5th Avenue Season includes 'Shrek' & 'Memphis' Premieres

The 5th Avenue Theatre announces its 2008-2009 season lineup bursting with seven enormously entertaining musicals, five of which are making their 5th Avenue debuts.  Together they add up to an extra large seven-show season – for the price of just six shows.

SHREK THE MUSICAL
August 14 - September 21, 2008

This summer, the most beloved swamp-dwelling ogre of all time will make his theatrical debut in the world premiere of Shrek The Musical at The 5th Avenue Theatre. This all-new production from DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions is based on Shrek's adventures in the classic William Steig book and Oscar-winning film. Joining Shrek on his journey from the swamp to the stage are his wisecracking sidekick Donkey, Princess Fiona, Lord Farquaad and a chorus of everybody's favorite fairytale creatures. With more layers than ever and a completely original new score, Shrek The Musical proves that there's more to the story than meets the ears. Seattle audiences will be the first to see the original cast of a major new Broadway musical and be a vital participant in the show's creation. Shrek The Musical features a book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize-winner David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole), music by Jeanine Tesori (Olivier Award-winner for Caroline, or Change and three-time Tony Award nominee), and is directed by Jason Moore, who staged the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Avenue Q. It's scheduled to open on Broadway in the Fall of 2008.

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
October 28 - November 16, 2008

The first national tour of one of Broadway's biggest and most exhilarating recent hits, The Drowsy Chaperone, bursts onto the 5th Avenue stage in November. The surprise sensation of the 2006 Broadway season, The Drowsy Chaperone won five Tony Awards, including Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score. The action begins when the "Man in Chair" – a musical theater fanatic – places his favorite original cast album on the record player and a show magically springs to life in his living room. The audience is instantly immersed in the glamorous, hilarious tale of a celebrity bride and her uproarious wedding day.

SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS
December 3 - 28, 2008

For the holidays, The 5th Avenue presents a high-kicking new production of the classic hit musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Last seen at The 5th Avenue in 1982, this big, brawling, rollicking comedy is set in 1850s Oregon Territory and tells the story of Adam Pontipee and his backwoods brothers' unusual pursuit of brides. Based on the popular 1954 MGM movie musical starring Howard Keel and Jane Powell, this audience favorite features a rousing combination of daredevil dancing and catchy songs like "Goin' Courtin" and "Wonderful Wonderful Day." Variety calls it "exuberant family entertainment."

MEMPHIS
January 27 - February 15, 2009

In January, The 5th Avenue presents another new musical on its way to Broadway – Memphis. Book writer and lyricist Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change) and composer David Bryan (keyboardist for Bon Jovi) have created a rousing tale about one of the first white disc jockeys who dared to play rhythm & blues music for his white teenage listeners in the early 1950s. Taking place on Memphis' legendary Beale Street, the show is a dynamic new work that puts audiences front and center at the birth of rock 'n' roll. Memphis premiered at Boston's North Shore Music Theatre, where The Boston Globe raved that it is an "uncommonly good contemporary musical" that "leaves the crowd dancing."

HELLO, DOLLY!
March 10 - 29, 2008

Up next, one of the most enduring musical theater hits, Hello, Dolly!, is back on the 5th Avenue stage for the first time in 27 years. When the irrepressible matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi is hired to arrange a marriage for the miserly half-millionaire Horace Vandergelder, she finds him the perfect mate – herself! But first she must win the heart of her unsuspecting "husband to be" before he gets hitched to somebody else. The original Broadway production won ten 1964 Tony Awards, including Best Musical (a record that was only surpassed four decades later, when The Producers won 12). Brimming with joyful tunes, from "Put On Your Sunday Clothes" and "It Only Takes a Moment" to the irresistible title song, Hello, Dolly! is a delectable treat for musical theater lovers of all ages.

SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE
April 21 - May 10, 2009

The 5th Avenue's ongoing celebration of Broadway's greatest living composer and lyricist, Stephen Sondheim, has been hailed by critics and audiences alike. Next spring The 5th continues its Sondheim series with his landmark, Pulitzer Prize-winning love story Sunday in the Park with George. While most musicals are based on a book, play, film or true-life event, this piece is inspired by a work of art – the iconic, neo-impressionist painting "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" by French artist Georges Seurat. The groundbreaking score and book by Sondheim and James Lapine (Into the Woods, Passion) give voice to the characters in the painting and explore what it means to be an artist – and what it means to love one.

GREASE
May 12 - 30, 2009

For nearly 40 years Grease has remained one of the world's most popular musicals, but amazingly it has never been presented at The 5th Avenue Theatre. At last, Sandy, Danny, Rizzo and the gang from Rydell High make their 5th Avenue debuts as a new production direct from Broadway hand-jives its way to Seattle. This unique production was born out of NBC's landmark reality TV show, "Grease: You're The One That I Want." The weekly talent competition drew 90 million viewers, and America voted for their favorite contestants to play the lead roles of Sandy and Danny on Broadway. Time Magazine's 2007 pick for "#1 musical of the year" is directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall (The Pajama Game). This updated version of the show features songs from the smash hit 1978 movie including "Hopelessly Devoted to You,"  "Grease" and "You're the One That I Want," in addition to the songs made famous by the original stage production, including "Summer Nights," "Greased Lightnin'" and "We Go Together."

The 5th Avenue Theatre's popular Spotlight Nights, hosted by Producing Artistic Director David Armstrong, will continue for an eighth season. These free, one-night-only events are designed to enhance the audience's musical theater experience and are crafted to highlight specific aspects of each show. Part community forum, part musical entertainment, part behind-the-scenes look at how a Broadway musical is made, Spotlight Nights, sponsored by US Bank, are held at The 5th Avenue Theatre and open to the public. Seating is general admission. Reservations are strongly recommended. Dates will be announced later this year.

The 5th Avenue Theatre treasures its nearly 24,000 loyal subscribers; many have subscribed for more than two decades. Renewal invoices have been mailed to current subscribers. New subscriptions can be ordered now. Package prices range from as little as $85 (4 shows, previews) to $434 (7 shows, weekend). The Second Sunday Talkback, 30-Or-Under and Q Club ticket packages remain popular season packages. For season ticket information, call 206-625-1900 (toll free 888-5TH-4TIX), stop by The 5th Avenue Theatre box office at 1308 5th Avenue in downtown Seattle, or visit www.5thavenue.org.

The 5th Avenue Theatre's 2008 – 2009 Season Showtimes: Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:30PM; Thursday & Friday at 8PM; Saturday at 2PM & 8PM; and Sunday at 1:30PM & 7PM.

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