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THE FIX to Return to Signature Theatre to Conclude 25th Anniversary Season

By: Dec. 18, 2013
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Signature Theatre just announced that the 25th anniversary 2014/15 season will culminate in an all-new production of The Fix, the inside-Washington musical satire. Featuring a book by John Dempsey and music by Dana P. Rowe (the creators of Brother Russia and The Witches of Eastwick), the show quickly became a favorite among Signature's artistic team during its U.S. premiere at the Theatre in 1998, cementing a longstanding relationship with Dempsey and Rowe.

The revival, directed by Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer, will round out an anniversary season chock-full of work by some of the Theatre's brightest collaborators from the past 25 years.

The Fix was originally developed in association with Cameron Mackintosh under the working title Cal: A Musical Tale of Relative Insanity. It premiered at the Donmar Warehouse, running from 29 April, 1997 through 14 June, 1997, directed by Sam Mendes and starring John Barrowman, Kathryn Evans and Philip Quast. Quast won the 1998 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his role in The Fix. The musical was also nominated for Oliviers for Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical (for Barrowman), and Best Lighting Designer (for Howard Harrison).It received its U.S. premiere at the Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia, running from March 17, 1998 through April 26, 1998, where it was directed by Eric D. Schaeffer.

"The Fix paints a picture of American politics that's part fun-house, part haunted house," said Schaeffer. "It's twisted, and it pushes boundaries. It instantly became one of Signature's favorite projects. And on top of that, it's one of the shows most requested by our audiences. It's only fitting that we close the season celebrating our first 25 years by bringing it back in an all-new production."

With a rock-laced, eclectic score and scandalous lyrics, The Fix skewers the American bureaucratic machine. Reminiscent of Sondheim, with tinges of Kander and Ebb and a voice uniquely its own, it is a darkly brilliant, over-the-top, audaciously fun ride through the shenanigans of political elections.

When a popular presidential candidate dies in his mistress's bed, his ambitious wife Violet thrusts their lackluster son Cal into the spotlight. With the help of her strategic brother-in-law, Violet transforms Cal into the perfect citizen. Together they create one of the most dysfunctional - and brutally entertaining - almost-first families ever.

In an interview with the Telegraph at the time of the show's London premiere, legendary musical producer Cameron Mackintosh said he was "immediately struck thatThe Fix was something different: an extraordinary mixture of rock and vaudeville and black comedy that happens very rarely."

Signature's 25th anniversary season will feature numerous special events throughout the year in addition to seven fully produced shows, all in celebration of the artists and collaborators that have called Signature home over the course of 25 years.

Sign up now for priority ticket offers at www.signature-theatre.org




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