Setting the Stage

2007–2008 promises a year of provocative productions

A A A Comments (1) By Lee Williams Thursday, Aug 9 2007

Sweet summer nights might be coming to an end, but theater lovers have reason to rejoice. The upcoming 2007–2008 season promises a year of provocative productions. Just a quick glance at a few local venues delivers a bounty of reasons to reserve seats today.

Joan Marcus

TUTS presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a hit about overachieving pubescent nerds.

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The fall is full of drama. It starts off with Main Street Theater's headfirst leap into the muck of the upcoming campaign year with their opening of Gore Vidal's 1960 drama The Best Man at the end of August. Vidal certainly knows his way around the dirty business of politics — not only did he watch his cousin get smoked in bad politics in 2000, but the playwright himself made two unsuccessful bids for office. His play on the subject was a hit from the time it opened on Broadway. In The New York Times, Brooks Atkinson called it "a frisky political melodrama about an ethical candidate for the presidential nomination who is challenged by an unethical opportunist." The fact that these words were written four decades before the Al Gore debacle is creepily prescient, but the production sounds like it hasn't lost a bit of relevance in its ripening age.

Equally relevant is John Patrick Shanley's Pulitzer Prize-winning Doubt, which opens the new season at the Alley Theatre on the last day of August. Set in 1964, the story focuses on Sister Aloysius, who believes a priest is molesting a boy in her school. The young Father Flynn denies the charge, arguing that the church needs to develop a "familiar face" among the parishioners. When the firm Sister collides with the friendly Father, the encounter metastasizes into the sort of ending that could only come from a writer of the new millennium.

The holidays bring new ways to celebrate the season apart from the same old Dickensian drudgery. Theatre Under The Stars will offer families a musical version of Frank Capra's 1946 film classic It's a Wonderful Life. Written by Sheldon Harnick and Joe Raposo, the musical features "a plot that wrings tears from assorted audience members" according to The Washington Post, as well as "pretty ballads" and "angels on roller skates" — kids will be wowed. Over at Stages Repertory Theatre, the feel-good off-Broadway hit Altar Boyz will focus on a Christian boy band that makes it big. The thing is, the members aren't as squeaky-clean as they sound — between the gay kid and the Jewish boy, good "Christian" values never sounded so sweet or so funny. The send-up has gotten tons of good press from New York City to San Francisco, and now it's coming here just in time for office parties and out-of-town guests.

January offers a whole slew of bright spots. The first is Caroline, or Change at Main Street Theater. Written by Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori, the musical was nominated for six Tony Awards in 2004. The story focuses on a black maid to a Southern Jewish family at the height of the civil rights movement. But the powerful story isn't all seriousness — it also features singing appliances. At the end of January, The Ensemble opens the great August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean. Set in 1904, the play is the earliest in Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle about African-American life in the 20th century. The script features, among other characters, a 285-year-old slave. Filled with "passages of transporting beauty" (New York Times),this important play was one of Wilson's last before his death in 2005. And downtown at the Alley, blood and guts and political terrorism will be splattered across the stage in The Lieutenant of Inishmoreby Martin McDonagh (who wrote the fabulous Pillowman featured two seasons ago at the Alley). The dark comedy about a small Irish town was called "appallingly entertaining" by Ben Brantley when it opened in New York in 2006.

Spring blooms with a new production of Othello at the Alley in March. But some audience members will be most excited about all the terrific musicals that will end the season, starting with The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Theater Under The Stars. Wonderful, charming, joyful — all these easy-to-spell words have been used to describe this comedic hit about a handful of overachieving pubescent nerds. In May, the multiple Tony Award-winning homage to musicals of the jazz age, The Drowsy Chaperone, ends TUTS's 40th season. And over at The Ensemble, July's Ain't Misbehavin'brings Houston's season to a close with some of the best song-and-dance numbers ever written.

The new season is just weeks away, and the list above is just a sample of what's coming. Several smaller venues haven't even announced their seasons yet. But we have hopes that the next season will be one of Houston's best.

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Gene Bartholomew 08/21/2007 7:27:00 PM

The 2007-2008 Broadway Across America - Houston season was completely overlooked, including a solid month of the musical blockbuster JERSEY BOYS, playing the Hobby Center January 16 - February 9, 2008. This release was sent a while ago, along with a release to announce our '07-'08 Season Specials which include the return of MAMMA MIA! (September 25-30, 2007) and RENT (November 16-18). Please find our season information below. These shows are all direct from Broadway or London's West End and are doing huge business across the country. MEDIA CONTACT: Gene Bartholomew FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CADILLAC BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA � HOUSTON INVITES YOU TO EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF BROADWAY! INTRODUCING THE 2007-2008 BROADWAY SEASON! �OH, WHAT A NIGHT� FOR THE HOTTEST SHOWS DIRECT FROM BROADWAY AND LONDON�S WEST END! INCLUDING THE HOUSTON PREMIERE OF THE 2006 TONY AWARD�-WINNING BLOCKBUSTER, JERSEY BOYS HOBBY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS AVENUE Q : October 23 � November 4, 2007 * JERSEY BOYS : January 16 � February 9, 2008 * THE RAT PACK- Live at the Sands : March 11-23, 2008 * THE WEDDING SINGER : May 6-18, 2008 * SWEENEY TODD : June 3-15, 2008 Houston, TX: CADILLAC BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA � HOUSTON announces the 2007-2008 Broadway theatre season in Sarofim Hall at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (800 Bagby, Houston, TX). This season delivers five of the hottest shows direct from Broadway and London�s West End, offering theatre patrons a myriad of memorable music, songs, dance, comedy and drama, sewn together by the unique experience of live Broadway entertainment! This season boasts award-winning new productions as well as a new staging of a favorite classic! -more- 2007-2008 Broadway Season � Add 2 From New York to New Jersey, Las Vegas to London, this season takes you on a first-class Broadway journey from the comfort of your Hobby Center seat! The 2007-2008 BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA � HOUSTON line-up includes Broadway�s 2004 Tony Award�-winner for Best Musical, the hit comedy AVENUE Q, October 23�November 4, 2007; the 2006 Tony Award�-winner for Best Musical about the legendary Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, JERSEY BOYS, January 16 � February 9, 2008; direct from London�s West End, THE RAT PACK � Live at the Sands, March 11�23, 2008, taking you back to the early 1960�s and vividly recreating a legendary evening at the Sands Hotel with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Dean Martin; the new romantic musical comedy based on the hit movie, THE WEDDING SINGER, May 6�18, 2008; and a dazzling reinvention of the magnificent musical thriller, SWEENEY TODD, June 3-15, 2008. BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA � HOUSTON is presented by Society for the Performing Arts and the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. The 2007-2008 Season will once again offer two-week subscription runs, bringing additional performances and seating options to better accommodate Houston theatre-goers. In addition, CADILLAC BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA � HOUSTON offers an array of subscriber benefits including: a dedicated season staff, exchange privileges, replacements on lost or stolen tickets, priority purchase opportunities and a flexible payment plan. Finally, season ticket holders will enjoy a rewards program that includes: special offers (when available) and membership and privileges to Broadway Across America, a national network of over 40 North American cities where Broadway is presented. Individuals purchasing Premium Seat subscriptions will receive additional benefits including: discount parking, discount beverage coupons, name listing in Playbill, and more. Season tickets for the 2007-2008 BROADWAY IN HOUSTON series go on-sale in late April and can be purchased by calling (713) 622-SHOW (7469), Monday-Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. � 5:00 p.m., online at www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com or visit the Hobby Center Box Office (800 Bagby at Walker). Season Ticket renewal forms will be sent to current subscribers in late April. Individual tickets will be available six to eight weeks prior to the first scheduled performance. Group seating will be available in late April for parties of 20 or more by calling (713) 693-2692 or (800) 889-8457 or e-mail houstongroups@livenation.com. -more- 2007-2008 Broadway Season � Add 3 AVENUE Q October 23 � November 4, 2007 AVENUE Q, Broadway's smash-hit 2004 Tony Award� winner for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book opens the 2007-2008 season October 23 � November 4, 2007. Called "one of the funniest shows you're ever likely to see" by Entertainment Weekly, AVENUE Q features a cast of people and puppets who tell the story in a smart, risqu�nd downright entertaining way. The New Yorker calls it "SUBVERSIVE and UPROARIOUS!� A hilarious show full of heart and hummable tunes, AVENUE Q is the story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who comes to New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account. He soon discovers that the only neighborhood in his price range is Avenue Q, where he moves in, meets his colorful neighbors and together, Princeton and his newfound friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Avenue Q has not been authorized or approved by The Jim Henson Company or Sesame Workshop, which have no responsibility for its content. JERSEY BOYS January 16 � February 9, 2008 JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, will make its Houston premiere January 16 � February 9, 2008. Directed by two-time Tony Award�-winner Des McAnuff, JERSEY BOYS won four 2006 Tony Awards� including Best Musical and continues to set new weekly box office records at the August Wilson Theatre, where it has remained among the five top grossing shows in New York since opening in November, 2005. JERSEY BOYS is written by Academy Award� winner Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe and choreography by Sergio Trujillo. -more- 2007-2008 Broadway Season � Add 4 JERSEY BOYS is the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This is the story of how a group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide - all before they were thirty. THE RAT PACK � Live at the Sands March 11 - 23, 2008 THE RAT PACK � Live at the Sands brings the hottest and coolest party in town to the Hobby Center March 11-23, 2008. After four unprecedented years on London's West End, this acclaimed production vividly recreates a legendary evening at the Sands Hotel with the most famous performers of our time: Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Dean Martin. THE RAT PACK � Live at the Sands transports the audience to the early 1960�s, when Frank and his pals were filming the original version of the casino robbery caper Ocean�s Eleven in Las Vegas. The Sands Hotel was featured prominently in the film which included solo performances by Frank, Sammy, and Dean. The Rat Pack legend was born when Frank and Dean spontaneously joined Sammy on stage and, to the surprise and delight of the audience, playfully interrupted his act. Subsequent nights the three of them were on stage together. There were hi-jinks and horseplay. They crooned, they quipped and they rolled out the gags right along with their on-stage liquor cart. Boasting a fifteen-piece on-stage big band, THE RAT PACK � Live at the Sands is an evening of wisecracking, hip-cat nostalgia: a cool mix of sharpies and broads singing some of the finest music ever written, including �My Kinda Town�; �Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime�; Fly Me to the Moon�; �Me and My Shadow�; �What Kind of Fool am I�; �Mack the Knife�; �The Lady is a Tramp�; �I�ve Got You Under My Skin�; �That Old Black Magic�; �That�s Life�; �Mr. Bojangles�; �That�s Amore�; �Sway�; �Volare�; �My Way�; �New York, New York�; �One For My Baby�... -more- 2007-2008 Broadway Season - Add 5 THE WEDDING SINGER May 6-18, 2008 The new romantic musical comedy based on the hit movie, THE WEDDING SINGER, hits the Hobby Center�s Sarofim stage, May 6-18, 2008. THE WEDDING SINGER is �one big party!� (Newsday) It�s 1985 and rock-star wannabe Robbie Hart is New Jersey�s favorite wedding singer. He�s the life of the party � until his own fianc�leaves him at the altar. Shot through the heart, Robbie makes every wedding as disastrous as his own. Enter Julia, a winsome waitress who wins his affection. Only trouble is Julia is about to be married to a Wall Street shark, and unless Robbie can pull off the performance of the decade, the girl of his dreams will be gone forever. With a brand new score that pays homage to the pop songs of the 1980�s, THE WEDDING SINGER, takes us back to a time when hair was big, greed was good, collars were up, and a wedding singer just might be the coolest guy in the room. SWEENEY TODD June 3-15, 2008 The revolutionary new production of SWEENEY TODD that took Broadway by storm rounds out the 2007-2008 Broadway Across America � Houston Season, June 3-15, 2008. Innovative, intimate and ingenious, this production of SWEENEY TODD "is an event theatergoers will be talking about for years." (The Wall Street Journal). The legendary demon barber, hell-bent on revenge, takes up with his enterprising neighbor in a delicious plot to slice their way through London�s upper crust. Justice will be served�along with lush melody, audacious humor and bloody good thrills. -more- 2007-2008 Broadway Season - Add 6 Directed by Tony Award�-winner John Doyle, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, this dazzling reinvention of a magnificent musical thriller is set to stun theatergoers as never before. # # # Cadillac Broadway Across America � Houston is pleased to have Cadillac back as the Title Sponsor of the 2007-2008 Season and welcome Hotel ICON as the Official Hotel of the Series, and Landry�s Restaurants as the Official Restaurant of the Series. ABOUT BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA Broadway Across America presents first-rate touring Broadway shows, family productions and other live theatrical events throughout a network of over 40 North American cities. A leader in subscription series programs and group ticketing, Broadway Across America is dedicated to creating memorable and accessible experiences for all guests, selling over 5 million tickets to over 3,000 performances each year. As a producer, current and recent Broadway productions include: Hairspray, Chicago, Monty Python�s Spamalot and The Producers. It also manages, operates or consults in the operation of 13 theatres across North America. For more information or to purchase tickets through an authorized agent go to BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com