The new 2017-2018 season for Theater Bartlesville will be coming right up after a short summer hiatus and will bounce back into full swing with auditions, two full stage productions, a one-act Christmas presentation of “It’s a Wonderful Life”, and a Drama Workshop for prospective actors and directors.
Theater Bartlesville’s Managing Director, Joanie Elmore, and Artistic Director, Shelby Brammer, are very enthusiastic about this year’s upcoming show line- up and are equally excited about branching out with a Christmas Holiday Fundraiser and a Winter Drama Workshop. “With an incredible year behind us, our goal for the upcoming season is to build added success to our past accomplishments, while providing new, creative and educational experiences for our community theater audiences,” said Elmore.
Moon Over Buffalo
The season will open this fall with the hilarious comedy farce, Moon Over Buffalo by Ken Ludwig, and will be directed by Troy Anthony Martin, who also directed Noises Off in the 2015-2016 season.
Charlotte and George Hay are on a theatrical tour in Buffalo, NY in 1953 with a repertory consisting of Cyrano de Bergerac -- the "revised, one nostril version" and Noel Coward's Private Lives -- when they receive word that they might just have one last shot at stardom: Frank Capra is coming to town to see their matinee!
Featuring Joanie and Jason Elmore as Charlotte and George, reprising their roles from ten years ago in the original Theater Bartlesville production, this show will sport a hilarious cast and a “rip-roaring line-up of comedic craziness” that is sure to cause your sides to ache with laughter!
According to the New York Times, “Ken Ludwig is one of those rare contemporary playwrights who think in terms of old-fashioned knockabout farce, and that’s something to be cherished." Auditions for the remaining members of the cast will be Monday, August 1, and the show will open September 14, 15, 16 and will continue the next week-end, September 22, 23 and 24.
It's A Wonderful Life
Sporting a new idea at Theater Bartlesville, a Holiday Fundraiser will be the next show of the season. The event will consist of a holiday party complete with Christmas goodies and musical performers, followed by a 45 minute; one-act rendition of It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.
Directed by Shelby Brammer, this beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a “live 1940s radio broadcast.” With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve.
According to The Chicago Times, “One of the best holiday shows around...This is a fresh and inventive way of reconnecting with a classic story of love and redemption.”
Auditions for this fun and exciting presentation will take place in October and the event dates are Friday, December 1 and Saturday, December 2 at 7:00 pm.
Winter Drama Workshop
Beginning Tuesday evening, January 23, Theater Bartlesville will host a Winter Drama Workshop. Taught by Artistic Director Shelby Brammer, this workshop for actors and aspiring directors will consist of five nights of exercises, discussion, movement, vocalization, relaxation, observation, rehearsal, feedback and fun. Concluding with a Saturday performance at noon January 27, this educational opportunity will be one that you don’t want to miss!
Bus Stop
Last, but not least, the season closer next spring will be Bus Stop by renowned and beloved William Inge. Directed by Shelby Brammer, this show will bring to life the simplicity of the 1950’s as it reminds us of the “simpler times of life.”
“In the middle of a howling snowstorm in the wee hours of the morning, a bus out of Kansas City pulls up at Grace’s Café. All roads are blocked, and four or five weary travelers are going to have to hole up for the night. They include Cherie, a nightclub chanteuse who has been kidnapped by Bo, a naïve young cowboy with a ranch of his own and the romantic methods of an unusually headstrong bull – his plans are to sling her over his shoulder and carry her, alive and kicking, all the way to Montana. A play about different forms of love, it first opened on Broadway in 1955, and was subsequently turned into a film starring Marilyn Monroe.
"William Inge should be a great comfort to all of us…he brings to the theatre a kind of warm-hearted compassion, creative vigor, freshness of approach and appreciation of average humanity that can be wonderfully touching and stimulating." —NY Post.
Auditions for this bright cast will be Monday, February 26 and the show will open April 12, 13, 14, and will continue April 20, 21, 22, 2018.
Theater Bartlesville offers a membership package for $40 with generous perks for members for each of these exciting events. On sale now at Theater Bartlesville, 312 S. Dewey, office hours are Monday through Friday 11-2 or call 918-336-1900. You may also inquire about membership online.