COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.: The Fine Arts Center Theatre Company has announced its 2018-2019 season.
The mainstage season kicks off with the regional premiere of Shakespeare in Love (Sept. 27-Oct. 21), based on the screenplay by Marc Norman & Tom Stoppard, adapted for the stage by Lee Hall, featuring music by Paddy Cunneen. This adapted play with music follows young Will Shakespeare’s struggle to write Romeo & Juliet, while in love with a young noblewoman. Scott RC Levy will direct.
Next up will be the regional premiere of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical (Dec. 6-Jan. 6), book by Dennis Kelly Music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, based on Dahl’s classic story of a precocious girl with extraordinary powers who must overcome her evil headmistress.
Following will be the regional premiere of Anna in the Tropics (Feb. 7-24, 2019), by Nilo Cruz, about a 1929 Cuban-American cigar factory where Anna Karenina is read aloud to the workers.
Next onstage will be the regional premiere of Hands on a Hardbody (March 28-April 14, 2019), book by Doug Wright, music by Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green, and lyrics by Green. The musical follows 10 hard-luck Texans who must keep one hand on a truck in order to win it. Nathan Halvorson will direct and choreograph.
Closing out the mainstage season will be the regional premiere of Barnum (May 23-June 16, 2019), book by Mark Bramble, music by Cy Coleman, and lyrics by Michael Stewart. This musical portrait of P.T. Barnum, the founder of the Barnum & Bailey Circus, will be directed by Levy.
The company’s also announced the season in its second stage: where it programs a mix of smaller-cast works and theatre for all ages.
The first show in the second stage is the regional premiere of Go, Dog. Go! (Sept. 14-Oct. 14), by Steven Dietz and Allison Gregory, and music by Michael Koerner. The all-ages show is based on P.D. Eastman’s children’s book about dogs.
Next onstage will be the regional premiere of Church and State (Nov. 2-25), by Jason Odell Williams, about a Republican U.S. senator who makes a bid for reelection following a school shooting.
Following will be the family show Ben and the Magic Paintbrush (March 8-April 7, 2019), by Bathsheba Doran, about two orphaned siblings who must escape a villain’s money making scheme using kindness and bravery.
Closing out the second stage season will be the regional premiere of Bad Dates (April 26-May 19, 2019) by Theresa Rebeck, about a restaurant manager who relates her hilarious tales of dreadful dates from her bedroom.
The Fine Arts Center Theatre Company produces an annual season of musicals, comedies and dramas.
