NSMT's 2006 season includes exclusive updated version of DAMN YANKEES and Regional Theatre Premiere of HAIRSPRAY!

[NSMTpublicity]

Posted: 2/3/06 at 7:11pm

The award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) is excited to roll out the red carpet for the upcoming 2006 Musical Season. The season reflects NSMT’s mission to create innovative, fresh interpretations of classic and contemporary musicals. From an updated version of DAMN YANKEES, created just for NSMT audiences, to SINGIN' IN THE RAIN to the Regional Theater Premiere of HAIRSPRAY, NSMT has something for everyone - a real cross-section of contemporary musical theater.

“We all agree, last season’s 50th Anniversary Celebration turned out to be very different from what we anticipated,” explains Jon Kimbell, NSMT Executive Producer and Artistic Director. “Our 2006 season is one of tremendous optimism. We took great care in choosing musicals that would offer plenty of fun and great entertainment for our loyal audiences. It is also a season that will challenge our staff creatively and artistically.”

“The 2006 Musical Season is truly a new beginning for North Shore Music Theatre,” adds Robert Alpaugh, NSMT’s Executive Director. “After months of refurbishing and rebuilding following last summer’s devastating fire, we have a beautiful new stage, comfortable new seating, and a renewed commitment to being a leader, both regionally and nationally, in the art of the American musical.”

The 2006 season opens on April 25 with an all new production of DAMN YANKEES, created just for NSMT audiences, and presented in association with The Boston Red Sox. NSMT puts a new spin on this hilarious and heart-warming classic which now tells the story of a die-hard Red Sox fan who makes a deal with the devil to help the Sox take the pennant from the dreaded Yankees. Based on a concept by Jon Kimbell, Joe DiPietro (Memphis, All Shook Up, I Love You! You’re Perfect! Now Change!) has adapted the original book by Douglass Wallop and George Abbott – for this production only - to feature plenty of surprises and special appearances that will thrill NSMT and Red Sox fans alike. The score, with music and lyrics by Jerry Ross and Richard Adler includes “You Gotta’ Have Heart” and “Whatever Lola Wants.” DAMN YANKEES is sponsored by Danversbank.

The Tony® Award-winning AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ will have NSMT jumpin’ with the help of Director and Choreographer Kent Gash (NSMT’s award-winning Pacific Overtures), who recently created acclaimed productions of this sassy and sultry musical revue at Hartford Stage and Providence’s Trinity Rep. Playing May 30 through June 18, AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ showcases the music of Thomas “Fats” Waller, who rose to fame during the Golden Age of the Cotton Club and the honky-tonk dives along Lenox Avenue in Harlem. Songs include “Honeysuckle Rose,” “The Joint is Jumpin’,” “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter,” and “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.” AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ is sponsored by The Boston Marriott Peabody.

This summer, there will be cheers and applause when it rains for a few consecutive weeks on the North Shore. The excitement will be coming from the audiences seeing NSMT’s spectacular production of Singin’ in the RAIN, playing July 4 thru July 23. The technical staff at NSMT will work their theatrical magic to help audiences experience all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s golden age and make a big splash with this high energy musical comedy’s singin’ and dancin’ and, of course, real rain, live on stage.

As promised, CINDERELLA will return to the NSMT stage from August 22 thru September 10. Families will be swept away by this beloved tale of love and transformation and dazzled by the special effects, all designed exclusively for our signature theater-in-the-round. The classic Rodgers & Hammerstein’s score includes “Impossible” “In My Own Little Corner” and “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?”. CINDERELLA is sponsored by Beverly National Bank.

It has been 20 years since NSMT has produced JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, the groundbreaking rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR changed the face of musical theater forever when it debuted on Broadway in 1971, with its musical dramatization of the last seven days in the life of Jesus. The score includes “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” “Gethsemane,” and the title song. JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR will play from September 19 thru October 8.

The 2006 Musical Season will conclude with the Regional Theater Premiere of HAIRSPRAY, Broadway’s big fat smash hit, playing October 24 thru November 12. NSMT is honored to be the first regional theater in the country to bring its audiences an original production of HAIRSPRAY. Based on the 1988 John Waters Film, audiences will journey back to 1960’s Baltimore and join our hefty heroin Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big dreams and even bigger hair. She’ll do whatever it takes to claim a spot on a popular television dance show, win the heart of Link Larkin, and turns the town upside down in her efforts to racially integrate television. HAIRSPRAY, winner of 8 Tony® Awards, features a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman.

NSMT offers three convenient subscription programs for 2006: ‘6 Show Subscriptions’ offer the biggest savings along with special benefits such as seating priority and the maximum flexibility to exchange tickets, as well as the ability to renew specific seats year after year; ‘3 Show Subscriptions’ offer savings as well as the opportunity to choose seats before they go on sale to the general public; ‘Flex Passes’ allow patrons to purchase four, six, or eight passes that can be used at anytime during the 2006 season. Subscribers who also make a tax-deductible contribution to NSMT receive a wide range of additional benefits, such as priority concert seating, premium parking, and invitations to private receptions and dinners.

In a continued commitment to the production and development of New Works, NSMT is also offering subscribers a $10 discount to SpeakEasy Stage Company’s production of CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, playing May 5 ­thru June 3 at the Calderwood Pavilion, in Boston. Presented in association with North Shore Music Theatre, CAROLINE, OR CHANGE is a powerful musical set in 1963 amidst the social changes sweeping the country. For more information, visit www.bostontheatrescene.com. To purchase discounted tickets, simply call [phone] and identify yourself as an NSMT Subscriber.

2006 Musical Season subscriptions are on sale now. To subscribe, or for more information, log on to www.nsmt.org, contact the Box Office at 978.232.7200, or visit in person at 62 Dunham Road, Beverly, 01915. Single Tickets for all NSMT shows go on sale March 20 to NSMT Donors; March 22 to NSMT Subscribers; and April 2 to the general public.

Throughout the 2006 season, NSMT will continue to host several special free related events including:

MEET THE THEATER
This free post show discussion allows the audience to ask questions of the cast and creative staff and find out what happens behind the scenes. These discussions occur immediately following the show on the second Tuesday and the third Saturday matinee of each show.

OUT AT THE NORTH SHORE
Sponsored by Greater Boston Business Council. This evening for the GLBT community offers the chance to meet members of the cast and enjoy live entertainment at a free post-show reception. This evening is also sponsored in part by In Newsweekly, The Pub at 47 Central, Beverly Athletic Club and Different Tastes. Reception occurs the third Thursday evening of each show.

SPOTLIGHT ON HISTORY
A free pre-show educational series featuring a different historical topic related to each the show presented in association with the Essex National Heritage Commission and Wenham Museum. These discussions occur prior to the second Saturday matinee of each show.

www.nsmt.org

Updated On: 2/3/06 at 07:11 PM

[Yero]

Posted: 2/3/06 at 7:54pm

Wow!
Hairpsray... sweet. Totally didn't excpect that.
I love living in Massachusetts (and the North Shore!)