Geva Presents ON GOLDEN POND And DRACULA In New Season

By: Mar. 21, 2011
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There are two productions remaining in Geva Theatre Center's 2010-2011 Season: Radio Golf, the finale of "August Wilson's American Century," and a historic production of The Music Man featuring the biggest cast ever assembled in the Geva Mainstage. It has been a stellar season with epic productions and an increased audience attendance of over 20% from the previous year. A perfect time to unveil yet another incredible line-up of productions in our 2011-2012 Mainstage Season!

Geva Theatre Center's Artistic Director Mark Cuddy is proud to announce the much anticipated 2011/2012 season of seven productions that encompass the theatrical history and tradition for which Geva is renowned. One of the themes of the 2011-2012 Mainstage Season is Love and Marriage. Three of the subscription plays focus on varying stages of marriage, from wedding day to golden anniversary. The forthcoming season will feature a beloved play about a couple in the twilight years of a long marriage; a fresh adaptation of one of the world's first passionate thrillers; the return, by popular demand, of last year's new adaptation of a Dickens' classic; an hysterically romantic romp from a contemporary farceur; a classic American drama; a recent play by a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, and Stephen Sondheim at his best.

"The momentum created with this past season's success has given us great confidence in assembling the 2011-12 Geva repertory," said Mark Cuddy. "The new season includes passionate projects that have been on our 'wish list' for awhile, and the timing is right for Geva artists to put their great talents towards creating them for Rochester. Once again, the wide range of plays and musicals will offer our audience a singular experience in the theatre."

The announcement of the new season coincides with the arrival of Executive Director Tom Parrish. Mr. Parrish will partner with Mr. Cuddy as co-CEO of the nearly 40-year old organization. Mr. Parrish comes to Geva from Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) in Lowell, Massachusetts where he has served as Executive Director since 2006. Prior to joining MRT, Mr. Parrish served as Associate Managing Director and General Manager of San Diego Repertory Theatre, where he received the NAACP Theatre Award for Best Producer, managed a variety of education and outreach initiatives and produced the theatre's annual Kuumba Fest Celebration, the largest African American cultural festival of its kind on the West Coast.

"Tom's arrival is not just the placement of a new cultural executive in Rochester; it's the promise of a new era of business at Geva," commented Mark Cuddy. "The complexities of not-for-profit business in this economic climate require a smart and seasoned leader, and we have that in my new partner. I am thrilled to be working alongside Tom."

"It is such a great time to be joining Geva," adds Tom Parrish. "Coming off the strength of this season, the 2011-12 Season is going to be fantastic. I am very much looking forward to working with Mark to not only finish this season strong, but continue building on our incredible momentum in the seasons to come."

For over 38 years, Geva Theatre Center has been Rochester's home for great theatre offering value for money and the opportunity to enjoy superb, landmark productions in their own community. Geva Theatre Center continues to be one of the premiere cultural organizations in Rochester, the most attended regional theatre in New York State, and is seen as a leading light among professional theatres in this country.

 

 

The 2011/2012 Mainstage Season

ON GOLDEN POND
By Ernest Thompson
Directed by Skip Greer
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER

The Thayers, open-hearted Ethel and irascible Norman, return to their cottage on Golden Pond for their 48th summer. This year, however, their peace is disrupted by a visit from their divorced daughter Chelsea, who arrives with not only a big chip on her shoulder, but her new fiancé and his 13 year-old son, too. Generations collide in this funny and touching classic.

DRACULA
By Steven Dietz
Adapted from the novel by Bram Stoker
Directed by Peter Amster
A Co-Production with Indiana Repertory Theatre
OCTOBER - NOVEMBER

Before Edward in The Twilight Saga and Lestat in The Vampire Chronicles, there was Dracula. Bloodthirsty, lustful and evil incarnate - but above all - a gentleman. The Count journeys from his gloomy Transylvanian castle to the bustling streets of London, leaving death and destruction in his seductive wake.

Sink your teeth into this darkly passionate and hauntingly lush adaptation of Bram Stoker's 1897 novel.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
By Charles Dickens
Adapted for the stage by Mark Cuddy
Music and lyrics by Gregg Coffin
Directed by Mark Cuddy
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER

We asked and Rochester responded! Last season's new holiday hit returns by popular demand in a stunning visual production.

On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by a series of ghosts who remind him who he was and what he might yet become. He learns that the true meaning of the season and that it's never too late to make a new start. The famous tale of redemption for the most despised man in London will awaken your heart and rekindle your spirit in the critically acclaimed new adaptation.

Recommended for the entire family! (Please remember that children under five are not permitted in the theatre.)

PERFECT WEDDING
By Robin Hawdon
Directed by Bruce Jordan
JANUARY - FEBRUARY

On the morning of his wedding, Bill wakes up in his honeymoon suite with a dreadful hangover and an unknown and unclothed woman in his bed. It's a race against time as he has to either get her out or make up a plausible story before his fiancée and future mother-in-law arrive. Desperate times call for desperate measures in this hysterical romp.

A RAISIN IN THE SUN
By Lorraine Hansberry
FEBRUARY - MARCH

The Younger family receives an insurance check for $10,000. Each family member has their own idea about how to use the money. Family responsibility, selfishness and love come to blows in the cold light of poverty and racism. Considered one of the great American dramas, Lorraine Hansberry's 1959 play about dreams deferred and a family's determination to live a better life in a changing world was the first play by a black woman ever to be produced on Broadway.

SUPERIOR DONUTS
By Tracy Letts
Directed by Mark Cuddy
MARCH - APRIL

Aging hippie Arthur Przbyszewski owns a rundown donut shop in a multi-ethnic neighborhood of Chicago. His black, teenage assistant Franco, full of dreams and bright ideas, wants to rejuvenate the shop with lively music and low-cal menu options. What's a radical to do when presented with even more radical ideas? A comedy-drama about facing your demons and the redemptive power of friendship from the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of August: Osage County.

COMPANY
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by George Furth
Directed by Mark Cuddy
Featuring Jim Poulos as Bobby
MAY - JUNE

Single and eligible, Bobby can't commit to a long-term relationship, let alone marriage. His friends are all married; some happily, some unhappily and some...just coasting along. He is their best friend, confidante, mediator and babysitter all wrapped up in a charming bachelor. In the search for one perfect person to share his live with, will Bobby end up losing himself?

An award-winning musical from the celebrated composer of Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd and A Little Night Music.

Season tickets will be on sale from April 5. Tickets to individual shows (excluding A Christmas Carol) will go on sale to the general public on August 2, 2011. Tickets for A Christmas Carol are currently available to season ticket holders only and will go on sale to the general public on Monday, September 26th. All plays, schedules and price are subject to change.

Geva Theatre CENTER

Geva Theatre Center is Rochester's leading professional theatre and the most attended regional theatre in New York State. Founded in 1972, Geva attracts over 160,000 patrons annually, including more than 16,000 students. The 552-seat Elaine P. Wilson Mainstage offers a wide variety of shows, from musicals to American and world classics.

The 180-seat Ron & Donna Fielding Nextstage is home to Geva's own series of cutting-edge drama, comedy and musical theatre; Geva Comedy Improv; Geva's New Play Reading Series and the Hornet's Nest - a nationally recognized, innovative play-reading series facilitating community-wide discussion on controversial topics. The Nextstage also hosts visiting companies of both local and international renown.

Geva Theatre Center offers a wide variety of educational, outreach and literary programs, nurturing audiences and artists alike. Since 1995 the organization has been led by Artistic Director Mark Cuddy.

FOR RESERVATIONS AND TICKET INFORMATION,
CONTACT THE BOX OFFICE AT (585) 232-Geva (4382),
OR VISIT GEVA'S WEBSITE AT www.gevatheatre.org

 



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