Theatrical Outfit Sets 2015-16 Season: THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, MEMPHIS & More

Theatrical Outfit continues its vision of creating compassion - one story at a time - by starting the conversations that matter. Our thought-provoking and soul-stirring 2015-2016 season lineup will transport audiences from the radio airwaves and smoky music clubs of Memphis, Tennessee in the 1950s; into the mind of R. Buckminster Fuller - one of the 20th Century's brightest visionaries; from Africa to Victorian London via the pluck of an unstoppable young girl; around the globe as the mysterious Book of Moxie trades hands and evolves; and into the complex hearts of a mother and daughter vacationing in a sunshine-filled Tuscany of yesteryear. From Tony-winning musicals to one-man shows to a family-friendly holiday musical to world premieres, our courageous Season 2015-2016 truly offers something for everyone!

Why "Courage"? When we laugh, thrill and wonder with the characters of Memphis, Buckminster Fuller, A Little Princess, Moxie and The Light in the Piazza as they go on their fantastic journeys, we can gain that quality that we most need to succeed on our own journey of becoming who we are created to be - courage. Theatrical Outfit presents the 2015-2016 Season of Courage with the hope to not only entertain and engage, but to inspire and transform. Welcome to the adventure of the human experience. - Tom Key, Artistic Director

MEMPHIS - September 10 - 20, 2015, at the Rialto Center for the Arts, a Co-production with Aurora Theatre.
Electric Rock-n-Roll Musical!
Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietro and Music and Lyrics by David Bryan
Based on a Concept by George W. George
Directed by Tom Key
Musical Direction by Ann-Carol Pence
Choreography by Waverly Lucas

Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and inspired by the underground clubs of the 1950s, Memphis follows the forbidden love of a white DJ who falls for everything he shouldn't: R&B music and a magnetic black singer chasing stardom. Our lovers embark with courage on a dangerous affair but are challenged by family, personal ambition and a non-accepting world. This roof-raising musical, about a revolution that erupts when a vision meets a voice, features a mix of electrifying music, high-octane dancing and soulful, soaring emotion.

R. BUCKMINSTER FULLER: THE HISTORY (AND MYSTERY) OF THE UNIVERSE - October 1 - 25, 2015,
at The Balzer Theater at Herren's
One Man. One Mission.
Starring Tom Key
By D.W. Jacobs, from the Life, Work and Writings of R. Buckminster Fuller

Hop onboard a captivating quest chronicling the Leonardo da Vinci of the twentieth century in this unconventional one-man show blending multimedia, poetry and humanist humor. Can humankind sustain itself on Earth, and if so, how? Do we have the courage to reinvent ourselves? So ponders R. Buckminster Fuller - engineer, environmentalist, futurist, poet, philosopher and inventor of the geodesic dome. A visionary who foretold many of today's challenges, Bucky teaches us to save the planet by doing more with less. Meet the mesmerizing man behind the world-saving mission.

A LITTLE PRINCESS - December 3 - 27, 2015 (excluding December 24 and 25) at The Balzer Theater at Herren's
Spunky Family Musical!
Book and Lyrics by Brian Crawley and Music by Andrew Lippa
Based on the Novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Directed by Mira Hirsch

Privileged Sara Crewe, daughter of an adventurer in Africa, finds herself shipped away to drab Victorian-era London. Though she wows new school chums with tales of magic and mystery, she also draws the wrath of the Headmistress, Miss Minchin. When grim news arrives from afar, Sara's charmed life crumbles, and she's forced to become a servant. Relying on imagination, courage and inner-royalty, Sara faces adversity with the dignity of a true princess. Based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic novel, this spunky family musical, full of African music, dance and exotic locales, is a treat for all!

MOXIE - January 28 - February 21, 2016 at The Balzer Theater at Herren's
Globetrotting Adventure Tale!
World Premiere!
Winner: Alliance Theatre's Reiser Atlanta Artist Lab!
Winner: Inverness Prize for Playwriting!
By Lane Carlock and Brian Kurlander
Directed by Elisa Carlson

An American marine in Afghanistan connects with his son across the world by crafting a handmade book. As the unfinished Book of Moxie journeys on to a chic Parisian apartment, the slums of India, and, finally, an inner-city American school, all who touch it are sparked to add their personal stories, contributing to its enchanting and mystical force. This globetrotting adventure tale acts as a reminder of the power of storytelling, the potency of words and the courage we all must summon to thrive and connect in modern times.

THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA - April 14 - May 15, 2016 at The Balzer Theater at Herren's
Heart-stopping Romantic Musical!
Book by Craig Lucas and Music and Lyrics by Adam Guettel
Based on the Novella by Elizabeth Spencer
Directed by Richard Garner
Musical Direction by Greg Sudmeier

In 1953, Margaret Johnson of Winston-Salem is on holiday in Italy when dashing Fabrizzio falls fast for her daughter, Clara. As the courtship races, Margaret must reveal a family secret or summon the courage to consent to marriage. Themes of sacrifice, destiny and the effervescence of first love ripple through this lush period musical. Adapted from the novella by Elizabeth Spencer with a score by Adam Guettel (grandson of composer Richard Rogers), this winner of six Tony Awards transports audiences to sunshine-filled Tuscany and into the hearts of some of musical theatre's most endearing characters.

DID YOU KNOW? Theatrical Outfit is committed to using the best Atlanta talent onstage and behind the scenes. You'll rarely see a New York or Los Angeles-based actor or designer's artistry on our stage.

TICKETS: Subscription packages - $65-$195 - are on sale now and include 3, 4 or 5 shows! Single tickets - $20-$50 - go on sale July 1., 2015. 678.528.1500. www.theatricaloutfit.org.

SPECIAL EVENT: "Tom Key and Friends" - a one-night celebration (with scenes, music and remembrances) at the Balzer Theater at Herren's for Tom's 20th Anniversary with Theatrical Outfit. All tickets for Tom Key and Friends are offered for $100 per person and are limited to 5-pack subscribers until July 1 (when they go on sale to the general public). Only two shows: January 9, 2016 at 4:30 pm and 8:00 pm (reception in between).