Weathervane Playhouse invites audiences to take a theatrical journey to a dozen delightful destinations when they take in the theater’s just-announced season line-up of comedies, dramas and musicals planned for the 2013-2014 season.
Executive Director John Hedges is pleased to announce the productions for Weathervane’s 2013-2014 season, the theater’s 79th season of theatrical art, education and entertainment.
“In selecting the shows for season,” said Hedges (pictured at left), “I am guided by the vision of our theater as one that is dedicated to the creation of high-quality, diverse theater productions and by our commitment to presenting plays recognized for their artistic merit.”
The 2013-2014 season — which runs from July 2013 through June 2014 — consists of seven Mainstage Series productions, three Young Actor Series productions and two Dietz Theater Series productions.
The diverse variety of play choices represented in the new season — three comedies, four dramas and five musicals — will offer area audiences a diverse depth of entertainment choices, and the shows selected also provide Weathervane’s volunteer actors and designers with many exciting and varied artistic opportunities, Hedges said.
Speaking about the play-selection process, Hedges says, “Each year, I ask a small group of knowledgeable people to help me read plays and formally serve as artistic advisors to me. The group begins reading and discussing plays in the fall of each year, we narrow our choices down over a series of meetings, and then — after some lively discussions — I make final recommendations to the Playhouse’s Board of Trustees for their approval in January.”
Single tickets for the summer Young Actor Series production of Honk! will go on sale May 1, 2013. Single tickets for the Mainstage Season-opener Xanadu will go on sale July 15, 2013. Single tickets for all other shows will go on sale Sept. 2, 2013.
In the meantime, audiences can grab the best seats in advance by purchasing a subscription. Subscription packages are on sale now. With prices ranging between $30 and $172, subscribers have many convenient options. Subscribers can choose a two-play, seven-play or “Whole Kit ‘n’ Kaboodle” 12-play package — and the Playhouse will continue to offer its popular “Super Coupon Book” of eight, pre-paid, flexible-admission vouchers (at $154 per booklet).
For additional information, please contact or visit the Weathervane Playhouse Box Office. Hours of operation are Mondays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and Tuesdays through Fridays between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The Box Office is also open beginning one hour before each performance. Call 330-836-2626.
THE 2013-2014 THE MAINSTAGE SERIES PRODUCTIONS
These are the seven Mainstage productions that will play on Weathervane’s Founders Theater stage, a 240-seat theater, between September 2013 and June 2014:
Xanadu
A musical comedy
Book by Douglas Carter Beane
Music and Lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar
Based on the Universal Pictures film with a screenplay by Richard Danus and Marc Rubel
Sept. 5 to 22, 2013
(Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.)
Director and choreographer: Gwen Arment
Musical director: John Ebner
ABOUT THE SHOW: Xanadu follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach, California in 1980 on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time – the first roller disco! (Hey, it's 1980!) But, when Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation and chaos abounds.
This hilarious, roller-skating, musical adventure about following your dreams despite the limitations others set for you, rolls along to the original hit score composed by pop-rock legends Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, and includes "Magic," "All Over The World," "Suddenly," "I'm Alive," "Evil Woman,” "Have You Never Been Mellow?" and "Xanadu" – to name only a few! – and is based on the cult-classic movie of the same title, which starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly.
Night Must Fall
A mystery by Emlyn Williams
Oct. 10 to 27, 2013
(Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.)
Director: Eileen Moushey
ABOUT THE SHOW: This taut psychological thriller contains all the elements of a classic British murder-mystery – an autocratic dowager, her lonely spinster companion, a gloomy remote country home…and murder! Into this mix enters a young man who befriends and beguiles almost everyone in the household. Is he as charming and genial as he appears? Or is he hiding dark secrets behind an amiable exterior? What follows is a diabolical game of cat and mouse in a race to prevent yet another murder. The different faces of evil are unveiled in this vintage story of intrigue and suspense.
Christmas My Way: A Sinatra Holiday Bash
A musical revue
Conceived by David Grapes and Todd Olson
Book by Todd Olson
Director and choreographer: Jacqi Loewy
Musical Director: T.B.A.
Dec. 5 to 21, 2013
(Dec. 5, 11, 12 and 19 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 7, 14 and 21 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 8 and 15 at 1:30 p.m.; and Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.)
ABOUT THE SHOW: It’s beginning to look a lot like a Frank Sinatra-style Christmas in this fresh, cool, swinging musical revue! There won’t be a silent night when four singers – two “guys” and two “dolls” – deliver super-cool versions of such Sinatra mainstays like “Fly Me To The Moon,” “New York, New York,” “That’s Life,” “Love and Marriage,” “I Get A Kick Out of You,” “I've Got You Under My Skin” and “The Lady is a Tramp.” Plus, these cool cats make a little hey-hey with groovy versions of such Sinatra Christmas hits like “Mistletoe and Holly,” “The Christmas Song,” “Christmas Memories,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Silver Bells” and “I'll Be Home for Christmas.” Toss in Rat Pack-ish versions of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” and “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” and Christmas My Way will invite you to grab your bird, jingle your bells, pour a good stiff egg nog, and have yourself a merry little Christmas NOW, baby!
Race
A drama by David Mamet
Director: Michael Oatman
Jan. 30 to Feb. 16, 2014
(Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.)
ABOUT THE SHOW: Multiple award-winning playwright/director David Mamet tackles America's most controversial topic in a provocative new tale of sex, guilt and bold accusations. Two lawyers find themselves defending a wealthy white executive charged with raping a black woman. When a new legal assistant gets involved in the case, the opinions that boil beneath explode to the surface. When controversial playwright David Mamet turns the spotlight on what we think but can't say, dangerous truths are revealed, and no punches are spared.
Life with Father
Based on stories by Clarence Day
Dramatized by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse
Director: Sarah May
March 27 to April 14, 2014
(Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.)
ABOUT THE PLAY: A loveable curmudgeon stands at the center of this charming comedy that pokes gentle fun at the art of parenting. Set in New York City in the late 1880’s, Life with Father’s Clarence Day is a patriarch who rules with an iron fist – but mother knows best!
Don’t Dress for Dinner
A comedy by Marc Camoleti
Translated from the French by Robin Hawdon
Director: T.B.A.
May 1 to 18, 2004
(Thursdays at 7:30 p.m, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.)
ABOUT THE PLAY: Bernard is planning a romantic weekend with his chic Parisian mistress in his charming converted French farmhouse, whilst his wife, Jacqueline, is away. He has arranged for a cordon bleu cook to prepare gourmet delights, and has invited his best friend, Robert, along, too, to provide the alibi. It's foolproof! What could possibly go wrong? Well…suppose Robert turns up not realizing quite why he has been invited? Suppose Robert and Jacqueline are secret lovers, and consequently determine that Jacqueline will NOT leave for the weekend? Suppose the cook has to pretend to be the mistress and the mistress is unable to cook? Suppose everyone's alibi gets confused with everyone else's? In this hilarious farce, an evening of hilarious confusion ensues as Bernard and Robert find that they must improvise at a break-neck speed!
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
A musical comedy
Book by Jeffrey Lane
Music and lyrics by David Yazbek
Based on the film Dirty Rotten Scoundrels written by Dale Launer, Stanley Shapiro and Paul Henning
Director and choreographer: Jim Weaver
Musical Director: T.B.A.
June 5 to 29, 2014
(Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.)
ABOUT THE SHOW: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels has been described as stylish, sexy, irreverent, and "Broadway musical comedy heaven." Based on the popular 1988 film of the same name, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels centers on two con men living on the French Riviera. Lawrence Jameson makes his lavish living by talking rich ladies out of their money. Freddy Benson swindles women more humbly by waking their compassion with fabricated stories about his grandmother's failing health. After meeting on a train, the two con artists attempt to work together. Trouble is, they soon find that this small French town isn't big enough for the two of them! They agree on a settlement: The first one to extract $50,000 from a young female target, soap heiress Christine Colgate, wins the bet – and the loser must leave town! What ensues is a hilarious battle of cons that will keep audiences laughing, humming and guessing to the end!
THE 2013-2014 YOUNG ACTOR SERIES PRODUCTIONS
Weathervane’s Young Actor Series is theater presented by young actors for the enjoyment of young audiences and their families, all performed on the Founders Theater stage. The three Young Actor Series productions in the new season are:
Honk!
A musical
Book by Anthony Drewe
Music by George Stiles
Lyrics by Anthony Drewe
Based on Hans Christian Andersen's "The Ugly Duckling"
July 19 to Aug. 14, 2013
(Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays at 3:30 p.m.; and July 23, 25, 29 and 31 at 12:30 p.m.)
Directed by Sarah Elaine Bailey
Musical Direction by Sharon Dobbins Alberson
ABOUT THE PLAY: Honk! tells the story of a young duckling named Ugly, whose odd, gawky looks instantly incite prejudice from his family and neighbors. Separated from the farm and pursued by a hungry Cat, Ugly must find his way home. Along his rollicking and harrowing journey he not only discovers his true beauty and glorious destiny, but also finds love and acceptance in all its forms. Witty and hilarious, but also deeply moving, Honk! will treat audiences to equal amounts of laughter and tears. Its charm, humor and message of tolerance is perfect for a family audience…and every audience.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
A musical
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Nov. 26 to Dec. 22, 2013
Performance days and times: T.B.A.
Directed by Sarah Elaine Bailey
Musical Direction by Sharon Dobbins Alberson
ABOUT THE PLAY: This toe-tappin’ musical spins the Biblical tale of Joseph and his coat of many colors. The 2013 production of this beloved musical marks the 14th consecutive year that Weathervane Playhouse has presented this show — so it is no exaggeration to say that Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has become an Akron holiday-season tradition!
As in previous years’ productions of the musical, the 2013 production will also employ the use of a youth chorus. Students from several local schools will perform in rotation with the young actors in Weathervane’s production. This year’s participating schools are to be announced at a future date.
David and Lisa
A drama by James Reach
Adapted from the book by Theodore Isaac Rubin and the screenplay by Eleanor Perry
Director: John Davis
Feb. 28 to March 16, 2014
(Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 3:30 p.m.; and March 6 at 10 a.m.)
ABOUT THE SHOW: David and Lisa is a modern-day Romeo and Juliet set in the world of those labeled as less-than-perfect. When the film version was released in 1962, David and Lisa was widely acknowledged as one of the beacons of the new American independent film movement. The script illuminated the world of those labeled with mental illness with a compassionate view and optimistic outcome. The stage version holds true to the original film, telling an uplifting story about two people held back by disorder and social labels who ultimately choose bravely to overcome these challenges.
THE 2013-2014 DIETZ THEATER PRODUCTIONS
These are the two plays that will play on Weathervane’s “second stage,” the John L. Dietz Theater, which is an intimate, 48-seat “black-box” theater:
The Waverly Gallery
A comic drama by Kenneth Lonergan
Director: Jeremy Lewis
Oct. 31 to Nov. 16, 2013
(Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m., plus Saturday, Nov. 9 at 2:30 p.m.)
ABOUT THE SHOW: This is a wacky and heartrending look at the effect of senility on a family. Gladys, the elderly matriarch of the Green family, has run an art gallery in a small Greenwich Village hotel for many years. The management wants to replace her less-than-thriving gallery with a coffee shop. Always irascible but now increasingly erratic, Gladys is a cause of concern to her daughter, her son-in-law and her grandson, from whose point of view this poignant memory play is told.
Uncle Vanya
A drama by Anton Chekhov
Adapted by David Mamet from a translation by Vlada Chernomirdik
Jan. 9 to 25, 2014
(Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m., plus Saturday, Jan. 18 at 2:30 p.m.)
Directed by Bob Belfance
ABOUT THE PLAY: A retired professor and his beautiful young wife return to the country estate left by his deceased first wife to find themselves overwhelmed by the stagnant inevitability of the rituals of their life and class and mercilessly taxed by the encroachment of age at the expense of youth. All of the play’s characters are plunged into that precarious state where, in famed dramatist Samuel Beckett’s words, “the boredom of living is replaced by the suffering of being.” Working from a literal translation, the iconoclastic American playwright David Mamet opens the way for a contemporary audience to establish immediate contact with a classic, infusing the power of Chekhov’s play with the potent precision of his own modern voice.