Chance Theater Presents JERRY SPRINGER: The Opera, 7/1-8/8

"A shocking, irresistibly funny masterpiece," said the London Sunday Times. "Lewd, rude and musically sophisticated," stated London's Guardian newspaper. "A hilarious satire of a slice of real-life Americana," claims DC Theatre Scene.

Those are just a few of the many scintillating comments attributed to Jerry Springer: The Opera, the controversial and outrageous operatic musical that receives its Southern California Premiere July 1 - August 7 at Chance Theater in Anaheim Hills.

Yes, we said OPERA! After its phenomenal success in London, New York, and San Francisco, Jerry Springer: The Opera is finally coming to Southern California. The only show in history to earn "Best Musical" from all four major British awards, Jerry Springer: The Opera is a fascinating mix of high art and low culture that is both hilarious and heart-breaking. Inspired by America's most lurid TV talk show, this raunchy, high-energy production follows the famous talk show host as he suffers through the worst day of his career to wind up in the afterlife-and beyond. Featuring nappy fetishists, wannabe strippers and dancing Klansmen, this profane, cheeky musical has a sung-through score that ranges from pop and classical to contemporary opera. Just remember, it ain't over till the fat lady says you're sleeping with your brother's sister's twin!

One of the funniest and most talked-about musicals ever produced, Jerry Springer: The Opera contains graphic language, adult situations and other things you would normally see on Jerry's show-and more. The show is recommended for mature audiences. Did we mention this is not for kids?

"Jerry Springer: The Opera is an equal opportunity offender, lambasting cheating husbands, sniveling wives, homosexuals, bisexuals, transgendered characters, sexual fetishists, strippers, hillbillies, and the religious right," says director Trevor Biship. "In the opera, attacking all characters equally (including Jerry Springer himself) raises many important questions. In contemporary America, is there really any difference between what we worship and what we profane? Can an opera (considered a high art) portray the lowest of subjects (low art) and still discover something truthful and honest about the human condition?"

"Like the recent Tony-winning musical hit, The Book of Mormon, Jerry Springer: The Opera does not shy away from putting controversial and difficult subjects on stage, but does so with purpose and heart," adds Biship. "It constantly surprises audiences, which has been one of my favorite parts of rehearsing our production. It's part opera and part musical, part stinging satire and part slapstick farce. Moments of crudeness are contrasted with moments of great beauty. As Jerry's day unfolds in front of us, our audience will experience a dizzying roller-coaster of different styles, stories, and personal perspectives. Audiences will be challenged yet exhilarated by the non-stop ride."

The content of Jerry Springer: The Opera may be less family-friendly than previous Chance musicals, but the important themes of the Chance summer shows stay the same. Like Hair and Tommy, Jerry Springer has a rocking and vibrant score, and a narrative with important and thoughtful social themes. Ultimately, however, Jerry Springer: The Opera is pure energy and entertainment, a truly hilarious musical hybrid that slyly injects something powerful and human about our world today.

ABOUT Jerry Springer: THE OPERA

Jerry Springer: The Opera ran for 609 performances in London from April 2003 to February 2005 before touring the UK in 2006. The production won the Laurence Olivier, Critic's Circle, Evening Standard and What's On Stage Awards for Best Musical (the only show in history to make this accomplishment). The first American performance was in March 2007 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to benefit Golden Rainbow, and featured performers from The Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia!, and other Las Vegas strip theatrical shows. The musical received a number of American regional theatre productions and made its New York City debut at Carnegie Hall in January 2008 where Harvey Keitel starred as Jerry Springer.

WHAT THE CRITICS SAY
"Quite simply the most sophisticated and exciting through-sung score that I have encountered in my 19 years in London. How better to honor such emotional extremes than via the musical extreme that is opera? Where co-creators Thomas and Lee succeed is in dignifying the desires, however twisted, of that portion of society one would like to consign to the dustbin. Sorrowful yet generous of heart, obscene and also keenly observant. In a score that embraces Back through to Bacharach, Mozart and also Motown, Jerry Springer: The Opera can see through to life's nastiness while also allowing for what ennobling." - Variety

"Richard Thomas and Stewart Lee's rhapsodic look at talk-show trashiness has the power to exhilarate that you associate with old-style Broadway musicals. The show's startling appeal lies in its appreciation that the deepest, most romantic aspirations of the average Joe and Jill these days aren't about finding the perfect mate, as in musicals of yore, but about achieving instant celebrity. Caricaturing or condemning reality television is easy; finding the emotional hunger behind the same phenomenon and translating it into witty, oddly moving music is genius."
- The New York Times

"It's filthy, it's funny, it's brilliantly original... A THRILLING, TRULY GROUNDBREAKING SMASH." -- The Daily Telegraph

"For originality I have no hesitation in declaring Jerry Springer: The Opera to be the greatest show on earth. Sheer theatrical bliss. It's wild, crazy and fearlessly irreverent. Put your tongue in your cheek and have the time of your life." -- The Daily Mirror

PERFORMANCES

Previews
July 1 - July 8

Opening Night/Press Night
Saturday, July 9 at 8 pm

Regular Run
July 10 - August 7, 2011

Thursdays and Fridays at 8 pm
Saturdays at 3 pm and 8 pm
Sundays at 2 pm and 7pm
Sunday, July 10 at 5pm (no 2pm or 7pm)

Ticket Prices
$30 to $45
(Discounts for seniors and students)

Information
(714) 777-3033
www.chancetheater.com

Theater Address
5552 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills, CA 92807

ABOUT CHANCE THEATER
Chance Theater recently won two Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards, as well as received an Ovation Award for video design and five other nominations, including best musical. Chance Theater is proud to be one of the leading ensemble-based Contemporary Theatre companies in Southern California. Twice named "Outstanding Arts Organization" by Arts Orange County, Chance Theater is also a recipient of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle's Polly Warfield Award for Excellence. Founded in 1999, Chance Theater aims to be in its own 300-seat venue with the mission of being Orange County's premiere mid-size contemporary ensemble theater. As a constituent member of Theatre Communications Group, Network of Ensemble Theaters, and the Los Angeles Stage Alliance, the Chance continues to bring national attention to the Southern California and Orange County theater scene.

 

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