My Jo Book and Lyrics by Rob Lauer Music by Rick Rea Inspired by Little Women and the works of Louisa May Alcott September 17, 18, 24, 25 8:00 PM September 19, 26 2:30 PM Set in New England during the Civil War, My Jo focuses on Jo March and her three sisters as they, along with their mother, struggle to survive in the absence of their father, who is away for the duration of the war. In an era that prizes self sacrifice and a mild submissive attitude in women, Jo is an enigma to her family and herself. While her sisters focus on romance, Jo remains indifferent to boys and thoughts of marriage. She craves excitement, travel, a career, and most important, independence. Unwilling to conform to other's expectations, she moves to New York City to pursue a career as a writer until tragedy strikes and family ties conspire to undermine her dreams. In the end, by learning to deal honestly with her family and herself she not only finds success as a novelist, but romantic love. A Virginia premiere of this new musical! Directed by Rob Lauer Musical Direction by Jeff Joyner There Goes the Bride By Ray Cooney and John Chapman January 28, 29, February 4, 5 8:00 PM January 30, February 6 2:30 PM When harassed advertising executive Timothy Westerby hits his head on the morning of his daughter’s society wedding, he awakes to find himself in the company of Polly Perkins, a 1920’s Flapper girl straight out of his current advertising campaign. It soon becomes all too clear that no one else can see or hear her, and when another bump on the head transports Timothy back to 1926 and the Savoy hotel, the carefully planned wedding preparations disintegrate into chaos as the friends and family attempt to lead Timothy back to reality and his daughter down the aisle before the newly arrived In-Laws abandon the wedding. Directed by Kathleen Walden “A fiendishly clever farce that gets madder and funnier as it goes along.” Produced by Special Arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. Souvenir By Stephen Temperley June 3, 4, 10, 11 8:00 PM June 5, 12 2:30 PM For more than half a century the name Florence Foster Jenkins has been guaranteed to produce explosions of derisive laughter. Not unreasonably so, as this wealthy society eccentric suffered under the delusion that she was a great coloratura soprano when she was in fact, incapable of producing two consecutive notes in tune. Her annual recitals in the ballroom of the Ritz Carlton hotel brought her extraordinary fame, and as news of her terrible singing spread, so did her celebrity. The climax of her career was a single concert at Carnegie Hall in 1944, which sold out in two hours. Souvenir is told through the eyes of Cosme McMoon, a talented musician who first regards her as an easy way to pay the rent, but as he gets to know her, his initial contempt gives way to reluctant admiration, then friendship and affection. A musical odd-couple for the ages. Directed by Ron Milovac Produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc. |
PIPS 2010-2011 Season
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