HAIRSPRAY, HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME and More Set for CMT San Jose's 2016-17 Season

Children's Musical Theater San Jose (CMT San Jose), a nationally acclaimed theater company honored 10 times by the NEA and the oldest operating performing arts organization in San Jose, today announced its 49th season of shows:

Marquee Productions will feature Hairspray (Dec. 2-11) and Sweeney Todd (April 21-30); The Mainstage shows are 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (March 3-12), Evita (May 12-27) and the premiere of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (July 28-Aug. 6)-CMT San Jose is the first amateur theater company to produce this new production of Hunchback in its first year of being released. Rising Stars shows include A Christmas Carol (Nov. 11-20), Ronald Dahl's Willy Wonka (Feb. 23-26), Once on this Island (May 4-7), 13 (July 14-22) and Disney's The Lion King Experience (Aug. 11-15).

All shows are presented at the historic Montgomery Theater in downtown San Jose (271 Market Street). Tickets for all shows are now on sale online at www.cmtsj.org by calling 408-288-5437.

Since 1968, throughout the time CMT San Jose has been an integral part of the South Bay arts community, over 50,000 young people have participated in their programs. During their 48th season alone, CMT cast over 1200 performers and performed for 40,000 audience members, including 8,000 young people at Student Matinees.

CMT San Jose was the first youth arts organization to receive a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. That initial recognition has been followed by an unprecedented nine additional NEA grants. CMT remains dedicated to providing the highest possible caliber of musical and theatrical training to children from ages 4 to 20, spanning all abilities, and stands behind its commitment to never turn a child away, regardless of financial or physical limitations. What distinguishes CMT from all other similar theater organizations is their commitment that "Every child who auditions for CMT participates."

Each year CMT San Jose presents a series of 10 top rated contemporary musicals-a diverse range including popular titles, inspiring stories and bold choices-in three distinct divisions: Rising Stars (ages 6-14), Mainstage (ages 14-20) and Marquee Productions, which feature a cast of CMT alumni and working actors from the Bay Area. The guiding principles for Rising Stars and Mainstage shows are: casting all who audition; setting and achieving the highest artistic standards; embracing diversity in performers, audiences and staff; and providing a positive, family-friendly, nurturing community. CMT strives to continue this artistic excellence and expose the community to musical theater at its finest by providing professional opportunities through its Marquee Productions division.

The two annual Marquee Productions which feature a cast of CMT alumni as well as many working actors from the Bay Area, have become a CMT tradition, highlighting the company's full artistic potential with high-caliber professional level entertainment.

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ABOUT THE SHOWS

A Christmas Carol (Nov. 11-20): A Christmas Carol is a spectacular adaptation of Charles Dickens' most well known inspiring holiday story. Broadway heavy hitters, Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens breathe refreshing new life into the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his ghostly encounters which teach him the true meaning of giving and living a good life.

Hairspray (Dec. 2-11): You can't stop the beat in this big and bold musical about one girl's inspiring dream to dance. The 1950s are out, and change is in the air! Hairspray, winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, is a family-friendly musical, piled bouffant-high with laughter, romance and deliriously tuneful songs.

Ronald Dahl's Willy Wonka (Feb. 23-26): Roald Dahl's timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir is a golden ticket to adventure. The delicious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl's fantastical tale and featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder, in addition to a host of fun new songs.

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (March 3-12): An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six awkward spelling champions learn that winning (and losing) isn't everything.

Sweeney Todd (April 21-30): Attend the dark, witty and Tony Award-winning tale of love, murder and revenge set against the backdrop of 19th century London. Sweeney Todd has become a bloody, worldwide success since being awarded eight Tony's (including Best Musical), for its Broadway premiere. Stephen Sondheim's and Hugh Wheeler's tasty, thrilling, theatrical treat has simultaneously shocked, awed and delighted audiences across the world.

Once on this Island (May 4-7): Adapted from the celebrated Broadway musical, this rousing Calypso-flavored tale follows one small girl who finds love in a world of prejudice. With its poignant story and catchy Caribbean-flavored score, this is a theatrical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's popular fairy tale, The Little Mermaid set to a Tony-nominated Broadway score.

Evita (May 12-27): Evita is a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. It concentrates on the life of Argentine political leader Eva Perón, the second wife of Argentine president Juan Perón. The story follows Evita's early life, rise to power, charity work, and eventual death. The musical began as a rock opera concept album released in 1976. Its success led to productions in London's West End in 1978, winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical, and on Broadway a year later, where it was the first British musical to receive the Tony Award for Best Musical.

13 (July 14-22): 13 is an original musical with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown and book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn. Following a move from New York City to small-town Indiana, young Evan Goldman grapples with his parents' divorce, prepares for his impending Bar Mitzvah, and navigates the complicated social circles of a new school.13 was the only Broadway musical ever with a cast and band entirely made of teenagers.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (July 28-Aug. 6): Based on the classic Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature, this brand new production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame showcases the film's Oscar-nominated score as well as new songs by Alan Menken and Stephan Schwartz. Peter Parnell's new book embraces the concept of "story theatre" and features verbatim passages from Hugo's gothic novel. CMT San Jose is the first amateur theater company to produce this new production in its first year of being released.

Disney's The Lion King Experience (Aug. 11-15): Based on the popular Disney film and long-running Broadway show, the African savannah comes to life on the CMT San Jose stage with Simba, Rafiki and an unforgettable cast of characters as they journey from Pride Rock to the jungle... and back again, in this inspiring, coming-of-age tale.

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