TURN OF THE SCREW, 42nd St. et al. Set for Stoneham Theatre's 11th Season

STONEHAM THEATRE'S SEASON 11: GREAT STORIES

Perfect Harmony
September 9 - October 3, 2010
[a glee-fully cut-throat a cappella comedy, headed to NYC for an extended run; written by Andrew Grosso and The Essentials; directed by Andrew Grosso.]
The Acafellas have won 18 a cappella National Championships, but this year the Ladies in Red think it's their turn to shine. Perfect Harmony exposes the cut-throat competition of glee clubs and the even more cut-throat competition of high school. The show premiered to raves at the 2006 NY Fringe Festival. Contains mature language.

Turn of the Screw
October 21 - November 7, 2010
[a ghostly duet; written by Jeffrey Hatcher, based on the short story by Henry James; directed by Caitlin Lowans and featuring Molly Schreiber & Ryan Landry.]
Charmed by a handsome man of business, an eager governess is hired to care for his two orphaned wards. His only request: "Never trouble me. Never." As unexpected occurrences turn sinister and ghostly visions intrude, she vows to protect the children at all cost.

Best Christmas Pageant Ever
November 26 - December 23, 2010
[a holiday tale for the whole family; written by Barbara Robinson and directed by Chris Carcione.]
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a family-friendly romp about a small-town Christmas Pageant that gets hijacked by the roughest, loudest, rowdiest kids in town. And just when the Pageant seems beyond all repair, the true spirit of Christmas is discovered in the most unexpected of ways.

Sister's Christmas Catechism
December 1 - December 19, 2010
[a holiday tale for after the kids have gone to bed; conceived by Maripat Donovan with Jane Morris and Marc Silvia.]
Leave the children at home for the latest installment in the Late Nite Catechism series, a hilarious unconventional tutorial in Catholic holiday traditions. Sister's Christmas Catechism is an opportunity to dive in and solve the real mysteries of the season. Perfect for those who need to know where the Magi's gold is actually hidden.

Sunfish
February 10 - February 27, 2011
[a musical fairy tale (world premiere); music by Hyeyoung Kim; lyrics by Michael Cooper; book by Michael Cooper and Hyeyoung Kim; directed by Caitlin Lowans.]
When offered a miraculous cure to restore her father's sight, a poor young girl sacrifices everything she knows and is swept up in an adventure that takes her from her small village to a fantastic undersea world. Based on a traditional Korean folk-tale, Sunfish combines the energy of Wicked with the magic of The Little Mermaid.

Rimers of Eldritch
March 24-April 10, 2011
[the secret life of a small town; written by Lanford Wilson; directed by Weylin Symes.]
Nelly Windrod is on trial for murder, accused of shooting the local vagrant as he attacked a teenage girl. As the neighbors and families of the former mining town of Eldritch grapple with the sudden upheaval of their lives and struggle to understand how this could happen, long-buried secrets are revealed and the truth is unearthed layer upon layer.

42nd Street
May 5 - May 29, 2011
[the quintessential backstage musical; music by Harry Warren; lyrics by Al Dubin; book by Michael Stewart & Mark Bramble, based on the novel by Bradford Ropes; original direction and dances by Gower Champion; directed and choreographed by Ilyse Robbins.]
Peggy Sawyer is a star-stuck chorus girl from a small town who gets her big break when the star of the show breaks her ankle. Question that taunts audiences throughout: can Peggy rise to the occasion and become a star herself? 42nd Street is one of the biggest, sweetest, and most memorable Broadway musicals of all time.

Sisters of Swing: The Story of the Andrews Sisters
June 30-July 24, 2011
[a local favorite returns; written by Beth Gilleland and Bob Beverage; musical arrangements and continuity by Raymond Berg; directed and choreographed by Bobby Cronin.]
The best-selling musical in Stoneham Theatre history is back! Sisters of Swing tells the amazing story of sisters LaVerne, Maxene, and Patty. This musical tour of their lives, careers, and relationships includes "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Apple Blossom Time," and countless other hits that lifted the morale of many a WWII GI.

Background information:

Stoneham Theatre is located at 395 Main Street, Stoneham, MA 01890, in the center of town and close to several exits off of Routes 93 and 95. More information regarding Season 11 can be obtained by calling the Stoneham Theatre Box Office at (781) 279-2200, open Tuesday through Saturday 1-6 pm, or online at www.stonehamtheatre.org.

Stoneham Theatre, a professional non-profit theatre, produces a rich mix of high quality work that appeals to the diverse tastes and interests of the region, provides year-round comprehensive arts education for young people, and offers everyone the opportunity to examine the world through the experience of live theatre.

Through the creation of inspiring live theatre, the young company at Stoneham Theatre develops life skills of confidence, self-discipline and collaboration, preparing individuals for future success. Theatre professionals teach diverse year-round programs for ages 3-18, in an inclusive professional theatre environment.

As a nonprofit performing arts organization, Stoneham Theatre depends on the support of individuals and organizations to fulfill its mission of providing quality, affordable and accessible performing arts and educational opportunities to our communities.

Currently running at Stoneham Theatre:
"Always ... Patsy Cline"; created by Ted Swindley and starring Becky Barta.
Runs July 8-25, 2010.
For details, www.stonehamtheatre.org/patsycline09.html

Coming up next at Stoneham Theatre:
The young company's "The Summer Festival"; featuring the work of young performers (grades 1 through high school) involved in the theatre's summer training program. Shows include: "Footloose", "Annie, Get Your Gun", "Crazy For You", "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers", "columbinus", and "Batboy: the Musical".
Runs August 6-15, 2010.
For details, www.stonehamtheatre.org/yc_summer.html.

Stoneham Theatre is also home to the Atelier Gallery, a satellite gallery of the Griffin Museum of Photography, showcasing fine art photography. For more information on the exhibition schedule, log onto www.griffinmuseum.org/exhibitions_atelier.htm. The Atelier Gallery at Stoneham Theatre is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 1-6 p.m., and one hour before each theater performance. The gallery can be accessed through the theatre's lobby; free and open to all.

Weylin Symes serves as the Stoneham Theatre's Producing Artistic Director.