Ocean State Theatre Company's 2013-2014 Season Opens With LES MISERABLES

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC) has announced that its first full season in their new state-of-the-Art Theatre located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick, will open with the international smash hit, LES MISERABLES.

"We have wanted to produce LES MISERABLES for several years now, but with the confines of the barn at Theatre By The Sea, we didn't feel we could do it justice," said Amiee Turner, Producing Artistic Director. "Our new space in Warwick will be able to accommodate the piece beautifully. The fact that the production will be the Rhode Island Regional Theatre Premiereis icing on the cake!"

LES MISERABLES, which kicks off the subscription season on October 2, takes place in 19th century France, as Jean Valjean is released from 19 years of unjust imprisonment, but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment. He breaks his parole in hopes of starting a new life, initiating a life-long struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways. Finally, during the Paris student uprising of 1832, Javert must confront his ideals after Valjean spares his life and saves that of the student revolutionary, who has captured the heart of Valjean's adopted daughter. His world-view shattered, Javert is unable to reconcile Valjean's merciful act. Valjean at last attains the peace he has sought for so long. Epic, grand and uplifting, LES MISERABLES has thrilled audiences throughout the world.

LES MISERABLES will be presented from October 2 - October 27, 2013.

The season continues on November 8 with Lombardi, a new American play by Academy Award-winner and Steppenwolf Theatre Company member Eric Simonson. This original work brings the audience into the life and times of one of America's most inspirational and mercurial personalities, Hall of Fame football coach, Vince Lombardi. Though football's Super Bowl trophy is named for him, few know the real story of Lombardi the man - his inspirations, his passions and his ability to drive people to achieve what they never thought possible. Based on the best-selling biography When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi by Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Maraniss, Lombardi is powerful family drama that tells an inspiring story of one of the greatest football coaches of all time, whose fame and influence spread far beyond the gridiron.

Lombardi will be presented from November 6 - November 24, 2013.

In January, OSTC will help beat the winter doldrums with Neil Simon's Broadway hit, Laughter on the 23rd Floor. Chaos is king backstage at "The Max Prince Show," a popular 1950s comedy-variety TV series. The stress of slipping ratings is eating Max alive, but his harried writing staff frantically scrambles to top each other with gags, while competing for the attention of the star madman. Inspired by the playwright's youthful experience as a staff writer on Sid Caesar's "Your Show of Shows," Neil Simon re-creates the mayhem, neuroses, nonstop gags and constant one-upmanship of a team of brilliantly funny social misfits. Contains adult language.

Laughter on the 23rd Floor will be presented from January 29 - February 16, 2014.

Swing's the thing as we approach the spring! The All Night Strut! is a classy, sassy musical celebration of the 1930's and'40s, which carries audiences through the Depression, World War II and the post war boom. The show is filled with jazz, blues, bebop and standards that thrill the heart, tickle the funny bone and raise the rafters. Legendary songwriters such as Hoagy Carmichael, Frank Loesser, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Cab Calloway and the Gershwins take audiences from the funky jive of Harlem to the sophisticated elegance of El Morocco and the romance of the Stage Door Canteen. This international hit is a slick slice of yesteryear with sublime music and unbeatable energy that's perfect for a new generation of Swing fans and die-hard devotees! Songs include "Minnie the Moocher," "Sentimental Journey," "As Time Goes By," "In the Mood," and many more.

The All Night Strut! will be presented from February 26 - March 16, 2014.

The Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play, The Diary of Anne Frank, a beautiful story from one of the darkest periods in history, will be presented beginning in late March. Through the diary entries of 13-year-old Anne Frank, the play tells the story of a Jewish family forced into hiding in an effort to avoid Nazi persecution during World War II. Isolated from the outside world, her family and three others lived in constant fear of being discovered. They remained hidden for two years and one month, until their betrayal, which resulted in their deportation to Nazi concentration camps. After the war, the pages of Anne's diary were discovered on the floor of the annex where the family had been hiding. This moving, true story is a testament to the human spirit.

The Diary of Anne Frank will be presented from March 26 - April 13, 2014.

Rounding out the season is the greatest tap dance musical of all time, 42nd Street. Based on the classic 1933 movie musical of the same name, this timeless, inspiring story focuses on a naive young aspiring chorus girl named Peggy Sawyer, who is plucked out of the chorus to save the show when leading lady, Dorothy Brock breaks her ankle. This classic backstage story celebrates the hard work, talent and love of those involved in Broadway shows. Winner of the 1980 Tony Award for "Best New Musical" and the 2001 Tony Award for "Best Revival of a Musical," this family-friendly musical features a hit parade of songs including "Lullaby of Broadway," "We're in the Money," "Shuffle Off to Buffalo" and the spectacular title number. 42nd Street is Broadway razzle-dazzle at its finest!

42nd Street will be presented from April 23 - May 11, 2014.

"In addition to the six productions we will be presenting as part of our subscription season, we also plan to expand our Family Fun Fest, and present a musical during the holidays," said Ms. Turner. "We will also continue our talkback series, Conducting Conversations Live! with WCRI's Mike Maino, which gives audiences an opportunity to ask questions of the cast and creative team following the first Saturday matinee of each production."

Previews for all productions are scheduled for Wednesday at 7:30pm and Thursday at 2:00 and 7:30pm. Opening weekend performances will be held on Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 2:00 and 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:00 and 7:30pm. All other performances will be held Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 7:30pm, as well as Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at2:00pm. The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. Preview performances will be $30.00 for plays and $39 for musicals. All other performances will be $30.00 - $47.00 for plays and $39.00 - $54.00 for musicals. Discount rates for groups of 20 or more will also be available.

Subscriptions for the 2013-14 Season are now available. For the coming season, subscribers can enjoy discounted rates with several different subscription options:

The Preview and Premiere Subscriptions allow subscribers to choose from the best seats in the house before they go on sale to the public, secure the same choice seats for each show, save over single ticket pricing, renew the same seats annually and exchange seats up to 24 hours in advance for a small fee. (Donors at the $50 level and above enjoy free unlimited exchanges.) Subscriptions range in price from $99 - $250.

The Flexible Passport provides the ultimate in flexibility by including six "seats" which can be used in any combination. For example, one ticket for six shows on different nights, two tickets for three different shows or any other combination imaginable. The choice is yours! The Flexible Passport allows subscribers to choose from the best seats in the house before they go on sale to the public and save over single ticket prices.

Season ticket subscriptions are available for purchase at the box office Monday from 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm, Tuesday through Friday 12:00 noon - 6:00 pm and Saturday from 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm. The box office is also open Saturday until 7:30pmand Sunday from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm when there is a performance scheduled. Tickets are available online anytime atOceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 921-6800.

Single tickets for the 2013-14 Season will go on sale to the public beginning July 29, 2013.