Beef & Boards Presents HAIRSPRAY, SPELLING BEE, et al. in New Season

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre's 38^th season is filled with fabulous favorites and exciting new shows for a big and beautiful 2011! Amazing characters include lovely leading ladies like Hairspray's cheerful Tracy Turnblad, the spunky Annie Oakley, sentimental Cinderella and the always entertaining Church Basement Ladies. They keep the pace with Singin' In The Rain's dapper Don Lockwood.

But it all kicks off with the hilarious and interactive The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee  which debuts at Beef & Boards on Dec. 29, 2010. This Tony Award-winning musical comedy spells l-a-u-g-h-s from start to finish! A group of middle school misfits find that while they can't often control the awkwardness of growing up, they can be standouts in spelling. They also learn that winning isn't everything. Containing some PG-13 humor, the opening show of the season is on stage through Jan. 30, 2011. Book by Rachel Sheinkin, music and lyrics by William Finn.

Then be ready for Broadway's big fat musical hit as Hairspray debuts on Feb. 3. Welcome to 1960s Baltimore, where Tracy Turnblad has big hair, a big heart, and a big desire to dance on the Corny Collins Show. Integration is the new frontier and Tracy won't hold back to break through barriers while falling in love. This plus-sized production won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical. On stage through March 27. Book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman.

Next Annie Oakley insists anything Frank Butler can do, she can do better! In the classic shoot-em-up musical Annie Get Your Gun, this spitfire sharpshooter wants to be the star of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. While her aim is on target, her heart misses the mark and she may lose the love of the man she's agreed to marry. Loosely based on the lives of Annie Oakley and Frank Butler, a recent revival of this enduring favorite won a Tony Award. With lyrics and music by Irving Berlin and book by Herbert and Dorothy Fields, this spunky show is on stage from March 31 through May 8.

Get swept up in the amazing Rodgers & Hammerstein musical fairy tale Cinderella, based on the beloved story by The Brothers Grimm, opening May 12. The 2011 Season family production teaches that dreams do come true and having a fairy godmother doesn't hurt. A magical night at a royal ball changes a simple girl's life. Although she loses a single glass slipper, she gains a happily ever after. On stage through July 1, music is by Richard Rodgers with book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Special $10 discounts are offered for this show for kids ages 3-15

Come on back to the church basement next summer where the ladies will be serving up heaping helpings of nonstop laughs. It's Church Basement Ladies 2: A Second Helping on stage from July 7 through Aug. 28. Those incomparable cooks are coping with the changing times in 1969 as they dish out more unforgettable songs and stories. From the matriarch to the mom-to-be, these women find strength in each other. Music by Drew Jansen and Dennis Curley with script by Greta Grosch.

The fall forecast calls for a classic, so Singin' In The Rain takes the stage Sept. 1 through Oct. 9. Based on the iconic MGM movie musical, the live stage version also follows the story of silver screen star Don Lockwood, who falls for a chorus girl during the dawn of "talkies." His on-screen leading lady is not about to give up her star status, either in the films or in his heart and hilarity ensues. Screenplay and Adaptation by Betty Comden and Adolf Green, music by Nacio Herb Brown and lyrics by Arthur Freed.

The holidays are a time for traditions like A Beef & Boards Christmas which marks its 19^th year in 2011 when it opens Nov. 25. Glittering music and dance numbers, sparkling costumes and beautiful voices celebrate the season in style. Gather with friends and family for this original production, on stage through Dec. 23.

Plus Beef & Boards brings back its one-hour musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol starting Dec. 3. This show tells the timeless story of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge whose cold heart warms with the visits of several spirits. Enhanced with holiday carols, the production is on stage for select dates through Dec. 20.

The Pyramid Players are also announcing their 2011 Live Theatre for Kids series. Designed to entertain children of any age, these shows are a great way to introduce preschoolers to live theatre. Plus kids have the opportunity to meet the cast after each show for pictures and autographs.

Blue's Clues Live! Blue's Birthday Party invites youngsters to celebrate her big day along with her best friends Joe, Tickety Tock, Slippery Soap, Magenta and Periwinkle. This new show to Beef & Boards is on stage Feb. 11 through March 19.

Pinocchio, the childhood favorite, is on stage Oct. 21 through Nov. 19. The Blue Fairy helps a simple puppet maker's dream of having a boy of his own come true. With a wave of her magic wand, a wooden puppet comes to life and starts his search to become a real boy.

Performances take place on select Fridays at 10 a.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Performances last just one hour, are presented without intermission, and include juice and a snack.