Goodspeed Musicals Announces Line-up For 46th Season

Goodspeed Musicals, the only two time Tony Award-winning theatre in the nation, is proud to announce its 46th season at the Goodspeed Opera House. The 2009 season will include three extraordinary musicals that are sure to delight theatre-goers: the dazzling Broadway song and dance extravaganza 42nd Street will run from April 17 - June 28; Lerner & Loewe's legendary Camelot will run from July 10 - September 19; and the zany adventure A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, will run from September 25 - November 29. Be among the first to purchase tickets for all three shows when the Box Office opens at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 22nd, Goodspeed Musicals' 2009 season is produced by Michael P. Price.

From the team that brought you Singin' in the Rain, this year's season opener will be 42nd Street, the biggest, brightest, boldest, most sparkling dance musical ever on the Goodspeed stage! It's the ultimate Broadway fairy tale as a stage-struck understudy becomes an overnight star. Packed with razzmatazz and plenty of pizzazz, it will set your heart pounding with its rhythmically tapping feet and hit parade of songs: "Lullaby of Broadway," "We're In The Money," "Shuffle Off To Buffalo," and of course "42nd Street." Tony Award winner for Best Musical, it's Tap Dance Heaven!

42nd Street features Music by Harry Warren, Lyrics by Al Dubin, and Book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble. This production will be directed by Ray Roderick who returns to Goodspeed where he directed the 2007 production of Singin' in the Rain and Double Trouble in 2001. Roderick's other credits include Associate Director of the 2001 Broadway revival of The Music Man. 42nd Street will be choreographed by Rick Conant who returns to Goodspeed where he previously choreographed the sensational Singin' in the Rain and worked as Assistant Choreographer on Lucky In The Rain. Rick appeared on Broadway in 42nd Street and A Chorus Line, and as CosMo Brown in Singin' In The Rain and Bobby in A Chorus Line in the first national tours. This production will be sponsored by Webster Bank.

Experience "one brief shining moment" that was Camelot. Relive the enduring legend of King Arthur, Guenevere, Lancelot and the Knights of the Round Table in an enchanting fable of chivalry, honor and brotherhood. Dazzling and spellbinding with sweeping romance and historic grandeur, this classic musical speaks to our time and for all time. The celebrated score includes the classics "If Ever I Would

Leave You," "The Simple Joys of Maidenhood," and "Camelot." Winner of 4 Tony Awards.
Camelot features Music by Frederick Loewe and Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner. This production will be directed by Rob Ruggiero of Goodspeed's 1776 and last season's audience favorite Big River . Rob Ruggiero has directed numerous productions during his tenure as Associate Artistic Director of Hartford's TheaterWorks and recently brought his William Finn revue Make Me A Song to New World Stages in New York City. The choreographer will be Ralph Perkins, who previously choreographed Goodspeed's 1776. Camelot will be sponsored by Robinson & Cole.

Non-stop laughter awaits you with America's Funniest Musical, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Screamingly funny! Downright hilarious! Comedy reigns when a thoroughly disarming slave named Pseudolus schemes to gain his freedom by helping his master's son get the girl he desires. It's an accelerating whirl of mixed identities, swinging doors, double takes, double entendres, outrageous puns and gags that will keep you laughing all the way home. Winner of tons of Tony Awards including Best Musical.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum features Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. This production will be directed and choreographed by Ted Pappas whose previous Goodspeed Musicals credits include On the Twentieth Century; Kiss Me, Kate; Promises, Promises; and The Norma Terris Theatre production of Gotham!. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum will be sponsored by Bank of America.
Beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2009, single tickets ($26.00 - $69.50) may be purchased through the Box Office (860.873.8668), open seven days a week, or on-line at goodspeed.org. Subscription prices range from $78 - $177 at the Goodspeed Opera House for one person, all three shows and are available at any time. A special Supersaver ticket package is available for only $87 for all three shows. Contact the Box Office for details.

42nd Street will run April 17 - June 28; Camelot will run from July 10 - September 19; and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, will run from September 25 - November 29. Curtain times are Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 7:30 p.m. (select performances at 2:00 p.m.), Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. (select performances at 6:30 p.m.).

Dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theatre, Goodspeed Musicals produces three musicals each season at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn., and additional productions at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn., which was opened in 1984 for the development of new musicals. The only regional theatre to receive two Tony Awards (for outstanding achievement), Goodspeed also maintains The Scherer Library of Musical Theatre and The Max Showalter Center for Education in the Musical Theater. Goodspeed gratefully acknowledges the support of American Airlines, official airline of Goodspeed Musicals, Hoffman Audi; Blum Shapiro; and support from The National Endowment for the Arts and the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.