DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, BLITHE SPIRIT & More Set for Arvada Center 2012-13

The Arvada Center has announced its seven-play season that includes four diverse musicals, three comedies, a continued collaboration with one of Colorado's critically acclaimed theater companies and a regional premiere.

"I feel we have put together a season that will really appeal to our constituents." remarked Artistic Producer Rod A. Lansberry, "We are also thrilled to have Creede Rep and PHAMALY back for another appearance. We value these partnerships and are eager to share their work with our patrons." Lansberry went on to say, "The Arvada Center is known nationally for its high quality shows that are created and built entirely by local designers and artisans. This coming season will maintain the consistent level of professional theater that will not disappoint."

The 2012 – 2013 Arvada Center Theater Season:
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Music & Lyrics by David Yazbek
Book by Jeffrey Lane
Main Stage Theater
September 11 - 30, 2012

Based on the popular 1988 film starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine, this Tony Award® winning musical comedy centers on two con men living on the French Riviera. The first is a suave and sophisticated fellow, who makes his lavish living by talking rich ladies out of their money. The other is a small-time crook who modestly swindles women by arousing their compassion with fabricated stories about his grandmother's failing health. When the two attempt to join forces the plan fails miserably so they come to an agreement to pull off one great scam where the winner stays and the other leaves town forever. A madcap battle of the cons ensues that will keep audiences laughing, humming and trying to guess the cons' next move to the end!

Creede Repertory Theatre presents
Is He Dead?
A new comedy by Mark Twain, as adapted by David Ives
Black Box Theater
October 2 - 28, 2012

The wildly hilarious "new" farce from the father of American wit, Mark Twain. Jean-Francois Millet, a young painter of genius, is in love with Marie Leroux but in debt to a villainous picture-dealer, Bastien Andre. Andre forecloses on Millet, threatening debtor's prison unless Marie marries him. Millet realizes the only way he can pay his debts and keep Marie from marrying Andre is to die, as it is only dead painters who achieve fame and fortune. Millet's plan was flawed from the start - once he's declared dead he can't collect on his fortune. The romp is on as he pursues his passion for painting, his fortune and the woman he loves.

Miracle on 34th Street
Book, Music and Lyrics by Meredith Willson
Based on Miracle on 34th Street; story by Valentine Davies
Main Stage Theater
November 27 - December 23, 2012

The traditional holiday favorite that will put you in the spirit of the season when its magic comes to our Main Stage Theater. This musical version of the joyful and nostalgic classic movie includes memorable songs such as "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas", "Pinecones and Hollyberries" and more. As we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season, we all need a little break to remember that miracles do happen. Miracle on 34th Street is pure family entertainment - make it part of your holiday celebration.

Blithe Spirit
Written by Noël Coward
Black Box Theater
January 22 - February 17, 2013

When Charles Condomine, a successful novelist, wishes to learn about the occult for a new book he is writing he arranges for eccentric clairvoyant Madame Arcati to hold a séance at his home. The attempt backfires when the Madame inadvertently conjures up the ghost of his annoying and temperamental first wife, Elvira. Only Charles can see or hear Elvira, and his second wife, Ruth, does not believe the ghost exists. Comedy and mayhem run rampant as the former Mrs. Condomine attempts to disrupt Charles's marriage while scheming ways to have Charles join her in the afterlife.

Winner of 5 Tony Awards® including Best Musical Score and Best Musical
Man of La Mancha
Music by Mitch Leigh
Lyrics by Joe Darion
Book by Dal Wasserman
Main Stage Theater
March 26 - April 14, 2013
One of the most beloved musicals of all time tells the story of author, actor, tax collector Miguel de Cervantes, imprisoned by the Spanish Inquisition and awaiting a mock trial by a jury of his fellow prisoners. To save his life's work from seizure and sure destruction, Cervantes' defense will be to act out a play with his fellow prisoners. The play - his creation - Don Quixote de la Mancha recounts the tale of the mad knight who believes the wrongs of the world can be corrected as he jousts at windmills with his trusty sidekick, Sancho Panza and his beloved Dulcinea in the quest for "The Impossible Dream".

Regional Premiere
Dividing the Estate
Written by Horton Foote
Black Box Theater
April 30 - May 26, 2013

Horton Foote, Pulitzer Prize® winning writer, penned a comedy about family, money, power and greed. At odds over the fate of their dwindling inheritance, several generations of the well-to-do Gordon family must confront their disreputable past as they grapple with an uncertain future. Watching these self-absorbed, endearingly dysfunctional brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and servants is lots of laughs as it challenges everyone's take on their entitlement. Will they face possible ruin and indignity together or take their chances and go their separate ways?

Curtains
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Book by Rupert Holmes based on the original book by Peter Stone
Main Stager Theater
July 9 - 28, 2013

The whodunit musical comedy Curtains features a dazzling musical score by the legendary team, Kander and Ebb (Chicago, Cabaret) and was nominated for eight Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Original Score. The chief sleuth, Lieutenant Frank Cioffi, with a secret affinity for musical theater, investigates the murder of a Broadway-bound theater company's tremendously untalented star on opening night. Could the culprit be the hard-edged lady producer,
one of the recently divorced songwriting team, the egomaniacal British director, or the seemingly
sweet ingénue? Curtains will have you on The Edge of your seat - laughing!

*Exclusive Theater Engagement
PHAMALY Presents
The Foreigner
By Larry Shue
Main Stage Theater
February 22 & 23, 2013, 7:30 p.m.
February 24, 2013, 2:00 p.m.

Laugh along as we follow a group of mismatched characters staying at a resort-style fishing lodge where a very shy man is mistaken as a foreigner who doesn't speak English. Like a fly on the wall, the mysterious foreigner overhears more than he should about the scandalous and damaging revelations of the resort's inhabitants. The nonstop hilarity of the play builds to an uproariously funny climax where events go awry for the "bad guys" and the "good guys" emerge triumphant.

*Please note, the PHAMALY presentation is not included in the 2012 – 2013 subscription series package

Subscription packages range in price from $182 to $400 and go on sale to Arvada Center subscribers and the general public on April 20 Single tickets for the 2012-13 theater season go on sale August 6. Subscribing donors giving at the $150 level or above by June 11 will receive a free guest voucher for each subscription. These vouchers can be used for theater performances in the 2012-13 Season. Orders can be made by phone at (720) 898-7200, online at www.arvadacenter.org/subscribe or in person at the Arvada Center box office.

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