THE PRODUCERS
SEP. 11 – OCT. 19, 2008

Mel Brooks’ classic cult comedy film is a truly “boffo” hit, winning a record twelve Tony® Awards. The plot is simple: a down-on-hisluck Broadway producer and his
mild-mannered accountant come up with a scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history thereby bilking their backers (all “little old ladies”) out of millions of dollars. Only one thing goes awry: the show is a smash hit! The antics of Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom as they maneuver their way fecklessly through finding a show (the gloriously offensive “Springtime For Hitler”), hiring a director, raising the money and finally going to prison for their misdeeds is a lesson in broad comic construction. At the core of the insanely funny adventure is a poignant emotional journey of two very different men who become friends.

A WONDERFUL LIFE
NOV. 13 – DEC. 21, 2008

Frank Capra’s film classic has been brought to vibrant theatrical life through the remarkable collaboration of Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winner Sheldon Harnick
and Grammy and Emmy Award-winner Joe Raposo. The story of George Bailey and his wonderful life in Bedford Falls remains a timeless fable of dreams, disillusionment and the power of love. An uplifting chronicle of the extraordinary lives of ordinary folk, A WONDERFUL LIFE exhilarates the mind and heart as it celebrates the innate goodness in us all.

LEADING LADIES
FEBRUARY 19, 2009 - MARCH 22, 2009

In this hilarious comedy by the author of LEND ME A TENOR and MOON OVER BUFFALO, two English Shakespearean actors, Jack and Leo, find themselves so down on their luck that they are performing "Scenes from Shakespeare" on the Moose Lodge circuit in the Amish country of Pennsylvania. When they hear that an old lady in York, PA is about to die and leave her fortune to her two long lost English nephews, they resolve to pass themselves off as her beloved relatives and get the cash. The trouble is, when they get to York, they find out that the relatives aren't nephews, but nieces! Romantic entanglements abound, especially when Leo falls head-over-petticoat in love with the old lady's vivacious niece, Meg, who's engaged to the local minister. Meg knows that there's a wide world out there, but it's not until she meets "Maxine and Stephanie" that she finally gets a taste of it.

"Ludwig's newest farce is so funny, it will make sophisticated and reasonable men and women of the 21st century cackle till their faces hurt." - Houston Press

CRAZY FOR YOU
MAY 7, 2009 - JUNE 14, 2009

This new Gershwin extravaganza is filled with song and dance, and Ken Ludwig's hilarious dialogue. This is the story of Bobby Child, a well-to-do 1930's playboy, who's dream in life is to dance. And despite the serious efforts of his mother and soon-to-be-ex-fiancee, Bobby achieves his dream! Memorable Gershwin tunes include I Can't Be Bothered Now, Bidin' My Time, I Got Rhythm, Naughty Baby, They Can't Take That Away from Me, But Not for Me, Nice Work if You Can Get It, Embraceable You and Someone to Watch Over Me. It's a high energy comedy which includes mistaken identity, plot twists, fabulous dance numbers and classic Gershwin music. The audience will be swept up in an artfully constructed tale of boy meeting girl in the Wild West, where they spread goodness and ultimately fall in love.

FOOTLOOSE
JULY 9, 2009 - AUGUST 16, 2009

One of the most explosive movie musicals in recent memory now bursts onto the live stage. When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn't prepared for are the rigorous local laws, including a ban on dancing. The ban is the brainchild of a preacher determined to exercise the control over the town youth that he cannot command in his own home. When the reverend's rebellious daughter sets her cap for Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren's reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. To the rockin' rhythm of its Oscar-nominated score FOOTLOOSE celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind.

"One of the most extraordinary musicals ever to come out to Hollywood. Footloose blends fantastical situations with important issues and balances them perfectly." - L.A. Weekly

MAN OF LA MANCHA
SEPTEMBER 10, 2009 - OCTOBER 11, 2009

MAN OF LA MANCHA is a remarkable show and one of the great theatre successes of our time. This is a play-within-a-play, based on Cervantes' "Don Quixote." We have a poignant story of a dying old man whose impossible dream takes over his mind. It's All the Same, Dulcinea, I'm Only Thinking of Him, The Impossible Dream, I Really Like Him and Little Bird remain in your thoughts and in your soul well after you see the show. His dream is Everyman's dream. His tilting at windmills is Everyman's great adventure. Somehow, the footlights disappear, time is telescoped and the "Man of La Mancha" speaks for humankind.

5 Tony Awards for Musical, Composer and Lyricist, Director, Scenic Designer and Actor; The New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical; The Outer Critics Circle Award for Production

THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER
NOVEMBER 12, 2009 - DECEMBER 20, 2009

This critically acclaimed holiday treat tells the true story of a Michigan shipping captain who braves the deadly winter weather to bring Christmas trees to homesick German American families in turn-of-the-century Chicago. His voyages become a yearly tradition despite his wife's misgivings - until a fateful voyage makes her realize the true importance of his mission. It's not often a truly original holiday musical comes along, so its no surprise that with its powerful, moving story and exquisite score.

"The Christmas Schooner" is already becoming a perennial holiday classic. This is family entertainment at its best: hearty and wholesome. "A classic... humerous and heartwarming... an inheritance to be treasured." - Chicago Sun-Times