Theatre Aspen’s 2010 Summer Season Pass On Sale April 1

Don't be an April Fool! Get your Local's Pass for Theatre Aspen's 2010 Summer Season. Local's Passes go on sale April 1st, 2010 and must be purchased by June 15th. The Local's Pass, at $50, entitles buyers to one of the main stage repertory shows, plus their choice of Sunday Series events. Tickets are available for any performance, based on availability and advance reservations.

In addition to the Local's Pass, patrons may purchase Season Passes for $90, beginning April 19th. Season Passes offer patrons a ticket to any two main stage shows, plus their choice of Sunday Series show. View the 2010 Summer Season calendar and complete subscription, savings and ticket package information at www.theatreaspen.org. To purchase, please contact the Wheeler Box Office: 970-920-5770. For more information, call TA at 970-925-9313.

Theatre Aspen is also proud to announce our Student Membership Program, Pay Your Age, a great way for high school students to see Theatre Aspen's professional productions at greatly reduced prices! How it works: High School students pay the equivalent of their age to purchase a season membership to Theatre Aspen (fifteen year-olds pay $15, seventeen year-olds, $17, etc). If there are seats available prior to a show, a message will be sent via email, text and Twitter to all participants. Interested members can then get their Student Rush ticket for only $5! The offer extends to their guests, who will then pay their age to get a ticket. Call 970-925-9313 for more information.

The 2009 season was an artistic and critical success, garnering two awards and a notable rise in ticket sales. 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.

This year, the summer opens with a special musical concert called defying gravity: Theatre Aspen Takes On Broadway's Biggest Hits!, 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 features local stars Nikki Boxer (The Music Man), Jon Boxer, Nina Gabianelli, Mike Monroney, Peggy Mundinger and Jeannie Walla and is directed by Artistic Director Paige Price, with Bob Finnie handling musical direction and Theatre Aspen School alumnus Sarah Schultz is the Stage Manager. Runs June 18th - June 26th.

"Every year we do surveys and patrons suggest shows they'd like to see - shows that we quite simply couldn't produce because of their size or technical needs. The idea for this concert really comes from those suggestions and also provides a showcase for our local singing talent," said Price.

The repertory season opens with The Marvelous Wonderettes, conceived and written by Roger Bean, and starring Colorado native and Broadway veteran Beth Malone, (Ring of Fire, Bingo, The Marvelous Wonderettes). Filled with iconic 50s and 60s pop music, this charming, fast-paced musical also stars Tricia Tanguy, (The Marvelous Wonderettes, The Producers), Christy Faber (Les Miserables, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change) and Natalie Wachen (Dreamgirls, Baby, It's You!, TV's "90120"). 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 1st - August 21st.

Family Business, a world premiere comedy by Charlotte Brown and John Baskin, 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 15th - August 20th. Casting is underway.

This season's family production is The True Story of the 3 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 Kauzlaric 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. This show will star Aspen's pre-professional teens and Theatre Aspen School alumni.

Theatre Aspen's 2010 season is generously supported by: American National Bank, Alex Kaufman, Hays Private Client, Jessica and John Fullerton, City of Aspen, Les Dames d'Aspen, Brenda and Jim Grusecki, Morris & Fyrwald/Sotheby's, Maureen and Dan Holman, The Aspen Club and Spa, Soledad and Bob Hurst, Mandy Gray and Randy Work and Melinda Goldrich.

Media Sponsors are Aspen Sojourner, The Aspen Times, Aspen Daily News, Aspen Public Radio, KSPN/KNFO, KUUR/TV 19/KSNO and eMoo.com/AspenShines.

Theatre Aspen's mission is to entertain, enlighten, enrich, educate and challenge the residents and visitors of the Roaring Fork Valley through professional quality theatrical productions, new play development initiatives and a broad spectrum of education programs. Visit www.theatreaspen.org for more information.

Don't Miss a Denver News Story Sign up for all the news on the Winter season, discounts & more...