The 2007 Musical Season at North Shore Music Theatre
(NSMT) will include a national phenomenon, a swashbuckling new musical
and an international blockbuster, all making their debut on the NSMT
stage.
From
the toe-tapping Gershwin favorite "Crazy
For You," to the New England Regional Premiere of Disney's
"High School Musical," the swashbuckling adventures
of "The Three Musketeers" and the timeless
story of courage and redemption portrayed in "Les Miserables,"
the 2007 season is reflective of NSMT's commitment to producing both
new works and fresh interpretations of classic musicals.
According to Jon Kimbell, NSMT's Artistic Director
and Executive Producer, "North Shore Music Theatre has become a
major player in the development and preservation of our distinctly American
art form, and the 2007 season is a prime example. 2007 is a year of
partnerships between NSMT, the industry's licensing companies and our
peers in the theater community. We are very proud to be one of the few
professional theaters in the country to secure the rights to produce
both 'Les Miserables' and Disney's 'High School Musical.' We are also
thrilled to be working with our friend and master composer George
Stiles and Chicago Shakespeare Theater on
the new musical 'The Three Musketeers,' as well as with Theatre
Under the Stars and Paper Mill Playhouse to
bring you a revised 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.' It is going to
be a tremendous season!"
The 2007 season kicks off April 24 - May 13 with an all new production
of "Crazy For You," a dazzling tap musical
in the style of NSMT's hit production of "Singin' in the
Rain." Winner of three 1992 Tony Awards,
including Best Musical, this bubbly comedy is filled with romance, mistaken
identities, high-energy singing and dancing and classic Gershwin songs
like "Embraceable You," "I Got Rhythm" and
"Someone to Watch Over Me."
"Seven Brides For Seven Brothers" will take
to the NSMT stage from May 29 - June 17 as part of a co-production with
Paper Mill Playhouse and Theatre Under the Stars. When Milly recited
her marriage vows, she never realized she would find herself in the
wilds of 1850's Oregon, with six rowdy brothers-in-law as roommates.
It doesn't take long for her to whip the rough and tumble group into
shape, and soon, all the brothers can think about is finding wives of
their own. The score includes such numbers as "Wonderful,
Wonderful Day," "Bless Your Beautiful Hide" and
"Sobbin' Women."
Disney's
"High School Musical" has been sweeping up the charts
and creating buzz in homerooms across the country. The New England Regional
Premiere from July 3 - July 22 follows Gabriella, a shy, brainy new
student, and Troy, the captain of the basketball team, as they discover
a shared love for singing. They meet at a karaoke contest, decide to
audition for the leads in their high school musical and find their musical
path to love is not without challenges. Disney's "High School Musical"
is based on the Disney Channel Original Movie which
scored the best-selling CD of 2006.
The classic tale of "The Three Musketeers"
is now a swashbuckling new musical, with music by George Stiles,
award-winning composer of "Honk!" and Broadway's
new hit, "Mary Poppins." NSMT has partnered
with the prestigious Chicago Shakespeare Theater to present the timeless
coming-of-age story of young D'Artagnan as he joins forces with Athos,
Aramis and Porthos to battle the malicious cardinal and save France.
Another East Coast premiere, running from August 21 - September 9,
The harmonious comedy hit "Forever Plaid"
follows the Plaids, a fictional 1950's boy band, who have been miraculously
brought back to Earth for one final performance. Playing September 18
- October 7, the score includes "Three Coins in a Fountain,"
"Catch a Falling Star," "Magic Moments" and
"Day-O," among others.
The 2007 Musical Season will conclude with the Northeast Regional Theatre
Premiere of "Les Miserbles" from October
23 - November 11. NSMT ranks as one of only a handful of regional theatres
in the country to produce a professional production of this powerful
musical in 2007. Based on Victor Hugo's epic novel,
the story follows the relentless Javert in his pursuit across the decades
of the escaped convict Jean Valjean. The Tony Award winning musical
has thrilled audiences around the world and will now be presented in
a unique production created solely for NSMT's signature theater-in-the-round.
Throughout the 2007 season, NSMT will continue to host special free
audience enrichment events including:
Meet The Theatre
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. Receptions occur the third Thursday evening
of each show's run.
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.
Season Subscriptions for 2007 are on sale now. For more
information, call 978-232-7200, stop by the box office at 62 Dunham
Road in Beverly or visit www.nsmt.org.
Single tickets for all shows go on sale March 25 to the
general public. Gift certificates for all 2007 productions are currently
on sale through the NSMT box office.
Operating since 1955, NSMT has evolved into the largest
non-profit producing theater in New England, serving approximately 350,000
patrons annually.
--
OnStage Boston
