SHOW BOAT And SIGNATURE SINGS Cabaret Show Among Signature Theatre's Upcoming October And November Events

Signature Theatre, winner of the 2009 Regional Theatre Tony Award®, continues its 20th anniversary season in October and November with the two types of musical productions for which the company has become renowned: musical theater and cabaret performances.  November 10, 2009 through January 17, 2010, Signature reinvents the 1927 classic American musical, Show Boat, with Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer creating an intimate new staging in the 300-seat MAX Theatre, complete with a special new approved script and new orchestrations.  Cabaret shows take over Signature’s other house, the 120-seat ARK Theatre, when Signature begins a year-long “best of” salute to its 20 years of musicals.  From October 13 through 18, the cabaret offering Signature Sings: 1989-1994 will feature music from Company, Wings, Assassins, and Into the Woods.  Cabaret performances will again return from November 17 through 22 with Signature Sings: 1995-1999, featuring select songs from First Lady Suite, Cabaret, A Grand Night for Singing, Passion, The Rink, Sunday in the Park With George, Working, The Fix, A Little Night Music, Over and Over, and Tell Me on a Sunday.

Show Boat - Music by Jerome Kern; Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

Based on the novel Show Boat by Edna Ferber

Directed by Eric Schaeffer

November 10, 2009 – January 17, 2010 in The MAX

Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer reinvents the classic 1927 American musical Show Boat in an intimate new staging for our times.  The production will feature new orchestrations — and a new overture — by the renowned Jonathan Tunick, winner of all four show business awards: the Tony®, Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy.   Spanning the years 1880 to 1927, this lyrical masterpiece concerns the lives, loves, and heartbreaks of three generations of show folk on the Mississippi.  Show Boat is a sweeping tale of enduring love and devastating hatred, illuminating through unforgettable music the cruelty of prejudice – and the beauty of romance.   Among its many beloved songs are Make Believe, Bill, Can’t Help Lovin ‘Dat Man, and Ol’ Man River.  Ted Chapin, President of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, stated, “Signature has explored the repertoire of the modern musical theater with such expertise that mounting Show Boat — the granddaddy of them all — is a perfect fit, especially for an anniversary year.  The Hammerstein/Kern/Ferber classic was remarkable in its time, and the Signature audiences will see that its boldness, romance, courage, and sheer beauty have lost none of their impact.”

    * Show times are Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 pm, Thursday and Friday at 8:00 pm, Saturday at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sunday at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm.
    * Added performances for Show Boat are Monday, November 23 at 7:30 pm; Monday, December 21 at 7:30 pm; and Monday, December 28 at 7:30 pm.
    * There are no Show Boat performances Saturday, November 11 at 2:00 pm; Tuesday, November 14 at 7:30; Thursday, December 24 at 8:00 pm; Friday, December 25 at 8:00 pm; and Friday, January 1 at 8:00 pm.
    * Ticket prices range from $52 - $76.

Cabaret:  Signature’s 20 years of musical theater are saluted in a series of four cabaret evenings throughout the season.

    * Cabaret show times are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 8:30 pm, Friday at 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm, Saturday at 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm, and Sunday at 2:00 pm.
    * Tickets are $33 each.

Signature Sings: 1989-1994
Perfomances October 13 – 18, 2009

Select songs performed from the musical productions from 1989-1994 including Company, Sweeney Todd, Assassins, Company, Wings – The Musical, and Into the Woods.  Starring Erin Driscoll, Eleasha Gamble, Amy McWilliams, Matt Pearson, and Stephen Schmidt.

Signature Sings: 1995-1999

Performances November 17 – 22, 2009
Select songs performed from the musical productions from 1995-1999 including First Lady Suite, Cabaret, A Grand Night for Singing, Passion, The Rink, Sunday in the Park With George, Working, The Fix, A Little Night Music, Over and Over, and Tell Me on a Sunday.

Photo by Chris Mueller

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