GODSPELL, DIARY OF ANNE FRANK & More Set for A. D. Players' 2013-14 Mainstage Season

Founder and Artistic Director Jeannette Clift George has announced A. D. Players' 2013-2014 Mainstage season of "the stories we live by," including a Pulitzer prize winner, a famous comedy, and an iconic musical.

People live by the stories they tell; stories that teach, inspire, and entertain. In its 47th season, A. D. Players continues the grand theatrical tradition of great story telling with timeless plays that deserve to be told and retold for generations to come.

Opening the season is the hilarious dark comedy Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring, a play that the New York Times called "so funny that none of us will ever forget it." Everyone who likes a good laugh has heard about the sweet maiden aunts who poison people and the brother who thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt. Arsenic and Old Lace is a comedy that will be remembered for many years to come, and A. D. Players proudly presents it this fall.

At Christmas, A. D. Players presents one of the best known stories in the world in a witty retelling of the nativity story in Gold, Frankincense, Christmas Tree Ornaments, and Myrrhby Thomas Ohlson.

In the new year, the Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award, and Critics Circle Award winning dramaThe Diary of Anne Frank by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett recounts a story we must never forget: a young girl's chronicle of the two years she and her family spent hiding in an attic from the Nazis.

Following the drama of the Nazi occupation will be the rarely produced romantic comedy Peg O' My Heart by J. Hartley Manners. The timeless theme of being true to oneself is charmingly realized by a play which served as a star vehicle for stage and silent screen star Laurette Taylor.

Finishing A. D. Players' season of great stories is the iconic musical Godspell, conceived and originally directed by John-Michael Tebelak, with music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, originally produced on the New York Stage by Edgar Lansbury, Stuart Duncan, and Joseph Beruh. Godspell picks up where the Christmas show leaves off, using parablesfrom the book of Matthew, song, and dance.

In addition to its five show season, A. D. Players will produce Jeannette Clift George'sJohn, His Story which played Off-Broadway in 1997. John, His Story will run for two weeks at Easter.

Subscriptions to the 2013-2014 season are on sale now.

A. D. Players' 47th MainStage Season

Arsenic and Old Lace
by Joseph Kesselring
September 4 - October 6, 2013

A madcap dark comedy that is as funny as it is famous! The elderly Brewster sisters are the town darlings, but they have a little secret. Their nephew Mortimer discovers they are 'helping' lonely gentlemen boarders to early graves in the cellar by way of homemade, arsenic-laced wine! Add a brother who thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt, a criminal on the run, and the girl Mortimer wants to marry, and you have a recipe for hilarity.

Gold, Frankincense, Christmas Tree Ornaments, and Myrrhby Thomas Ohlson
November 20 - December 31, 2013
This witty retelling of the nativity story and the boyhood of Christ follows a fourth wiseman who completely misses the point. When a star as bright as the sun appears in the sky, the wiseman and his servant boy set out to find the king whose birth has been foretold. Planning along the way how best to capitalize on the momentous occasion, they arrive in Bethlehem, but will the wiseman find what he is looking for?

The Diary of Anne Frank
by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett
January 29 - March 2, 2014
Winner of the 1956 Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award, and Critics Circle Award, this play tells the story of one girl as she records the two years she, her family, and friends hid from the Nazis in a small attic. Confronting the increasing horror around her with determination, honesty, and wit, Anne's voice shines through as she holds on to the hope of a better tomorrow.

Peg O' My Heart
by J. Hartley Manners
May 28 - June 29, 2014
Humorous and full of fun with a dash of romance, this long-running Broadway hit tells the story of Peg, a poor Irish lass from New York, who gets the surprise of her life when the death of a wealthy uncle summons her to England. Her aristocratic aunt agrees to 'finish' her upbringing, but Peg is not about to forget who she really is, and the battle of wills begins!

GODSPELL
Conceived and Originally Directed by John-Michael Tebelak,
with Music and New Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz,
Originally Produced on the New York Stage by Edgar Lansbury, Stuart Duncan, and Joseph Beruh
July 9 - August 17, 2014

One of the biggest Broadway successes of all time, this intensely moving and effective musical uses parables from the book of Matthew to tell the story of Jesus and his disciples. An unforgettable score by Stephen Schwartz, including songs such as such as 'Day by Day,' 'Prepare Ye the Way,' and 'Light of the World,' combined with a variety of storytelling techniques, creates a powerful musical that continues to electrify audiences.

Special Season Extra
John, His Story
by Jeannette Clift George
April 9 - April 19, 2014
Performed Off-Broadway in 1997 and around the country, John, His Story, brings to life the seven great miracles performed by Jesus in the book of John, as seen through the eyes of ordinary people. Bringing humor and fresh understanding to The Miracles of turning water into wine, feeding the 5,000, and raising Lazarus from the dead, Jeannette Clift George's play continues to shine a light a dark world.

Season subscriptions are on sale now and may be purchased by phone at 713-526-2721 or in person at A. D. Players Box Office, 2710 W. Alabama. Current subscribers can also renew online by visiting www.adplayers.org.

Single tickets for each show will go on sale soon and may be purchased by phone at 713-526-2721, online at www.adplayers.org, or in person at the A. D. Players Box Office, 2710 W. Alabama. The convenience of ordering online is available for a small fee.

Groups of 10 or more can receive special discounts of up to 30% off single tickets and senior groups of 10 or more can receive special discounts of up to 45% off single tickets by calling Group Sales at 713-526-2721.

Senior discounts are available for patrons aged 60 and up at a savings of up to 34% off single ticket prices by calling 713-526-2721 or going online at www.adplayers.org.

Student tickets are available for $20 when reserved in advance and $15 rush at the door.