Jim Petosa
We’re looking forward to a new season of audience friendly productions for 2012. Picking up on the extraordinary success of our production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, we are opening the 2012 season with a revival of YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN. Charles Schulz has long had a particular view of depicting childhood lives in ways that reveal a depth of humanity that can produce both humor and pathos. Setting his beloved characters on a stage is an invitation to theatre that serves all generations and all kinds of people.
We know that our family audiences will be delighted by the renderings of these iconic characters in a musical that has endured for decades now. The production will be directed by Stephen Nachemie who led our highly successful productions of CAMELOT and 1776.
Following up is the farcical take on the old Hitchcock classic film, THE 39 STEPS. The production that originated in London took the Broadway stage by storm and is now enjoying productions at regional theatres throughout the country. We’re excited by the possibilities of this play set in the intimacy of the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab. This close up and personal style of theatricality will guarantee a ride of laughs and chills that won’t be forgotten. Directed by our Associate Artistic Director Clay Hopper, whose FARRAGUT NORTH was a big success last spring.
Anthony Shaffer’s classic game of intrigue and suspense SLEUTH will take over the mainstage early this coming summer. With master actors, Jeffries Thaiss and Bob Ari, Shaffer’s play will be sure to capture the imaginations of current audiences. Informed by the more recent cinematic re-imagining of Harold Pinter’s 2005 screen version, our production will explore the relationship between the two characters in the manner of Pinter’s Theatre of Menace. It should be a compelling evening in the theatre!
The summer continues with a silly and farcical antics of the popular classic musical LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Its music and lyrics, characters and storyline are an unending source of fun and pleasure that is intended to serve as a magnet for summertime fun in the theatre in late summer. Last done in a memorable production at Olney in 1986, our 2012 production will be fresh and wonderful under the assured hand of director Mark Waldrop, who helmed our historically successful productions of ANNIE and THE SOUND OF MUSIC.
OVER THE TAVERN is a treat for the fall. This play has taken the regional theatres across the country by surprise in its several productions. Directed by our own John Going the play will feature terrific acting, a wonderful spirit of story telling and all the fun and satiric humor of this good natured poke at faith, family, and culture.
Ending the year is our annual holiday musical. Selected for family audiences each year, we are pleased to reprise Rodgers and Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA. Produced periodically by Olney Theatre Center during the holiday season, this year’s version will be an all new production, under the direction of Bobby Smith, whose production of GREASE had audiences singing and dancing in the theatre last summer.
2012 promises to be a real treat for Olney Theatre Center audiences and we hope everyone will consider subscribing to the season!
Go to Olney Theatre Center’s website to buy tickets.
