Venice Theatre 2019-2020 Season

Venicetheatre Great Stories.

Well Played.

2019-2020

CELEBRATING OUR 70TH SEASON!

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2018

70

s eas on

Welcome to your Theatre.

This is Venice Theatre’s 70th consecutive season. Seventy years of hard work and dedication. Seventy years of artistry and education.

Seventy years of purpose and celebration.

How does a theatre get to be 70?

The answer is, of course, one day at a time. More than 25,000 days of planning and rehearsal. Thousands of performances, hundreds of scenic strikes, and a million cups of coffee.

And reaching forward each day for the common goal of “holding a mirror up to nature.” Striving for the escape that comes from believing ourselves to be in foreign lands, in olden times, at the top of the world…if only for a while. Imagining that we are the king of England, the Little Mermaid, or a Fiddler on the Roof. Reveling in the laughter of an audience swept away...for just a bit.

We want you to join us for this special season. Be swept away by this year of blockbusters, intimate settings, raucous comedies, and soaring musicals.

Join us for a season of Great Stories. Well Played.

BLACKBIRD

BY DAVID HARROWER

MURRAY CHASE, Producing Executive Director Look for our new, refreshed design to kick off our next 70 years.

MAY 1-MAY 17

Venice theatre Great Stories.

Well Played.

Smokey Joe’s Cafe, 2018

WHYSUBSCRIBE?

Great Stories. Well Played. Venice Theatre has it all.

AWARD WINNING THEATRE. Our productions have garnered dozens of national, regional, state and local awards, as well as high praise from critics and audiences alike.

SO MANY CHOICES. Between our two stages we offer musicals, straight plays, classics, contemporary fare, concerts, and comedy acts. All under one roof!

ALL YEAR LONG. You bet we’re open in the summer! Also on Sunday and Monday evenings and sometimes even at midnight. Our curtain’s always up!

NEVER MISS A SHOW. Subscribers save up to 30% and never have to worry about a show selling out.

YOUR SEAT. Renew early (by April 1) and we’ll guarantee your favorite seats.

WE CARE. We are the second largest community theatre in the United States and will always give you the one-on-one attention you need.

VeniceStage.com | 941.488.1115 | 70th season | 3

MAINSTAGE A SERIES OF BROADWAY MUSICALS, COMEDIES AND DRAMAS IN OUR 432-SEAT MAINSTAGE THEATRE

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Smokey Joe’s Cafe, 2018

Lend Me a Tenor, 2018

Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show, 2017

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2018

MAINSTAGE SEP 20 - OCT 6, 2019

Born Yesterday

BY GARSON KANIN

Born Yesterday premiered on Broadway in 1946 and was a big screen hit in 1950. 70 years later this hilarious story - about a millionaire and his trophy girlfriend’s designs on Washington, D.C.- is more relevant than ever!

OCT 25 - DEC 1, 2019 (TBA JUNE 1!)

A Blockbuster Musical. Area Premiere!

Have the time of your life and take a chance on this show! We can’t release the title until June 1, but how can we resist this musical by a super Swedish pop group? Be the first in line to get tickets to this hit!

JAN 10 - FEB 2, 2020

Menopause The Musical

The Hilarious Celebration of Women and The Change LYRICS & BOOK BY JEANIE LINDERS (MUSIC BY VARIOUS)

Four women at a lingerie sale have nothing in common but a black lace bra AND memory loss, hot flashes, night sweats, sexual hangups and more! This musical parody set to classic tunes from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s will have you dancing in the aisles!

FEB 21 - MAR 22, 2020

Guys and Dolls

BOOK BY ABE BURROWS AND JO SWERLING, MUSIC & LYRICS BY FRANK LOESSER BASED ON THE IDYLL OF SARAH BROWN AND CHARACTERS BY DAMON RUNYON

Hailed as the perfect musical comedy, this award-winning, boat-rocking classic gambles with luck and love under the bright lights of Broadway.

APR 17 - MAY 3, 2020

To Kill a Mockingbird

ADAPTED BY CHRISTOPHER SERGEL. FROM THE NOVEL BY HARPER LEE.

The facade of a seemingly peaceful Alabama town begins to crack when a young black man is accused of a terrible crime. Lawyer Atticus Finch defends him in a trial that rocks the community. As told through the eyes of Atticus’ daughter, this hard-hitting work explores prejudice, compassion and courage.

VeniceStage.com | 941.488.1115 | 70th season | 5

STAGE 2 THE BEST OF CONTEMPORARY THEATRE

Last Train to Nibroc, 2018

6 | VeniceStage.com | 941.488.1115 | 70th season

STAGE 2 SEP 27- OCT 20, 2019

JAN 10 - 26, 2020

A New Musical Beach Party

BY ARLENE HUTTON

The Bikinis

CREATED & WRITTEN BY RAY RODERICK AND JAMES HINDMAN MUSICAL ARRANGEMENTS & ADDITIONAL MUSIC BY JOE BAKER ADDITIONAL LYRICS BY RAY RODERICK

The Bikinis are bringing back the sun, fun and all the hits they sang down the Jersey Shore in ‘64. Catch up with four inseparable friends 20 years later as they relive their heyday and beyond with a nonstop celebration of songs like “Yellow Polka Dot Bikini,” “Heat Wave,” “It’s Raining Men,” “I Will Survive,” and more!

NOV 1-17, 2019

Good People*

BY DAVID LINDSAY-ABAIRE

Margie Walsh is a single mom barely hanging on in Boston’s Southie neighborhood. Will an old boyfriend be her ticket out, or will he reject her and his own humble roots? Frances McDormand won the Tony for her 2011 performance which Variety called, “uncanny” and “astonishing.”

NOV 29 - DEC 22, 2019

Assisted Living the Musical : THE HOME for the Holidays ®

MUSIC, LYRICS & BOOK BY RICK COMPTON AND BETSY BENNETT

The comedy team of Compton and Bennett are off their walkers again in this hysterical sequel to the runaway hit about the nursing home and beyond. Christmas, Hanukkah, and retirement will never be the same.

Gulf View Drive The final play in Arlene Hutton’s “Nibroc Trilogy.” In 1953, Raleigh and May continue their journey with a cross-country move to Siesta Key, FL. Not long after arriving, their dream house shrinks as relatives descend, further testing the couple’s love as they make difficult decisions in a changing world.

FEB 7- MAR 8, 2020

Yard Sale: A Musical About Junk

BY MOLLY BASS AND JEFF HARTMAN

One person’s junk is another one’s treasure!

This original musical comedy about a break up, a yard sale, and a mermaid caught our attention when it won awards at a recent national festival. Trust us, this show is as funny as its title!

MAR 27- APRIL 19, 2020

Hamlet

BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Danish prince Hamlet discovers that his uncle Claudius murdered his father and took the throne; Hamlet’s mother has married the usurper. This action-packed interpretation of Shakespeare’s tragedy will have you on the edge of your seat.

MAY 1-17, 2020

Blackbird*

BY DAVID HARROWER

Una and Ray had a relationship 15 years ago and haven’t set eyes on each other since. She’s found him again and is seeking answers about the past. Guilt, rage, and raw emotions run high in what The Telegraph calls, “an extraordinary, no-holds-barred drama.”

*Includes adult language/themes. Audience discretion advised.

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GENERATIONS THEATRE FOR AND BY ALL AGES

Peter and the Starcatcher, 2018

GENERATIONS JUL 12 - 14, 2019

DEC 13 - 21, 2019

ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY LESLIE BRICUSSE AND TIMOTHY ALLEN MCDONALD | LYRICS & MUSIC BY LESLIE BRICUSSE AND ANTHONY NEWLEY | BASED ON THE BOOK CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY BY ROALD DAHL

ORIGINAL BOOK & LYRICS BY SCOTT KEYS, ORIGINAL MUSIC

BY E. SUZAN OTT | ADDITIONAL MUSIC BY SCOTT KEYS, JASON BRENNER, AND ELI SCHILDKRAUT | ADAPTED FROM THE ORIGINAL STORY BY CHARLES DICKENS

Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR. A Christmas Carol

This timeless story of the world-famous candy A magical Venice Theatre tradition celebrating man and his quest to find an heir is a golden its 20th year! Our original musical adaptation ticket to adventure! of Dickens’ classic story follows Ebenezer Scrooge (played by Brad Wages) as he reflects JUL 26 - AUG 11, 2019 on his past, present, and possible future.

Urinetown

MUSIC BY MARK HOLLMANN LYRICS BY MARK HOLLMANN AND GREG KOTIS BOOK BY GREG KOTIS

A side splitting send up of greed, love, revolution (and musicals!), in a time when water is worth its weight in gold. We can’t wait for our SummerStock performers to tackle this Tony Award winning satire.

(Recommended for middle school and up.)

SEP 6 - 15, 2019

The Jungle Book

BASED ON STORIES BY RUDYARD KIPLING

First published in 1894, the adventures of Mowgli and the exotic animals of the Indian forest remain timeless. Countless adaptations for film and stage prove that the themes of law, freedom, obedience, and bravery never lose their power.

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MAY 15 - 24, 2020

Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical

BOOK BY DENNIS KELLY, MUSIC & LYRICS BY TIM MINCHIN BASED ON THE BOOK, MATILDA BY ROALD DAHL

Matilda is an extraordinary girl with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind. But her talents are constantly belittled by her cruel parents and headmistress. Dreaming of a better life, she stands up against those who would oppress her, taking her destiny into her own hands.

CONCERTS

& SPECIAL EVENTS

Buddy Returns

TO BE ANNOUNCED SPRING 2019.

CONCERTS & SPECIAL EVENTS SCHEDULE

Our 2019-2020 Series will offer something for everyone. Well-known national acts like Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone and The Capitol Steps. Top-notch tribute acts like Dwight Icenhower as Elvis, Jay White as Neil Diamond, and Rus Anderson as Elton John.

Annual favorites like The Ditchfield Family Singers at Christmas, The Silver Foxes in March and The Loveland Players in June. Not to mention our popular Summer Cabaret Festival and our signature international event: aactWorld Fest, returning June 22-27, 2020.

Let’s Hang On

The Alter Eagles

VeniceStage.com | 941.488.1115 | 70th season | 9

GOLDEN TICKET Golden Ticket $357

YOUR TICKET TO (ALMOST) EVERYTHING

Treat yourself to priority seating and exchanges for every MainStage, Stage 2 and Generations show. You’ll also enjoy additional discounts on concerts, special events, and drinks at the bar.

MainStage Subscription $135 ALL MAINSTAGE, ALL THE TIME

QUESTIONS? Call 941.488.1115.

Our Box Office is ready to help.

Or visit us online at VeniceStage.com for up-to-the-minute information about Venice Theatre.

Pick your regular day and seat for our whole MainStage Series.

One ticket to each of our five MainStage shows: Born Yesterday, TBA, Menopause, Guys and Dolls, To Kill a Mockingbird

MainStage Winter Subscription $112

THE MAINSTAGE CHOICE FOR SEASONAL RESIDENTS

Pick your regular day and seat for these four MainStage shows in the height of season: TBA, Menopause, Guys and Dolls, To Kill a Mockingbird

X-Treme Pass $182 ONE PERSON, MIX AND MATCH

You choose seven shows from MainStage, Stage 2 and Generations.

Stage 2 Pass $108 ONE PERSON, MIX AND MATCH

You choose four shows from our Stage 2 Series.

Generations Pass

ADULT $54 YOUTH $30 ONE PERSON, MIX AND MATCH

You choose three of the five productions in our family-friendly Generations Series (see page 8)

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Venice Theatre is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.

Hamlet To Kill a Mockingbird Blackbird Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical

APR/MAY/JUN

Menopause The Musical Gulf View Drive Yard Sale: A Musical About Junk Guys and Dolls

JAN/FEB/MAR

A Blockbuster Musical (TBA) Good People Assisted Living The Musical®:THE HOME for the Holidays A Christmas Carol

OCT/NOV/DEC

Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR. Urinetown The Jungle Book Born Yesterday The Bikinis

JUL/AUG/SEP

2019-2020 AT A GLANCE

140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice, FL 34285

Venicetheatre Call the box office at 941.488.1115 to lock in your seats and savings!

2019-2020 Season Subscriptions available Feb. 1st!

PERMIT NO. 924 MANASOTA, FL

PA I D

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE