Pentacle Theatre announces 2016 season at Salem Art Fair
Pentacle Theatre announced its 2016 season of shows Friday at 7:25 p.m. at the Salem Art Fair and Festival and onstage prior to the curtain of Chicago at the theater’s performance space.
With the Pentacle Theatre Gypsy Wagon as a backdrop, theatre board vice president Nancy Moen revealed the eight shows coming up in the theater’s 2016 season, and a special pre-season winter fundraiser in January. Jenni Bertels spoke at the theater.
“We’re excited to announce a mix of musicals, comedies and dramas sure to delight our season subscribers and draw new audience members to Pentacle Theatre,” Moen said.
The plays range from familiar names like The Diary of Anne Frank, to the contemporary satire of Urinetown: The Musical, which skewers power, politics and populism against the story of a drought so severe that having a private toilet is taboo.
Pentacle’s family-friendly pre-season fundraiser will be the Broadway adaptation of Mary Poppins, one of Disney’s most beloved and popular films. “It features familiar tunes from the movie, plus new and added songs that are sure to delight kids, parents and grandparents alike,” Moen said. Mary Poppins will be staged at the Central High School Auditorium in Independence, Oregon, for three nights only, Jan. 8-10, and is directed by Pentacle veteran Deborah Johansen.
Season ticket packages for the 2016 Pentacle Theatre plays go on sale in late August for current subscribers. New subscribers can buy season tickets starting Oct. 12.
“We’ve also made it much easier to buy tickets online for individual shows,” said Moen. Now when you go to PentacleTheatre.org, you can easily choose specific seats for the show you’re interested in, she said. Or, you can let the ticketing system do the choosing for you. When you buy online, tickets will be waiting for you at the box office on show night,” she added. Individual tickets for the 2016 season will go on sale Dec. 7.
“We’re finding that with shows like this summer’s red-hot hit, Chicago, we have more shows that are selling out and tickets are getting hard to come by for popular nights and popular shows,” Moen said. “Get your tickets early so you don’t miss out!”
Pentacle Theatre’s 2016 Winter Fundraiser
MARY POPPINS — Jan. 8 – 10. Directed by Deborah Johansen.
One of the most popular Disney movies of all time will capture your heart in a new way: As a practically perfect musical! — Original music & lyrics by Richard M. & Robert B. Sherman, book by Julian Fellowes, new songs, music & lyrics by George Stiles & Anthony Drewe; co-created by Cameron Mackintosh.
Pentacle Theatre’s 2016 Season Shows — Season tickets on sale in October!
VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE — Jan. 22 – Feb. 13. Directed by Karen McCarty.
Ready for a good laugh? This winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play draws on themes from classical literature — especially Chekov —to delight any theatergoer who appreciates the absurd. — By Christopher Durang.
THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK — March 4 – 26. Directed by Debbie Neel.
Newly discovered writings from Anne Frank’s diary, as well as survivor accounts, are interwoven to create a contemporary impassioned story of persecution under Nazi rule. — By Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman.
URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL — April 15 – May 7. Directed by Katie Lindbeck.
2003 Tony Award winner for Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical. Urinetown is satirical look at power, capitalism, bureaucracy, populism and politics and the musical as theatrical form. A 20-year drought causes a terrible water shortage, making private toilets unthinkable. A completely original, highly entertaining and unconventional show. — Music by Mark Hollmann, lyrics by Hollmann & Greg Kotis, & book by Kotis.
THE RAINMAKER— May 27 – June 18. Directed by Jo Dodge.
Traveling conman Bill Starbuck visits a drought-stricken Kansas town and promises to bring rain. His charming ways help spinsterish Lizzie Curry triumph over her insecurities and weaknesses, and she sees herself in a new light. — By N. Richard Nash.
THE ALIENS — July 8 – 30. Directed by Jeff Brownson.
A pair of 30-something slackers bring a young coffee shop worker under their wings in this smart, comedic drama. A play with music. — By Annie Baker.
9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL — Aug. 19 – Sept. 10. Directed by Robert Salberg.
A musical adaptation of the classic 1980 movie about three unlikely friends establishing their right to be workplace leaders. Dolly Parton’s storytelling music and lyrics take center stage. — Music & lyrics by Dolly Parton, book by Patricia Resnick.
OF MICE AND MEN — Sept 30 to Oct. 22. Directed by David Ballantyne.
John Steinbeck’s timeless tale of two migrant ranch hands explores themes of dreams, loneliness, companionship and friendship. — By John Steinbeck.
OTHER DESERT CITIES — Nov. 11 to Dec. 3. Directed by Geri Sanders.
A daughter’s plan to publish a memoir turns a family holiday upside down in a richly rewarding play that balances comedy and intense family drama. — By Jon Robin Baitz.
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