THE HONKY TONK ANGELS and More to Continue Stages Repertory Theatre's Fall 2016 Lineup

Following on the heels of its summer successes Shear Madness and The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On, Stages Repertory Theatre continues its 39th Season with a mix of soul-searching drama and lighthearted holiday fare.

Both summer shows have been met with wholehearted enthusiasm from audiences and will continue their runs into the fall, both playing through September 18.

Also in September, Stages is proud to announce a return to Miller Outdoor Theatre. On September 9 and 10, 2016, Stages will produce a two-night-only revival of its 2015 hit musical The Honky Tonk Angels at Miller. With Presenting Sponsor Phillips 66, Stages is making this new investment in community engagement to ensure its work is available to a broad, diverse audience without economic barriers. Through these performances, it is expected that nearly 20% of Stages audiences will experience the theatre's work at no cost during the 2016-2017 Season.

De Kus (The Kiss), a co-production with Upstream Theater in St. Louis, MO, opens next in October. Stages Artistic Director Kenn McLaughlin directed the U.S. Premiere in St. Louis in 2015, where it was named one of the Top 10 Shows of 2015. In partnership with Upstream Theater, that production, including the original cast, now will be shared with Houston audiences.

Stages kicks off the holidays with a follow-up to The Honky Tonk Angels by Stages Founding Artistic Director Ted Swindley. The Honky Tonk Angels Holiday Spectacular, directed and choreographed by Stages' Artistic Associate Mitchell Greco, will feature the cast of the original 2015 production along with one intriguing new character.

Rounding out the holiday season will be Stages' newest installment in the Panto series for youth and family audiences, Panto Wonderful Wizard, based on the writings of L. Frank Baum and adapted by Houston's own Rutherford Cravens. Carolyn Johnson, who has been a memorable fixture in many Pantos and recently starred as Judy Garland in Stages' acclaimed production of End of the Rainbow, steps into a new role as director of the family-friendly world premiere musical.

The 2016-2017 Season also marks an important milestone for Stages and the Houston arts community: Beginning this season, Stages will expand its longtime union agreement with Actors Equity Association, increasing the minimum weekly pay for artists to help support a thriving Houston theatre ecosystem and, as a result, Stages will be the highest SPT contractor (small professional theatre-venues under 349 seats) in Houston. Stages continues to increase the total number of work weeks for professional actors, directors, and stage managers, and increase minimum pay to work toward a livable wage that allows artists to build their careers and lives in Houston.

To create additional availability and convenience for audiences, especially during high-demand periods, for the 2016-2017 Season Stages will expand its performing schedule for every show to include a Saturday matinee, for a total of six performances per week. Season subscriptions are now on sale, with six-show packages starting at $180. For more information or to purchase, contact the Stages Box Office at 713.527.0123 or boxoffice@stagestheatre.com.

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THE HONKY TONK ANGELS
By Ted Swindley

Directed and choreographed by Stages Artistic Associate
Mitchell Greco

The Honky Tonk Angels are on the move! Join us at Houston landMark Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park to see the Angels strut their stuff in a two-night-only revival of Stages' hit 2015 production of The Honky Tonk Angels.

In this country music extravaganza, three wide-eyed dreamers meet on a bus bound for Nashville and sing their way along the bumpy road to stardom. With romance, husband trouble, and a little gospel thrown in for good measure, this torchin' and twangin' songfest features favorite hits including 9 to 5, Delta Dawn, Coal Miner's Daughter and Stand by Your Man and celebrates women's voices in country music throughout the years.

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park

September 9 & 10, 2016
8:00pm

PRESENTING SPONSOR

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DE KUS (THE KISS)
By Ger Thijs
Translated by Paul Evans

A co-production with Upstream Theater

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Directed by Stages Artistic Director
Kenn McLaughlin

Stages Artistic Director Kenn McLaughlin directed the U.S. Premiere of The Kiss in 2015 at Upstream Theater in St. Louis, where it was named one of the Top 10 Shows of 2015. Now his acclaimed production comes to Houston. In The Kiss, two troubled souls cross paths: an apprehensive housewife facing a difficult diagnosis and a disillusioned comedian grappling with despair. This chance encounter leads them to reflect on their lives as they have been, as they might have been, and as they might yet be.

FOR MATURE AUDIENCES

October 12 - 30, 2016

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PARTNER
Pink Ribbons Project

THE HONKY TONK ANGELS HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR
By Ted Swindley

REGIONAL PREMIERE

Directed and Choreographed by
Mitchell Greco

The Honky Tonk Angels return in this holiday sequel to the heavenly hit musical! The Angels have been invited to perform a Christmas-time reunion concert in Nashville. When Angela is mysteriously absent, a gospel soul sister - who also happens to be a psychic manicurist - steps in temporarily until Angela reappears. Filled with both classic and comic yuletide favorites including Silent Night, Blue Christmas, Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer, this holiday spectacular is just the ticket for a festive season!

SAVE THE DATE FOR A SPECIAL HONKY TONK NEW YEAR'S EVE! Contact the Stages Box Office for details: 713.527.0123 or boxoffice@stagestheatre.com.

November 9 - December 31, 2016

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PANTO WONDERFUL WIZARD
An Outrageous Family Musical
By Rutherford Cravens
Based on the writings of L. Frank Baum

WORLD PREMIERE

Directed by
Carolyn Johnson

Lions and tigers and bears...HOORAY! Oz meets Pantoland in Stages' latest irrepressible family adventure. Join Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion as they skip down the Yellow Brick Road in search of the way home. Stages continues its fresh holiday tradition for families with this playful mix of zany characters, toe-tapping pop songs, audience participation and spectacular fun for grownups and kids alike!

November 30 - December 31, 2016

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