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Phoenix Theatre’s 2017-18 Mainstage Theatre
NOTE: The show dates include rehearsal dates and run dates and may be subject to change.
Mamma Mia
Rehearsals Begin: Aug. 15th 2017 Opens: Sept. 8th 2017 Closes: Oct. 15th 2017 Poss. Ext: No Ext.
Over 54 million people all around the world have fallen in in love with the characters, the story and the music that make
Mamma Mia! the ultimate feel-good show! A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you'll
never forget!
Writer, Catherine Johnson's, sunny and funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a
daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last
visited 20 years ago.
The story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, creating an
unforgettable show. A large cast, non-stop laughs and explosive dance numbers combine to make Mamma Mia! (MTI)
Newsies
Rehearsals Begin: Oct. 24th 2017 Opens: Nov 17th 2017 Closes: January 1st, 2018
Poss. Ext: No Ext.
Disney’s Newsies features a score by eight-time Academy Award® winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin,
Sister Act) and Jack Feldman and a book by four-time Tony® Award winner Harvey Fierstein (La Cage aux Folles, Torch
Song Trilogy). While on Broadway, Newsies received 23 major theatrical nominations – including eight Tony Award nods
– and won Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Score and Choreography.
Newsies is inspired by the real-life ‘Newsboy Strike of 1899,’ when newsboy Kid Blink led a band of orphan and runaway
newsies on a two-week-long action against Pulitzer, Hearst and other powerful newspaper publishers. Timely and fresh,
the fictionalized adaptation of Newsies addresses age-old themes of social injustice, exploitative labor practices, and
David-versus-Goliath struggles as the young learn to harness their power against a corrupt establishment. High-energy
with non-stop thrills, the stage version introduces eight brand-new songs by the original team of Menken and Feldman
while keeping many of the beloved songs from the film, including “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” “King of New
York” and “Santa Fe.” (MTI)
It’s Only a Play
Rehearsals Begin: January 2nd 2018 Opens: January 26th 2018 Closes: February 11th 2018
Poss. Ext: No Extension
THE STORY: It’s the opening night of The Golden Egg on Broadway, and the wealthy producer Julia Budder is throwing a
lavish party in her lavish Manhattan townhouse. Downstairs the celebrities are pouring in, but the real action is upstairs in
the bedroom, where a group of insiders have staked themselves out to await the reviews. The group includes the
excitable playwright; the possibly unstable wunderkind director; the pill-popping leading lady, treading the boards after
becoming infamous in Hollywood; and the playwright’s best friend, for whom the play was written but who passed up this
production for a television series. Add to this a drama critic who’s panned the playwright in the past and a new-in-town
aspiring singer, and you have a prime recipe for the narcissism, ambition, childishness, and just plain irrationality that
infuse the theatre—and for comedy. But don’t worry: This play is sure to be the hit they have all been hoping for.
“This show is without a doubt hilariously, sidesplittingly funny…These are among the funniest lines to roll off a stage in
years…IT’S ONLY A PLAY deserves only a rave.” —The New York Times. “At the heart of the humor is the sublime
narcissism of the professional players and their honest conviction that nothing matters except the theater…You really must
laugh at McNally’s unquenchable wit—but those sloppy-kiss tributes to the theater…are deeply felt and honestly
moving.” —Variety. “This is the sort of comedy that puts the broad in Broadway, with a genuinely funny script boasting
pointed barbs at theater mainstays such as Liza Minnelli, Harvey Fierstein, Audra McDonald, and New York Times critic
Ben Brantley…IT’S ONLY A PLAY is a poison-pen mash note to New York theater, at once gleefully bitchy and
affectionate.” —Entertainment Weekly.far from elementary the truth can be. (DRAMATISTS)
Million Dollar Quartet
Rehearsals Begin: February 13th 2018 Opens: March 9th 2018 Closes: April 8th 2018
Poss. Ext: April 10th-22nd 2018
The Tony® Award Winning musical, Million Dollar Quartet is set on December 4, 1956, when an extraordinary twist of fate
brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together at Sun Records in Memphis for what would
be one of the greatest jam sessions ever.
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary December night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises,
secrets, betrayal and celebrations that is both poignant and funny. Relive the era with the smash-hit sensation featuring an
incredible score of rock ‘n’ roll, gospel, R&B and country hits, performed live onstage by world-class actors and musicians.
Showcased hit songs include: “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Walk the Line,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?,”
“Great Balls of Fire,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Hound Dog,” and more. (TRW)
Little Shop of Horrors
Rehearsals Begin: April 24th, 2018 Opens: May 18th, 2018 Closes: June 10th, 2018
Poss. Ext: June 12th thru 30th 2018
A deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, Little Shop Of Horrors has devoured the hearts of
theatre goers for over 30 years. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney's The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Beast,
and Aladdin) are the creative geniuses behind what has become one of the most popular shows in the world.
The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names "Audrey II" - after his coworker
crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as
long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II's out of this world origins and intent
towards global domination!
One of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows, Little Shop Of Horrors the charmingly tongue in cheek comedy has been
produced worldwide.
Phoenix Theatre’s 2017-18 Hormel Theatre
NOTE: The show dates include rehearsal dates and run dates and are subject to change.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Rehearsals Begin: August 29th, 2017 Opens: September 22nd, 2017 Closes: Oct. 8th , 2017
Poss. Ext: Oct. 10-15th 2017
This groundbreaking Obie-winning Off-Broadway smash also won multiple awards for its hit film adaptation. It tells the
story of "internationally ignored song stylist" Hedwig Schmidt, a fourth-wall smashing East German rock 'n' roll goddess
who also happens to be the victim of a botched sex-change operation, which has left her with just "an angry inch." This
outrageous and unexpectedly hilarious story is dazzlingly performed by Hedwig (née Hansel) in the form of a rock
gig/stand-up comedy routine backed by the hard-rocking band "The Angry Inch." (Dramatists)
Godspell
Rehearsals Begin: March 27th 2018 Opens: April 20th, 2018 Closes: May 13th 2018
Poss. Ext: May 15-June 30th 2017
Godspell was the first major musical theatre offering from three-time Grammy and Academy Award winner, Stephen
Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Children of Eden), and it took the world by storm. Led by the international hit, "Day by Day,"
Godspell features a parade of beloved songs, including "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord," "Learn Your Lessons Well," "All
for the Best," "All Good Gifts," "Turn Back, O Man" and "By My Side."
A small group of people help Jesus Christ tell different parables by using a wide variety of games, storytelling techniques
and hefty doses of comic timing. An eclectic blend of songs, ranging in style from pop to vaudeville, is employed as the
story of Jesus' life dances across the stage. Dissolving hauntingly into the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, Jesus' messages
of kindness, tolerance and love come vibrantly to life.
Boasting a score with chart topping songs, a book by a visionary playwright (John-Michael Tebelak) and a feature film,
Godspell is a sensation that continues to touch audiences
Phoenix Theatre’s New Work Development
20th Annual Caleb Reese Festival of New Plays and Musicals
March 5th- 18th 2018.
PHOENIX THEATRE announces its 20th Annual Caleb Reese Festival of New Plays and Musicals, and its 10th national
playwrights’ competition. The New Works Festival presents four staged readings of plays each summer at Phoenix
Theatre, the oldest arts organization in Arizona and the largest Phoenix-based producing theatre. Playwrights whose
work has been presented include Jack Heifner, Janet Neipris, Craig Bohmler, Hal Corley, James McClure, Rich Orloff,
Nathan Sanders, Eric Coble, Dale Wasserman, & Richard Warren.
Phoenix Theatre’s Outreach Programing
Phoenix Theatre’s PARTNERS THAT HEAL
July 2017- June 2018 (year round rehearsals and service)
Phoenix Theatre’s Partners That Heal is a program in which artists use theatre activities such as: role-playing,
improvisation, puppets and many more to help ease tension and fears that an individual and or family experiences while
receiving hospital care. The artists of Partners That Heal establish a safe space in which both children and adults are
encouraged to laugh while creating a sense of comfort, allowing the patient to feel open in expressing how they are
feeling. Partners That Heal improves the quality of life for children, adults and families in long-term care by alleviating
fear and providing normalcy through entertainment and consistent visitation. INFO
Special Projects (year round)
Cabarets, industry gigs and events produced in collaboration with other valley organizations.