Showtunes Announces 2016-2017 Season!

By: Aug. 03, 2016
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The 2016-2017 SHOWTUNES Theatre Company season defies expectations and dazzles audiences with three rarely produced concert musicals and two very special musical theatre events. With the introduction of a cabaret in February, Defying Expectations, and a musical theatre-themed Writer's Initiative in May, SHOWTUNES continues to diversify their offerings while demonstrating their unparalleled devotion to this all-American art form. The season begins with three performances October 22-23 at ACT's Allen Theatre. Shenandoah is directed by Matt Wolfe with music direction by RJ Tancioco. The expanded season also includes two concert musicals inside Benaroya Hall's Ilsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall: Leap of Faith on December 3-4 and The Unsinkable Molly Brown on March 11-12, 2017.

The cabaret, Defying Expectations, is curated and directed by Seattle-based Sam Pettit. The new Writers Initiative furthers the SHOWTUNES commitment to nurturing young musical theatre writing talent and educating the public on how new musicals are born. The three concert musicals that anchor the SHOWTUNES season will all include a talented cast of local musical theatre professionals and revive the original book and score. Actors perform with scripts in hand and minimal staging props and costumes.

The three concert musicals this season that will defy expectations are:

Shenandoah, based on the classic 1965 film starring Jimmy Stewart, is an often overlooked musical set during the Civil War. Centered on one family's struggles during wartime, this timeless story explores gender stereotypes and complex moral issues during the most brutal war in American history. Color and gender-blind casting set the tone for a powerful production, starring local favorite Anne Allgood as Charlie (a role traditionally played by a male). It will be set inside ACT's intimate Allen Theatre, and inaugurates an exciting new ACTLab partnership.

Leap of Faith is the story of a con-man evangelist who rolls into a tiny Kansas town full of people who lead him on a true path to redemption. It is based on the 1992 Steve Martin film and features a soaring gospel music score by Alan Menken that is perfect for the holidays. Louis Hobson, who was featured in the Broadway premiere, stars in this concert production.

The Unsinkable Molly Brown celebrates the spirit of an American woman who emerged from the backwoods of Colorado, danced her way through ballrooms of the world's elite, and survived the sinking of the Titanic. Seattle's own Billie Wildrick directs this unique staging featuring six different professional actors "tag teaming" the plum role of Molly through her long and spectacular life. Casting for this All-American hero, is open to women of all ages and ethnicities who embody the spirit of Molly Brown.

SHOWTUNES Season Subscription packages start at $99. Single tickets for Shenandoah go on sale in September and will be available through the ACT box office. Subscriptions are available online (www.showtunestheatre.org) or via mail (download a subscription form at www.showtunestheatre.org and mail it in. Phone interviews and in-person appearances are available by contacting Jennifer Rice at 206-285-5175.

Based in Seattle and founded in 1999, SHOWTUNES creates concert versions of the many unsung American musical theater gems. Led by Matt Wolfe (Artistic Director) and company founder Maggie Stenson Pehrson (Executive Producer), the company currently presents special events as well as a three-concert season at two of Seattle's premiere venues: ACT Theatre and Benaroya Hall. Pulling from the vast array of musical theatre talent in the area, SHOWTUNES has staged 31 productions to date.



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