Berkeley Playhouse's 2012-2013 Season to Include THE SOUND OF MUSIC, MULAN JR. and More

Berkeley Playhouse proudly announces the lineup for its fifth season. The family-friendly season of musicals timeless and new opens in October with Rodgers and Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC, directed by Jennifer King. Jon Tracy (The Pirates of Penzance) returns to the company to direct Frank Loesser and Abe Burrows' GUYS AND DOLLS in March.

The company is also poised to present the West Coast Professional Premiere of DISNEY'S MULAN JR., directed by Artistic Director Elizabeth McKoy in July. Berkeley Playhouse continues its commitment to developing new musical theater works with a New Work Sample Showcase of the company's most recent commission, THUMBELINA, a fantasy adventure based on the Hans Christian Andersen tale, with a book by Jon Tracy (Born and Raised) and music by Phil Gorman (Bravado); Elizabeth McKoy directs. In addition to the main stage season and new work showcase, the company will present winter, spring, and fall Youth Conservatory productions. The entire 2012-13 season will be staged at the Julia Morgan Theatre (2640 College Avenue) in Berkeley. Subscriptions go on sale April 21; single tickets on sale May 1. For tickets and information, the public may visit berkeleyplayhouse.org or call 510-845-8542x351. 

"I couldn't be more thrilled about our upcoming season," said Berkeley Playhouse founding Artistic Director Elizabeth McKoy. "Our main stage season features stories about unique journeys, where individuals risk failure, overcome personal obstacles, find inner courage, and ultimately triumph.

We also embark on our fifth season with a vision to continue the commission and creation of family musical theater with our new works program, launched in season three.  After the success of our first staged musical workshop, Born and Raised, we realized that in addition to producing classic and modern music theater, we wanted to develop new musicals that spoke to, and for, a multigenerational audience." 

Continued McKoy, "Berkeley Playhouse aims to create works that are multilayered, where an adult and a child see the same show and have both shared and unique experiences, where stories feel important and represent the diverse audiences that make up the Bay Area and the world. This season truly speaks to that endeavor, as it includes some of the most powerful, exciting, and best-known musical theater of all time."

For tickets and information, the visit berkeleyplayhouse.org or call 510-845-8542x351; group discounts available

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