Li'l Abner, Pippin and Pirates of Penzance Make Up 2006 Goodspeed Season
By: BWW News Desk Jan. 12, 2006
Now in its 43rd season, Goodspeed will first put Li'l Abner onstage. Based on the classic Al Capp comics, the raucous 1956 musical follows the colorful residents of a small southern town--to a score by Johnny Mercer and Gene de Paul (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers). "Trouble begins in the cornseed town of Dogpatch, USA when the government decides to wipe it off the map" in a show "filled with gentle satire, rib-tickling humor, and a host of brash, catchy tunes," according to Goodspeed notes. Li'l Abner's score includes "Jubilation T. Cornpone," "If I Had My Druthers," and "The Country's in the Very Best of Hands." The show, which will be directed by Scott Schwartz (Bat Boy) and choreographed by Patti Columbo, will run from April 21st through July 2nd.
Pippin-with a score by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell) and a book by Roger O. Hirson--will be the next show in the line-up; it will run from July 14th through September 24th before embarking on a national tour (dates and cities have not yet been announced). "A surprise waits around every corner as Pippin wanders through the worlds of politics, love and war before finding his true calling — home and family," state notes for the show, which includes "Magic to Do," "Corner of the Sky," "With You" and other songs in its score. Gabriel Barre (The Wild Party) will direct, and Mark Dendy will choreograph.
Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance will run from October 6th through December 10th. A nontraditional production of the classic opera classic that will give the show a Pirates of the Carribean twist and spill out into the audience, the show will be helmed by Gordon Greenberg (Goodspeed's The Baker's Wife); a choreographer has yet to be announced. Songs from the classic score include "Poor Wand'ring One" and "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General."
Advance season subscriptions for the Goodspeed Opera House and for the developmental Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, CT (whose season has not been announced), are now available by calling the Goodspeed box office at (860) 873-8668, or by visiting www.goodspeed.org.
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