Theater Works Announces 2016-2017 Masterworks Season
By: Louisa Brady Feb. 20, 2016
Theater Works 2016-17 Masterworks Season sees the return of master entertainers, lauded composers, Tony Award ® Winners and two premieres. The 31st MasterWorks season opens with the comedy Noises Off, and is followed by the World premiere of the newest work by the team that brought the works of Cole Porter, A Gershwin Revue celebrates the works of the acclaimed composer George Gershwin. Theater Works is bringing something new to the holiday season with the Holiday Repertory - The Quiltmaker's Gift and Holiday Cabarets will be performed in repertory. Winter brings the premiere of 3 No Trump, the theatrical creation of one of the Valley's most talented actors. Next, Theater Works mounts the Pulitzer Prize ® - Winning masterpiece Sunday in the Park With George. The season comes to a sparkling close with the epic musical Memphis.
The 2016-17 MasterWorks Season includes:
Noises Off
October 7 - 23, 2016
Funny and engaging, Noises Off is one of the most popular stage comedies of the last 20 years. Michael Frayn's play within a play is a hilarious send-up of the making of a stage production. An overly ambitious director and his troupe of journeyman actors and crew are putting together a silly sex comedy titled, Nothing On - a single-set farce in which lovers frolic, doors slam, clothes are tossed away, and embarrassing hi-jinx ensue. The three acts of Noises Off lay bare the making of Nothing On: Act One - On stage during dress rehearsal; Act Two - Backstage during a matinee performance; Act Three - On stage during a delightfully chaotic performance.
"The most dexterously realized comedy ever about putting on a comedy. A spectacularly funny, peerless backstage farce. This dizzy, well-known romp is festival of delirium." - The New York Time
A Gershwin Revue *World Premiere
Music by George Gershwin
Arranged and book by Stephen Hilderbrand and Gary Gallner
November 11 - 20, 2016
Following the popular I Get a Kick Out of Cole, A Gershwin Revue is a celebration of the works of George Gershwin, crafted by our own Musical Director, Steve Hilderbrand and Gary Gallner. Gershwin, of course, wrote a myriad of gorgeous music, including S'Wonderful, Shall We Dance, I Got Rhythm, and the wonderful score of, Porgy and Bess. A great night of music and song by one of the most acclaimed composers in American music.
Holiday Rep Featuring The Quiltmaker's Gift performed in repertory
Book by: Jeff Brumbaugh
Adapted by: Alan J. Prewitt
Music by: Craig Bohmler
Lyrics by: Steven Mark Kohn
December 2 - 18, 2016
The Holiday Rep sees the return of our acclaimed production of The Quiltmaker's Gift, the heartwarming tale of a greedy King and a generous Quiltmaker who teaches him that giving is the gift. Based on a beloved book, all ages will enjoy this musical play.
Holiday Cabarets
December 2-18, 2016
The Quiltmaker's Gift will be performed in repertory with Holiday Cabarets featuring the Valley's brightest stars capturing the spirit of the season with some of your favorite holiday music.
"A perfect Christmas present for theatergoing families."
- Kerry Lengel, The Arizona Republic.
3 No Trump *World Premiere
By Cathy Dresbach
January 13 - 29, 2017
Fresh from a successful workshop in last year's New Works Westival, 3 No Trump is a comedy about cards and enduring friendship. The Ladies of the Club have met every other Thursday to play cards, chat, eat, drink and laugh. Sometimes they cry, and then laugh some more. They seek the answers to life's great questions: What's the response to a 2-club opening bid? Why can't the Phoenix Suns make the playoffs? Who is the evil genius that invented pantyhose? And it all gets recorded in their collective journal - a true "herstory" now in its 8th volume. Told with humor and heart, 3 No Trump is the story of ordinary women with an extraordinary devotion to each other and the game of Bridge. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is entirely intentional. A charming new play by one the Valley's leading theatrical talents!
Sunday In the Park with George
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by James Lapine
February 17 - March 5, 2017
Inspired by the painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat, Sunday In The Park With George, Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's stunning masterpiece merges past and present, offering beautiful, poignant truths about life, love and the creation of art. One of the most acclaimed musicals of our time, this moving study of the enigmatic painter Georges Seurat and his modern heirs won a Pulitzer Prize® and was nominated for an astounding 10 Tony Awards® including Best Musical.
"What I do know is that Mr. Sondheim and Mr. Lapine have created an audacious, haunting and, in its own intensely personal way, touching work. Both at the show's beginning and end, the hero is embracing not a woman, but the empty white canvas that he really loves - for its ''many possibilities.'' --Frank Rich, The New York Times
Memphis
Music and lyrics by David Bryan and lyrics and book Joe DiPietro
March 24 - April 9, 2017
Winner of 4 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, Memphis is about hope, music, and the struggle to be yourself, against all odds. Huey Calhoun, an out of work, rock 'n roll-loving white man, promises to get local black singer Felicia on the radio and immediately begins applying for disc jockey jobs at white radio stations. Memphiscaptures the struggles of a couple building a relationship while their music changes the world.
"An exuberant musical with classic values: catchy songs, heaping spoonfuls of inspirational moments, and gifted performers at the top of their game."
--Elisabeth Vincentelli, The New York Post
Theater Works offers a special thanks to its Season Sponsor Judith Hardes and its many other supporters that keep the performing arts active in the West Valley.
All MasterWorks shows will be held in the Gyder Theater. Season Subscriptions and Flex Passes are now available through the Box Office. The Theater Works Box Office can be reached at 623.815.7930 Monday - Friday 10am to 4pm. Theater Works is located at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts (8355 W. Peoria Ave, Peoria).
Single performance tickets for Theater Works 30th Season will go on sale to the public on Friday, July 1, 2016. For more information, visit http://theaterworks.org/2016-17-masterworks-season/.
Theater Works, at Peoria Center for the Performing Arts is entering its 30th season of providing exceptional theater to the West Valley. As a destination, it features more than 200 events a year including: live theater, classical concerts, jazz, popular music, dance, comedy, cultural events, festivals, youth and adult education classes and much more. Theater Works is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, call the box office at 623.815.7930 or visit www.theaterworks.org.
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