Pioneer Theatre Company Announces 2011-2012 Season
50th Anniversary Season Includes Three Musicals, World and Utah Premieres
Pioneer Theatre Company has announced its 2011-2012 season, which will include the blockbuster musical Man of La Mancha as the season closer, the popular family musical Annieduring the holidays, and the Utah premiere of the 2010 Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musicalNext to Normal to open the season. The season also includes a sparkling adaption of a beloved Jane Austen novel, the return of an original comedy by PTC Artistic Director Charles Morey, the world premiere of a new play by Wendy MacLeod, and one of Shakespeare’s most magic-filled romances.
The theatre’s seven-play season opens with the musical Next to Normal (September 16 through October 1, 2011); followed by Shakespeare’s The Tempest (October 21 through November 5, 2011); the timeless rags-to-riches musical Annie, which will include an additional week of performances the week of Christmas (December 2 through December 23, 2011); the world premiere of Find and Sign by Wendy MacLeod (January 13 through January 28, 2012); Jane Austen’s Emma (February 17 through March 3, 2012); Laughing Stock by Charles Morey(March 23 through April 7, 2012); and the triumphant musical Man of La Mancha (May 4 through May 19, 2012).
Remarking on the season, Artistic Director Charles Morey said, “Many have asked, ‘Are you going to do something special for your final season as artistic director of PTC?’ I confess to being somewhat confused by the question in that it suggests ‘something special’ would be different from what we’ve always done. I think our seasons here have always been special: uniquely and carefully crafted for our community, our wonderful theatre space and our company of gifted artists and craftspeople. One of the great joys of working at this theatre for 28 years has been the fact that we have never limited ourselves to one genre, a single aesthetic, or attempted to play to any particular demographic. We are (sometimes wildly) eclectic as we try to appeal to the broadest segment of the community and simultaneously stretch our own artistic boundaries. The 2011-2012 season is a distinctive Pioneer Theatre Company blend of the classic and the contemporary; the new, the familiar, the edgy, and the comfortable. Sounds like a PTC season to me. I think that’s pretty special in and of itself.”
Season tickets range from $77 to $286, which means that season ticket patrons pay between $11 and $40 a ticket to see shows that cost over $100 on Broadway or National Tours. Notes PTC Managing Director Chris Lino, “For the price of one or two tickets to a Broadway show theatergoers can have a full season of entertainment at PTC, and be assured of the best seats and the convenience of exchanging their tickets if they can’t make their regular performance. And, as our long-time patrons know, you’ll be seeing the same actors who appear on Broadway stages, and the same spectacular sets and costumes that you would see on Broadway.”
For season tickets contact Pioneer Theatre Company’s Box Office at 801-581-6961 or visit online at www.pioneertheatre.org.
Pioneer Theatre Company, Utah’s premier professional theatre, performs at the Roy W. and Elizabeth E. Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre, located on the University of Utah campus at 300 South and 1400 East, Salt Lake City UT 84112-0660. The theatre is equipped with an elevator, hearing assistance devices, and handicapped parking.
Free parking within a block of the theatre is available for all performances.
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Season Ticket Packages
For season tickets contact Pioneer Theatre Company’s Box Office at 801-581-6961 or visit us online at www.pioneertheatre.org.
The Seven-Play Package
Get tickets for all seven shows in our season, and receive a discount of up to 74%, a shot at the best seats before they go on sale to the general public, and a voucher good for free admission to any non-musical show in the season (excludes Next to Normal, Annie and Man of La Mancha).
The Pick-Five Package
This option allows patrons to select any five shows in the season and receive both the season ticket discount and preferred seating. Pick Five patrons may choose from any of the seven productions on PTC’s 2011-2012 season.
The Flex Pass
This season package provides patrons with $240.00 worth of credit redeemable at the discounted season ticket rate for any shows the patron wishes to see.
$77 Upper Balcony Package
Patrons can purchase tickets to all seven shows for only $77.00. Seats in this package are in the Upper Balcony section, and can be upgraded to any available Main Floor or Loge seat at the discounted season ticket price. This package does not include a free play voucher.
The $99 Rush Pass
This is a season pass that allows patrons to come to the theatre an hour before any show and get the best available single ticket for that night, based on availability. The pass is good for all shows in the season, including all three musicals.
All packages include a discount on tickets, flexible exchange privileges, priority seating, the ability to purchase additional tickets to individual shows at a discount, and an electronic subscription to Backstage, PTC’s newsletter.
PIONEER THEATRE COMPANY’S 2011-2012 SEASON
Winner of the 2010 Tony Award for Best Musical Score and Pulitzer Prize for Drama!
Next to Normal
Music by Tom Kitt, Book and Lyrics by Brian Yorkey
September 16 through October 1, 2011
“Next to Normal is a brave, breathtaking musical…It is something much more than a feel-good musical. It is a feel-everything musical.”— The New York Times
The Goodmans seem like a perfect family. The only problem is that sometimes mother Diana seems, well…a little too happy. Since its Broadway debut in 2009, Next to Normal has earned accolades around the world for its tender, insightful, funny and heart-breaking portrayal of a family trying bravely to come to terms with life, and love, and loss. Contains strong language and themes.
Shakespeare’s magical tale of love and forgiveness!
The Tempest
by William Shakespeare
October 21 through November 5, 2011
“O Brave new world, that has such creatures in it!”
On a deserted island, the exiled Duke of Milan, a powerful magician, rules over an assortment of spirits, sprites, and monsters while his teenaged daughter grows up under his watchful eyes. When the ship carrying the brother who deposed him is wrecked upon his shores, Prospero must choose between forgiveness and revenge. Shakespeare’s final and most wonderful romance is filled with magic, comedy and some of the most profoundly beautiful dramatic verse ever written.
Winner of 7 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Score!
Annie
Book by Thomas Meehan, Music by Charles Strouse, Lyrics by Martin Charnin
December 2 through December 17, 2011
Extra week added: December 19–23, 2011!
“One of the best musicals ever!” — Chicago Tribune
Leapin’ Lizards! America’s most beloved orphan is onstage at Pioneer Theatre Company for the first time. Annie’s adventures at Christmas-time with her dog Sandy, the wicked Miss Hannigan and Daddy Warbucks are sure to warm your heart for the holidays. Boasting one of Broadway’s most memorable scores, including “It’s the Hard-Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” and the optimistic “Tomorrow,” Annie will bring a smile to your face and bounce to your step.
With weekday matinees offered during the week before Christmas.
World Premiere!
Find and Sign
by Wendy MacLeod
January 13 through January 28, 2012
For anyone who’s ever tried to combine love and a career…
How much do you sacrifice for love?
Set in the New York City music industry (with a slight nod to Othello), Find and Sign takes us through the bumpy romance between an on-the-rise young record executive and an idealistic public school teacher. One of the country’s most noted young playwrights, Wendy MacLeod has written a funny, touching and compelling romance for our time. Contains strong language and themes.
The story of a beautiful matchmaker who finally meets her match.
Emma
Based on the novel by Jane Austen
February 17 through March 3, 2012
Young, headstrong Emma Woodhouse believes she has a special talent for matchmaking, but where the affections of others and her own heart are concerned she is exasperatingly but charmingly clueless. Jane Austen’s beloved romantic comedy of small village English life in the 18th century comes vividly to life in this enchanting stage adaptation.
Fall in love with the theatre all over again!
Laughing Stock
by Charles Morey
March 23 through April 7, 2012
“Hysterically funny…And along the way to its sweet finale you can fall in love with theatre all over again.”—Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL)
“I cried, I choked, I fell into a coughing fit, I cried some more…can’t help but love this play.” —Nashua Telegraph (NH)
PTC Artistic Director Charles Morey’s hilarious and affectionate look at the world of theatre has had close to a hundred productions around the country since its PTC premiere over a decade ago. When The Playhouse, a rustic New England summer theatre, schedules a repertory season of Dracula, Hamlet and Charley’s Aunt, comic mayhem ensues.
Winner of 5 Tony Awards, including Best Musical!
Man of La Mancha
Book by Dale Wasserman, Music by Mitch Leigh, Lyrics by Joe Darion
May 4 through May 19, 2012
“Dream the impossible dream!”
One of the greatest musicals ever performed, based on one of the greatest novels ever written,Man of La Mancha is a story of swashbuckling imagination, romance and adventure, as Don Quixote de la Mancha ardently pursues the quest of his “Impossible Dream” in the face of all the obstacles the world can put before him. Also includes musical favorites “Dulcinea,” “Little Bird, Little Bird,” and “I, Don Quixote.”