Stoneham Theatre's 16th Season to Include SWEET CHARITY, LAURA, and More!

Stoneham Theatre is pleased to announce its Mainstage programming for Season 16. This year will showcase some exceptional not-seen-enough Broadway musicals that will have you laughing and toe-tapping, a stylish murder mystery whodunit classic, and a brand-new musical about lobstering with a book by Producing Artistic Director Weylin Symes and music and lyrics by Boston favorite Steven Barkhimer. Stoneham Theatre will also explore the ramifications of drug addiction in a contemporary drama about a heart-wrenching custody battle and return to Rhinebeck, NY for the third play in Richard Nelson's celebrated Apple Family Plays.

"Inspired by Associate Artistic Director Caitlin Lowans' involvement in StageSource's Gender Parity Task Force, in addition to coming up with a slate of extraordinary plays and musicals, one of our goals for Season 16 is a focus on ensuring that women artists are well-represented at Stoneham Theatre," said Producing Artistic Director Weylin Symes. "When we looked at our track record through the years, we realized that while we have often hired women directors and designers, we have not done as well with playwrights and some types of designers. To this end, three of the plays in our upcoming season were written by female playwrights (Luna Gale, Christmas on the Air, and Laura), and the librettist for Sweet Charity is the incomparable Dorothy Fields. Moreover, we are committed that at least 50% of the designers, directors, and actors in Season 16 will be women. We believe that women artists have traditionally been underrepresented in our field due to a lack of opportunity, and we want to be an ongoing part of changing that dynamic."

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Stoneham Theatre's Season 16 Mainstage Shows:

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM

September 10-October 4, 2015

Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Originally produced on Broadway by Harold S. Prince

MUSICAL COMEDY

A comedy tonight! Stephen Sondheim's riotously funny Broadway musical hit will have you rolling in the aisles as Pseudolus, a crafty Roman slave, does just about anything to secure his freedom.

LUNA GALE

October 22-November 8, 2015

By Rebecca Gilman

BOSTON AREA PREMIERE

Six-month-old Luna is at the heart of a raging storm. Torn between social services, a dysfunctional religious grandmother, and parents in recovery for drug addiction, this infant's fate is at stake in a gripping new drama.

CHRISTMAS ON THE AIR

November 27-December 27, 2015

By Lucia Frangione

MUSICAL HOLIDAY SHOW

It's Christmas Eve 1949, and CKOS Radio's family-run station is broadcasting a festive holiday program in front of a live studio audience (that's you). Garnished with Christmas carols, humor, and a touch of romance, you are sure to adore this heartwarming, family-friendly holiday treat.

SORRY

February 25-March 13, 2016

by Richard Nelson

The Apple Family Plays presented in collaboration with Gloucester Stage

featuring Joel Colodner*, Laura Latreille*, Karen MacDonald*, Bill Mootos*, and Sarah Newhouse*

CONTEMPORARY DRAMA/NEW ENGLAND PREMIERE

It's Election Day 2012, and the close-knit Apple family gathers once again in an act of solidarity to face putting their elderly uncle into a nursing home. Confronted by regrets, they wrestle with making choices concerning the future of their uncle and our nation in this contemporary American drama.

SWEET CHARITY

March 31-April 24, 2016

book by Neil Simon
music by Cy Coleman
lyrics by Dorothy Fields
based on an original screenplay by Federico Fellini, Tullio Pinelli and Ennio Plaiano
produced for the Broadway Stage by Fryer, Carr and Harris
conceived, staged and choreographed by Bob Fosse

TONY AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL

A naïve dance-hall hostess desperately wants to fall in love and escape her sleazy life in New York City, but she repeatedly falls for the wrong kind of man. Follow the unlucky-in-love misadventures of Charity Hope Valentine in this toe-tapping, Tony Award-winning, Broadway musical hit.

LAURA

May 5-May 22, 2016

by George Sklar and Vera Caspary

MURDER MYSTERY CLASSIC

Men pined over her, women wanted to be her-but who wanted to kill her? Everyone is a suspect in the case of Laura Hunt. The twists and turns of this film noir classic, adapted for the stage, will have you guessing whodunit.

LOBSTER GIRL

June 9-June 26, 2016

book by Weylin Symes

music and lyrics by Steven Barkhimer

WORLD PREMIERE MUSICAL WITH A LOCAL FLAIR

When lobsterman Hank's plans to marry Cora's mom are accidentally revealed to her by his assistant, a day out at sea gets a little choppy. Set off the shores of Cape Ann, this heartwarming new comedy is the best lobstering musical you've ever seen. It's a keepa, we guarantee it.

Memberships are now on sale for Stoneham Theatre's Season 16. All Access, Flex Pass, Senior Matinee Club, Contributing, 6-Show, and 4-Show Memberships are available from $75-$300. For more information or to purchase a Membership, call Stoneham Theatre's Box Office at 781-279-2200, or visit www.stonehamtheatre.org.

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About Stoneham Theatre:

Now in its 15th season of live, professional theatre in Stoneham, MA, the mission of Stoneham Theatre is to keep the art of professional theatre and dramatic education thriving in the. Each season, we produce six Mainstage shows, present a series of concerts and special events, and run year-round classes, lessons, and fully staged productions through the young company for students in grades 1-12.

Box Office: (781) 279-2200

Box Office Hours: Mondays - Fridays 11am to 6pm; Saturdays 1pm to 6pm

Location: 395 Main Street, Stoneham, MA 02180

Website: www.stonehamtheatre.org

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