Bellevue Society for the Arts proudly announces the 2013–14 theatre season.
LES MISÉRABLES Musical
Auditions: August 12, 13 & 14, 2013
Production: October 11–13, 18 & 19, 2013 (Season Premiere)
Directed by Jimy Foreman
Sponsored by The Bellevue Hospital
Les Misérables is a sung-through musical play based on the novel of the same name by French poet and playwright Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, original French lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, with an English-language libretto by Herbert Kretzmer. Set in early 19th-century France, it is the story of Jean Valjean, a French peasant of abnormal strength and potentially violent nature, and his quest for redemption after serving 19 years in jail for having stolen a loaf of bread for starving relatives. Valjean decides to break his parole and start his life anew after a kindly Bishop inspires him to, but he is relentlessly tracked down by a police inspector named Javert. Along the way, Valjean and a slew of characters he becomes entangled with get swept into a revolutionary period in France, where a group of young idealists make their last stand at a street barricade. Produced by special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). Cast: large ensemble; 20+
HAMLET Tragedy
by William Shakespeare
Auditions: September 9 & 10, 2013
Production: December 6, 7, 13 & 14, 2013
Directed by David Ailing
Set in the Kingdom of Denmark, the play dramatizes the revenge Prince Hamlet exacts on his uncle Claudius for murdering King Hamlet, Claudius’s brother and Prince Hamlet’s father, and then succeeding to the throne and taking as his wife Gertrude, the old king’s widow and Prince Hamlet’s mother. The play vividly portrays both true and feigned madness — from overwhelming sorrow to seething rage — and explores themes of treachery, revenge, incest, and moral corruption and family. One of the most powerful and influential tragedies in all of English literature. Cast: 16m, 2f
STEEL MAGNOLIAS Comedy/Drama
By Robert Harling
Auditions: January 6 & 7, 2014
Production: February 21, 22, 28 & March 1, 2014
Directed by Marianne Webb
The quintessential story of friendship and trust, Steel Magnolias serves up a southern slice of life that’s as warm and comforting as sweet potato pie! In the world of Truvy’s local-homegrown beauty salon, six very different women come together to share their secrets, fears and love for one another while engaging the audience in hysterical and neighborly gossip. From weddings to divorces, babies to funerals, new beginnings to happy endings, they share each moment in their lives with grace, determination, and perfectly coiffed hair. When tragedy strikes, it is in the familiar comfort of Truvy’s salon where they seek the solace and support that carries them through. Produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc. Cast: 6f
CHILDREN’S THEATRE
Auditions: February 24 & 25, 2014
Production: April 11–13, 2014
Directed by Danielle Hayward
OLIVER! Musical
Music, Lyrics and Book by Lionel Bart
Auditions: March 17 & 18, 2014
Production: May 9–11, 16 & 17, 2014
Adapted from Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, the musical stage version tells the tale of an orphan boy who dares to ask for more food at the workhouse where he and his fellow orphans are treated horribly. Oliver is thrown out of the workhouse and, while on the street, encounters the Artful Dodger who takes him under his wing and into the seedy underside of London where he joins a band of pickpockets who are controlled by Fagin. Eventually, Oliver is rescued from his life of crime by a wealthy and kind gentlemen, Mr. Brownlow, who turns out to be Oliver’s grandfather. Produced by special arrangement with Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc. Cast: 10m, 7f, large ensemble of adults and children
Teen Theatre presents THE WEDDING SINGER Musical
Music by Matthew Sklar
Book by Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy
Lyrics by Chad Beguelin
Based on the New Line Cinema film written by Tim Herlihy
Auditions: May 19 & 20, 2014
Production: July 11–13, 18 & 19, 2014 (Season Finale)
Directed by Jennifer Gilbert
The Wedding Singer takes us back to a time when hair was big, greed was good, collars were up, and a wedding singer might just be the coolest guy in the room. It’s 1985 and rock-star wannabe Robbie Hart is New Jersey’s favorite wedding singer. He’s the life of the party, until his own fiancee leaves him at the altar. Shot through the heart, Robbie makes every wedding as disastrous as his own. Enter Julia, a winsome waitress who wins his affection. As luck would have it, Julia is about to be married to a Wall Street shark, and unless Robbie can pull off the performance of a decade, the girl of his dreams will be gone forever. Produced by special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). Cast: 4m, 4f, strong/large chorus
Reservations may be made by calling 419-484-ARTS (2787) beginning two weeks prior to the event. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees begin at 2:30 p.m., unless otherwise specified.
All titles pending availability, licensing, rights, royalties, etc. Dates, times, and titles are subject to change.
