Putting a TUTS Underground shortened first season behind him, Theatre Under the Stars Artistic Director Bruce Lumpkin struck a note of nothing but optimism as he announced next season's offerings for the new offshoot enterprise operating out of the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.
The season offers a musical version of the film most high schoolers howled at -- Reefer Madness -- another musical of a woman chasing the chance to be in something with Johnny Depp, a play about freedom of speech (really better than that just sounded) and another about the chances taken in the search for love.
"The first season of TUTS Underground successfully brought ground-breaking, edgy, and affordable musicals to the city of Houston. I am grateful to those who were among the very first to experience our bold undertaking, and I am excited about the enthusiasm expressed by our audiences," Lumpkin said . "As we move forward into our second season of TUTS Underground, we will continue to create innovative, intimate and immersive theatrical experiences which directly and relevantly reflect our current cultural climate and set the scene for musical theatre of the future."
Here's the lineup from TUTS:
Reefer Madness: September 25 - October 5. Get ready for a smoking good time! An outrageous tongue-in-cheek musical comedy inspired by the classic 1936 anti-marijuana propaganda film. Hysteria arises when clean-cut kids fall prey to marijuana, leading them on a hysterical downward spiral.
Waiting for Johnny Depp January 22 - February 1, 2015 This one-woman musical follows the zany adventures of struggling New York actress Rita Donatella in her desperate attempts to land the role of a lifetime - to star in a film with Johnny Depp! Join Rita on her heartfelt and spirited journey through the highs and lows of wishing to be famous, and realizing that sometimes we let our goals get in the way of the important things in life.
LMNOP: April 7 - 19, 2015 Chaos arises when letters begin to fall from a town monument and government officials ban them one by one. The community depends on the strength of a determined teenage girl to fight for their freedom of speech. This unique musical is part romance, part clever word game and part adult fable that reminds us of how precious our liberties are and how important it is to have the courage to stand up for what we believe.
First Date: June 11 - 22, 2015 Fresh off Broadway, this hysterical and hopeful musical is about the chances we all take to find love. When blind date newbie Aaron is set up with serial-dater Casey, a casual drink at a busy New York restaurant turns into a hilarious high-stakes dinner when other restaurant patrons transform into supportive best friends, manipulative exes and protective parents, who sing and dance them through ice-breakers, appetizers and potential conversational land mines. As the date unfolds, the couple quickly finds that they are not alone on this unpredictable evening.
For information visit tuts.com or call 713.558.8887.
Photos by: Claire McAdams Photography