Lincoln Wright News

Opening at Hale Centre Theatre on October 11, 2018 and playing through Nov. 24, 2018 is the classic Broadway musical hit Annie. Produced by David and Corrin Dietlein, with direction and choreography by Cambrian James, and musical direction by Lincoln Wright, Annie has been charming, singing, and dancing her way into the American psyche for decades.  Nominated for eleven Tony awards and winner of seven, including Best Musical, this highly entertaining Broadway musical based on the famous comic strip Little Orphan Annie, was adapted to the stage by Thomas Meehan (book), Charles Strouse (music), and Martin Charnin (lyrics).

With the launch of their new company, Arizona Regional Theatre, co-directors Kayla Etheridge and Kimberly Sheperd have aimed high and hit their mark with a commanding production of JEKYLL AND HYDE, THE MUSICAL. The show runs through October 7th at the Third Street Theatre at the Phoenix Center for the Arts.

Opening at Hale Centre Theatre on August 24, 2018 and playing through October 6, 2018 is the acclaimed Broadway musical The Scarlet Pimpernel. Directed and Choreographed by Cambrian James, with Musical Direction by Lincoln Wright, The Scarlet Pimpernel is a swashbuckling, romantic, and highly-entertaining family-friendly Broadway musical with music by Frank Wildhorn and lyrics and book by Nan Knighton (Jekyll & Hyde, Civil War). The show is based on the novel of the same name by Baroness Orczy. About this show, Producers Dave and Corrin Dietlein said, "Eleven years ago, when we first produced The Scarlet Pimpernel, we knew the show was good, but we didn't know quite what to expect or how audiences would receive it.

Opening at Hale Centre Theatre on August 24, 2018 and playing through October 6, 2018 is the acclaimed Broadway musical The Scarlet Pimpernel. Directed and Choreographed by Cambrian James, with Musical Direction by Lincoln Wright, The Scarlet Pimpernel is a swashbuckling, romantic, and highly-entertaining family-friendly Broadway musical with music by Frank Wildhorn and lyrics and book by Nan Knighton (Jekyll & Hyde, Civil War). The show is based on the novel of the same name by Baroness Orczy. About this show, Producers Dave and Corrin Dietlein said, "Eleven years ago, when we first produced The Scarlet Pimpernel, we knew the show was good, but we didn't know quite what to expect or how audiences would receive it.

There are shows that I believe get rave reviews, awards, and heralded as classics because, at some point, "true theatre people" aren't allowed to not like them. If you bring up Oklahoma, Hello, Dolly, or The Sound of Music, and don't fawn over it for hours, you are expected to turn in your theatre card and walk away from all conversations thereafter. My Fair Lady, as a musical, falls into this category for me.

It's 1977 and Deloris Van Cartier is an aspiring singer in funky Philadelphia. After auditioning for her gangster boyfriend, Curtis' nightclub, she accidentally sees him kill one of his cronies. Deloris runs to the police, who place her in hiding until she can testify at Curtis' trial. But where can you hide a larger-than-life diva? Police officer and old friend of Deloris, Eddie Southers, finds the one place he's sure no one will look; a convent!

Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert revives the good old days of rock 'n' roll with the rollicking jukebox musical Life Could Be A Dream. Delight and hum along to the '60s mega-hits Fools Fall in Love, Tears on My Pillow, Runaround Sue, Stay Just a Little Bit Longer, Unchained Melody, The Glory of Love, and as the DJs used to say on the radio, many, many more. The toe-tapping doo-wop musical starts January 16th and runs through April 17th, playing Mondays and Tuesdays with select Wednesday shows.

David Dietlein's production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Hale Centre Theatre through December 23 gift wraps the celebrated tale of Ebenezer Scrooge's redemption with all the sparkle, festivity, and messaging that befits the Holiday Season. Cory McCloskey delivers an outstanding performance as Scrooge in this must-see family fare.

The holidays are that special time of year when our hearts are full of joy and we're happy to share the Christmas spirit with friends and family. To help you celebrate the joy of the season, Hale Centre Theatre of Gilbert presents its holiday classic A Christmas Carol for the 15th consecutive year. Acclaimed as the best Christmas show in the Valley, this year's 51 performances feature two stellar casts of veteran actors and singers. It is a spectacular, heart-warming version of Charles Dickens' classic tale of redemption magically brought to life on the Hale stage. The production is rich with traditional carols, stunning costumes and memorable characters guaranteed to enrich the holiday season for you and your family. Award-winning David Hale Dietlein again directs the production and promises theatre-goers a delightful holiday a treat.

The Hale's newest offering is a holiday confection - sweet and delicious - like a freshly shaken up, edible snow globe. Director Cambrian James has put together his finest (thus far) staging of the season. On the marvelous arena stage in Gilbert, the tight, swift-paced send up of the classic 1944 film is enchanting, from overture to finale.

Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert presents Meet Me in St. Louis, a charming Broadway musical based on the film that rocketed Judy Garland to fame as an adult movie star in 1944.

Considered a must-see, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was the first major hit for composer Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Sir Tim Rice. The Old Testament epic remains both timely as well as timeless. It is one of the most popular shows ever produced by Hale. The production was nominated for six Tony Awards on Broadway and won an Olivier Award for its London performances.

The Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert opens its 2017-2018 season on August 25th with the spectacular Broadway musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The endearing Bible story tells the epic saga of Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob in the Book of Genesis. Joseph is a boy blessed with prophetic dreams and given a coat of many colors. Unfortunately, he is the object of severe envy to his brothers who plot to kill him, but end up selling him into slavery instead.

The Wizard of Oz performs in the Wilson Theater at South Bend Civic Theatre, 403 N. Main Street, South Bend, Indiana 46601. Performances run through July 30th. Visit their website, sbct.org, or call the box office as 574-234-1112 to reserve your tickets today!

For a performance run that spans multiple weekends, the first weekend is often accepted as a wrinkly weekend...acknowledging some things still need to be ironed out. Recognizing that this is the first production to open at 403 N. Main Street since Aaron Nichols stepped in as Executive Director (different from the previous alignment of a tag team Managing and Artistic Directors) also deems it necessary to say that this season was selected before Nichols took charge. He was indeed actively involved before, but to accurately evaluate his effectiveness, he would need to stay in this role through the beginning of the 2020 season (ironic, yet fitting, for a target of hindsight evaluation).

There's no place like Oz this summer. Join SBCT on July 14-30, and travel over the rainbow to a magical kingdom filled with munchkins, flying monkeys, witches, and a wish-granting wizard. Join four friends as they discover wisdom, compassion, courage, and a way back home.

South Bend Civic Theatre will present Murder Most Green, a murder mystery dinner, next door to its theatre building at the Scottish Rite Building, one night only, on Friday, March 17.

The Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert is transformed into the Old West when Seven Brides for Seven Brothers dances onto the family-friendly stage Oct. 13 through Nov. 26. The laugh-filled musical comedy revolves around an 1850-era Oregon Territory town where one of seven brothers, Adam, ventures from the backwoods into town to find a wife. He meets Milly and the couple quickly marry. They hasten back to Adam's mountain ranch, where Milly is shocked to find Adam's six slovenly brothers living in the ranch house. Milly attempts to change their ways, teaching them order, manners, singing and dancing.

The Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert opens its 2016-2017 season of powerhouse musicals, outrageous comedies and tastefully clean shows with the Broadway smash hit The Drowsy Chaperone. A hilarious satire on 1920s musicals, The Drowsy Chaperone encompasses classic comical elements including mistaken identities, bumbling '20s gangsters disguised as pastry chefs, a puffed-up Broadway producer, a stiff-lipped butler, a ditzy dowager and a tipsy chaperone. The fun starts Aug. 26 and runs through Oct. 8.

For three weeks in September and going into October, the South Bend Civic Theatre brings Legally Blonde the Musical to the Wilson Theatre. The international award-winning musical based on the movie, Legally Blonde, explodes on the stage with memorable songs and dynamic dances. Director Carys Kresny collaborates with Music Director Geoffrey Carter, Choreographer Karen Pajor, and the ensemble cast to take the audience through Elle's fabulously fun journey. This hilarious, fun, and heart-warming musical runs from September 16th through October 2nd at the Wilson Theatre. It will be so much fun it should be illegal!