Theatre at the Center Announces 2013 Season: THE FOX ON THE FAIRWAY, GODSPELL and More

Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, IN announced today their 2013 season.

The Chicago area premiere of Ken Ludwig’s THE FOX ON THE FAIRWAY, a madcap comedy about two rival country clubs and their hilarious golf tournament, tees off the season February 14 through March 23. Another Chicago area premiere, WHAT A GLORIOUS FEELING, a new dance musical about Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and the making of the classic movie-musical “Singin’ In the Rain”, runs April 25 through June 2. The Tony Award-winning musical THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE is perfect for summer, and the funniest spelling bee you’ll ever see; it runs from July 11 to August 18. The hit musical GODSPELL graces the Theatre at the Center stage September 12 to October 20. One of the biggest Broadway successes of all time, it’s based on the Gospel of Saint Matthew with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, composer of WICKED. For the holidays, the Chicago area premiere of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE MUSICAL runs November 14 to December 22. Based on Charles Dickens’ immortal classic, with music by Tony Award-winning Disney composer Alan Menken, this tune-filled version played 10 holiday seasons in New York.

Ken Ludwig’s THE FOX ON THE FAIRWAY is written as an homage to the great farces where common elements include young love fighting for survival, jaunty sporting themes involving wagering, authority figures brought down to Earth and marriages on the brink of disaster. Ludwig, the author of CRAZY FOR YOU and LEND ME A TENOR, here weaves a plot revolving around a golf tournament and rival country clubs in the midst of their 43rd annual grudge match. Renowned for his direction of farces, William Pullinsi will take the helm of this production, running February 14 through March 24.

The Chicago Area Premiere of WHAT A GLORIOUS FEELING by Jay Berkow runs April 25 through June 2. This new dance musical inspired by true events brings to life the tempestuous love triangle that occurred behind the scenes during the filming of the 1952 MGM blockbuster “Singin’ in the Rain”. It explores the highly charged collaboration between star Gene Kelly, his assistant Jeanne Coyne and his co-director Stanley Donen. The show is filled with smoldering passion and the fast-paced dialogue of former friends forced to create their art as a team. Other characters are Debbie Reynolds and the producer/songwriter Arthur Freed. WHAT A GLORIOUS FEELING invites audiences to relive iconic dances and songs from movies they know and love, but with a brand new perspective and whole new love story. The work of Broadway choreographer Danny Herman will be featured.

Theatre at the Center spells out another winner with THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE July 11 through August 18. This Tony Award-winning musical is the uproarious tale of 6 over-achieving quirky adolescents (played by adults) vying for a spelling championship, overseen by equally colorful grown-ups. Tuneful, clever and heartwarming, it features life lessons such as “winning isn’t everything” and “losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser”. With audience volunteers that join the cast, the show is designed to be fresh and unique with each performance. Veteran David Perkovich will direct and the acclaimed composer is William Finn.

A celebration of worldwide community, packed with hit songs and irresistible goodwill, GODSPELL will come to the stage September 12 through October 20. The groundbreaking, energetic musical is one of the biggest off-Broadway and Broadway successes of all time, running for over 2,600 performances during its initial run. The upbeat retelling of biblical parables is punctuated and amplified by a playful and poignant score by Stephen Schwartz (WICKED). Popular tunes like the international hit “Day by Day,” “All Good Gifts,” “Turn Back, O Man” and “By My Side” share messages of kindness, tolerance and love. GODSPELL is a recipient of the 1972 Grammy Award for Best Score from an Original Cast Show Album. A revival opened on Broadway in October 2011 and just completed a nine month run. Stacey Flaster will direct and choreograph.

Theatre at the Center rounds out 2013 with the Chicagoland area premiere of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE MUSICAL, playing November 14 to December 22. An endearing combination of a treasured tale and soaring music by a Disney musical genius, composer Alan Menken (“The Little Mermaid”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Aladdin”), it infuses the Charles Dickens holiday classic with music the whole family will cherish. After 10 smash years on Broadway, The New York Times raved that A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE MUSICAL is "a tonic for adults, and for children a transfixing journey.” The immortal story is set in London in the 1800s. On Christmas Eve, miserly old Ebenezer Scrooge is confronted by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future that reveal the possible results of his selfish, uncaring life. Will Scrooge promise to change and become a new man? This musical favorite is full of holiday merriment and has proven to be popular for all ages. William Pullinsi directs.

Performances for the 2013 season are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. and Fridays at 8:00 p.m. Saturday matinees begin at 2:30 or 4 p.m. with evening performances at 8 p.m. Sunday curtains are at 2:30 p.m. Season subscriptions are available for $150. Special Subscription Series Events include: the Wine & Theatre Series, the Dinner Theatre Series and the Opening Night Series. Also available are the complimentary Talkback Thursday post-show discussions and 2nd Saturday Symposium, to provide insight into the creative process. Guests may enjoy pre-show dinners conveniently located right across from the theatre lobby. New 2013 Season Subscriptions will go on sale August 26 for renewals and on October 16 for new subscribers. Individual ticket prices for 2013 range from $38 - $42 and will go on sale December 18. To purchase season tickets and/or individual tickets, call the Box Office at 219.836.3255 or Tickets.com (for single tickets only) at 800.511.1552. Group discounts are available for groups of 11 or more and gift certificates are also available by calling the Box Office at 219.836.3255. For more information on Theatre at the Center visit TheatreAtTheCenter.com.

 

 

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