2008 - 2009 Season At Stoneham Theatre

Stoneham Theatre’s 2008–2009 season, dubbed “Embark,” will include the U.S. premiere of Colin Teevan’s "How Many Miles to Basra?,"  the New England Premiere of the gender-bending musical "Pageant," the Pulitzer Prize-winning "Picnic,"  the Hitchcockian thriller, "Strangers on a Train" and the holiday classic, "It’s a Wonderful Life." Stoneham Theatre is located at 395 Main Street in Stoneham Square.

Also featured during the theater's ninth anniversary season are two musical selections: the family-friendly "A Year with Frog and Toad" and Kathy St. George in "And Now Ladies and Gentlemen, Miss Judy Garland." 

In addition to the recent completion of two new rehearsal spaces at the theatre, the 2008–2009 season also heralds the return of Stoneham Theatre’s Emerging Stages, a platform to present staged readings and workshop productions of new and innovative plays. Titles will be announced in the coming months.

Producing Artistic Director Weylin Symes commented, “For our 9th Season, we’ve chosen work that invites our audience to embark, along with the fascinating characters they’ll meet over the course of this year, on journeys, both physical and spiritual. From new loves to chance meetings on a train, to an unexpected mission of redemption and spring’s promise of a whole new year to explore, this rich mix of plays and musicals will delight and captivate.”

In order, the season includes:

"Pageant" - September 11 - October 5
Book and lyrics by Bill Russell and Frank Kelly
Music by Albert Evans
New England Premiere
This silly, fun musical is like no beauty pageant you’ve seen before.  Six young(ish) men dressed as six young women compete in a prestigious beauty pageant to determine who will be the new Miss Glamouresse. Think "Miss America" meets "Some Like it Hot."  Plus members of the audience will choose the winner!
 
"How Many Miles To Basra?
October 30 - November 9
By Colin Teevan
U.S. Premiere
A small military unit embarks on an unauthorized journey deep into Iraq in a disastrous attempt to make amends for an accidental checkpoint killing. An examination of how the definitions of truth and responsibility become blurred in times of war.

"It's A Wonderful Life"
November 28 - December 21
By James W. Rodgers
Based upon the film by Frank Capra and the story by Philip Van Doren, this is the
classic holiday film retold on stage. George Bailey’s desperation brings the assistance of his guardian angel, who reminds George of all the lives he’s touched.

"A Year With Frog And Toad"
February 26 - March 15, 2009
Book and lyrics by Willie Reale
Music by Robert Reale
Based on the “Frog and Toad” books by Arnold Lobel
First produced on Broadway, this charming musical’s jazzy score captures the spirit of Arnold Lobel's whimsical stories.  Audiences will follow the journey of best friends Frog and Toad in this show for the kid in everyone.
 
"Picnic"
April 2 - 19, 2009
By William Inge
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, 1953
In this classic American drama, a seductive drifter awakens a young woman’s desire and disrupts the quiet lives of a small Kansas community.

"Strangers On A Train"
May 7 - 24, 2009
By Craig Warner
Based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith
“Maybe we should swap murders.” An innocent joke between two strangers proves deadly in this chilling Hitchcockian thriller.

"And Now Ladies And Gentlemen, Miss Judy Garland"
June 4 - 28, 2009
A musical event starring Kathy St. George
Adapted and created by Tony McLean
Local favorite Kathy St. George shares Judy’s biggest hits and most intimate confessions in a one-woman evening combining concert with remembrances. 

For tickets and information stop by the Stoneham Theatre Box Office (395 Main Street in Stoneham), call 781-279-2200 or visit www.stonehamtheatre.org.

-- OnStage Boston