Theatre At The Center In Munster Announces 2019 Season

Irving Berlin's White Christmas - The Musical, the iconic holiday favorite, Million Dollar Quartet, hailing Elvis, Johnny Cash and other recording icons, and The Pajama Game, the Tony Award classic musical, are among the 2019 Season show favorites announced by Linda Fortunato, artistic director at Theatre at the Center (TATC), the only professional theater company in Northwest Indiana.

"I am delighted to share Theatre at the Center's 2019 line-up," said Fortunato, who will direct and choreograph White Christmas, as well as two other shows for next year.

"Our season is bookended with two shows that I've wanted to bring to our audience for several years - Million Dollar Quartet and White Christmas. The balance of the season has three funny and charming productions in three very different styles - a 1930s style tap dance musical, a touching family story, and a classic American musical. It promises to be an exciting season full of laughter, dance, memorable characters and great music."

Theatre at the Center launches the season with Million Dollar Quartet (February 14-March 24, 2019) written by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux. Inspired by a real event from December 4, 1956, the show chronicles when Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins gathered at Sun Records in Memphis for what became one of the greatest jam sessions ever. This thrilling musical invites audiences into the recording studio for the true story of one unforgettable night. These four legends bring down the house with hits including "Blue Suede Shoes," "Great Balls of Fire" and "Walk the Line." Million Dollar Quartet will be directed by Daryl Brooks.

Dames at Sea (May 2 - June 2, 2019) follows Broadway wannabe Ruby as she arrives in New York City with just a pair of tap shoes in her suitcase and a prayer in her heart. She falls in love with a sailor who also happens to be an aspiring songwriter. He helps Ruby land a job in the chorus, and she gets her chance in the spotlight when the star becomes ill. It's a playful romp filled with song, dance and lots of laughs. Dames at Sea will be directed and choreographed by Linda Fortunato.

Over the Tavern (July 11 - August 11, 2019) is a hilarious and touching slice of Americana. Heaven help 12-year-old Rudy after he tells his ruler-wielding teacher Sister Clarissa his plans to shop around for a more fun religion. The Pazinski family lives in a tiny apartment above the neighborhood bar they own. They face the real and often comical struggles of life in this funny and touching semi-autobiographical play by Tom Dudzick.

The Pajama Game (September 12 - October 13, 2019), with music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross and book by George Abbott and Richard Bissell, is the Tony Award winner for Best Musical that inspired the film starring Doris Day. There's trouble at the Sleep-Tite pajama factory when workers demand a raise of 7 ½ cents. Both sides are standing strong. But when the head of the union grievance committee meets her new supervisor, love changes the game. This musical comedy romance includes favorites such as "Steam Heat," "Hernando's Hideaway" and "Hey, There."

Irving Berlin's White Christmas - The Musical (November 14 - December 22, 2019), with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin and book by David Ives and Paul Blake is Linda Fortunato's holiday highlight to conclude the 2019 season. Audiences will celebrate the holidays with this stage adaptation of the film which starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. Song and dance duo Bob and Phil follow singing sisters Betty and Judy to their Christmas show at a quaint Vermont lodge in this family classic packed with Irving Berlin favorites including "Blue Skies," "I Love a Piano," "Count Your Blessings," "Sisters" and, of course, "White Christmas." Irving Berlin's White Christmas - The Musical will be directed and choreographed by Linda Fortunato.

Founded in 1991, the 410 seat Theatre at the Center is a year-round professional theater at its home in The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. Theatre at the Center is the only professional theater company in Northwest Indiana, offering Broadway favorite performances and special event concerts with family programming all in an elegant and accessible venue with free parking. Theatre at the Center is located off I-80/94, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago.

Renewal for existing Season Subscribers to secure the 2019 Season begins Aug. 19, 2018 and continues through Sept. 23, 2018 with sales offered for new Season Subscription patrons beginning Oct. 9. Individual tickets for any of the five Mainstage shows of the new 2019 Season are on sale beginning Dec. 11.

The season schedule for Mainstage show performances are 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays with a 3 p.m. matinee Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays and select Thursday and Sunday evenings. Individual ticket prices range from $42 - $46. To purchase individual tickets, call the Box Office at 219-836-3255 or Tickets.com at 800-511-1552 as authorized ticket agents to avoid fraudulent third party ticket broker web sites and outlets. Group discounts are available for groups of 11 or more. Student tickets are $20 and gift certificates are also available. For more information on Theatre at the Center, visit www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com.

 

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