The 2011-2012 season at Katy Visual & Performing Arts Center promises love and romance. All of the productions in the new lineup have love and all of its entanglements as the central theme. Encore Players, KVPAC's community theatre group, will open the season with I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, directed by Erin Eder, a witty musical revue that examines the joys and hazards of dating, relationships, marriage, sex, children, and everything in between. Anyone who has ever been in or out of love will find something to laugh about and relate to in this comedy. The show, which contains strong language and adult content, will run weekends from September 23 through October 2.
In January, Encore Players present Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Like many of
William Shakespeare's comedies, this one centers on duplicity, deception, and desire. The central character, Viola, masquerades as her presumed dead brother in order to secure work from a man, who is in love with a woman, who falls in love with Viola, thinking Viola is a man - whew! Throw in a wicked storm, a shipwreck, practical jokes, sword fights, and menacing servants, and this play truly has something for everybody. Keep this one in mind for high school students who will be studying Shakespeare in English Literature. Performances are weekends from January 13 through 22.
Treat your sweetheart in February to Love Letters, written by A.R. Gurney and nominated for a Pulitzer Prize; this popular play has been produced in countless languages around the world. The tale is one of a man and a woman who sustain a lifelong love affair through their artfully crafted correspondence. They discuss their hopes and ambitions, dreams and disappointments - everything that has passed between them throughout their lives. Encore Players presents this show one weekend only, February 10 through 12.
Springtime brings showers and flowers, and sometimes Lovers' Quarrels. This farce by the French playwright, Moliere, is a complex and fast-paced Encore Players production involving love and deception. At its core is a young woman named Ascagne who has spent her life parading as a man in order to receive an inheritance. By disguising herself yet again, she cleverly marries her sister Lucille's suitor, Valere, and this sets off a chain of events that changes the lives of all those around. The show mounts weekends May 18 through 27.
KVPAC is also home to Senior Student COMPANY, the
Signature Theatre club for advanced students ages 13-18. Most of these students have been actively involved in drama since early childhood and many plan to make theatre their careers. Be sure to check out this up-and-coming talent as they present Moby Dick! The Musical in December. This is a hilarious and entertaining musical about a group of students - the girls of St. Godley, who conceive a musical version of the classic novel in order to raise money to save their school from bankruptcy.
In March and April don't miss Senior Student COMPANY's The Good Woman of Setzuan, a parable about a Chinese girl named Shen Te who wants to be "good" but finds difficulty in living up to society's standards of perfection. Shen Te discovers that in order to survive she must invent a tough cousin, a formidable businessman, to protect her interests.
Junior Student COMPANY is KVPAC's theatre club for experienced students ages 8-12. Continuing the theme of love and romance in November, they will perform The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet, playwright Peter Bloedel's look at how
Dr. Seuss might have written the tragic love story. This is a whimsical reinvention of Shakespeare's classic tale with fantastical machines, elaborate costumes, rhyming couplets and creative wordplay that will delight audiences both young and old.
In April Junior Student COMPANY will bring The King and I to the stage. Set in 19th century Siam, the king, hoping to give his children the necessary knowledge to survive in a new world, hires a British governess, the strong-willed, widowed Anna. At first, Anna and the King struggle to find common ground between Siamese and British cultures and attitudes. Soon though, the two opposites fall in love. This classic musical production is beautifully underscored by Rodgers & Hammerstein.
The best part of all is KVPAC now offers Season Ticket subscriptions to these wonderful productions. Save as much as 35% off the regular ticket price and support the Arts in Katy. Subscriptions include a pre-seating option, performance date flexibility, and a premium VIP Status opportunity. The ADULT Package is $48 (see all 4 Encore Players productions). The COMPANY Package is $28 (see all 4 Student COMPANY productions). The GRAND FINALE Package is only $70 (see all 8 combined productions). VIP upgrades run $25 per person and are honored throughout the entire season.
KVPAC is a nonprofit arts organization located on the Great Southwestern Equestrian Center complex, at 2501 South Mason Road. KVPAC, formed in 2001, strives to bring professional-quality theatrical productions to the local Katy community. If you haven't yet been to see a play at KVPAC, make your plans now and take advantage of this hidden gem in our own backyard. See web site (
http//www.kvpac.org) for dates and ticket information.
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