79th SEASON
2016-2017
THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB
by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, Jamie Wooten
Comedy
JULY 8 - AUGUST 7, 2016
Directed by Jerry Pilato, Produced by Judy Hughes
Dipping into the deep end of friendship, The Dixie Swim Club follows five vibrant women who have called each other friends since their time spent together on a college swim team 33 years ago. Every year since graduation, they've kept their bond alive by spending a long summer weekend together at the same North Carolina beach cottage, leaving husbands, children and work behind to share in each other's challenges and triumphs. Spotlighting four specific weekends throughout the span of these 33 years, this poignant comedy is a blend of tender moments and raucous repartee delivered in a Southern accent that brings the beauty of lifelong friendships onto the stage and into the spotlight.
DUCK HUNTER SHOOTS ANGEL
By Mitch Albom
Comedy
SEPTEMBER 2- OCTOBER 2, 2016
Directed by Larry E. Fox & Mark Loveless, Produced by Rick Nelesen
Famed author Mitch Albom (Tuesdays With Morrie, The Five People You Meet in Heaven) penned this wry and heartwarming comic tale, which focuses on a pair of bumbling, guilt-ridden Alabama duck hunters who accidentally shoot down an actual, honest-to-God angel. But when a cynical tabloid journalist begins investigating and undergoes a life-changing event, the story veers into new and hilarious territory. This comedy hysterically interweaves a love story, sibling rivalry, tawdry media, race relations and cultural stereotypes as the chase to find the angel builds to a crescendo in the swamp.
BAD SEED
by Maxwell Anderson, from William March's novel
Thriller
OCTOBER 28 - NOVEMBER 20, 2016
Directed by Kristen Fogle, Produced by Kate Fogle
In a small Southern town live Colonel and Christine Penmark with their daughter, Rhoda. On the surface she is sweet, charming, full of old-fashioned graces, loved by her parents, admired by all her elders, but Rhoda's mother has an uneasy feeling about her. When one of Rhoda's schoolmates is mysteriously drowned at a picnic, Mrs. Penmark is alarmed. For the boy who was drowned was the one who had won the penmanship medal that Rhoda felt she deserved. Based on the hugely popular William March novel that was also adapted into an Oscar-nominated movie, this production is a tense, plot twist-laden theatrical experience.
RENTED CHRISTMAS: THE MUSICAL
By Norman C. Ahern, Jr. and Yvonne Ahern
Music and lyrics by Kathryn England and Bryan Linton
Holiday
DECEMBER 2 - DECEMBER 18, 2016
Directed by Robin Pollock, Produced by Rob Conway
A middle-aged bachelor and prominent businessman has a challenging job for a proprietor of the local rent shop. He wants to rent a Christmas, not just with a tree and Christmas carols, but complete with a wife, a family, and all of the happiness for which he has been secretly longing. The proprietor believes she has creatively solved the problem of a Christmas family by calling the actors guild, but when the young actors come down with the measles, her last hope is to turn to the local orphanage. Still, the guild can’t locate a mother for the part, so she plays the role herself. A ’rented’ Christmas soon turns into a new life for all concerned, which makes this a very warm and special holiday treat. Set in the late fifties, beautiful medleys of popular Christmas carols along with delightful original music are the perfect accompaniment to convey the sentiment of the season.
**This is a special production that is not part of the season subscriptions.**
WHAT THE BUTLER SAW
by Joe Orton
Comedy
JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 19, 2017
Directed by Keith A. Anderson, Produced by Mary Anderson
This outrageous farce is one of the seminal works of modern comedy. When a psychiatrist tries to seduce an aspiring secretary, his botched efforts lead to comic bedlam involving his insatiable wife, a randy bellhop, a befuddled police officer and Sir Winston Churchill. Psychiatry, religion, marriage, government, definitions of gender and even language are all targets of British playwright Orton's poison pen. His sly jokes and hilarious shenanigans will have you shaking with laughter from start to finish.
THE DRESSER
by Ronald Harwood
Drama
MARCH 17 - APRIL 16, 2017
Directed by Steve Murdock
Based on the author's own experiences as dresser to Sir Donald Wolfit, this bracing, heartbreaking drama is an elegy to a by-gone era. Backstage at a theatre in the English provinces during World War II, Sir, the last of the great breed of English actor/managers, is in a bad way tonight, as his dresser Norman tries valiantly to prepare him to go on stage as King Lear. Unsure of his lines as well as who and where he is supposed to be, Sir is adamantly determined to roar his last.
THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG
Book by Neil Simon, Music by Marvin Hamlisch, Lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager
Musical
MAY 12 - JUNE 11, 2017
Directed by George Bailey
Musical Direction by Kirk Valles
Choreography by Alisa Williams
In this romantic musical comedy, an established composer develops a relationship with a zany female lyricist. At work and at play, this winning couple's professional and personal successes and difficulties lead to one hilarious scene after another. Based on the real-life relationship of Hamlisch and Sager, this is a musical not to be missed!
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