EVITA, VANYA AND SONYA AND MASHA AND SPIKE & More Set for MTC MainStage's 2015-16 Season

Music Theatre of Connecticut MainStage, Fairfield County's award-winning professional theatre company, announces its 2015/2016 season at The Melissa & Doug Theatre in Norwalk, CT. MTC MainStage will present four productions from October 2015 through April 2016. Subscriptions, flex-passes and single tickets are now available. Call 203.454.3883 or visit www.musictheatreofct.com

"MTC returns to its cutting-edge roots with this, our 29th, season," says Executive Artistic Director Kevin Connors. "All four productions are very exciting and range from the fascinating with 'Evita,' to the side-splittingly irreverent David Sedaris and Christopher Durang, to the hip, contemporary 'The Last Five Years.' And all with top, professional Broadway talent. We couldn't be more thrilled and we think our audiences will be as well."

The season opens on Friday, October 16 with the Tony® Award and Oscar® Winner "Evita," with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The musical sensation in a groundbreaking new production ala MTC's critically acclaimed reimagining of "Cabaret." Eva Duarte Peron's rags-to-riches journey from ambitious actress to the most powerful woman in Latin America - and, eventually, to a saint-like figure after her death. "Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's masterpiece will enjoy a boldly intimate production when it opens our 29th season," says Connors. "Never has there been a more fascinating and enigmatic political figure as Eva Peron. She is the Latin American Marilyn Monroe - beautiful, powerful, mysterious - and, like Marilyn, her death was shrouded in mystery and intrigue. This amazing story, all told through some of musical theatre's most glorious music, will be presented up-close and personal as we take our audiences back to the dangerous and electrifying days of 1940s Argentina."

For the holidays, opening on Friday, December 11, is the Fairfield County professional premiere production of David Sedaris' "The Santaland Diaries," adapted by Joe Mantello. NPR and "This American Life" favorite David Sedaris' delightfully thorny account of working as a Yuletide elf at Macy's. "Priceless observations, both outrageous and subtle," says The New York Times. "Destined to hold a place in the annals of American humor writing." "We are celebrating the season in a very hip, contemporary way this season at MTC," says Connors. "You'll feel like Santa just dropped you down in the middle of a hilarious 'Saturday Night Live' sketch about the "other side of the holidays." If you love 'Parks and Recreation,' 'Trainwreck' and 'The Office,' you'll love 'The Santaland Diaries!' Not to be missed!"

Continuing the season, opening Friday, February 26, is the Fairfield County professional premiere of the Tony® Award Winning Best Play "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" by Christopher Durang. Three siblings, one hot mess. This witty mash-up of Chekhov and smartphones is a delightful new farce for our hyperconnected era. Middle-aged, angst-ridden siblings Vanya and Sonia are paid a surprise visit by their glamorous movie-star sister, Masha, and her hunky boy toy, Spike. "After last winter, we are all looking for a laugh in the middle of February, and Christopher Durang's rollicking comedy is the perfect anecdote as we zing into spring," says Connors. "Laughter, catharsis, and a sexy side of "Magic Mike" all combine to make this show a delicious romp through life in suburbia!"

The season's final offering, opening April 8, is the Drama Desk Award-winning musical "The Last Five Years," with book, music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. The emotional and intimate musical deconstruction of a love affair and marriage taking place over a five-year period. Jamie, a young, talented up-and-coming Jewish novelist falls in love with Cathy, a Shiksa Goddess and struggling actress. "Knocks you back on your heels. Just like love," says Rolling Stone. "One of the most popular and timely musicals of the last decade, we close with Jason Robert Brown's poignant journey through love and marriage in the fast-paced, disconnected world of Manhattan," says Connors. "Funny, moving, and brilliantly written; 'The Last Five Years' is unlike any other contemporary musical. A must see."

Performances are Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 4pm and 8pm, Sundays at 2pm, at The Melissa & Doug Theatre at MTC, 509 Westport Avenue (behind the Jones New York and Nine West Outlet) in Norwalk, CT. Single tickets ($35-$55), subscriptions and flex-passes are available by calling203.454.3883 or visiting www.musictheatreofct.com