Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Presents 5 New Shows In Expanded 2010 Season

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre adds an eighth main stage show to its 2010 season with a lineup that includes five new productions to its stage. An extra show means more fun for everyone as the season takes audiences from the Round Table to the church basement - and just about everywhere in between.

No secret is safe once The Foreigner opens the season on Jan. 6. Painfully shy, Charlie just wants to be left alone when he vacations at a rural fishing lodge. He pretends not to understand English - which makes him an ideal confidant to the others there. Charlie learns secrets and scandals by the score, resulting in a hilarious climax in this winner of two Outer Critics Circle Awards. Written by Larry Shue, The Foreigner is the first of five new productions in 2010 and is on stage through Feb. 7.

Bursting onto the stage with a youthful spirit Feb. 11 is Footloose, an energetic stage version of the 1984 hit movie musical. After moving to a puritanical town, Ren is compelled to shake things up by planning a senior prom for his classmates even though the local minister has forbidden dancing. With an Oscar and Tony-nominated top 40 score, Footloose has the heart and music to get everybody on their feet. Original stage adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, music by Tom Snow, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman. On stage through March 21.

The Tony Award-winning classic Hello, Dolly! opens March 25. Based on Thornton Wilder's "The Matchmaker," it's the story of turn-of-the-century matchmaker Dolly Levi, who is filled with personality and plans of her own to marry the wealthy Horace Vandergelder - even if he doesn't know it yet. Horace has his sights set on a pretty young widow, but Dolly doesn't give up on getting her man. Book by Michael Stewart, music and lyrics by Jerry Herman This enduring classic is on stage through May 2.

Based on a true story and opening May 6, Always...Patsy Cline is about the singer's friendship with a fan named Louise Seger, who continued a correspondence with Cline until her death. The show, complete with down home country humor, true emotion and even some audience participation, includes many of Patsy's unforgettable hits such as "Crazy," "I Fall to Pieces," "Sweet Dreams," and "Walking After Midnight" - 27 songs in all. The show's title was inspired by Cline's letters to Seger, which were consistently signed "Love ALWAYS... Patsy Cline." Written by Ted Swindley, Always...Patsy Cline is on stage through June 6.

It's the Disney sensation for a whole new generation: High School Musical comes to life on stage for its Beef & Boards debut on June 10. Visit East High School where Troy and Gabriella reunite after a chance meeting on their winter break. Although they have different interests, they share a talent for singing and decide to audition for their school musical. It almost costs them their friendships, but brings everyone together in the end. The hit movie comes to life on stage through July 18.

Beef & Boards has cooked up a great recipe for laughter with the debut of Church Basement Ladies July 22. Inspired by the best-selling book "Growing Up Lutheran" by Janet Martin and Suzann Nelson, this nondenominational musical comedy is dedicated to those stalwart ladies who volunteer to work in the church basement kitchen. The show follows four women as they prepare food, keep the pastor on due course and solve the problems of a rural church in 1964. Script by Jim Stowell and Jessica Zuehlke, music and lyrics by Drew Jansen. On stage through Aug. 29.

The enchanted tale of Camelot unfolds on stage starting Sept. 2. Love, chivalry, magic and marital discord swirl around the Round Table in this musical about the lives of King Arthur, Sir Lancelot, Merlin the Magician and Queen Guenevere. When Arthur discovers Lancelot and Guenevere's forbidden love, he must choose whether to fight or forgive. Book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, music by Frederick Loewe. A winner of four Tony Awards, Camelot is on stage through Oct. 10.

Irving Berlin's White Christmas warms the heart in an early celebration of the holidays starting Oct. 14. In this stage version of the famous film, Broadway partners vacation at the Vermont ski resort of their former Army general. Snow isn't falling and the guests aren't coming, so the duo come up with a creative plan to help fill the inn - and a sudden snowfall is the icing on the slopes. Book by David Ives and Paul Blake, with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, this theatrical treat is on stage through Nov. 21.

A Beef & Boards Christmas 2010 wraps up the season. An original production that marks its 18th year, the spectacular extravaganza includes glittering costumes, favorite yuletide songs and snappy dancing to celebrate the holidays in style. An Indianapolis tradition, A Beef & Boards Christmas 2010 is the holiday variety show that not even Santa will miss! On stage Nov. 26 through Dec. 31.

HOLIDAY FAVORITE

Special one-hour performances of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol also take place on select dates in December. The heartwarming holiday story is enhanced with carols, which set the mood as the tale progresses.

Holiday buffet included. Dates and prices to be announced.

CHILDREN'S THEATRE 

The Pyramid Players have also announced their 2010 "Live Theatre for Kids" productions. Designed to entertain children of any age, these shows are a great way to introduce preschoolers to live theatre. Performances last just one hour, are presented without intermission, and include juice and a snack.

Aladdin Jr. - Opening Feb. 12

Little Mermaid - Opening Sept. 17

CONCERTS 

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre also offers several concerts throughout the year! These performances also include Chef Odell Ward's specially prepared buffet.

The Van-Dells, who entertain with their show of comedy and classic rock ‘n' roll from the 1950s and 1960s, open the 2010 season with a concert on Jan. 2.

More featured concerts are planned, with performance dates to be announced throughout the season.

MEMBERSHIPS ON SALE NOW

NOTE: New memberships for 2010 are available starting Sept. 1. See web site for more information. Tickets for all 2010 shows go on sale to the general public on Oct. 1, 2009.

2010 Season Fact Sheet

WHERE: Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre

9301 N. Michigan Rd., Indianapolis IN 46268

WHAT: 2010 Mainstage Season

SHOW FACTS:

The Foreigner (Jan. 6 - Feb. 7) Beef & Boards Debut

Footloose (Feb. 11 - March 21)

Hello Dolly (March 25 - May 2)

Always...Patsy Cline! (May 6 - June 6) B&B Debut

High School Musical (June 10 - July 18) B&B Debut

Church Basement Ladies (July 22 - Aug. 29) B&B Debut

Camelot (Sept. 2 - Oct. 10)

White Christmas (Oct. 14 - Nov. 21) B&B Debut

A Beef & Boards Christmas 2010 (Nov. 26 - Dec. 31) 18th Annual

TIMES: Evening Shows (Tuesdays through Saturdays)

Doors open at 6 p.m.; Buffet 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; Show at 8 p.m.

Weekday Matinees

Doors open at 11 a.m.; Buffet 11:30 to 12:30 p.m.; Show at 1 p.m.

Sunday Matinees

Doors open at noon; Buffet 12:15 to 1 p.m.; Show at 1:30 p.m.

Sunday Evenings

Doors open at 5 p.m.; Buffet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Show at 7 p.m.

TICKETS: Tickets for all 2010 season shows are on sale to the general public starting Oct. 1. They may be purchased by calling the Box Office at 317.872.9664 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays). Tickets for main stage shows range from $35 to $58, and include Chef Odell Ward's dinner buffet, full fruit & salad bar and unlimited coffee, tea and lemonade.

Note: Discounts are available for groups and kids ages 3-15. Children under 3 not admitted except to Pyramid Players shows, for which tickets are all $12.50.

Concert ticket prices vary. See web site for details and schedules for all shows. Full show schedules will be posted by Oct. 1.

WEB SITE: www.beefandboards.com