Theatre Aspen Announces Their 2010 Summer Season

Award-winning Theatre Aspen, Aspen's only professional theatre and school, has announced that its summer repertory season will feature the brand-new Off-Broadway hit The Marvelous Wonderettes, the world premiere of the comedy Family Business, to be directed by Jay Sandrich, and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs!

Theatre Aspen was awarded the "Outstanding Regional Theatre" Henry Award in Denver in 2009 and Alison Luff won a Best Supporting Actress Denver Post Ovation Award for her work as Olive in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Opening the 2010 season on June 17th is a musical concert, featuring songs from megahits like Wicked, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and glorious musicals from the past like Showboat and 42nd Street. The concert will feature local stars Nikki Boxer (The Music Man), Jon Boxer, Nina Gabianelli, Peggy Mundinger and more. The show is directed by Artistic Director Paige Price, with Bob Finnie handling musical direction, and runs through June 26th.

The Marvelous Wonderettes, conceived and written by Roger Bean, will star Colorado native and Broadway veteran Beth Malone, returning for her second season at Theatre Aspen. Filled with iconic 50s and 60s pop music, this charming, fast-paced musical will delight all ages - featuring favorite songs like Heatwave, R-e-s-p-e-c-t, Mr. Sandman, It's My Party and Leader of the Pack! Janet Miller will reprise her original choreography and director is Cate Caplin who has directed and choreographed over 100 productions in the U.S. and internationally. Aspen's Bob Finnie is musical director. The musical runs July 1 - August 21st.

Family Business, a world premier comedy by John Baskin and Charlotte Brown, will be directed by Emmy Award-winning Jay Sandrich (Mary Tyler Moore Show, Cosby Show, Soap), who returns to Theatre Aspen for his third season. A funny and touching new comedy, Family Business follows Peter Stone and his sister Molly after the unexpected death of their father. Returning home, they set out to console their grieving mother, Sheila, and instantly revert to the behavior of their youth. This will be the first world premiere since Price took the helm. The show runs July 15 - August 20. Casting is underway.

This season's family production is The True Story of the Three Little Pigs!, based on the popular children's book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith. The Big Bad Wolf has his day in court in this thrilling courtroom dram-edy with music; the audience decides if he's guilty or innocent. Featured songs include Piggsylvanian National Anthem and Cheeseburgers Ain't Cute. Book and lyrics are by Robert Kauszlic and the music is by Paul Gilvary and William Rush. Opening July 8th, the show runs Fridays and Saturdays at 10 a.m., with a special evening performance July 24th at 6:30. Casting begins April 10th in Aspen.

Tom Ward will design sets, sound design is by David Thomas and Production Stage Manager is Vernon Willet.

Productions take place in the Alex Kaufman Theatre in Rio Grande Park and will be underwritten by season sponsor American National Bank, with Morris&Fyrwald/Sotheby's, Maureen and Dan Holman, Soledad and Bob Hurst, Hays Private Client, Mandy Gray and Randy Work, and Melinda Goldrich providing additional underwriting support.

For further information contact Theatre Aspen at 970-925-9313 x2. www.theatreaspen.org