A. D. Players Announces SHERLOCK HOLMES, FIRST CHURCH OF TEXACO & More for 2012-2013 Season

A. D. Players has announced its 2012-2013 season, opening with the Houston professional premiere of Steven Dietz's award winning play, Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure, and followed by the Houston premiere of The First Church of Texaco by Andrew William Librizzi and the Southwest Premiere of Malcolm and Teresa by Cathal Gallagher. These productions are complemented by sequels to audience favorites, Sanders Family Christmas, written by Connie Ray and conceived by Alan Bailey with musical arrangements by John Foley and Gary Fagin, and Anne of Avonlea by Jeannette Carlisle.

"We are thrilled to offer our audiences the opportunity of experiencing the compelling stories in our coming season," said Jeannette Clift George, A. D. Players' Founder and Artistic Director. "Particularly exciting are the premieres for our Houston audience."

A. D. Players' 46th season will open with Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure adapted by Steven Dietz, based on the original 1899 play by William Gillette and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The play which won the 2007 Edgar Alan Poe Award for Best Mystery Play, will be the Houston professional premiere. Written by one of the most produced playwrights of our time, who is currently in residence at the University of Texas Austin, the play had its World Premiere at Pasadena Playhouse in 2006, and has since played throughout the country. With his trusted companion Doctor Watson at his side, Holmes may have finally met his match in this spirited adaptation full of danger, intrigue, wit, and surprise.

For Christmas, A. D. Players will present the second play in the popular Smoke on the Mountain series, Sanders Family Christmas written by Connie Ray and conceived by Alan Bailey with musical arrangements by John Foley and Gary Fagin. The ever-popular Sanders family returns for a 1941 Christmas Eve service in this richly entertaining family musical.

Fresh theater offerings follow in the new year with two premieres: the comedy The First Church of Texaco by Andrew William Librizzi, which is a Houston premiere, and bio-drama Malcolm and Teresa by Cathal Gallagher, a regional premiere.

The First Church of Texaco is a campy, fun-filled romantic comedy about a CEO whose plans are upset when crossed telephone lines lead to his ordination as "pastor" of a new church. Librizzi has penned two other plays set in Texas and currently has a film script in production, Beyond the Farthest Star, due to be released this Christmas by Pathlight Entertainment.

Next, A. D. Players will present the Southwest Premiere of Cathal Galagher's play, Malcolm and Teresa, the true story of BBC Reporter Malcolm Muggeridge, his expose on famine in the Ukraine in the 1930s, and the television interviews with Mother Teresa that changed his life. Malcolm and Teresa had its World Premiere at the Historic Hoover Theater in San Jose in 2007.

Closing the A. D. Players' 46th season will be Anne of Avonlea by Jeannette Carlisle, the sequel to the immensely popular story Anne of Green Gables. In this adaptation, everyone's favorite red-head Anne Shirley embarks on a career as a school teacher, and her continuing adventures are sure to captivate the whole family.

"On our stages audiences will claim the laughter of comedy, the consideration of faith's action, the telling of stories, and the offer of the delight of theater from our hearts to their hearts," said George.

Subscriptions go on sale to the public June 20th and can be purchased by phone at 713-526-2721 or in person at the theater, 2710 W. Alabama.

A. D. Players 46th Season

Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure HOUSTON PROFESSIONAL PREMIERE
Adapted by Steven Dietz,
based on the original 1899 play by William Gillette and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
September 5 - October 7, 2012 (Opens September 7)

The world's greatest detective may have finally met his match. Nothing is as it seems as Holmes takes on a blackmail case involving famous opera singer, Irene Adler. With his trusted companion, Doctor Watson, at his side, Sherlock Holmes pursues the case right into the web of his longtime nemesis and criminal genius, Professor Moriarty. Fans of Sherlock Holmes will be delighted with this spirited adaptation full of danger, intrigue, wit, and surprise. "The game is afoot, Watson - and it is a dangerous one!"

Sanders Family Christmas
Written by Connie Ray. Conceived by Alan Bailey.
Musical Arrangements by John Foley and Gary Fagin
November 21 - December 31, 2012 (Opens November 23)

The ever popular Sanders family returns to Mount Pleasant, NC for a Christmas Eve service with Reverend Oglethorpe. It's 1941, and they've come to the Baptist Church to sing and celebrate the holidays before the boys, including one of their own, are shipped off to World War II. More than two dozen Christmas carols and hilarious yuletide stories fill the evening with laughter and singing as the Sanders family spreads Christmas cheer in this richly entertaining family musical.

The First Church of Texaco HOUSTON PREMIERE
By Andrew William Librizzi
February 13 - March 17, 2013 (Opens February 15)

Meet Stanton Presley the young CEO of a large corporation and a giant pain in the you-know-where. Mysteriously relocating his headquarters to an abandoned Texaco station in Blessing, Texas, he hires local librarian Alice as his secretary. But he gets more than he bargained for in Alice, who dislikes his cold corporate attitude, and his plans are hilariously upset when small town gossip and crossed telephone lines lead to his ordination as the "pastor" of a new church. This campy, fun-filled romantic comedy is all about losing a fortune, finding a treasure, and winning an 'Emmy' on the highway of life.

Malcolm and Teresa SOUTHWEST PREMIERE
By Cathal Gallagher
May 22 - June 23, 2013 (Opens May 24)

The riveting true story of BBC Reporter Malcolm Muggeridge and the television interviews with Mother Teresa that changed his life. A staunch supporter of the idealistic values of the new Soviet political system in the 30's, Muggeridge eagerly sets out to report from the Soviet Union, only to find that millions are starving in the Ukraine as a result of the Soviet's policies. Years later, he interviews a then-unknown Mother Teresa, whose way of serving the poor will open many eyes to suffering around the world. Engrossing and entertaining, this new play powerfully displays one man's journey to faith and the broad impact of faith in action.

Anne of Avonlea
By Jeannette Carlisle
July 10 - August 18, 2013 (Opens July 12)

Fans of Anne of Green Gables will love following everyone's favorite red-head, Anne Shirley, as she embarks on a career as a school teacher in her beloved Avonlea. There is never a dull moment for the enthusiastic Anne who heads the village improvement society, contends with cantankerous new neighbor Mr. Harrison, and experiences growing pains as friends pair off and Gilbert Blythe pops the question. Full of humor and charm, Anne's continuing adventures will captivate the whole family.

Ticket Information

 

Season subscriptions go on sale June 20 and may be purchased by phone at 713-526-2721 or in person at A. D. Players Box Office, 2710 W. Alabama. Current subscribers can also renew online by visiting www.adplayers.org.

Single tickets for each show will go on sale August 1 and may be purchased by phone at 713-526-2721, online, or in person at the A. D. Players Box Office, 2710 W. Alabama. The convenience of ordering online is available for a small fee.

Groups of 10 or more can receive special discounts of up to 30% off single tickets and senior groups of 10 or more can receive special discounts of up to 45% off single tickets by calling Group Sales at 713-526-2721. More information on booking a group is available on the website at www.adplayers.org/tickets-group.html.

Senior discounts are available for patrons aged 60 and up at a savings of up to 34% off single ticket prices by calling 713-526-2721 or going online. Student tickets are available for $20 when reserved in advance and $15 rush at the door.

Preview performances are the Wednesday and Thursday before opening night, and special ticket pricing is available for single tickets and group tickets.

 

Captioning and audio description is offered for the hearing and visually impaired on the fourth Sunday of each run. Dates for the 2011/2012 MainStage Season are September 30, 2012; December 16, 2012; March 10, 2013; June 16, 2013; and August 4, 2012. Showtime for the captioning and audio described performances is at 2:30pm. Please call 713-526-2721 for more information.

Audiences are invited to stay for a post show talk-back with the cast and director every Thursday. The discussions follow a question and answer format and take place immediately after the performance.

Founded in 1967 by Jeannette Clift George, A. D. Players pioneered a unique style of theater committed to producing plays and programs that uphold human value, offer creativity, and promote literacy and education.

The company is one of Houston's largest resident theater companies, impacting more than nine million people. Annually, the company produces five Mainstage shows and four Children's Theater performances, fields a National Touring Unit, and maintains a year-round Theater Arts Academy. A. D. Players is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. We share our mission with volunteers, community associates, and those who make our work possible through their support. For additional information, visit www.adplayers.org or call 713-526-2721.

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