The Grand Theatre Announces 2011-2012 Season

The Grand Theatre is pleased to announce the lineup for their 2011-2012 season. This four show season includes some familiar favorites and two debuts. The light-hearted musicals that open and close the season are family-favorites that audiences will love and cherish.  These musicals are complemented by two profound dramas, which feature important aspects of American history.  The Grand Theatre 2011-2012 schedule of shows includes:

The Wizard of Oz
By L. Frank Baum
Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg
October 12-29
Based upon the Academy Award winning film, this family-friendly favorite tells the story of Dorothy Gale, who with her home is transported via tornado to the munchkin village. Along with faithful companion Toto, Dorothy begins her quest to the Emerald City to meet with the wizard in hopes of finding a way back to home and along the way meets Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Cowardly Lion.

Miss Evers’ Boys
By David Feldshuh
February 1-18
This Utah debut tells the story of the Tuskegee experiment, a U.S. Federal Government secret medical experiment on poor African Americans in the years 1932-1972, designed to study the effects of untreated syphilis. The story is told from the perspective of the small town nurse, Eunice Evers, who is well aware of the lack of treatment, but feels her role is to console the involved men, many of whom are her direct friends.
 
The Crucible
By Arthur Miller
March 7-24
Tony Award winner for best play in 1953, this American classic is a dramatization of the Salem witch trials that took place in the Province of Massachusetts Bay during 1692 and 1693. Early in the year 1692, in the small Massachusetts village of Salem, a collection of girls fell ill, falling victim to hallucinations and seizures. Spurring fears of witchcraft, it was not long before the girls and other residents of Salem began to accuse other villagers of consorting with devils and casting spells. Old grudges and jealousies spill out into the open, fueling the atmosphere of hysteria, which ultimately lead to the conviction and hanging of many Salem citizens.

Xanadu
Music and Lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar
May 9-26
This Salt Lake debut is skating its way to the grand.  Based upon the 1980 cult classic, this musical focuses on a Greek muse, Clio, who descends from Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach, California in 1980 on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest creation of his life - a roller disco. But, when Clio, disguised as an Australian roller girl named Kira, falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation, and Clio risks eternal banishment to the underworld. The score retains the hits from the film including I'm Alive, Magic, Suddenly, and Dancin', as well as adding two classic Electric Light Orchestra songs, Strange Magic and Evil Woman, plus Farrar's Have You Never Been Mellow.

Other Special Events:

Always...Patsy Cline
Back by popular demand
August 25 - September 17
Join us for an evening of music from one of the most influential, successful and acclaimed female vocalists of the 20th century, Patsy Cline featuring local favorite, Erica Hansen, in her return performance of this legendary star. Throughout the show, you’ll hear a variety of Patsy Cline’s hit songs as they are blended into the heartfelt, true story of rare friendship between Patsy and a devoted fan. If you haven’t seen this production yet, you would be “crazy” to miss it!

Community Celebration of Messiah
The 10th Annual Tradition
December 8-12
A celebration of the season, where Handel’s Messiah is infused with the sounds of jazz, R&B and gospel. Join us for this modern holiday tradition, now in its 10th season, which captures the essence of Handel’s most famous work and reinvents it. The end result is a vibrant and inspiring celebration that must be experienced to be appreciated. It’s Handel like you’ve never heard before!

Season Performance Details:

Times: Evening performances 7:30pm (Dark Sundays-Tuesdays), Saturday matinees 2:00pm (First two weekends of each performance run)
Location: The Grand Theatre, 1575 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Tickets: Prices range from $8.00 to $24.00 with discounts for groups, seniors, and students available.
Reservations: 801-957-3322 or online at www.the-grand.org
Wheelchair accessible

About the Grand
The Grand Theatre Foundation produces quality community theatre, educational outreach programs and cooperative partnerships to enrich the community through the performing arts and humanities.  The Grand Theatre is located on Salt Lake Community Colleges' South City Campus, which is the old South High School.  The Grand Theatre's main season includes both plays and musicals that meet the needs of Utah's diverse community.  These productions include both professional and non-equity actors and actresses throughout Utah including live music for musical theatres productions.