Asolo Rep Updates Details and Dates for the 2009-2010 Season

Asolo Repertory Theatre has updated some information for its 2009-2010 season originally announced in March. Refreshed information includes sponsor names, some date changes, enhanced production details and new titles.

Asolo Rep's 51ST season kicks off in October with the multiple Tony Award winning dance musical Contact, being produced by Asolo Rep in collaboration with the Sarasota Ballet. Other titles include The Perfume Shop, Life of Galileo, Searching for Eden: The Diaries of Adam and Eve, Hearts, Managing Maxine, The Last Five Years, Backwards in High Heels and Menopause The Musical®. The season also includes new works to be premiered during Asolo Rep's New Stages project--Life in the Middle and its first New Play Festival, Unplugged! Theatre in the Raw.

ASOLO REP 2009-2010 SEASON (in chronological order of opening)

NEW STAGES: Life in the Middle by KJ Sanchez

Asolo Repertory Theatre presents the FSU/Asolo Conservatory in Association with Florida State University

October 16-30

Acclaimed director KJ Sanchez returns to direct this unique production. By venturing into area schools to interview middle school students, KJ and the Third Year Graduate Students of the FSU/Asolo Conservatory, will be creating a brand new piece of documentary theatre creating a script based on their words. Sure to ignite questions and create a multi-generational dialogue exploring civil discourse, character development and social change, Life in the Middle will investigate what it's like to be an adolescent in today's world.

New Stages is a bold educational initiative that challenges young minds and promotes exciting opportunities to grow and learn. Modeled to enhance curricular goals, Life in the Middle helps teachers and students integrate theatre into everyday learning through student matinees and workshops. It also offers families the chance to share the joys of theatre by attending special public performances. (In the Historic Asolo Theater on the Ringling campus) Meets Sunshine State Standards for Language Arts, Arts, and Social Studies. *Suitable for grades 5 and up

CONTACT by Susan Stroman and John Weidman

A romantic and thrilling dance musical. OCTOBER 23--NOVEMBER 22

TICKETS NOW ON SALE

This romantic, breathtakingly beautiful and totally unique fusion of music, theatre and dance won four Tony Awards including Best Musical. Contact tells three stories depicting the pursuit of life's most elemental connection with another human being: love. The sheer ingenuity of the choreography creates an evening that is as exhilarating as it is delightful. This is a major new production by Asolo Rep in partnership with the Sarasota Ballet. Contact is a scintillating thrill for the soul as well as the senses. (In the Mertz Theatre) Co-presented by: SNN News6, Sarasota Magazine and The Observer Group.
THE PERFUME SHOP a new adaptation of Parfumerie by Miklos Laszlo

adapted by E.P. Dowdall

The play that inspired The Shop Around the Corner, The Good Old Summertime, You've Got Mail and She Loves Me. DECEMBER 4-APRIL 1

This bubbly, whimsical romantic comedy is the perfect thing to warm up your winter. Two bickering co-workers unknowingly exchange love letters as anonymous pen pals. It's one of the world's most beloved stories; come fall in love with it all over again. (In the Mertz Theatre) Co-presented by: ABC7 (WWSB) and Michael's On East.

LIFE OF GALILEO by Bertolt Brecht

A crisp and crackling dramatic masterpiece. DECEMBER 11-FEBRUARY 17

A perfect way to celebrate "The Year of Astronomy," this stunning play delves into the life and work of the legendary father of modern astronomy, physics and science. Filled with a complex blend of drama and biting humor, Life of Galileo investigates the very nature of knowledge itself. Don't miss this unforgettable work about the conflict between reason and faith. (In the Mertz Theatre) Co-presented by: Bright House Networks; and Williams, Parker, Harrison, Dietz & Getzen.

SEARCHING FOR EDEN: THE DIARIES OF ADAM AND EVE by James Still

A delightfully comic look at relationships. DECEMBER 18--FEBRUARY 25

The time: The Beginning. The place: The Garden of Eden. The stage is set for the best known "battle of the sexes" in human history. Join mankind's most famous couple in this captivating romantic romp, as the world's first lovers meet in paradise-and then again today. It's a modern testament to enduring love. (In the Mertz Theatre) Co-presented by: Mattison's, SUN Hydraulics and Fifth Third Bank.

THE LAST FIVE YEARS by Jason Robert Brown

An intimate and uplifting musical. JANUARY 21--FEBRUARY 28

An emotionally powerful and intimate musical from Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown. A couple meets, marries, and then grows apart over the course of five years. It's a familiar fable, but told in a new and exciting way: her story starts at the end of the relationship, his begins the day they first met. The score is rich with fresh, beautiful gems from one of today's hottest composers. Funny, uplifting and full of poignant yearning, The Last Five Years proves that even when a love affair is over, its glow lingers on. (In the Historic Asolo Theater) Co-presented by: Hyatt Place and Treviso.

HEARTS by Willy Holtzman

A stirring tribute to the poignant legacy World War II left for the "Greatest Generation" and their children. JANUARY 22--APRIL 11

A group of supposedly "hardened" war veterans get together around a game of cards to tell tales and reminisce. But what happens to the memories that can't be shared and the ones that haunt? As he struggles with the past, one Jewish American veteran learns that the only way to move on is to fully embrace it. Join us on this poignant journey of forgiveness and friendship. (In the Mertz Theatre) Co-presented by: The Sarasota Herald Tribune, Gold Coast Eagle Distributing and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

MANAGING MAXINE by Janece Shaffer

A hilarious look at love in the "Golden years." MARCH 12-APRIL 18

Falling in love is wonderful and falling in love is terrible; and falling in love is the last thing Maxine expected to interrupt her tidy life at 70! But in this honest and hilarious romantic comedy, Maxine discovers that the power of love can change everything, including the very way you embrace your future. (In the Mertz Theatre) Co-presented by: Morton's Gourmet Market and Scene Magazine.

BACKWARDS IN HIGH HEELS: THE GINGER MUSICAL

Conceived & Developed by Lynnette Barkley and Christopher McGovern

Book/Original Songs/Arrangements by Christopher McGovern

A new musical about an all-time American favorite. MAY 7--30

Backwards in High Heels is a celebration of the remarkable life and times of the multi-talented entertainment dynamo Ginger Rogers. The show takes an in-depth look at the public and private life of this timeless beauty, combining cherished standards from Berlin, Gershwin and Kern with new original songs, a compelling play and stunning dance sequences. Funny, moving and a visual feast, Backwards in High Heels is a complete and wonderfully satisfying night of theatre that will have audiences cheering. (In the Mertz Theatre) Co-presented by: Longboat Key Club & Resort and SNN News6.

 

MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL®

Book and lyrics by Jeanie Linders

Back by popular demand from June 4-27, 2010

Billed as "The Hilarious Celebration of Women and The Change®," the original, off-Broadway musical begins with four women at a lingerie sale with nothing in common but a black lace bra, hot flashes, night sweats, memory loss, chocolate binges, not enough sex, too much sex and day-to-day challenges. The women share their ups and downs through a collection of 28 re-lyricized baby boomer songs from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. From the disco hit "Stayin' Awake" to the Motown favorite "My Thighs," this joyful musical parody will have you cheering at your seat and dancing in the aisles. (In the Mertz Theatre) Co-presented by: Grapevine Communications, Word of Mouth and SNN News6.
UNPLUGGED! THEATRE IN THE RAW

An exciting journey from page to stage. MARCH 13-APRIL 3

Join Asolo Rep for an exciting festival celebrating the new voices in American theatre heard for the first time at Asolo Rep. Five scripts will be developed and explored during the festival. Be part of the journey as our acting company works with the playwrights to develop the plays, sometimes even only hours before the performance. Whether attending the first read through or witnessing the results of a two week developmental workshop, the audience will be an integral part of the theatrical process and the birth of each new play. Through special events with the playwrights, talkback sessions and finally the performances themselves; Unplugged! Theatre in the Raw provides an unparalleled chance to engage with the plays and playwrights. (In the Cook Theatre) Co-presented by Lakewood Ranch Medical Center and Treviso.

Kick-off March 13; Table readings March 14, 16 & 17; Staged readings: March 26 & 27; April 2 & 3
Subscriptions for the season are available now. For information on purchasing a Flex-package or Season Subscription, $99 Play Pass or $35 Student Pass, please call 941-351-9010 ext. 4812.

Single tickets for CONTACT are also on sale now; ALL tickets go on sale September 1, 2009.

Prices range from $13 to $60, depending on the show, day/time/seating, theatre and method of purchase. Tickets for Menopause The Musical® start at $20.

For single tickets, please contact the box office at 941-351-8000 or toll-free at 800-361-8388, or go to the website at www.asolo.org. Purchase tickets in person at the box offIce To avoid a handling charge.

Groups of 10+ save 20% off single ticket prices. 941-351-9010 ext. 6013 or email group_sales@asolo.org.

Season sponsors include:

CORPORATE MEDIA SEASON PRESENTER: COMCAST

CRYSTAL SOCIETY: Esther M. Mertz; Ulla R. Searing; Bob and Lee Peterson

MAJOR SEASON PRESENTERS: Florida State University & Florida State University Foundation; Virginia B. Toulmin

SEASON PRESENTERS: Designing Women Boutique

PRESENTERS: Asolo Repertory Theatre Guild, Co-Presidents, Richard Cheski and Barbara Maier; Warren and Margot Coville; Christine and John Currie; Joan Mendell; Jeanne and Bob Zabelle

Asolo Repertory Theatre is Florida's premier professional theatre and one of the most important cultural forces in the Southeastern United States. As a center for theatrical excellence, Asolo Rep crafts the highest quality productions of classical, contemporary and newly commissioned work all performed in the rarest form of rotating repertory. Featuring an accomplished resident company - complemented by distinguished guest artists - Asolo Rep offers audiences a unique and dynamic theatre experience. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards and Managing Director Linda DiGabriele, this world-class institution has taken bold steps toward the future, building landmark partnerships and collaborations which will add to its success for generations to come.