Venice Theatre Announces 2013-2014 Season
By: TJ Fitzgerald Jan. 30, 2013
Early Monday evening, the Venice Theatre announced their 2013 to 2014 theatre season at a special Kickoff gathering at their theatre located at 140 West Tampa Avenue in Venice, Florida. Hosting the event were Exective/Artisitic Director Murray Chase and Producing Director Allan Kollar. Highlighted by performances from local actors, the duo revealed their exciting upcoming schedule:
MAINSTAGE
Becky's New Car October 1- 20, 2013
By Steven Dietz
Have you ever been tempted to flee your own life? Becky Foster is caught in middle age, middle management and in a middling marriage-with no prospects for change on the horizon. Then one night a socially inept and grief-struck millionaire stumbles into the car dealership where Becky works. She is offered nothing short of a new life...and we are offered a chance to ride shotgun in a way that most plays wouldn't dare.
Hairspray November 12 - December 8, 2013
Music by Marc Shaiman Lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman
Book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan Based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters
Welcome to the '60s! Winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Hairspray is a family-friendly treat piled bouffant-high with laughter, romance, and deliriously tuneful songs.
Boeing, Boeing January 14 - February 2, 2014
Translated by Beverly Cross Revised by Francis Evans
This 1960's farce features self-styled lothario Bernard, who has Italian, German, and American "fiancées," each beautiful airline hostesses with frequent "layovers". He keeps "one up, one down and one pending" until unexpected schedule changes bring all three to Bernard's apartment at the same time.
Oklahoma! February 18 - March 16, 2014
Music by Richard Rodgers Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Based on the play "Green Grow The Lilacs" by Lynn Riggs ? Original Dances by Agnes De Mille
Rodgers & Hammerstein's first collaboration remains their most innovative. Set in a Western Indian Territory just after the turn of the 20th century, this high-spirited musical set the standards and established the rules of musical theatre still being followed today.
Five Guys Named Moe April 1 - 19, 2014
Book by Clarke Peters Music and Lyrics by Louis Jordan
His woman left him, he's broke, and it's almost five o'clock in the mornin'. But don't be worryin' 'bout our hero. Radio pop group, Five Guys Named Moe, cajole, wheedle, comfort and jazz him with the whimsical hit songs of Louis Jordan, one of the most beloved songwriting talents of the 20th century. With more than 50 top ten singles on the rhythm and blues charts, this great composer and saxophonist brought a popular new slant to jazz that paved the way for the rock-and-roll of the 1950's.
Elephant Man April 29 - May 11, 2014
This "moving drama, lofted on poetic wings ... nests in the human heart." - Time Magazine. Based on the fascinating life of John Merrick, The Elephant Man focuses on his transformation from a sensational object of pity to a witty favorite of 19th century London's aristocracy.
STAGE II
Frankenstein October 10 - 27, 2013
Adaptation by Bo List
Based on the novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, by Mary Shelley
Adapted directly from the classic novel, this "haunting" production makes its regional premier at Venice Theatre after a critically acclaimed debut at Lexington SummerFest.
Superior Donuts January 9 - 26, 2014
By Tracy Letts
Arthur Przybyszewski owns a decrepit donut shop in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. Franco Wicks, an idealistic, black teenager who is his only employee, wants to change the shop for the better. This comedy-drama by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tracy Letts explores the challenges of embracing the past and the redemptive power of friendship.
Underneath the Lintel March 13 - 30, 2014
By Glen Berger
A puzzling mystery begins when a Dutch librarian discovers a surprise in the overnight return slot ...a travel guidebook that is 113 years overdue! The man, who has never left his native town of Hoofddorp, grows determined to track down the offender. As he travels around the world on his obsessive search, he finds himself on a journey that not only unlocks ancient mysteries, but moves him to new revelations.
Parallel Lives April 10 - 27, 2014
By Mo Gaffney and Kathy Najimy
Audiences are whisked through the outrageous universe of Kathy and Mo, where two actresses play men and women struggling through The Common rituals of modern life: teenagers on a date, sisters at their grandmother's funeral, a man and a woman together in a country-western bar. With boundless humor,Parallel Lives reexamines the ongoing quest to find parity and love in a contest handicapped by capricious gods-or in this case, goddesses.
CABARET SERIES
Summer Cabaret Festival July 19 - August 25, 2013
Enjoy the art of cabaret in its purest form! Throughout the summer our area's hottest talent will keep you entertained with a variety of music and comedy in a nightclub setting.
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change! November 1 - 24, 2013
Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietro Music by Jimmy Roberts
This celebration of the mating game takes on the truths and myths behind that contemporary conundrum known as 'the relationship.' Act I explores the journey from dating and waiting to love and marriage, while Act II reveals the agonies and triumphs of in-laws and newborns, trips in the family car and pick-up techniques of the geriatric set. This hilarious revue pays tribute to those who have loved and lost, to those who have fallen on their face at the portal of romance, to those who have dared to ask, 'Say, what are you doing Saturday night?'
The Marvelous Wonderettes December 6 - 22, 2013
By Roger Bean
The Marvelous Wonderettes takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School prom where we meet the Wonderettes, four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts! As we learn about their lives and loves, we are treated to the girls performing such classic '50s and '60s songs as "Lollipop," "Dream Lover," "Stupid Cupid," "Lipstick on Your Collar," "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me," "It's My Party," and over 20 other classic hits! You've never had this much fun at a prom and you will never forget The Marvelous Wonderettes-a must-take musical trip down memory lane!
Radio Gals February 7 - March 2, 2014
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Mark Hardwick and Mike Craver
Music teacher Hazel C. Hunt received a transmitter as a retirement gift and station WGAL was born in Cedar Rapids, Arkansas. Relive the abandon of the 1920s in this exuberant musical comedy. Back by popular demand!
GENERATIONS
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat(Summer Stock Production)
July 24 - August 4, 2013
Lyrics by Tim Rice Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
The Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to vibrant life in this delightful musical parable. Joseph, his father's favorite son, is a boy blessed with prophetic dreams. When he is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt, Joseph endures a series of adventures in which his spirit and humanity are continually challenged. Set to an engaging cornucopia of musical styles, from country-western and calypso to bubble-gum pop and rock 'n' roll, this Old Testament tale emerges both timely and timeless.
Schoolhouse Rock Live! September 12 - 29, 2013
Book by Scott Ferguson and Kyle Hall and George Keating
Music & Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and Bob Dorough and Dave Frishberg and Kathy Mandry and George Newall and Tom Yohe
Based on an idea by David McCall and television series created by George Newall and Tom Yohe
A pop culture phenomenon comes to the musical stage: The Emmy Award-winning 1970's Saturday morning cartoon series that taught history, grammar, math, and more through clever, tuneful songs.Schoolhouse Rock Live! follows Tom, a nerve-wracked school teacher who is nervous about his first day of teaching. He tries to relax by watching TV when various characters representing facets of his personality emerge from the set and show him how to win his students over with imagination and music.
A Christmas Carol December 19 - 22, 2013
Original Music by E. Suzan Ott Lyrics and New Music by Scott Keys
New music arranged and scored by Jason Brenner
Adapted from the original story by Charles Dickens
A festive annual tradition at Venice Theatre now in its 14th year, this musical version of Dickens' classic tale follows Ebenezer Scrooge as he reflects on his past, present and possible future. Will he find the true spirit of Christmas in time?
How I Became a Pirate May 8 - 25, 2014
Book, Music and Lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman
Based upon the book "How I Became a Pirate" by Melinda Long and Illustrations by David Shannon
Young Jeremy Jacob meets Captain Braid Beard and his mates, and is recruited to help find the perfect digging spot for their treasure. Jeremy is instructed on how to be a pirate and in turn, he shares with them what a typical kid's day is like. With upbeat music and funny lyrics, this is a story of adventure and finding one's own heart - a path that can't be found on any treasure map!
Located on southwest Florida's beautiful gulf coast, Venice Theatre is the third-largest community theatre in the United States and the largest per capita. We are a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization that has been providing entertainment, education and outreach to our community since 1950.
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