned several Tony awards, including best musical and best book in its original 1962 Broadway run. "Forum" was also Sondheim's first time on Broadway writing both lyrics and music. This comical romp through ancient Rome, directed by David Lee, will be presented from March 16-28.
"How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" started out in 1952 as a best selling satirical novel by Shepherd Mead, and in 1961, with book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert and music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, became a smash Broadway musical, winning not only seven Tony awards including Best Musical, but the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Drama as well. "How To Succeed" tells the story of J. Pierpont Finch, a New York City window washer, who takes the advice of a how-to-succeed book, and quickly ascends the corporate ladder with hilarious results. "How To Succeed" will play from May 11-23.
The Richard Rodgers celebration, produced by Reprise in venues all over Los Angeles during the Fall of 2009, will explore the vast and diverse career of the father of the American musical. The celebration will include a series of concerts, cabarets, revues, symposiums and readings. A complete list of events will be announced in the coming months.
Additional casting and creative staff for all three shows will follow.
Subscription tickets will be available Monday, April 27 on line at www.reprise.org or the UCLA Central Ticket Office at 310/825-2101.
