The 5th's 2009-2010 Season:
A Full-Color Palette of Comedy Drama, and Gorgeous Music!
Seattle's premiere home of musical theater celebrates its 29th Season with an exciting mix of the contemporary and the classic
SEATTLE — The 5th Avenue has announced the seven productions that make up their 2009-2010 Season, which include the company's trademark mix of world premieres, the hottest shows direct from Broadway, and classics from the Golden Age of musicals featuring Seattle's favorite performers and artists.
The season opens with the exciting World Premiere musical Catch Me If You Can, based on the DreamWorks motion picture and the incredible true story that inspired it, and featuring a blockbuster creative team that includes many of the amazing talents who gave us Hairspray. With music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman and a book by Terrence McNally, this brand new musical follows the unlikely adventures of a young man who creates an astonishing array of identities-airline pilot, doctor, lawyer- none of which he has any qualifications for! Directed by Jack O'Brien with choreography by Jerry Mitchell, this new musical is certain to be the theatrical event of the year. And once again Seattle will see it first!
Next up is the first ever 5th Avenue Theatre production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's contemporary classic Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. With music that runs the gamut from Pop to Country to Calypso to Rock & Roll, the musical re-tells the Biblical tale of Joseph, his many brothers, and that spectacular coat, in a vibrant and sometimes hilarious new way that gives new life to a perennial family favorite.
Then just in time for the holidays returns one of our most popular and beloved productions ever, Irving Berlin's White Christmas. The story of two ex-soldiers who pursue a pair of lovely ladies right to the lodge that their ex-commanding officer is running is a song-and-dance extravaganza featuring dazzling sets, gorgeous costumes and a timeless hit parade of toe-tapping Irving Berlin tunes including "Blue Skies," "Sisters," "Count Your Blessings," and of course, the immortal title song. This show played to large and enthusiastic audiences here in its premiere in Seattle back in 2006, and had a similar reception on Broadway this past winter. Now it returns in a brand-new production with all of your old favorites still intact.
If you've still got any winter blues left over, than prepare to banish them with the national tour of one of the most acclaimed revivals in Broadway history, the Lincoln Center Theater production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific, directed by Intiman Theatre's Artistic Director Bartlett Sher. This production was awarded seven 2008 Tonys (including Best Musical Revival and Best Director) and has been playing to sold-out audiences in New York since March of last year, and now Seattle audiences get their first glance at a show of which New York Times critic Ben Brantley said "I know we're not supposed to expect perfection in this imperfect world, but I'm darned if I can find one serious flaw in this production." With an extraordinary score including "Some Enchanted Evening," "Bali Ha'i," "There Is Nothin' Like A Dame," and "A Wonderful Guy," South Pacific is also a deeply felt drama. Set on a tropical island during World War II, the musical tells the sweeping romantic story of two couples and how their happiness is threatened by the realities of war and by their own prejudices.
Next up we "think pink" with the Seattle premiere of Legally Blonde The Musical, a high-energy rush of sheer adrenaline and excitement. Inspired by the hilarious movie, this recent Broadway hit follows the trail from sorority house to hallowed halls of justice blazed by Elle Woods, one of the brightest and blondest heroines ever to grace a musical comedy. With its dazzling production, kinetic dancing and pop infused score, this is a great show for the entire family.
This year the 5th celebrates an American master with not one but two great works by Leonard Bernstein. First up, and the centerpiece of a city-wide Bernstein Festival (which includes events by the Seattle Symphony and many other leading performing arts groups and organizations), is his first remarkable musical On the Town. With book and lyrics by the great Broadway and Hollywood writing team of Betty Comden and Adolph Green (Singin' In The Rain), this show follows the adventures of three sailors on leave in New York City as they cram a lifetime of romance and excitement into just one day. With such classic songs as "New York, New York!," "I Can Cook, Too" and "Some Other Time," this production will be directed by the 5th's Associate Artistic Director Bill Berry with choreography by Patti Colombo (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers), featuring Seattle's Spectrum Dance Theatre.
Part sophisticated operetta, part Monty Python comedy, Bernstein's Candide follows the comic adventures of a hopelessly optimistic young man as he seeks his true love on a wild journey around this "best of all possible worlds." Adapted from Voltaire's wickedly satirical novel, this landmark musical features a sharp and clever book by Hugh Wheeler (Sweeney Todd) and John Caird (Les Miserables), as well as droll lyrics by an amazing sextet of literary talent - Stephen Sondheim, Richard Wilber, John Latouche, Lillian Hellman, Dorothy Parker and Bernstein himself! The show's celebrated score includes the famous "Overture," "Glitter and be Gay" and the stunning "Make Our Garden Grow." The 5th's Artistic Director David Armstrong helms this great though little-seen classic.
Catch Me If You Can: July 23 - August 14, 2009 (World Premiere)
Cast and Creative Team
- Book by Terrence McNally
- Music by Marc Shaiman
- Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman
- Based on the Paramount Pictures film and the autobiography by Frank Abagnale Jr. and Stan Redding
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat:
October 13 - November 1, 2009 (5th Avenue Theatre Production)
Cast and Creative Team
- Music By Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Lyrics By Tim Rice
- Directed and Choreographed by James Rocco
White Christmas :
December 1 - December 20, 2009 (5th Avenue Theatre Production)
Cast and Creative Team
- Music and Lyrics By Irving Berlin
- Book By Paul Blake & David Ives
South Pacific :
January 29 - February 18, 2010 (Tour)
Cast and Creative Team
- Music By Richard Rodgers
- Lyrics By Oscar Hammerstein II
- Book By Joshua Logan & Oscar Hammerstein II
- Directed by Bartlett Sher
Legally Blonde The Musical:
February 23 - March 14, 2010 (Tour)
Cast and Creative Team
- Music and Lyrics By Laurence O'Keefe & Nell Benjamin
- Book By Heather Hach
On The Town:
April 13 - Mary 2, 2010 (5th Avenue Theatre Production)
Cast and Creative Team
- Music by Leonard Bernstein
- Book and Lyrics By Betty Comden & Adolph Green
- Based on an Idea By Jerome Robbins
- Directed by Bill Berry
Candide:
May 25 - June 13, 2010 (5th Avenue Theatre Production)
Cast and Creative Team
- Music By Leonard Bernstein
- Lyrics By Richard Wilbur
- Additional Lyrics By Lillian Hellman, Dorothy Parker, John Latouche, Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein
- Directed by David Armstrong
Season subscriptions are available over the phone by calling 206-625-1900 / toll-free 888-5TH-4TIX (584-4849), or in person at the box office at 1308 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101.
The 5th Avenue Theatre is Seattle's premier musical theater. In 1980, the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre began producing and presenting top-quality live musical theater for the cultural enrichment of the Northwest community. The 5th Avenue Theatre maintains a subscription audience of over 25,000 and an annual attendance of more than 287,000. It ranks among the nation's largest and most respected musical theater companies. The Theatre is committed to encouraging the next generation of theatergoers through its Educational Outreach Program which includes: The Adventure Musical Theatre Touring Company, The 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards, the Student Matinee Program and Spotlight Nights. Unique in its Chinese-inspired design, the exquisite theater opened in 1926 as a venue for vaudeville and film. Today, under the leadership of Managing Director Marilynn Sheldon and Producing Artistic Director David Armstrong, The 5th Avenue Theatre continues to achieve the highest standards in all aspects of artistic endeavors and facility operations, while preserving its artistic, architectural and historic legacy. Visit www.5thavenue.org
Please contact John Longenbaugh, Public Relations Manager, at (206) 625-1418 with questions or to schedule individual interviews.