Theatre Aspen Announces 30th Anniversary Season

Theatre Aspen is opening its season with the Tony Award-winning musical epic Les Misérables, which will run in repertory with the musical You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and the comedy Fully Committed.

This new production of Alain Boubil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's Les Misérables, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, with music by Schönberg and lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, will open June 25th at the Hurst Theatre. Carbonell Award winner and TA favorite Mark Martino (Avenue Q, Spelling Bee, Little Shop of Horrors) will direct and choreograph Theatre Aspen's most ambitious staging ever.

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, opens Friday, July 12th. Based on Charles Schultz's "Peanuts" comic strip, TA will offer the most recent version of the musical. Artistic Director Paige Price directs; JoAnn M. Hunter (Broadway's On A Clear Day, You Can See Forever) choreographs.

Becky Mode's Fully Committed rounds out the season. This year, the Aspen Food and Wine Classic 2013 will set up events at the Hurst Theatre, providing a fitting kick off to the tour de force one-man show about the staff of one of New York's hottest restaurants and the patrons trying desperately to book a table. Fully Committed has been one of the most frequently produced shows in the world and, at a zippy 75 minutes, is likely shorter than most meals out.

Theatre Aspen will also present developmental work from the new musical Cross That River, by Pat and Allan Harris. The musical, about a freed black slave who becomes a cowboy, was conceived by renowned jazz singer Allan Harris, who has performed for years in Aspen (he will also be at the Little Nell December 28th). The idea debuted at the Belly Up in Aspen as part of the "Lyrically Speaking" series and Theatre Aspen is excited to continue bringing this homegrown show to life. Click here for NPR's Weekend Edition story.