THE HEART OF ROBIN HOOD, AIDA and More Set for Hale Centre Theatre's 2017 Season

Hale Centre Theatre, Utah's professional family theater, officially unveiled its 2017 entertainment season that will begin a new era of year-round, non-stop productions in its new 130,000 square-foot performing arts center in Sandy City.

The 2017 season will start at HCT's current West Valley City location, and then will transition in Sept. 2017, with the first performance in Sandy City on HCT's proscenium thrust (Jewel Box), stage. And then in Nov. 2017, HCT will present its first show on its one-of-a-kind center stage, built by international stage design company Tait Stage Technology.

"No matter where our productions will be presented, our 24,000 wonderful season ticket holders and additional patrons will enjoy a full schedule of well-produced shows that will uplift and entertain their families," said Sally Dietlein, co-founder and HCT vice president. "We have a schedule of big, bright musicals; a classic play, a regional premiere and one of our favorite original plays written by Ruth and Nathan Hale, HCT founders.

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The 2016 Hale Centre Theatre season includes:

THE NERD

December 31, 2016 - February 4, 2017

WVC

Have you ever had a visitor come to stay who just wouldn't leave? Have his little annoying habits made you cringe in disbelief? Welcome, The Nerd ... a side-splitting, crazy hilarious, comedy by Larry Shue. You asked for it....he's baaack! Heaven help us all! Happy New Year!

SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS

February 17 - April 8

WVC

By Popular Demand ... It's the 1850's... A joyous plot thickens when seven rowdy, uncouth, smelly men steal away seven gloriously beautiful, cultured women. A musical clash of wits and refinement begins! The tunes ring with Oregon, mountain fun... and oohhhh the dancing! By DePaul, Mercer, Kasha and Hirschorn. Don't miss this delightful wedding!

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

April 15 - May 27

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An American Treasure by Harper Lee. Lauded as one of the finest classics of all time, experience with young, Scout, how she is taught respect, tolerance and love by attorney, Atticus Finch who is acclaimed as one of the noblest characters in all of literature. By Christopher Sergel. Too important and exquisite to miss.

Production TBA

June 2 - August 12

WVC

THE HEART OF ROBIN HOOD

August 25 - October 14

WVC

A Regional Premiere! The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford - upon-Avon, recently introduced this exciting new telling of how Robin Hood began. It has it all... laughter, suspense, romance, swordplay, children, dogs and uproarious fun! Smart and playful - this will become a new family favorite. By David Farr. A crowd pleaser!

FOREVER PLAID

September 1 - November 15

SANDY CITY - JEWEL BOX THEATRE - Grand Opening

Your Four Favorite Crooners Return! What happens when a 50's quartet is allowed to come back from heaven to do the show they never got to do on earth? ... Fabulous music... 16 Tons, Love is a Many Splendored Thing, Three Coins in a Fountain... Experience it all on our new, cozy Jewel Box Stage! By Ross and Raitt. One of your most requested shows in our 32 years! Our special gift to you!

A BUNDLE OF TROUBLE

October 21 - November 30

WVC

It's Time for Sweet Memories! We bring to you Nathan and Ruth Hale's hysterically funny comedy. A father's orderly life crumbles when his precocious five-year old daughter comes to live with him. She unravels his home, his work and his heart. A rib-tickling favorite by the iconic founders of Hale Centre Theater. A rare treat!

AIDA

November 16 - January 20, 2018

SANDY CITY - CENTRE STAGE THEATRE - Grand Opening

The Broadway Blockbuster! This enthralling story of loyalty, romance and betrayal has won the hearts of audiences the world over! Marvelous in story, music, dance and costume, this glorious musical will be the first on HCT's spectacular New Centre Stage! With technology like no other theatre on earth - Aida's classic tale will thrill as never before! By Elton John and Tim Rice. A sure sell out! Book Early!

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

December 1 - December 23

SANDY CITY - JEWEL BOX THEATRE

Nationally Acclaimed! In its 33rd year, and now on HCT"s new, intimate Jewel Box Stage! Be a breath away as precious Tiny Tim, once again exclaims, "God Bless Us Everyone!" Charles Dickens' beloved tale adapted by Wilkins and Bradford. Merry Christmas!

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"The past 30 years have been an amazing ride for us, and 2017 marks an exciting new age for Hale Centre Theatre," added Dietlein. "We started in 1985 at our first South Valley location, which we eventually outgrew. In 1998 we opened in our wonderful West Valley City Theatre, which after 15-plus years could no longer meet our seating and parking needs. So here we are today, announcing our exciting 2017 entertainment season and building an incredible new performing arts center with two unique stages and 1,360 comfortable seats. It's all pretty remarkable."

HCT broke ground on the new performing arts center designed by Beecher Walker Architects, in September 2015. The building, being erected by Layton Construction, will offer two state-of-the-art stages: a 460-seat proscenium thrust theater for smaller productions, and a 900-seat, theater-in-the-round with a technologically-advanced center stage. When complete, the performing arts center will become an unrivaled theatrical engine, growing to present more than 700 performances annually between the two stages. In addition, Sandy City is constructing a covered parking terrace that keeps patrons out of the elements as they walk to the theater.

Subscription renewals have begun for HCT's exclusive Season Ticket Plus holders. To join this program call 801-984-9000. Regular season ticket renewals will begin June 1, and ticket sales to the general public begin August 1. For ticket information call 801-984-9000, go to www.hct.org, or visit the box office at 3333 S. Decker Lake Drive in West Valley City. For updates, contests and information on the current theatre season, follow Hale Centre Theatre on Facebook.

Hale Centre Theatre, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, is dedicated to providing "innovative, professional family theater and theater education that involves and elevates our community." Since 2005, the theater has won 20 Best-of-State awards in Theater Group/Director, Arts in Education and Professional Theater. The organization, celebrating its 30-year anniversary in 2015, is currently located at 3333 South Decker Lake Drive in West Valley City, Utah. HCT employs a full-time staff of 33 with benefits, and a part-time staff of 75. The theater pays more than 300 actors each year for their performances, all who live and work in Utah. HCT gives back to the community by donating theater passes to and providing tours for hundreds of school children and non-profit organizations throughout the year. For more information about the current theater season, educational programs and HCT's move to Sandy City visit www.HCT.org.

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