CRT Launches New Website and Announces 2010 Season

Timed to coincide with the launching of a newly designed website at www.cortlandrep.org, Cortland Repertory Theatre is announcing their 39th season for the summer of 2010. In a perfect blend of music, laughs and mystery, all six productions will make their CRT debut. Producing Artistic Director Kerby Thompson is excited and optimistic about the selection. "Just like many businesses, we've been hit by the economy." he says. "Last summer, while subscriptions held strong, single ticket sales were down compared to previous years. However, many audience members told us it was our best season ever, artistically speaking. In fact, even with slow overall sales, our production of "Unnecessary Farce" became the highest attended non-musical play in CRT's history. With that in mind, I have no doubt that next summer is going to be rousing success!" As well as providing information on the upcoming season, the new website gives CRT a fresh on-line look and showcases photos from past years.

The 2010 summer starts off from June 9 - 19 with the most popular playwright on CRT's stage, Agatha Christie. "Spider's Web" is one of the few Christie plays not based on a novel and is considered one of her more humorous plays. In it, Clarissa is a diplomat's wife who enjoys playing practical jokes on her husband and friends. When a dead body appears in her drawing-room, just before her husband returns home with visiting dignitaries, her quick mind hatches a scheme to catch the murderer. But because of secret passageways and trap doors, the murderer could be anyone in the household. Chills, laughs and red herrings abound in this unforgettable who-dun-it!
Farces have long been a popular item on the CRT menu, and this year Thompson will again direct this year's offering; a 1949 classic "See How They Run" by Phillip King, which - literally - will run from June 23 - July 2. Galloping in and out of the doors of a British vicarage are the befuddled village vicar, his young American wife, a soldier stationed with the air force, a fresh-mouthed cockney maid, a tee totaling spinster, and an escaped Russian prisoner with a local "bobbie" hot on his tail. Thanks a series of hysterical disguises and mistaken identities, four vicars quickly become three too many!

The first of two 3-week musicals, which will run from July 7 - 24, has yet to be confirmed. "We have three terrific shows as options for this time slot, and we're still working with the publishing company to solidify the rights." Thompson says. "Guaranteed, it'll be a great musical, a lot of fun for the whole family and one that we've never done at CRT before! Watch our website for updates and details."

Definitely on tap for the second 3-week musical, from July 28 - August 14, is the musical Scottish fantasy "Brigadoon" with book and lyric by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. Deep in the hills of Scotland lives the magical town of Brigadoon, which disappears into the Highland mist and returns for only one day every one hundred years. While on an overseas hunting trip, New Yorkers Tommy and Jeff stumble upon the town, where they meet the lovely Fiona and the bawdy milkmaid Meg. In one magical day, their lives are changed forever by the town's bewitching charm. With rich music, an enchanting love story and even a traditional Scottish wedding and sword dance, this musical is a theatrical treat of imagination and beauty.

"Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks" by Richard Alfieri makes its CNY debut from August 18 - 28. In this twirl-around-the-floor, two-character comedy, an aging but still feisty woman hires a middle-aged flamboyant dance instructor to give her lessons in St. Petersburg Beach, Florida. Antagonism between these two partners gives way to an unlikely compatibility as they swing dance, tango, foxtrot and cha-cha during the weekly lessons. Secrets are unexpectedly revealed until an unbreakable and humorous bond of friendship is formed between the two mismatched personalities. Kerby Thompson is slated to play the dance instructor, costarring with Mary Williams, who made her CRT debut last summer in "I Hate Hamlet".

CRT closes the season from September 1-11 with a jump-and-jiving New York state debut of the new 1940's musical "The Andrews Brothers" by Roger Bean. Featuring legendary Andrews Sisters songs, this hysterical revue begins overseas, with three male stagehands helping gorgeous pin-up girl Peggy Jones rehearse for a USO show. When the quartet hears that the headlining Andrews Sisters can't perform - Laverne has chicken pox - they decide that the show must go on! Indeed it does when Lawrence, Max and Patrick Andrews don dresses, heels and wigs to create a USO show like never before. The bewigged boys perform an entire generation of music, including "Slow Boat to China", "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree" and "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy". Humor, harmonies and hijinks highlight this wonderful salute-with-a-twist to the heroes of World War II!

For the younger generation, the CRT Kids program offers a stage version of "The Jungle Book" adapted by Tim Kelly. Kids of all ages will adore this wonderfully imaginative participation play in which children take part, pretending to be silly monkeys, helpful elephants, wolves, reptiles, bees and even a tropical storm! Familiar characters include Mowgli, the jungle boy raised by wolves, Baloo the bear, Bagheera the panther and Kaa the python. When the man-eating tiger Shere Khan plots to rule the jungle, it's up to Mowgli, his friends and the audience to stop him. The play also contains messages about the importance of ecology and the strength of friendship. Performances will be on July 29 and 31, August 6 and 7, all at 10:00 AM.

CRT is currently taking orders for subscriptions, gift certificates and group sales. For more information, call 800-427-6160 or visit the new website at www.cortlandrep.org to download gift certificate or subscription order forms.