Lineup is odd, crazy – even kooky – with two new shows to its stage
It will be a season of high flying, snappy dancing, belly laughing and endless excitement as Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre presents a fabulous lineup in 2015 that includes two new productions to its stage. With a variety of shows to choose from, the 42nd Season can be described as odd and crazy – and even creepy and kooky – but absolutely always entertaining!
The season gets off to a solid start with the classic Neil Simon comedy: The Odd Couple, which marks its 50th anniversary in 2015. This four-time Tony Award-winning show’s popularity has endured throughout those five decades, with multiple revivals and adaptations on both the big and small screen – including the new CBS series. Two Beef & Boards favorites will star in this tale of mismatched roomates, with Jeff Stockberger as the easygoing Oscar Madison and Eddie Curry as the uptight Felix Ungar, who moves in with Oscar after his marriage falls apart. What happens next is nothing short of hilarious! Opening on Dec. 27, the show is on stage through Feb. 8.
The imaginations of the young and young at heart will soar to Neverland starting May 14 when Beef & Boards presents the beloved Tony Award-winning musical Peter Pan as the 2015 Family Show! Fly with Peter and his friends in this musical adaptation of the play by Sir James M. Barrie to a land of mischievous fairies, an Indian tribe, a ticking crocodile, bungling pirates and the famous Captain Hook, played by Jeff Stockberger. This production features $10 discounts off tickets for all kids ages 3-15. Music by Morris “Moose” Charlap and Jule Styne, Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden and Adolph Green. On stage through July 3.
The lovable – and imperfect – Singing Sanders Family returns for the summer in Smoke on the Mountain: Homecoming, the third installment of the popular comedy series. Opening July 8 and on stage through Aug. 16, the story takes place in 1945 – seven years since the Sanders Family first came to Mount Pleasant Baptist Church for a Saturday Night Sing. Rev. Mervin Oglethorpe has been called to preach in Texas and is giving his last service before he leaves with his wife June, who is eight months pregnant. Young Dennis Sanders will take over as the pastor at Mount Pleasant, but not before more hilarious and touching stories, and two dozen toe-tapping Bluegrass Gospel favorites. Written by Connie Ray, conceived by Alan Bailey, musical arrangements by Mike Craver.
Then the Rodgers & Hammerstein favorite, South Pacific, opens Aug. 20. Set in an island paradise, two parallel love stories are threatened by the dangers of predjudice and World War II. Nellie, a spunky nurse from Arkansas, falls in love with a French plantation owner, Emile, but is conflicted by what she learns about him. And a strapping lieutenant falls for an island girl, but battles his own fears and prejudices. Adapted from a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, South Pacific won 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Score for songs that include “Some Enchanted Evening,” “Nothing Like a Dame” and “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair.” Music by Richard Rodgers. Book by Oscar Hammerstein and Joshua Logan. On stage through Oct. 4.
On stage for the first time at Beef & Boards and just in time for the spooky Halloween season, it’s The Addams Family, opening Oct. 8. This Tony Award-nominated macabre musical comedy is based on the cartoon characters created by Charles Addams, who also inspired the television show that first aired in 1964. Gomez Addams faces every father’s nightmare when his daughter, Wednesday, falls in love. What’s worse, she begs him not to tell her mother, Morticia. Everything will change for the family on the fateful night that they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents. On stage through Nov. 22. Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. Music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa.
The holiday season is celebrated with the theatre’s original production, A Beef & Boards Christmas, opening Nov. 27 and featuring beautiful costumes, heartwarming songs, dazzling dancing and even Santa himself. A tradition at Beef &Boards for more than 20 years, and perfect for the entire family, this seasonal celebration is on stage throguh Dec. 23.
Also returning in 2015 is Beef & Boards’ one-hour adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, on stage for select performances Dec. 5 through 21. Enhanced with holiday carols, this iconic tale of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge who is given a second chance is the ideal way to enjoy the holidays.
Then starting Feb. 12, the Beef & Boards stage is filled with all things Gershwin as it presents the all-American musical Crazy For You. Winner of three Tony Awards and based on the 1930 musical Girl Crazy, the story centers around Bobby Child, who is sent to Nevada to foreclose on a theatre. But when he falls in love with the local postmistress, he devises a plan to save the theatre. Songs include “I’ve Got Rhythm,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” Book by Ken Ludwig with Music by George Gershwin and lyrics by Ira Gershwin. On stage through April 4.
Children’s Theatre
The Pyramid Players also announce their 2015 Live Theatre for Kids series. Designed to entertain children of any age, these shows are a great way to introduce preschoolers to live theatre. Youngsters also have the opportunity to meet the cast after the show for pictures and autographs.
The beloved children’s tale Charlotte’s Web kicks off the Live Theatre for Kids season. Based on E.B. Webb’s popular children’s book of the same name, this musical brings to the stage the tale of an unlikely friendship forged between a young pig and a spider, and how it changes both of their lives. On stage Feb. 20 through March 21.
Snow White is the fall production, on stage Oct. 16 through Nov. 14. This classic fairy tale, made popular by the Brothers Grimm, centers around a beautiful princess, who is forced to flee from her home and finds refuge in the forest with some new friends. This musical adaptation includes magic mirrors, seven silly dwarfs and a heroic prince.
Performances take place on select Fridays at 10 a.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Performances last one hour, are presented without intermission, and include juice and a snack.
Membership & ticket Availability
VIP Memberships for the 2015 Season go on sale to the public starting Sept. 2, 2014. Individual show tickets go on sale to the general public starting Oct. 1, 2014. Visit beefandboards.com for complete details.
