PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, MAMMA MIA! & More Set for Seattle Theatre Group's 2014-15 Performance Season

Beloved classics, reimagined takes on well-known works, popular culture, and new, emerging and developing local artists can all be found in Seattle Theatre Group's historic venues during our 2014-2015 season.

"This season represents an homage to performing arts and artists reflective of classic works, with innovations that we all love so much, stated STG Executive Director, Josh LaBelle. "It provides us with more opportunity to partner in bringing great performances to the region."

From the PHANTOM OF THE OPERA silent film, to THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA musical, you simply cannot deny a treasured classic. Paying homage to The Paramount's history, this season features both the 1925 silent movie original, and newly updated musical gem. Other new takes, from an original "birthdate" of 1972, to an astonishing remake for the 21st Century, PIPPIN is one of the most talked about new takes on Broadway, winning the 2013 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival. The entire family will enjoy this holiday classic, Dr. Seuss' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! an experience that brings the pages of the 1957 book to life on stage! Rounding out a season of spectacular Broadway performances is ROGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA, MAMA MIA, WICKED, NETworks PRESENTS DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, and the Seattle premier of the musical DIRTY DANCING!

Needing a good laugh this season, look no further than STG. We kick off the season with one of the premiere comedians in the country, BRIAN REGAN, whose live shows have been filling theaters nationwide with fervent fans that span generations. We also welcome back to Seattle, WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY? featuring Bellingham native, Ryan Stiles. Keep laughing with PAULA POUNDSTONE, the first woman to win the cable ACE for Best Standup Comedy Special, and joining this great crew is the always loud and prolific, LEWIS BLACK. Combining magic and comedy, PENN & TELLER, the American illusionists and entertainers who have been performing together since the '70s, are back. Certainly not your traditional hat-and-rabbit tricks and vanishing act, this dynamic duo's live show on any given night can also involve knives, guns, a fire-eating showgirl and a duck. Known as the "Bad Boys of Magic," for supposedly revealing the secrets to their tricks, they may show you how it´s done, but still leave you startled. John Waters returns with A JOHN WATERS CHRISTMAS, after a sell-out performance last year at the Neptune Theatre. He's back this holiday season spreading more yuletide cheer and lunacy.

STG has always embraced music and our theaters have become iconic treasures in Seattle's rich musical landscape. The upcoming season is filled with music adventures and a marathon to awaken the ear. Becoming internet sensations and YouTube phenoms, 2CELLOS, Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser, have achieved success with their genre-bending performances that cross between classical and film music to pop and rock. Be sure to check out why more than 12 million people have viewed their amazing cover of AC/DC's 'Thunderstruck'. BANG ON A CAN MARATHON has become one of the most diverse, open and exciting music events in the world. The marathon is a collision of new musical styles and ideas, and in Marathon 2007, the concert event clocked in at 27 hours and 10 minutes of continuous live music. Seattle rising music star and composer, Jherek Bischoff serves as co-curator. Other notable components of this musical season is ZAKIR HUSSAIN, as he presents The Pulse of the World, a fascinating fusion of Indian and Celtic music, joined by all-star Indian and Celtic musicians. From Kesha to Britney to Bach, the string quartet WELL-STRUNG has developed an impressive following, performing classical takes on modern pop music.

One of the nation's most talked about dancer/choreographers, recent MacArthur Fellow Awardee, KYLE ABRAHAM and his company ABRAHAM.IN.MOTION. Receiving a mountain of buzz over the past year, Abraham fuses the many dynamic facets of American dance, from hip-hop to ballet. He will be performing his new repertory-based presentation of three new dance works spawned from a singular idea: an historical homage celebrating 150 years after the Emancipation Proclamation and 20 years after the abolishment of Apartheid in South Africa. Continuing our tradition of developing lasting partnerships, Kyle Abraham is presented in Seattle in collaboration with On the Boards. We're also delighted to welcome MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP to Seattle performing at Meany Hall and presented by long time partners UW Meany World Series.

"A little naughty, a little nice, a little death-defying" is what the New York Times calls the group CIRCUS OZ. These acrobatic daredevils from down-under bring their wildly entertaining, irreverent, and family-friendly performances to the MooreTheatre. Adults and children can enjoy Circus Oz together and appreciate the breathtaking stunts, humor, and rousing music. Also from "down under" and celebrating a 50-year career of sold-out shows, performances for the Royal Family, television specials and around-the-world tour, comedian and actor, BARRY HUMPRIES, best known for his alter ego, DAME EDNA EVERAGE, will be with us for an historic finale performance as he bids adieu in what he is calling his farewell tour.

Other standout performances in the season include ALTON BROWN, Iron Chef host and renowned television personality. He is taking his brand of quirky humor and culinary science on the road - "Alton Brown Live! The Edible Inevitable Tour." Be prepared. Ponchos will be involved. This is a must-see extravaganza for the whole family. Celebrated cartoonist ART SPIEGELMAN brings us WORDLESS!, an innovative hybrid of slides, talk, and musical performance created in collaboration with acclaimed jazz composer Phillip Johnston. This American Life host IRA GLASS has been working with Monica Bill Barnes & Company to invent a show combining two art forms - dance and radio, and the result is a funny, lively and heartfelt evening of creative stories.

Seattle Theatre Group is determined to be a major contributor to the region's abundant and ever growing cultural community. Our dedication to making diverse performing arts available and our efforts in keeping three historic theatres alive and vibrant helps us be a highly visible member of Seattle's strong cultural community. With a sense of the past, we open doors for new and emerging artists to give voice to their artistic visions.

See the complete schedule and detailed information at: stgpresents.org/SEASON.

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