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Celebrating Our 73rd Season!
5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd. Lakewood, WA 98499 (253) 588-0042
September 23rd, 2011 — October 23rd, 2011
SOMETHING WICKED
THIS WAY COMES by Ray Bradbury
NORTHWEST PREMIERE!
IIn a small anywhere town in any state in America, two young boys - quiet Will Halloway and somewhat rebellious Jim Nightshade - enjoy the ever-shortening days of autumn. When the boys hear about a strange traveling carnival from a lightning rod salesman, they decide to see what it is all about. When the ominous Mr. Dark, the Illustrated Man, rides into town on a dark midnight, setting up his massive carnival in a matter of seconds, the boys are both thrilled and terrified. It seems to be just another carnival at first, but it is not long before Dark intends to take control of the town and seize more innocent souls. It will take all the wit and hope of the two boys to save their families and friends, with aid from an unlikely ally - Will's father, the town librarian, who understands more than anyone else that "something wicked this way comes."
November 25th, 2011 – December 23rd, 2011
The Musical
OLIVER! By Lionel Bart
Nothing works on the stage like a well-crafted tale, and OLIVER! is just such a show. Based on the Dickens novel, it will engage you with its pathos and drama, while delighting you with its outstanding musical numbers. Food, Glorious Food, I'd Do Anything, Where is Love?, Consider Yourself, As Long As He Needs Me, Who Will Buy and Reviewing the Situation are musical theatre classics. Dickens' characters are brought to life-perhaps larger than life-with all their facets glowing in this production.
January 19th, 2012 – February 12th, 2012
PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM by Woody Allen
Allan Felix has this thing about Humphrey Bogart. If only he had some of Bogart's technique... Bookish and insecure with women, Allan's hero, Bogey comes to the rescue, with a fantastic bevy of beauties played out in hilarious fantasy sequences. Fixed up by friends with gorgeous women, he's so awkward that even Bogey's patience is tried. Allan mostly resembles a disheveled, friendly dog and this is what ultimately charms his best friend's wife, Linda into bed. It's a tough life, making it in the world of beautiful people but if you can't be a hero it helps to have one...
"Hilarious...a cheerful romp. Not only are Mr. Allen's jokes and their follow ups, asides and twists audaciously brilliant, but he has a great sense of character."-The New York Times
March 2nd, 2012 – March 25th, 2012
THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION by Aaron Sorkin
The story of the invention, and theft, of Television.
It’s 1929. Two ambitious visionaries race against each other to invent a device called “television.” Separated by two thousand miles, each knows that if he stops working, even for a moment, the other will gain the edge. Who will unlock the key to the greatest innovation of the 20th century: the ruthless media mogul, or the self-taught Idaho farm boy?
The answer comes to compelling life in The Farnsworth Invention, the new play from Aaron Sorkin, creator of The West Wing, A Few Good Men & An American President.
"…vintage Sorkin and crackling prime-time theater...breezy and shrewd, smart-alecky and idealistic." - Newsday
April 27th, 2012 – May 20th, 2012
THE MUSICAL COMEDY MURDERS of 1940 by John Bishop
The creative team responsible for a recent Broadway flop (in which three chorus girls were murdered by the mysterious "Stage Door Slasher") assemble for a backer's audition of their new show at the Westchester estate of a wealthy "angel." The house is replete with sliding panels, secret passageways and a German maid who is apparently four different people—all of which figure diabolically in the comic mayhem which follows when the infamous "Slasher" makes his reappearance and strikes again—and again. As the composer, lyricist, actors and director prepare their performance, and a blizzard cuts off any possible retreat, bodies start to drop in plain sight, knives spring out of nowhere, masked figures drag their victims behind swiveling bookcases, and accusing fingers point in all directions. However, and with no thanks to the bumbling police inspector who snowshoes in to investigate, the mystery is solved in the nick of time and the "Slasher" unmasked—but not before the audience has been treated to a sidesplitting good time and a generous serving of the author's biting, satiric and refreshingly irreverent wit.
June 15th, 2012 – July 8th, 2012
The Musical
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED on the WAY to the FORUM
Book by Burt Shevelove & Larry Gelbart
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Based on the plays of Plautus
"Tragedy tomorrow, comedy tonight!" Broadway's greatest farce is light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent and one of the funniest musicals ever written-the perfect escape from life's troubles. "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum" takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from time-tested, 2000 year old comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville. The result is a non-stop laugh-fest in which a crafty slave (Pseudolus) struggles to win the hand of a beautiful but slow-witted courtesan (Philia) for his young master (Hero), in exchange for freedom.
PRESENTING
The Lakewood Playhouse 2011/2012 Season
