BIG FISH, LES MIS and More Highlight Musical Theatre West's 2014-15 Season

MUSICAL THEATRE WEST is thrilled to announce, in its 62nd consecutive year (making it one of the country's longest-running continuing musical theatre companies), some really "Big" news for their audiences and subscribers! For their 2014-2015 season of shows, they will be presenting the first production of the Broadway musical, BIG FISH, since its New York debut with the original Broadway sets and costumes! Continuing with its "'Big' Broadway" season are three more smash-hit shows from the Great White Way - LES MISERABLES, SOUTH PACIFIC and SINGIN' IN THE RAIN! In its 62 years of producing extraordinary musical entertainment, there has never been a season this "Enchanted" or this "Big!"

The Musical Theatre West 2014-2015 season:

Its First Production since its Broadway Debut!
BIG FISH
October 31 - November 16, 2014
Book by John August
Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
Based on the film by Tim Burton

BIG FISH is a new musical based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed Columbia Pictures film directed by Tim Burton. Original direction and choreography by 5-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys), musicand lyrics by Tony nominee Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family, The Wild Party) and a new book by John August ("Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Corpse Bride"), who also penned the screenplay for the film version.

Musical Theatre West's production will feature the original Broadway sets and costumes and run at the Carpenter Performing Performing Arts Center in Long Beach October 31 - November 16, 2014. Single tickets will go on sale on September 17, 2014.

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Groundbreaking American Classic!
SOUTH PACIFIC
Febraury 12 - March 1, 2015
Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein
Book by Oscar Hammerstin and Joshua Logan

Ensign Nellie Forbush meets dashing plantation owner Emilie de Becque on an island in the South Pacific at the height of World War II. "Honey Bun," "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair," "Younger than Springtime" and of course, "Some Enchanted Evening" are only a few of the hit songs from this Rodgers and Hammerstein gem.

The World's Most Popular Musical!
LES MISERABLES
April 10 - 26, 2015
Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg
Book by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg
Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer

Finally making its Musical Theatre West premiere is the legendary LES MISERABLES! Based on the Victor Hugo novel, this epic, spectacular, triumph set during the French Revolution tells the story of escaped convict Jean Valjean and his flight from Inspector Javert. Includes the songs "A Little Fall of Rain," "Stars," "Do You Hear the People Sing," and "One Day More."]

One of the Most Famous MGM Musical Classics of all Time!
SINGIN' IN THE RAIN
July 10 -26, 2015
Based on the MGM Film with
Choreography by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly

Let the stormy clouds chase everyone from the place, come on with the rain... July 2015 will see a rainstorm on the Carpenter Center stage, when silent film stars Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont learn how to transition to the world of the new fangled talking picture. Based on the M-G-M film the score features "Good Morning," "Moses' Supposes," and the title song.

Season tickets range from $80 - $260 for a four-show package. All tickets are available by calling the Box Office at 562-856-1999 - Ext. 4; at the Box Office in person at 4350 E 7thStreet, Long Beach (cross street is Ximeno) - Box Office hours are 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday or online at www.musical.org.

All shows perform at The Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center, located at 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach on the campus of California State University, Long Beach. PLEASE NOTE - TICKETS ARE NOT SOLD AT THE CARPENTER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER.

The story of Musical Theatre West is the 61-year journey from a group of volunteers performing in a high school auditorium to one of the largest and most respected theatrical production companies in Southern California. Beginning as the Whittier Civic Light Opera in 1952, the company originally produced two shows a year for just two days each, back when shows like RIO RITA and THE RED MILL were still in vogue. During most of the 1960s and 1970s, the group remained an all-volunteer effort, producing one show a year. Back then tickets were sold at Hinshaw's and Myers department stores and could be had for all of $1.50 (75 cents for children)! In 1977 the group moved to the brand-new La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and began to produce a full season of shows. During the 1980s and 1990s the company began to assert itself as one of the top companies in the area, utilizing professional talent and producing regional premieres and even a world premiere musical (1992's HURRY! HURRY! HOLLYWOOD), while continuing to honor the tradition of classic musical theater. The company entered a new phase in 1997 when it began to produce shows at the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach and quickly became the largest arts producer in the Long Beach area. The company greets the 21st Century by continuing to produce newer fare (RENT, THE FULL MONTY, THE PRODUCERS, HAIRSPRAY) alongside classics of the genre (MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, THE KING & I, MAN OF LA MANCHA), and has recently produced two additional world premieres. The company continues to receive critical acclaim and national recognition - and many performers who cut their teeth on the MTW stage have gone on to successful careers on Broadway and in television and film. Just as important, stage and screen veterans now come to MusicalTheatre West to perform, finding it to be one of the friendliest and most fun venues to work. A key aspect of the company is its dedication to education, and the Education and Outreach Programs of Musical Theatre West brings the joy and magic of musical theater to over 17,000 children each year through special morning performances, school assemblies, and the Summer Youth Conservatory. We hope that you'll join the thousands of performers, technicians, audience members, donors and volunteers that make up the Musical Theatre West family as we look forward to another 61 years of bringing Broadway to Southern California.

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