Plays Under Consideration FOR THE 2017-2018 SEASON WINTER MAINSTAGE WINTER CABARET WINTER STAGE III See 4 Great Shows | Nov. - June See 3 Great Shows | Oct. - June See 3 Great Shows | Jan. - March Rock of Ages by Chris D’Arienzo Blue Suede Shoes Hand To God by Robert Askins In 1987 at LA’s famous Sunset Strip, a In a church basement in a little town in boy from South Detroit and a small-town Rock ‘N’ Roll originated during the late 40s and early 50s, taking its roots from Texas, something evil is afoot. Or, well — at girl chase their dreams of making it big hand. A rogue puppet named Tyrone has and falling in love. Travel back in time to the blues, boogie-woogie, jazz, swing, and country music. Featuring artists such hijacked the hand of timid teen Jason and big bands with big egos playing big guitar there’s nothing his classmates, his mother, solos and sporting even bigger hair. as father of Rock ‘N’ Roll Chuck Berry, to other greats such as Bo Diddley, Elvis or the pastor can do to exorcise this foul- “Impossible to resist” - The New York Times Presley, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis mouthed demon. A Weekend With Pablo Picasso with songs such as “Maybellene,” “Blue “Flat-out hilarious” - The New York Times by Herbert Siguenza Suede Shoes,” and “A Whole Lot of Shak- Picasso was the first rock-star artist - a ing Going On.” Constellations by Nick Payne ferocious pacifist, obsessive art maker, A simple encounter between a man and flamboyantly opinionated philosopher, Mob Music woman leads to a spellbinding romantic and self-proclaimed clown. While creat- We all remember movies such as The journey. What happens next defies the ing drawings and paintings live on- Godfather, Casablanca, Gangs of New boundaries of the world we think we know stage, audiences are taken on a journey York, and The Untouchables. Join us for – infinite possibilities and the difference throughout his life. an evening full of the best songs from between choice and destiny. “Charismatic” – Broadway World the mobster movies made famous by the “Intimate delicacy” - The New York Times The Explorers Club - by Nell Benjamin Rat Pack, Tony Bennett, Peggy Lee, and The prestigious Explorers Club of Lon- more. Buyer and Cellar by Jonathan Tolins don, 1879 is in crisis: their acting presi- An outrageous new comedy. Struggling Mack The Knife: The Bobby Darin Songbook dent wants to admit a woman, and their to make ends meet, Alex More is hired bartender is terrible. True, this female In 1959, the multi-talented musician, to work as the sole employee in Barbra candidate is brilliant, beautiful, and has songwriter, and actor, Bobby Darin took Streisand’s personal home shopping mall discovered a legendary Lost City, but the American music to a whole new level. - with Babs herself as the only customer. decision to let in a woman could shake Mack the Knife celebrates the spirited “Truth...and the pursuit of utopia.” the very foundation of the British Empire. and immense talent of one of the greatest - NY Daily News “Brace for laughter” - NY Daily News musicians the 20th century. Featuring his greatest hits such as “Beyond the Sea,” How To Use A Knife by Will Snider Doublewide - by Stephen Spotswood “Dream Lover,” and “Splish Splash.” In the chaos of a Wall Street restaurant Jim Starkey’s American Dream is a mod- kitchen, Chef George is trying to stay est one: to build a home on his one-acre Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits sober. In between yelling at a pair of trash- plot of land, replacing his doublewide talking line cooks and a pot-smoking trailer. Two accidents throw a dark This tongue-in-cheek musical revue is a collection of songs inspired by the world’s busboy, he befriends Steve, an East African shadow over his family’s future. How far immigrant. Set during busy dinner shifts will they go to hold onto their Dream? greatest playwright. From relevant to ir- reverent, from send-ups of Italian opera to and filled with unforgettable characters, ONCE - by Enda Walsh takeoffs on films and musicals - it’s ribald, How To Use A Knife bursts with grinding The enchanting tale of a Dublin street riotous and just plain fun! suspense, energy, and surprise. musician about to give up on his dreams “Smart, affecting” - The Sacramento Bee when an unlikely connection forces him to reconsider. Emotionally captivating and breathtaking, Once is an unforget- table story about going for your dreams and the power of music to connect us all. TONY AWARD WINNER SUMMER MAINSTAGE SUMMER CABARET See 3 Great Shows | June - August See 3 Great Shows | June - September Murder For Two • book & music Joe Kinosian, book & lyrics Kellen Blair The Blue Eyed Bettys The perfect blend of music, mayhem and murder! A small The Blue Eyed Bettys delight with their folky-bluegrass sound. town policeman is on duty when shots ring out, and the great An original music group formed while performing in the FST American novelist Arthur Whitney is killed. Whodunit? This Cabaret, audiences are snapped to attention with their three part new musical is a witty winky homage to old-fashioned murder harmony, inventive storytelling, and natural onstage chemistry. mysteries. “Ingenious” - The New York Times “Exciting Americana act to hit Sarasota” - Sarasota Herald-Tribune The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey • by James Lecesne Speak Easy with Carol Bufford Leonard Pelkey, a 14 year-old boy who dared to be different Backed by the Grammy Award-winning jazz-age band, Vince disappears. The small New Jersey town where he was known and Giordano and the Nighthawks, Bufford pours out classics loved will never be the same. made famous by Sophie Tucker, Al Jolson, Bessie Smith, Louis “Shimmers with needling suspense” - The New York Times Armstrong, Helen Kane, Annette Hanshaw and more. “The real thing” – The New York Times Radio Golf • by August Wilson In 1990 Pittsburgh a successful entrepreneur aspires to become The Jersey Tenors the city’s first black mayor. But when the past begins to catch up The newest Opera/Rock mash-up sensation that creates an with him, secrets get revealed that could be his undoing. A fast- explosive blend of iconic music. From the opera classics to paced, dynamic, and comical work about the world today and artists such as Queen, ABBA, Frankie Vallie, The Four Seasons, dreams for the future. “Wit and soul” - New York Sun Frank Sinatra, Bon Jovi, Springsteen, and more – The Jersey Tenors will have you singing along as they raise the roof with Burt and Me - Book by Larry McKenna their powerful voices. Music & Lyrics by Burt Bacharach and Hal David The Blenders Joe and Lacey, high school sweethearts, shared the love of The Blenders have spent over 25 years touring the U.S. with basketball and music. When college separated them, history their unique style of vocal, harmony-based music of the classic couldn’t overcome geography. Years later, Joe comes up with an crooners. Often described as, “One of America’s best-kept vocal elaborate scheme to get Lacey back in this jukebox musical. secrets”, The Blenders continue to record and tour the country, “Appealing” - Broadway World delighting their audiences with their signature vocal sound. Subscription Hotline: (941) 552-1521.