Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre embarks on 34th theatrical season
This summer's lineup includes 'A Chorus Line,' June 11-29, Muhlenberg premiere of Monty Python's 'Spamalot,' July 9-27, 'Gruff!' original musical for young audiences, June 18 - July 26
Tuesday, April 29, 2014 09:15 AM
The Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre festival at Muhlenberg College announces the lineup for its 2014 summer season - the 34th in the festival's history. The season will feature the groundbreaking 1970s musical "A Chorus Line," Monty Python's "Spamalot," and "Gruff!" a new musical for young audiences.
"A Chorus Line" opens the summer season, June 11-29. The Tony Award-winning best play of 1975, and one of the longest-running plays in Broadway history, "A Chorus Line" delves into the lives of 17 dancers auditioning for eight spots in the chorus of a Broadway musical. SMT artistic director Charles Richter directs the production.
"Spamalot" - the zany Monty Python musical comedy adapted from the classic movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" - runs July 9-27. Directed by James Peck, the show parodies the legend of King Arthur and his band of haphazard knights as they sing and dance their way through a ridiculous divine quest.
"Gruff! A New Family Musical. with Goats!" runs June 18 through July 26. In this interactive and puppet-filled musical, a young goat leaves the junkyard for the first time and stumbles into the fantastical land of the trolls. The show is a new creation of the neo-vaudeville theater group Doppelskope, and is recommended for ages 4 and up.
Tickets and information are available at muhlenberg.edu/SMT and 484-664-3693.
"A Chorus Line" takes the audience behind the scenes of an unnamed Broadway musical, and into the minds and lives of 17 Broadway hopefuls in the midst of a soul-baring audition. As the ranks thin, the auditioners face the realities of life, love, and a career in show business. "A Chorus Line" features such memorable numbers as "What I Did for Love," "One," "I Can Do That," "At the Ballet," "The Music and the Mirror," and "I Hope I Get It."
The Broadway production of "A Chorus Line" garnered numerous awards when it premiered in 1975, including the Tony Awards for best musical, best book, and best score. Charles Richter directs the production. Michael Schnack is musical director, and Muhlenberg dance program chair Karen Dearborn choreographs.
The Muhlenberg premiere of "Monty Python's Spamalot" features "some of the funniest antics introduced on a Broadway stage," according to USA Today. The show is "lovingly ripped off" from the classic 1975 film by beloved British comedy troupe "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." King Arthur and his knights embark on an ill-fated quest for the Holy Grail, dodging giant wooden rabbits, obnoxious Frenchmen, and a death-defying limbless knight along the way. James Peck directs. Justin Brehm serves as musical director. Sammy Reyes choreographs the production.
In the world-premiere family musical "Gruff!" a young goat learns the wonder of the natural world, and a new adventure begins, in which trolls and goats learn to live and play together. This innovative take on the story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff is the work of Doppelskope, a neo-vaudeville theatre ensemble that creates original works featuring puppetry, magic, and clowning. Gruff is directed by Ora Fruchter, with music written by Ora Fruchter and Toby Singer. It is appropriate for ages four and up.
A sensory-friendly performance of "Gruff!" will be presented Saturday, June 28, at 1 p.m. The performance will feature lighting and sound design conducive to children with autism and other sensory processing difficulties; a cast meet-and-greet and orientation before the performance; an open house and available sensory stories in advance of the performance; and facilities available for children who need time away from the performance. Tickets are provided at a discounted rate of $5. For reservations and information about the sensory-friendly performance, please contact general manager Jess Bien at 484-664-3087.
An accessible performance will be presented during the SMT season, featuring audio description for patrons with visual impairments and open captioning for patrons with hearing difficulties. Details are still pending; however, the performance will take place on a Sunday at 2 p.m. Call 484-664-3087 for information.
"A Chorus Line" runs June 11-29; "Spamalot" runs July 9-27. Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Ticket prices for both "A Chorus Line" and "Spamalot" are as follows. For the first four performances: regular admission tickets are $33; seniors are $29; students and children are $18. For the remaining 11 performances, beginning Sunday of opening weekend; regular admission tickets are $39; seniors are $36; students and children are $20.
"Gruff!" runs June 18 through July 26. Performances are Wednesday through Friday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m, and Saturday at 10 a.m. only. All tickets to "Gruff!" are $10 for June performances and $12 for July performances.
Tickets and information are available at www.muhlenberg.edu/SMT or 484-664-3333. Information on group discounts, subscriptions, and family matinee discounts is available on the website.
