DEAD GUY, THIS WONDERFUL LIFE, UNDERSTUDY et al. Set for Williamston Theatre Season

The Williamston Theater, mid-Michigan's award winning professional theatre company located at 122 S. Putnam in downtown Williamston, kicks off its 2011-2012 Season in September. This season will have two World Premieres along with some familiar faces in familiar roles. The season will include: The Dead Guy by Eric Coble, This Wonderful Life by Steve Murray, the World Premiere of Dead Man's Shoes by Michigan playwright Joseph Zettelmaier, the World Premiere of The Usual: A Musical Love Story by Alan Gordon and Mark Sutton-Smith, The Understudy by Theresa Rebeck and Red, White and Tuna by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard.

Five of the six productions this season will begin with five Preview performances. During the first four Previews audience members will have the opportunity to take part in the process of creating a show by participating in a talkback session with the director following each performance. Preview performances are the first two Thursday performances of each production as well as the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday  performances. Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances are at 8PM. The Sunday performance is at 2PM. This Wonderful Life will only have one Preview, a "Pay-What-You-Can" performance.

The Dead Guy is a wicked satire that skewers "reality television" and our national obsession with it. The Pitch: You get one million dollars to spend over the next seven days. A camera crew follows your every move and broadcasts your adventures on national television. The Hook: At the end of the week... you die. The Best Part: The viewing audience gets to vote on the method of your death! For hard-luck ElDon Phelps, the deal is irresistible. But does America have the stomach for this much reality? A collaboration with the Michigan State University Department of Theatre. Contains mature language and themes. Directed by Tony Caselli. September 29 - October 30, 2011.

This Wonderful Life returns to the Williamston stage. Back by popular demand, John Lepard will take the stage again in his award-winning role as George Bailey, Mr. Potter, and the entire population of Bedford Falls in this theatrical re-telling of the classic holiday film It's A Wonderful Life. Superbly adapted from the most irresistible and entertaining "what if" story of all time, this one-man tour de force reminds us of the power of perspective, friendship and faith. A holiday experience for the whole family. Directed by Tony Caselli.

November 25 - December 23, 2011.

Dead Man's Shoes, winner of The Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award, is the newest production by Michigan playwright Joseph Zettelmaier. The year is 1883. The notorious outlaw Injun Bill Picote has escaped from prison, along with a hard-luck drunk named Froggy. The unlikely partners endure trials and bizarre misadventures as they set out to right a terrible wrong in this outrageous new dark comedy about life, friendship and vengeance in the Wild West. As Bill's past catches up with him, and Froggy helps him discover his long-ignored conscience, a question arises: Is the hope of a better life stronger than the need to avenge the death of a friend? What starts out as a sweeping epic tale boils down to an incredibly funny, insightful and deeply personal journey for two men... and a pair of shoes. A World Premiere, co-production with the Performance Network in Ann Arbor. Contains mature language and themes. Directed by David Wolber.

January 26 - February 26, 2012.

The Usual: A Musical Love Story is an exciting new musical making its World Premiere on the Williamston stage. Take one lonely guy, add a shot of lonely girl and a dash of spunky bartender, blend and serve! Two strangers, each unhappy with their love lives, have a chance encounter in a bar where "the usual" isn't usual at all. Join Kip, Valerie and Sam as they navigate the treacherous waters of dating, romance and relationships. This modern musical journey through love and life will keep you coming back for more. Contains mature language. Directed by Tony Caselli. March 22 - April 22, 2012.

The Understudy is a biting, thoughtful comedy that highlights the ridiculous and fleeting nature of fame. Jake is a mid-level action film star seeking legitimacy by acting in a Broadway play. Harry is a middle-aged journeyman actor who may or may not be just a little bitter about understudying a mid-level action film star in a Broadway play. Roxanne just wants to run the rehearsal without anyone killing anyone else. Take a trip behind the scenes as a trio of theatre professionals struggle to balance ego, art and commerce. Contains mature language. Directed by Rob Roznowski. May 17 - June 17, 2012.

Red, White and Tuna reunites the hilarious team of Aral Gribble and Wayne David Parker. Reprising their roles from our smash-hit production of Greater Tuna, these two masters of quick change return for the outrageous summertime sequel, once again portraying the entire population of the town. The 4th of July in Tuna, Texas means it's time for the Tuna High School Class Reunion, and the return of some of your favorite Tuna residents, like Petey Fisk and Reverend Spikes, as well as some outlandish newcomers! You won't want to miss this loving, side-splitting satire of life where the Lion's Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies.
Directed by John Lepard.

July 12 - August 19, 2012.

Performances this season will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8PM with Sunday matinees at 2PM. For each production there will be a limited number of Saturday matinee performances. Saturday matinees will be at 3PM and begin the second week of the run of each production. Due to Thanksgiving and Christmas This Wonderful Life will have a slightly different schedule. The first week of the run will contain 3PM and 8PM performances both Friday, November 25 and Saturday, November 26. The final week of the run will contain 8PM performances Tuesday, December 20 through Friday, December 23. Detailed performance schedules will be available on the Williamston Theatre website starting in September.

 

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