The Theatre Company’s 2011-2012 Season: “OUR TWO DOZENTH SEASON”
Season Opener: The Sound of Music
Underwritten by A&M Alpaca Ranch and Brazos Valley Urgent Care; orchestra underwriting by Don & Mary Jo Powell; costume underwriting by David & Martha Lynch
Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse
Cast List
Performances: October 7—23, 2011 (three weekends; 7pm Fri./Sat.; 2pm Sat./Sun.)
The hills and the Brazos valley are alive with The Sound of Music, as The Theatre Company kicks off its “two-dozenth” season with the Rodgers & Hammerstein masterpiece! We’ll open our new season with the well-known story of Maria von Trapp and the Trapp Family Singers, featuring well-known songs like ”The Sound of Music”, “Edelweiss”, “My Favorite Things”, “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” and “Do-Re-Mi”. The original Broadway production, starred Mary Martin and Theodore Bikel in 1959. The show has enjoyed numerous productions and revivals, and was adapted for a 1965 film musical starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer—winning five Academy Awards! The Sound of Music was the last musical ever written by Broadway’s most famous duo, Rodgers and Hammerstein, as Oscar Hammerstein died of cancer nine months after the Broadway premiere. Don’t miss this energetic, family-friendly musical for the ages. Get your season tickets now for huge savings on The Sound of Music and our other great shows this season!
New Monster Bash Fundraiser: The Rocky Horror Show
Underwritten by John & Gigi Greene & Family and Eric & Joey Wylie; costume underwriting by Jim Butler & Donna Davenport
Music, Lyrics, and Book by Richard O’Brien
Three performances only, Friday, October 28, 2011 (8pm) and Saturday, October 29, 2011 (8pm and midnight; not included in the regular season ticket package)
This year marks the fifth annual Monster Bash fundraiser for TTC, and we’re celebrating with a three performances only of this outrageous, NOT politically-correct classic! The Rocky Horror Show is a long-running British horror comedy stage musical, which opened in London on 19 June 1973. It was written by English-born New Zealander Richard O’Brien, and came in eighth in a BBC Radio listener poll of the “Nation’s Number One Essential Musicals”. The play was adapted as the 1975 film The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a cult film and the longest-running theatrical release in film history. Leave the kids at home for this one—it’s for adult audiences only, and guests are invited to come dressed as Rocky Horror characters and party at the pre-performance reception!
Christmas Classic: Meet Me In St. Louis
Underwritten by Brazos Valley Urgent Care; orchestra underwriting by Gary & Sheila Thomas
Music & Lyrics by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, Book by Hugh Wheeler
Cast List
Performances: December 9—18, 2011 (two weekends only; 7pm Fri./Sat.; 2pm Sat./Sun.)
Set in the context of the 1904 World’s Fair, this Judy Garland classic will be a Brazos Valley premiere! Meet Me in St. Louis is a musical based on the 1944 film of the same title, about a family living in St. Louis, Missouri on the eve of the 1904 World’s Fair. The musical ran on Broadway in 1989, and features the classic “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”, as sung by Judy Garland in the film version. The comfortable, middle-class lives of the Smith family are turned upside down when Mr. Smith announces to the family that he is to be sent to New York on business and eventually they will all move. The family is devastated and upset at the news of the move, especially Rose and Esther whose romances, friendships, and educational plans are threatened. What happens at the elegant Christmas Eve ball? Does the Smith family end up moving to New York? Find out, as The Theatre Company brings this timeless classic to life onstage this Christmas!
2012 Fund Raising Show: Two By Two
Underwritten by John & Emily Jordan; orchestra underwriting by The Jim & Lois Simpson Family; costume underwriting by John & Emily Jordan
Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Martin Charnin, Book by Peter Stone
Precast;
Performances: January 20-22, 2012 (one weekend only; not included in the regular season ticket package; 7pm Fri./Sat.; 2pm Sat./Sun.)
The story of Noah’s Ark has never been more fun than when Richard Rodgers’ Two By Two hits TTC’s stage in January! Two By Two is based on Clifford Odets’s play The Flowering Peach, and tells the story of Noah’s preparations for the Great Flood and its aftermath. The original production opened in 1970, with an opening night cast that included Danny Kaye and Madeline Kahn. On his 600th birthday, Noah receives a message from God, warning him about the impending flood. He is directed to save two of each animal and to build an ark for them. Noah’s wife and family make fun of him as he starts to build the ark, but join in when it starts to rain. The “gitka” is a magical Old Testament species of mouse, created by Clifford Odets, that sings in the presence of God. The arrival of one convinces the family of Noah’s story. It has no mate so they are unable to bring her aboard. Find out what happens in this fictional account surrounding the Biblical events of Noah and the Ark.
Winter Director’s Choice Show: The Drowsy Chaperone
Underwritten by Jeff & Ginny Brown, ClockWork Games & Events, and Sideshow Creative; costume underwriting by Davis & Davis Attorneys
Music & Lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar
Auditions: Sunday, January 29, 2012 (7pm) and Monday, January 30, 2012;
Performances: March 2—11, 2012 (two weekends only; 7pm Fri./Sat.; 2pm Sat./Sun.)
The Drowsy Chaperone is famously known as “a musical within a comedy”—and it delivers on both! Opening on Broadway in May 2006, the show won the Tony Award for Best Book and Best Score. It started as a spoof of old musicals, and will have you laughing and toe-tapping with favorite songs like “Showoff”! The Drowsy Chaperone is an homage to American musicals of the Jazz Age, examining the effect musicals have on the fans who adore them. So what’s the show about? In the musical, “The Man in Chair”, a mousy, agoraphobic Broadway fanatic, seeking to cure his “non-specific sadness”, listens to a recording of a fictional 1928 musical comedy, The Drowsy Chaperone. As he listens to this rare recording, he is transported into the musical. The characters appear in his dingy apartment, and it is transformed into an impressive Broadway set with seashell footlights, sparkling furniture, painted backdrops, and glitzy costumes. The concept that the audience is listening to the musical on an old LP is used throughout the show. You’ll be surprised and delighted with the variety of characters, the changing story line, the humor and the energy of this amazing, fresh Broadway spectacular!
Spring Show: Doctor Dolittle
Underwritten by David M. Watson, The Principal Financial Group and Roger & Donna Bligh; orchestra underwriting by Yvonne Poston; costume underwriting by Kevin & Amber Boriskie
Music & Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, based on the 1967 film, adapted from the novel series by Hugh Lofting
Auditions: Sunday, March 18, 2012 (7pm) and Monday, March 19, 2012;
Performances: April 20—May 6, 2012 (three weekends; 7pm Fri./Sat.; 2pm Sat./Sun.)
Wanna talk to the animals? You can, if you come to TTC’s spring spectacular production of Doctor Dolittle! Based on the 1967 film musical starring Rex Harrison, the stage musical is adapted by Leslie Bricusse from the novel series by Hugh Lofting, primarily The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle, The Story of Doctor Dolittle, and Doctor Dolittle’s Circus. Doctor Dolittle is taught by his pet parrot Polynesia how to talk to animals and embarks with his friends on a series of adventures. The original film was nominated for the Best PictureAcademy Award and ended up winning awards for Best Song and Best Effects. It’ll be a winner with theatergoers of all ages as it takes the stage for the first time ever in the Brazos Valley!
Summer Show: Gypsy
Underwritten by Shirley Borden & Robert C. Borden; orchestra underwriting by Jane & Carl Van Valkenburg; costume underwriting by Betty & Clint Matcek
Music by Jule Styne, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by Arthur Laurents
Auditions: Monday, May 14, 2012 (7pm) and Tuesday, May 15, 2012;
Performances: June 15—24, 2012 (two weekends only; 7pm Fri./Sat.; 2pm Sat./Sun.)
Let us entertain you…with a summer spectacular production of Gypsy! Frequently considered one of the crowning achievements of the mid-20th century’s conventional musical theatre art form, Gypsy is often called the “book musical”, and has been referred to as the “greatest American musical” by numerous critics and writers. It’s even been called the American musical theatre’s answer to King Lear, with the character of Rose “one of the few truly complex characters in the American musical.” Gypsy is loosely based on the1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous striptease artist, and focuses on her mother, Rose, whose name has become synonymous with “the ultimate show business mother.” It follows the dreams and efforts of Rose to raise two daughters to perform onstage and casts an affectionate eye on the hardships of show business life. The character of Louise is based on Lee, and the character of June is based on Lee’s sister, the actress June Havoc. The musical contains many songs that became popular standards, including “Small World,” “Everything’s Coming up Roses”, “You’ll Never Get Away from Me,” and “Let Me Entertain You.” Nominated for a whopping 26 Tony Awards, Gypsy has garnered 9 wins!
Kids Workshop Summer Day Camp
Dates: Monday, June 25, 2012 through Friday, June 29, 2012 (9am – noon each day)
Cost: $175/child (includes all course materials)
Download the registration form here.
One of the highlights of our season is our annual educational kids workshop, where kids who have completed 3rd through 8th grades get a hands-on learning experience that teaches them the basics of putting a professional theater show together. Kids learn everything from the audition process to staging and costuming and performing in a real show. Taught by TTC Artistic Director, Randy Wilson, and seasoned TTC cast members. Class size is limited to 45 students, so sign up early to guarantee your child a spot in the workshop. It’ll be the most fun thing they do all summer!
Annual Preview Party: Announcing Our New Season!
Date: Sunday, July 29, 2012 (6:30 pm)
Here’s a rare treat for theater goers—free admission! TTC traditionally opens the doors to its patrons for free during the annual preview party, and we’ll even feed you a few hors d’oeuvres! Join us for a sneak peak at the upcoming 2012-2013 season—which will be our 25th Anniversary Season, so you know this season’s Preview Party will be a little “extra special”! Put it on your calendar now!
Season Finale: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Underwritten by Shirley Borden & Robert C. Borden and Village Foods; orchestra underwriting by Drs. Birdwell & Wright, Cosmetic & Family Dentistry; costume underwriting by The Village Cafe
Music and lyrics by William Finn, Book by Rachel Sheinkin, Additional Material by Jay Reiss
Auditions: Sunday, July 8, 2012 (7pm) and Monday, July 9, 2012;
Performances: August 10—19, 2012 (two weekends only; 7pm Fri./Sat.; 2pm Sat./Sun.)
The Twenty-Fifth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a hilarious musical comedy about a fictional spelling bee set in a geographically ambiguous Putnam Valley Middle School. Six quirky adolescents compete in the Bee, run by three equally-quirky grown-ups. The 2005 Broadway production was nominated for six Tony Awards, winning two, including Best Book. An unusual aspect of the show is that four real audience members are invited on stage to compete in the spelling bee alongside the six young characters. During the 2005 Tony Awards, former Presidential candidate Al Sharpton competed. Another amusing aspect of the show is that the official pronouncer, usually an improv comedian, provides ridiculous usage-in-a-sentence examples when asked to use words in a sentence. For instance, for the word “palaestra,” he says, “Euripides said, ‘What happens at the palaestra stays at the palaestra.’” The original Broadway cast recording was nominated for a Grammy Award. Don’t miss this quirky new show, premiering for the first time ever in the Brazos Valley!