INTO THE WOODS, NEXT TO NORMAL and More Set for Paradise Theatre's 2015-16 Season

Paradise Theatre announces seven family-friendly and diverse musicals for its 2015-2016 Season as they launch capital campaign "Act Local" to save the arts on the Peninsula by creating a new performing arts and education center in Gig Harbor.

"This season is going to be an adventure set to music," says Vicki Richards, Executive Artistic Director of Paradise Theatre, Gig Harbor's only live theater and performing arts education center, "as we launch an entire season of musicals along with our capital campaign, 'Act Local'. Our leased home for the past few years has been sold and the bulldozers are waiting in the wings for the end of 2015. We are taking this opportunity to create a permanent home for our uplifting, high quality, family-friendly theatre and to continue our mission of introducing young people here on the Peninsula to lifelong skills of goal-setting and teamwork through expressive arts education. We are asking our neighbors to 'Act Local' and save the arts here on the Peninsula."

The goals of the campaign are to raise $1.2mil to acquire and develop a performing arts center in Gig Harbor which includes a 250-seat main stage, a 60-seat black box theater, dressing rooms, a music room, rehearsal space, 3 classrooms plus fully equipped kitchen, scenic and costume shops. Act Local has already garnered $20,000+ in cash donations and is being supported by a $120,000 per year Google Ad Grant and a technology grant of CRM software (a $15,000+ annual value) from Salesforce Foundation.

"Please join us as we present some of Broadway's best musicals for our 16th season for you and your family. The shows range from one of the most beloved shows of all time in 'Fiddler on the Roof' to Lapine & Sondheim's thoughtfully creative 'Into the Woods'. We are especially proud to present Puget Sound's premiere of the dramatic Tony winner, 'Next to Normal', and, the Northwest Region's premiere of the Disney's Broadway Musical version of 'The Little Mermaid,' in its first season available to regional theater."

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The full list of shows and dates for the upcoming season are:

"Into the Woods" September 18 through October 10, 2015 - Book by James Lapine, Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

The Brothers Grimm hit the stage with an epic fairytale about wishes, family and the choices we make.. Into the Woods takes everyone's favorite storybook characters and bring them together for a timeless yet relevant piece and rare modern classic. The TONY Award-winning book and score are both enchanting and touching.

"Scrooge, the Musical" November 20 through December 12, 2015 - Book, Music & Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse

The holiday favorite, Dickens' A Christmas Carol, has been adapted by renowned writer-composer- lyricist Leslie Bricusse. This new musical take on a classic enjoyed a hugely successful tour of England and a season at London's Dominion Theatre starring Anthony Newly. Introduce your family to a show hailed as "Sensational" and "Wonderful Theatre".

"Nunsense" February 5 through February 27, 2016 - Music & Lyrics by Dan Goggin

The show is a fund raiser put on by the Little Sisters of Hoboken to raise money to bury sisters accidentally poisoned by the convent cook - or so the premise goes for this lovingly irreverent show where the audience gets to enjoy a wacky night of fun and frolic with the 'Sisters'.

"The Fantasticks" March 11 through April 2, 2016 - Book & Lyrics by Tom Jones, Music by Harvey Schmidt

A funny and romantic musical about a boy, a girl, and their fathers who try to keep them apart. The Fantasticks' narrrator, El Gallo, asks the audience to use their imagination and follow him into a world of moonlight and magic. The boy and the girl fall in love, grow apart, and finally find their way back to each when they realize the truth in El Gallo's words: "without a hurt, the heart is hollow."

"Next to Normal" April 22 through May 14, 2016 - Book & Lyrics by Brian Yorkey, Music by Tom Kitt

Next To Normal explores how one suburban mother and her family cope with crisis and mental illness. Winner of three TONY Awards including Best Musical Score, a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and chosen for "one of the year's best shows" by critics around the country, including The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone and The New York Times, this rock musical tells an emotional and timely story which will resonate with you and your family. This is a Puget Sound premiere!

"The Little Mermaid" June 17 through July 9, 2016 - Book by Doug Wright, Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Glenn Slater

In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. Based on one of Hans Christian Anderson's most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. With music by eight time Academy Award winner, Alan Menken, this fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible songs including: "Under the Sea," "Kiss the Girl," and "Part of Your World". This is the first year this show has been made available for regional theater and we are proud to be providing the Northwest Region premiere!

"Fiddler on the Roof" August 5 through August 27, 2016 - Book by Joseph Stein, Music by Jerry Bock, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick

A musical theatre tradition, Tevye the milkman tries to protect his daughters and his way of life from a changing world. Winner of 9 TONY Awards when it debuted in 1964, 'Fiddler On The Roof' is the brainchild of Broadway legends Jerome Robbins, Harold Prince, songwriters Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, and book writer Joseph Stein. Touching audiences worldwide with its humor, warmth and honesty, this universal show is a staple of the musical theater canon.

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Series subscriptions are available beginning June 17 through July 31, 2015. Individual show tickets will be available beginning August 1, 2015. For more information, click here.

Vicki Richards states, "Throughout our season, we are providing special events to contribute to the Act Local Capital Campaign to enable us to keep live, Broadway-style theatre right here in Gig Harbor. There are also a variety of meaningful and permanent recognition opportunities available for those who would like to help us build our performing arts and education center. It's a great way to leave a legacy for generations to come! Join us for our exciting year of great storytelling set to music and learn more about how your tax-deductible donation can support our mission. Act Local and save the arts on the Peninsula!"

Paradise Theatre was created to serve the community by providing both theatre education and professional grade, live entertainment to the Puget Sound Area. With a year-round season of family- friendly, Broadway-style shows, Paradise Theatre has been insuring that people of all ages get a chance to experience the magic of performing arts for over 15 years. Paradise Studio has provided dozens of classes, workshops, guest seminars and educational opportunities for hundreds of children, helping to instill an appreciation for the arts, while teaching the life skills of goal-setting, teamwork and leadership. Success of the Act Local Capital Campaign will provide a permanent home for live theatre and performing arts education on the Peninsula. As a 501(c)3, all donations made to Paradise Theatre are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

"Act Local. Saving the Arts on the Peninsula" project has been developed by the campaign consulting company, SocialRaise, headquartered in Chicago, IL. The project is being led by Kevin LaManna, SocialRaise' Principal and Founder; and, Client Manager for Nonprofits, Cassie Dennis.

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