Billed as the season "From Camelot to Spamalot -- A Lot to Love," Theatre Under the Stars announced today its upcoming 2012-13 season featuring six musicals -- most of which have been here before.
First up is Jekyll & Hyde, and Constantine Maroulis (most recently seen in Toxic Avenger at the Alley and before that in Rock of Ages at the Hobby) will be back in Houston for the starring role in the production that runs October 9-21. The Frank Wildhorn musical that premiered at the Alley in 1990, went to Broadway and worldwide tours, is coming back in Houston in what's being described as a "new pre-Broadway production," which shows that the tinkering never stops.
Speaking of tinkering (sorry), Peter Pan is up next December 11-23 and Tony-award nominee and former gymnast Cathy Rigby flies again in the title role. According to the press release, The New York Times checked her out and says she can still do her stuff. ("Rigby still carries off the flight, fights and acrobatics...")
Someone in TUTS must have decided knights were a good idea this year. In short order, we'll have the Lerner and Loewe classic Camelot (January 22-February 3) with knights of the Round Table, noble missions and thwarted love.
Soon thereafter Man of La Mancha returns (February 26 to March 10) with the solitary knight Don Quixote off on his quest during the Spanish Inquisition for the love of Dulcinea and with loyal Sancho Panza by his side.
Then, of course, there's the less reverent look at knights in Spamalot, "ripped off" as is cheerfully acknowledged from the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It got the 2005 Tony for Best Musical (and two other Tonys) and it's been a popular hit with audiences as well. You've got from May 14 to 26 to see "flatulent Frenchmen, flying cows, killer rabbits and one legless knight."
The crescendo ending of the season will be the arrival of Flashdance -- the Musical, at least in terms of being new. Based on the movie, the musical, which ran on Broadway, is not undertaking a national tour. With songs like "Flashdance -- What a Feeling," "Maniac" and "I Love Rock and Roll," be prepared for heavy duty audience singing-alonging during its June 4-16 run. Not to mention dancers hitting the boards hard.
For ticket information call 713-558-8887 or go to www.tuts.com.
