New Adaptation of GHOST, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET & More Set for Georgia Ensemble Theatre's 24th Season

Georgia Ensemble Theatre (GET) Artistic Director Robert J. Farley has announced an exciting lineup of plays for the Company's 24th season of professional theatre in North Fulton County. Following an extraordinarily successful record-breaking year, the bar has been set high for GET as programming continues to grow and expand. The 2016-2017 season will take a journey through love, death, time, foreign lands, freedom fights, and even back to 1956 Memphis, Tennessee. With musicals, comedy, drama, and a world premiere, GET will once again offer an entertaining, enlightening, and illuminating variety of theatre for our patrons throughout north Georgia and beyond. In addition to the mainstage subscription series, GET will produce a four-play Theatre for Young Audiences series, and a four concert Big Band series.

Farley says of the coming season, "I can truly think of no more appropriate word to describe the theme of this season than 'Wanderlust.' I invite young and the young at heart to join us on this eclectic and wild journey which will span the globe with tales that are sure to challenge and delight Atlanta theatre goers."

Georgia Ensemble Theatre is the artistic home to more than 2500 subscribers, as well as dedicated individual ticket buyers, theatre students, artists and educators who frequent the Roswell-based company throughout the year. Georgia Ensemble Theatre is the Official Resident Professional Theatre Company at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center in historic Roswell, located at 950 Forrest Street, Roswell, GA 30075.

The 2016-2017 season will mark the first full performance year with a brand new acoustical renovation in place at GET's home. This renovation has included the installation of updated sound panels throughout the Roswell Cultural Arts Center performance hall, which radically impact the auditory experience of the spoken word from the stage. A state of the art assisted listening system is also included in the project and will be completed later in 2016. The completed work was coordinated between Georgia Ensemble Theatre, The City of Roswell, and Merck and Hill Consultants, with generous funding provided by the May P. and Francis L. Abreu Charitable Trust in memory of Peter M. Abreu. The difference is really extraordinary, with audience members like this regularly telling us, "the sound improvements made for a very enjoyable evening."

The 2016-2017 Mainstage Season - Celebrate Your Spirit of Wanderlust

September 15 - October 2, 2016:
Ghost The Musical
Book & Lyrics by Bruce Joel Rubin
Music & Lyrics by Dave Stewart (The Eurythmics) and Glen Ballard (Michael Jackson's
Thriller)
Based on the Paramount Pictures film written by Bruce Joel Rubin
New Adaptation - SOUTHEASTERN PREMIERE
Directed by Robert J. Farley

We open our 24th season with a brand new version of this musical, a timeless fantasy about the power of love. Freshly re-imagined with all acoustic orchestrations, you will experience the romance, the comedy, and the suspense of this story of two young lovers, Sam and Molly, torn apart by a tragic crime, and the psychic who facilitates Sam's journey back from death to help solve his own murder. Ghost the Musical will reach into your heart, and make you BELIEVE.

November 3-20, 2016:
On the Verge, or The Geography of Yearning
By Eric Overmyer
COMEDY

Brave, willing and yearning to see it all, three American women explorers begin their trek to Terra Incognita in 1888, taking them through darkest Africa, highest Himalaya, only to discover they are adrift in time. Our heroines navigate through uncharted territory populated with pop culture and possibility. Part "Twilight Zone," part "Back to the Future," don't miss this witty and whimsical safari through place and time.

January 5-22, 2017:
Greetings Friend Your Kind Assistance is Required
By Topher Payne
WORLD PREMIERE COMEDY
Directed by Shannon Eubanks

When retired schoolteacher Rhonda Charles opens an email in her spam folder with the subject line, "Greetings Friend your kind assistance is required," the journey of a lifetime begins. With her best friend Marybeth in tow, Rhonda travels to the mysterious kingdom of Sardegnia, facing down guerilla fighters and attempting to rescue the captured Crown Prince. Along the way, Rhonda and Marybeth encounter danger, unexpected romance, and a new sense of purpose - proving it's never too late to find new adventure.

February 16-March 5, 2017:
Having Our Say, the Delany Sisters' First 100 Years
By Emily Mann
COMEDY/DRAMA

103-year-old Sadie and 101-year-old Bessie Delany are preparing dinner in remembrance of their father's birthday. While they cook, they recount a fascinating series of events and anecdotes drawn from their rich family history and their careers as pioneering African American professional women. As descendants of slaves, they have seen their fair share of turbulent times, and yet they forge into the present, with a little daily yoga to help along the way. Having Our Say is our history. It celebrates women and men, African Americans, our country, and the indomitable human spirit.

April 6-23, 2017:
Million Dollar Quartet
By Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux
MUSICAL
Directed by Brandt Blocker
A Co-Production with Atlanta Lyric Theatre

Four guys walk into Sun Records ... only this isn't any four guys. It's December 4, 1956. Early rock 'n roll stars Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash, along with newcomer Jerry Lee Lewis find themselves in the legendary Memphis recording studio. This musical based on the electrifying true story, finds these icons in the greatest jam session of all time, and now it will explode onto the GET stage. Featuring a score of rock hits including "Blue Suede Shoes," "That's All Right," "Great Balls of Fire," "Walk the Line," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "Hound Dog," and many more!

The Theatre for Young Audiences Season

Junie B. Jones, The Musical
book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler, music by Zina Goldrich, based on the book series by Barbara Park
Public Performance on Saturday, November 12, 2016

It's Junie B.'s first day of first grade. Her teacher, Mr. Scary thinks she may need glasses. Throw in a friendly cafeteria lady, a kickball tournament, and more, and first grade gets really exciting!

S.T.E.A.M. Team
by Topher Payne
Public Performance on Saturday, January 14, 2017

Scout, Taylor, Elliot, Aubrey, and Misha are five neighborhood friends who take their interests in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics to solve mysteries and problems in their own back yards (and sometimes the back yards of their neighbors). When the group "grows up" and heads to middle school, though, their interests spread and they find themselves with a lot less time to play dress-up and solve cul-de-sac capers. When one of their own is targeted by a bully at the science fair, it's up to Aubrey to get the team back together for one last mystery.

And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank - 20th Anniversary Production on Tour to Schools!
by James Still
Public Performance on Sunday, February 19, 2017

A powerful multi-media performance that tells the story of the hidden children of the Holocaust. Two childhood friends of Anne Frank, Eva Schloss and Ed Silverberg, recount their stories via video as professional actors portray them on stage.

James and the Giant Peach
From the book by Roald Dahl, dramatized by Richard R. George
Public Performance on Saturday, April 22, 2017

A magical peach! An imprisoned boy! Insect friends! An incredible journey! This amazing adventure of James Henry Trotter will fulfill the fantasy of anyone who has ever dreamed of escape. Roald Dahl's story comes hilariously to life in this delightful dramatization that reveals the wickedness of some, the goodness of others, and the indecision encountered by many when they are faced with crises.

The Joe Gransden Big Band Series

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

September 26, 2016

December 12, 2016

February 27, 2017

April 10, 2017

Tickets: Early Bird Mainstage Subscription Packages are available now through May 31st and range from $103-$143. Senior and Student discount subscriptions are available for select performance series for $88-$103. Flex Passes are also available for $125 (with limited subscriber privileges). Prices will increase on June 1st. To subscribe, call the GET Box Office at 770-641-1260.

Patrons may add the entire Joe Gransden Series to their subscription for only $100, and the Theatre for Young Audiences Series (4 shows) for only $32.

Benefits of Subscribing to GET Include: Huge savings off single ticket prices; Best seating; One free exchange per production; Ticket discounts on additional tickets purchased; Guest Passes (one per subscription); and Class discounts.

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