Georgia Ensemble Theatre Opens Season with ONCE ON THIS ISLAND

Georgia Ensemble Theatre (GET) is proud to announce that its upcoming season will mark the professional theatre's 25th Silver Anniversary, exclusively sponsored by The Thoresen Foundation. Co-Founder and Artistic Director Robert J. Farley has announced a special lineup of shows for this milestone and says, "Our 25th Silver Anniversary is going to be one big party all year long. Each play I have selected to celebrate this occasion has been chosen as a tribute to our subscribers, donors, sponsors, and supporters."

Georgia Ensemble Theatre's 2017-2018 season promises to be a huge celebration as we begin Mr. Farley's farewell season, which will end with his retirement at the closing performance on April 29th, 2018. The five mainstage shows will focus on great music and big laughs as audiences will be transported to the Caribbean, Atlanta, Hollywood and Paris, all ending with the most requested musical in the theatre's history, Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story. In addition to the regular season which includes three musicals, GET will also produce the four-play FamilyStage: Adventure Series, and a four-concert Joe Gransden Big Band series.

Commenting on the opening production Farley said, "I'm thrilled to be able to open our biggest season yet with the hit Broadway musical, Once On this Island. The fact that we got the rights just before its Broadway revival later this fall says a lot about where this theatre is right now, thriving and moving forward."

Once On This Island, from the Tony Award-winning team that brought you Ragtime, is the beautiful tale of triumph and love amidst the turmoil of life and is a treat for the entire family, young and old alike. The production runs September 14th through October 1st, 2017 at the theatre's home in the Roswell Cultural Arts Center. Once On this Island will be directed and choreographed by one of Atlanta's best, Ricardo Aponte, with musical direction by the talented S. Renee Clark. The Robert W. Hagan Family Foundation joins us as the Once On This Island show sponsor.

Farley went on to say, "We've put together the most amazing group of artists to work on this wonderful show. From Ricardo Aponte and S. Renee Clark leading it, to a great cast, to an all-star lineup of designers that include multi award-winning scenic designers Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay, Emmie Tuttle, the most in-demand young costumer in Atlanta, and lighting and sound from the highly talented Alex Riviere and Preston Goodson respectively."

Audiences will be beckoned to the sunny and starlit Caribbean where they'll experience a rousing Calypso-flavored score, highly charged dance and all the color of the islands. A Broadway favorite and an Olivier Award winner, Once On This Island is the richly rewarding story of a simple island girl who turns into a beautiful young woman searching for her capacity to love.

In speaking with director and choreographer Aponte about the show, he commented: "What initially attracted me to the show was this young woman's heartwarming life journey, while accompanied by such a decadent Caribbean score. The villagers of this island teach us the importance of having a strong sense of community, and it's pertinence in helping us weather life's storms. This is a story for the ones that dare to dream and to love, no matter the consequences."

Artistic Director Farley went on to say, "If you've never seen this beautiful musical, picture The Lion King and the Little Mermaid brought together with the exhilarating rhythms of the Caribbean. This romantic musical folktale makes for a breathtaking theatrical experience."

Once On This Island brings to the stage an extraordinary cast: Shay Pretty , Terry Henry, Robert John Connor, India Tyree, Christian Magby, Marcus Hopkins-Turner, AdriAnna Jackson, Brian Walker, Mahalia Jackson, Benjamin Moore and Adrianna Trachell.

Ticket prices for Once On This Island start at $33 for Wednesdays, Thursdays and matinees; Friday nights start from $40, and Saturday nights start from $43. Book early for best prices. (Senior/Student discounts available for select performances). Tickets are available now online at www.get.org, or by calling the Box Office at 770-641-1260.

The Georgia Ensemble Theatre and Conservatory provides quality theatre productions and arts education to the north metro Atlanta area. The Company annually produces five mainstage productions, attended by more than 35,000 patrons, as well as four Family Stage productions and year-round classes for all ages.

And the rest of Georgia Ensemble Theatre's 25th Silver Anniversary Season:

October 26-November 12, 2017:

Morningside

By Topher Payne

Directed by Shannon Eubanks

January 11-28, 2018:

Tenderly -- The Rosemary Clooney Musical

Based on the life of Rosemary Clooney

By Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman

Directed by Alan Kilpatrick

March 1-18, 2018:

A Comedy of Tenors

By Ken Ludwig

Directed by Shelly McCook

April 12-29, 2018:

Buddy -- The Buddy Holly Story

By Alan Janes

Featuring the Music of Buddy Holly

Directed by Robert J. Farley

The FamilyStage: Adventure Series

The Jungle Book

By Greg Banks, adapted from the book by Rudyard Kipling

Performance on Saturdays at 11am - Sept. 16, 23, 30 and Apr 14, 21, 28

Miss Nelson is Missing!

by Joan Cushing, adapted from the book by Harry Allard

Performance on Saturdays 11am, Oct. 28, Nov. 4, 11, 2017 and March 3, 10, 17, 2018

And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank

by James Still

Performance 6:30pm on March 13, 2018

The Giver

By Eric Coble, adapted from the book by Lois Lowry

Performance on Saturdays, 11am Jan. 13, 20, 23, 27, 2018

The Joe Gransden Big Band Series

Joe and his band are back for another series of big band jazz concerts at Georgia Ensemble Theatre. Dates for this popular series are:

October 30, 2017

December 18, 2017

March 12, 2018

April 23, 2018

For tickets or information, call 770-641-1260, or visit us online at www.get.org.

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