The Arvada Center Announces 2007/2008 Theater Season

April 25, 2007

 Sponsored by JPMorganChase

ARVADA, CO - The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities announces its upcoming theater season, featuring six shows of which three are regional premieres. The season includes two spectacular musicals, two wacky comedies, a new drama and a classic. As a special treat for our subscribers, there is a choice between two great holiday shows. In order to provide our patrons with the best theater experience, we will be staging the season's productions in both our Main Stage and Black Box Theaters. Prices for Subscription packages with full benefits will remain the same this next season and the popular 6-show Preview package price has been reduced.

Moonlight and Magnolias

Written by Ron Hutchinson
Directed by Bev Newcomb-Madden
September 11 - October 7, 2007
Public Previews September 7 – 9
Main Stage Theater

Sponsored by National Endowment for the Arts

Gone with the Wind… On Hold!
It's 1939 and the famous producer David O. Selznick is on the brink of silver-screen flop or Oscar-winning success. He has stopped production of his new epic film, Gone with the Wind because the screenplay has a problem. Selznick sends for famed screenwriter Ben Hecht and pulls director Victor Fleming from the set of The Wizard of Oz. Given just five days, these three men with hilarious desperation create a screenplay that will result in one of the most successful and beloved films of all time. Historical fact or fiction? One fact is for sure, this regional premiere is frantically funny.

 Defiance

Written by John Patrick Shanley
Directed by Jane Page
October 2 - November 4, 2007
Public Previews September 28 - 30
Black Box Theater

Defining Our Destiny
The Arvada Center is excited to host the regional premiere of Defiance. According to playwright John Patrick Shanley, "it explores specifics of my life story as it overlaps with major changes in the social fabric of this country." The play takes place on a North Carolina Marine base in 1971… racial tensions are high as are antiwar sentiments. Lt. Colonel Littlefield, white, middle aged, wants to clean up racism on the base while Captain King, a young African American, doesn't want to be made the example of an accomplished black man. Within the strict confines of the military mindset, Littlefield and King face off. This provocative new work is about power, duty and responsibility – and what happens when defiance trumps all.

HOLIDAY OPTION #1:

Plaid Tidings

Written by Stuart Ross
Directed & Choreographed by Anita Boland
November 13 - December 23, 2007
Public Previews November 10 & 11
Black Box Theater

Forever Plaid Quartet Returns Home for the Holidays
Plaid Tidings makes its Colorado premiere just in time for the holiday season. Starring Jinx, Frankie, Smudge and Sparky, young male singers from the '50s, who usually reside in heaven, are called back to earth to stage a nostalgic holiday extravaganza. Complete with your favorite seasonal tunes including White Christmas, I'll be Home for Christmas, Carol of the Bells and much more. But the nostalgic journey wouldn't be complete without a side-splitting tribute to The Ed Sullivan Show with guest stars the Chipmunks and the Vienna Boys Choir. This "heaven-sent" show is the perfect gift for the entire family.

Special Bonus: When you renew or purchase a 6-Show Subscription* by June 4 you can get a 25% discount off the second holiday show if you wish to attend both shows, but discount tickets must also be purchased by June 4.

 HOLIDAY OPTION #2:

La Cage aux Folles

Written by Harvey Fierstein
Music & Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Directed by Rod A. Lansberry
November 20 - December 23, 2007
Public Previews November 16 -18
Main Stage Theater

"We Are What We Are"
La Cage aux Folles, a flamboyant and humorous musical winner, graces the Main Stage this holiday season. Winner of the 2004 Tony Award® and Drama Desk Award for the Best Revival of a Musical was also popularized by the very successful 1996 comedy remake, The Birdcage starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane. It is a story of two middle-aged men – Georges, the manager of the St. Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment and his "friend" Albin, the club's star attraction. Having lived happily together for many years, their lives are turned upside down when Georges' son announces he is getting married to the daughter of a local morals crusader! The story's hilarity unravels as they collectively attempt to put their best faces on and the right foot forward to ensure their son's future happiness.

 Of Mice and Men

Written by John Steinbeck
Directed by Terry Dodd
January 29 - March 9, 2008
Public Previews January 25 - 27
Black Box Theater

An Emotional Journey in Search of the American Dream
One of the most acclaimed fictional works in American literature, John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men is a gripping tale of average people dealing with complex issues- survival, the bonds of friendship and the pursuit of happiness.  Two lonely migrant workers, George, optimistic and responsible and his companion Lennie, a gentle but simple-minded giant wander from job to job. They know they won't always be drifters for they have a dream – a place of their own, working their land and taking orders from no one. This unlikely pair is held together by common dreams, aspirations and dependencies, but all goes awry when the unthinkable happens. For even "the best laid plans of mice and men…"

 House of Blue Leaves

Written by John Guare
Directed by Billie McBride
April 8 – May 11, 2008
Public Previews April 4 - 6
Black Box Theater

A bizarre comedy that leaves you gasping...
It is 1965: the Pope is coming to New York City and comical chaos is about to reign. House of Blue Leaves, winner of four Tony Awards® is a dark comedy with neurotic characters. This social commentary of the '60s follows Artie Shaughnessy, a zookeeper by day and a hope-to-be songwriter by night. He fears that he is "too old to be a young talent." Artie's creative space is interrupted by a cast of crazy characters - nuns on the roof, his loony wife Bananas, his manic mistress Bunny, and his psychotic son Ronnie, who is preparing to assassinate the Pope. This absurd comedy brings to light the lengths people will go to for their 15 minutes of fame.

 Buddy…The Buddy Holly Story

Written by Alan Janes & Rob Bettinson
July 8 - August 10, 2008
Public Previews July 2 & 3
Main Stage Theater

 The Man…The Music…The Legend
Before the Beatles, before Elvis, there was Buddy Holly. This award-winning, rockin'-boppin' musical revives the 1950's icon who defined the future of rock-and-roll.  In an electrifying musical celebration, two of Holly's unforgettable performances are recreated: the Crickets appearance at the Apollo Theatre and his final concert with Ritchie Valens, and JP Richardson, the Big Bopper. Audiences of all ages will find "It's So Easy" to fall in love with Buddy.

 
Special Engagement … 6-Show Subscribers Bonus Discount

When you renew or purchase a 6-Show Subscription* by June 4 you can get a 25% discount off special engagement Nunsensations tickets when also purchased by June 4.

 Nunsensations: The Nunsense Vegas Revue

Created & Directed by Dan Goggin
March 6 - 23, 2008
Main Stage Theater

What happens in Vegas, doesn't always stay in Vegas…
The Arvada Center brings to its stage the zany nuns of Nunsense fame in their entire sequined and feathered splendor. Straight from Las Vegas, Dan Goggin, creator of Nunsense, will be directing this production. The regional premiere of this brand new Nunsense adventure is a light spoof of Vegas revues delighting audiences with favorite '50s doo-wop, "Cirque du Blimp" and a "Holy Rollers Giant Slot Machine." The production is rated "G" for gigantically funny and great for all ages.

*This offer does not apply to with a 4-Show Subscription, Flex Package or Preview 6-Pack

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