ArtisTree Music Theatre Festival at ArtisTree Music Theatre Festival

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


About us…
The ArtisTree Music Theatre Festival offers a season of live, professional musical theatre productions running from August to October. Our Festival is modeled after the “summer stock” tradition of staging shows using a resident company of actors and artists to create a series of musicals, with an all-new production presented every few weeks of the season.
The actors, designers, technicians and musicians of the ArtisTree Music Theatre Festival productions come from all over the United States. Many of our artists hold degrees in theatre. Some of our guest stars are veterans of the Broadway stage, while others are just beginning their professional theatre careers. The Festival offers them a variety of professional credits for their resumes. Most of the actors and directors are transplants to New York City, where the theatre action is.
Our artistic team led by festival artistic director, Josh D. Smith sorted through nearly 800 applications, headshots and résumés, conducted interviews and held auditions both locally and in New York City to assemble the best team of artists we could bring you for our premier season.

Our season…
Kicking off the season will be our youth production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. Journey "under the sea" with Ariel and her aquatic friends in Disney's The Little Mermaid JR., adapted from Disney's Broadway production and the motion picture (featuring the enormously popular Academy Award-winning music and delightfully charming book and lyrics). Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved stories, Disney's The Little Mermaid JR. is an enchanting look at the sacrifices we all make for love and acceptance.
Disney's The Little Mermaid JR. will be performed by young people from all over the Upper Valley from ages 8 to 18 years old. This is an incredible opportunity for young performers to learn stagecraft from working theatre professionals in a non-judgmental setting. Our instructors for this program include professionals from theatres across the country including a former official cast member from Disney’s Under The Sea! Disney’s The Little Mermaid, JR. runs August 11th-13th in our new Grange Theater.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr.
Music by Alan Menken; Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater
Book by Doug Wright; Based on the Hans Christian Andersen story & the Disney film
Directed by Marc de la Concha
Choreography by Susan Lamontagne
Music Direction by Lizzie Webb

Next in our season is the audience favorite Always…Patsy Cline. The show is based on a true story about Cline's friendship with a fan from Houston named Louise Seger, who befriended the star in a Texas honky-tonk in l961, and continued a correspondence with Cline until her tragic death at age 30 in a plane crash in 1963. The musical play, complete with down home country humor, true emotion and even some audience participation, includes many of Patsy' unforgettable hits such as “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Sweet Dreams” and “Walking After Midnight”…27 songs in all. The show's title was inspired by Cline's letters to Seger, which were consistently signed "Love ALWAYS… Patsy Cline." Always…Patsy Cline runs August 25th through September 10th at the Grange Theater
Always…Patsy Cline
Created by Ted Swindley
Based on a true story
Directed by Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill
Music Direction by Josh D. Smith

Our biggest offering of the season is the musical sensation Godspell presented by the creative team that brought you Cabaret at Pentangle Arts last fall. Godspell was the first major musical theatre offering from three-time Grammy and Academy Award winner, Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Disney’s Pocahontas), and it took the world by storm. Led by the international hit, "Day by Day," Godspell features a parade of beloved songs. This timeline tale of friendship, loyalty and love has touched the hearts of countless theatergoers all over the world –and now you can join in the celebration as a spectacular ensemble of bright, young stars stirs your soul, raises your spirit and lifts you right out of your seat. Godspell runs September 15th through October 1st at the Grange Theater.
Godspell
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Conceived by John-Michael Tebelak
Directed by Joey Murray
Choreography by Tesha Buss
Music Direction by Josh D. Smith

Our final show of the season will be The Marvelous Wonderettes. Welcome to the 1958 Springfield High School prom! Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy are the “Springfield Songleaders.” Fast forward a decade and they reunite to take the stage for their 10-year reunion. With over 30 classic hits from the 50s and 60s including “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” “Stupid Cupid,” “Lipstick on Your Collar,” “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me,” and “It’s My Party!” The Marvelous Wonderettes is a musical trip down memory lane. The Marvelous Wonderettes runs October 6th through October 22nd at the Grange Theater.
The Marvelous Wonderettes
Created by Roger Bean
Directed and Choreography by Gary John La Rosa
Music Direction by Josh D. Smith

ARTISTREE MUSIC THEATRE FESTIVAL

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
KATHLEEN DOLAN

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
JOSH D. SMITH

PRODUCING GENERAL MANAGER
BRAD DORSOGNA

ARTISTREE DIRECTOR OF THEATRE ARTS
CHRIS FLOCKTON

Single ticket prices range from $20 - $25. ArtisTree Music Theatre Festival performs in the intimate, 100-seat Grange Theatre 2095 Pomfret Road in South Pomfret, VT. For more information or to purchase tickets call (802) 457-3500 or visit http://www.artistreevt.org/