Paradise Theatre Announces 2016-17 Season!

Paradise Theatre announces seven family-friendly and diverse shows for its 2016-2017 Season to be presented in their NEW Downtown venue as they continue their capital campaign "Act Local" to save LIVE theatre in Gig Harbor by creating a permanent home for the performing arts and arts education in Gig Harbor.

"This season is going to be full of thrillers, love stories and farces," says Vicki Richards, Executive Artistic Director of Paradise Theatre, Gig Harbor's only live theatre and performing arts education center, "as we launch an entire season at our new downtown venue along with our ongoing capital campaign, 'Act Local'. We are taking this opportunity to create a permanent home for our uplifting, high quality, family-friendly theatre and to continue our mission of introducing young people here on the Peninsula to lifelong skills of goal-setting and teamwork through expressive arts education. We are asking our neighbors to 'Act Local' and save LIVE theatre here in Gig Harbor."

The goals of the campaign are to raise enough capital to acquire and develop a performing arts center in Gig Harbor which includes a 250-seat main stage, a 60-seat black box theater, dressing rooms, a music room, rehearsal space, 3 classrooms plus fully equipped kitchen, scenic and costume shops. Act Local is completing PHASE I of a 4 PHASE campaign that included a new temporary relocation in downtown Gig Harbor. We have received grants from Dimmer Family Foundation, Key Bank, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Charitable Trust Fund and a recent $10,000 donation from an individual from our community. Act Local is also being supported by a $120,000 per year Google Ad Grant and a technology grant of CRM software (a $15,000+ annual value) from Salesforce Foundation.

"Please join us as we present some of Broadway's best for our 17th season for you and your family. The shows range from one of the most tragic love story of all time, Sondheim's "West Side Story" to the campy rock horror musical "Little Shop of Horrors".

Here is a full list of shows, dates and descriptions:

"Little Shop of Horrors" a horror comedy rock musical, lyrics Alan Menken, Book Howard Ashman

Sept 16-Oct 8, 2016

The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names "Audrey II" - after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II's out of this world origins and intent towards global domination! One of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows.

"A Christmas Story" by Philip Grecian. Based on the motion picture A Christmas Story

Nov 18-Dec 10, 2016

Based on the motion picture, a young boy named Ralphie Parker only wants one thing for Christmas: a Red Ryder BB gun. However, he is not sure he will ever make it to Christmas, between his brother Randy and the school bully Scut Farkus. A classic holiday favorite!

"Wait Until Dark" a mystery drama, by Frederick Knott

Jan 20-Feb 11, 2017

A sinister con man, Roat, and two ex-convicts, Mike and Carlino, are about to meet their match. They have traced the location of a mysterious doll, which they are much interested in, to the Greenwich Village apartment of Sam Hendrix and his blind wife.

"West Side Story" American Musical inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. Book by Arthur Laurents, Music by Leonard Bernstein, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Mar 3-25, 2017

The classic Leonard Bernstein musical that began Sondheim's career, based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet; one of the most performed productions in American history. When Tony goes to support the Jets at a school dance he meets Maria, the sister of the Shark's leader, Bernardo, and falls in love. They dream of overcoming their differences, but gang violence makes it impossible for them to live happily ever after.

"Lend Me A Tenor" a comedy farce, by Ken Ludwig

Apr 14-May 6, 2017

Winner! 3 Tony and 4 Drama Desk awards. Nominee! 2010 Tony Award, Best Revival of a Play
"One of two great farces by a living writer." - The New York Times
This night in September of 1934 is the biggest in the history of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company world famous tenor Tito Morelli is to perform Otello, his greatest role, at the gala season opener...

"Thoroughly Modern Millie" a musical comedy, Music by Jeanine Tesori, Lyrics by Dick Scanlan, Book by Richard Morris and Scanlan

June 16-July 8, 2017

The winner of 6 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie was the 2002 season's most awarded new show on Broadway! Based on the 1967 Academy Award-winning film, Thoroughly Modern Millie takes you back to the height of the Jazz Age in New York City, when "moderns" including a flapper named Millie Dillmount were bobbing their hair, raising their hemlines, entering the workforce, and rewriting the rules of love. This high-spirited musical romp is a delightful valentine to the long-standing spirit of New York City and the people who seek to discover themselves there.

"Curtains" a musical comedy who-dun-it, Book by Rupert Holmes, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, Music by John Kander

Aug 4-26, 2017

It's the brassy, bright, and promising year of 1959. Boston's Colonial Theatre is host to the opening night performance of a new musical. When the leading lady mysteriously dies on stage the entire cast & crew are suspects. Enter a local detective, who just happens to be a musical theatre fan!

Full Season Subscriptions are available beginning June 17 through July 31, 2016. Individual show tickets will be available beginning August 1, 2016.

Vicki Richards states, "Throughout our season, we are providing special events to contribute to the Act Local Capital Campaign to enable us to keep live, Broadway-style theatre right here in Gig Harbor. There are also a variety of meaningful and permanent recognition opportunities available for those who would like to help us build our performing arts and education center. It's a great way to leave a legacy for generations to come! Join us for our exciting year of great storytelling and learn more about how your tax-deductible donation can support our mission. Act Local and save LIVE theatre arts in Gig Harbor!"

About Paradise Theatre:

Paradise Theatre was created to serve the community by providing both theatre education and professional grade, live entertainment to the Puget Sound Area. With a year-round season of family-friendly, Broadway-style shows, Paradise Theatre has been insuring that people of all ages get a chance to experience the magic of performing arts for over 16 years. Paradise Studio has provided dozens of classes, workshops, guest seminars and educational opportunities for hundreds of children, helping to instill an appreciation for the arts, while teaching the life skills of goal-setting, teamwork and leadership. Success of the Act Local Capital Campaign will provide a permanent home for live theatre and performing arts education in Gig Harbor. As a 501(c)3, all donations made to Paradise Theatre are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

About the Act Local Capital Campaign:

"Act Local. Saving LIVE theatre in Gig Harbor" project has been developed by the campaign consulting company, SocialRaise, headquartered in Chicago, IL.

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