Pioneer Theatre Company's 2014-2015 Season to Include New Programs

By: Apr. 19, 2014
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Pioneer Theatre Company announces its 2014-2015 season, including two musicals, a world premiere of a new play, a Utah premiere of a comedy, and the first offering of a brand-new musical concert event.

The season opens with the musical comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which runsSeptember 12 through September 27, 2014. The award-winning comedy One Man, Two Guvnorsmakes its Utah premiere from October 31 through November 15, 2014. The family-friendly Peter and the Starcatcher runs December 5 through December 20, 2014. The world premiere drama Alabama Story runs January 9 through January 24, 2015. American theatre icon Arthur Miller's The Crucibleruns from February 13 through February 28, 2015. The comedy I Hate Hamlet runs from March 20 through April 4, 2015, and the season finale musical The Music Man runs May 1 through May 16, 2015.

Additionally, PTC introduces a new concert presentation to its core programming this season. Richard O'Brien's raucous musical The Rocky Horror Show will be offered as a special event, for three performances only, in a script-in-hand, singing-and-dancing concert style presentation with a full, onstage orchestra. The three performances are Friday, October 24 at 8:00 p.m. and at 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2014.

Remarking on the new program, PTC Artistic Director Karen Azenberg said, "There are many musicals that I would love to do but, for a variety of reasons, they aren't feasible - maybe the story is dated, maybe it isn't particularly family-friendly. But the beauty of the concert series is that we can do these shows. A similar series, called 'Encores!' is regularly one of the hottest tickets in New York City, and it's always one of my favorite experiences when I visit. By doing only three performances, with a full onstage orchestra, limited costumes and scripts-in-hand, you get to experience some of these undiscovered gems, or your new favorite, with the stellar performances you've have come to love at PTC."

Of the shows receiving full productions in the season, Azenberg said, "We begin and end the season with two wonderful musicals. Spelling Bee is lovable and funny, and if you've ever been in a 'bee' you'll appreciate this quirky show - which also has a fun audience participation element! Our season finale musical is The Music Man - a big, traditional-style musical with a huge orchestra, a huge cast, and songs you can't help but leave the theatre humming. I think it is one of the best musicals ever written."

The five plays on the 2014-15 season include a world premiere, a Utah premiere, a magical show for the holidays, and an American icon. "I saw One Man, Two Guvnors in New York two years ago and laughed and laughed - it's physical comedy and farce at its best. My friend and colleague David Ivers, co-artistic director of the Utah Shakespeare Festival, will direct this Utah premiere."

The holiday show is Peter and the Starcatcher. "This is good, old-fashioned storytelling combined with good, old-fashioned theatre magic - perfect for the holiday season," Azenberg said. Of the following show, Alabama Story, she continued, "In recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the enactment of the Civil Rights Act, I am thrilled that PTC is producing the world premiere of this wonderful play that so beautifully blends fictional characters and real life events."

Arthur Miller's The Crucible is a landmark work of the American theatre, at once a powerful cautionary tale and a mesmerizing psychological drama. It's followed up by the comedy I Hate Hamlet, which, Azenberg said, "will satisfy Shakespeare lovers and haters alike."

Pioneer Theatre Company will also continue the new play reading series that it started this season, called Play-By-Play. Although titles for that program are still being chosen, the staged readings will take place in early spring of 2015, with three performances of each show, on February 20 and 21, March 6 and 7, and March 27 and 28.

Prices for most season ticket packages have remained unchanged for the 2014-2015 season. Upper Balcony and Rush Pass holders will see a slight increase. Season tickets range from $91 to $307, which means that season ticket patrons pay between $13 and $44 a ticket to see shows that cost over $150 on Broadway or National Tours. Notes PTC Managing Director Chris Lino, "For the price of one or two tickets to a Broadway show theatergoers can have a full season of entertainment at PTC, and be assured of the best seats and the convenience of exchanging their tickets if they can't make their regular performance. And, as our long-time patrons know, you'll be seeing the same actors who appear on Broadway stages, and the same spectacular sets and costumes that you would see on Broadway."

For season tickets contact Pioneer Theatre Company's Box Office at 801-581-6961 or visit online at www.pioneertheatre.org.



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