FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Joanne Barrett
617-547-2265 jbpr@comcast.net
STONEHAM THEATRE ANNOUNCES 2007-2008 SEASON
STONEHAM, MA – Stoneham Theatre’s 2007- 2008 season features two U.S premieres with stand-up comedian Chris Gibbs’ Antoine Feval (January 10 – 20, 2008) and Maureen O’Brien’s award-winning The Cutting (February 28 – March 16, 2008); two New England premieres with Greg Thompson’s Marilyn: Forever Blonde (October 25 – November 11, 2007) and Jack Neary’s The Porch (May 15 – June 1, 2008). Also on the bill will be three exciting musical selections with Gypsy featuring Leigh Barrett as Mama Rose (September 13 – 30), Sisters of Swing: The Story of The Andrews Sisters (April 3 – 20, 2008) and Linda Lavin: Songs and Confessions Of A One-Time Waitress (June 12 – 22, 2008). In typical Stoneham Theatre tradition, the theatre will celebrate the holidays with a classic family play in Miracle on 34th Street (November 29 – December 23, 2007).
According to Artistic Director Weylin Symes, “ We are really looking forward to our 2007 – 2008 season with a strong balance of popular American musical pieces and U.S. and New England premieres of comic and dramatic works from around the world.” He adds, “ It is exciting time for us as we develop and grow into a year-round destination for quality entertainment.”
GYPSY
SEPTEMBER 13 - SEPTEMBER 30 2007
Book by Arthur Laurents, Music by Jule Styne, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Directed by Caitlin Lowans
Leigh Barrett will play Mama Rose in the dazzling, great American musical based on the life of Gypsy Rose Lee (played by Eve Kagan). Mama Rose, a wildly determined stage mother tries desperately to make her daughters into famous vaudeville performers, but when one runs off and the other is suddenly thrust into the spotlight, Mama learns that fame comes at a price. Everything’s coming up roses in this beloved classic that is sure to entertain you. Performances are Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 4:00pm and 8:00pm and Sunday at 2:00pm. Tickets prices are Adults $40, Seniors $35 and Students $20.00.
MARILYN: FOREVER BLONDE
OCTOBER 25 - NOVEMBER 11, 2007
By Greg Thompson
Starring Sunny Thompson
The Marilyn Monroe story in her own words and music. Shortly before her untimely death Marilyn Monroe posed for what would be her final photo session. MARILYN: FOREVER BLONDE is a recreation of what might have been Marilyn’s last chance to tell her own story in her own words. Conceived by award winning producer and writer Greg Thompson, the script has been painstakingly researched from hundreds of quotes from Marilyn herself and the result is two hours in Marilyn’s presence. These are the final thoughts of a little girl who became a legend and in turn could never be loved or accepted for herself. The play is funny, sad, witty, titillating, sometimes scandalous and in the end heartbreaking as we watch the desperation of a woman lost in a world of Hollywood make-believe. Performances are Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 4:00pm and 8:00pm and Sunday at 2:00pm. Tickets prices are Adults $40, Seniors $35 and Students $20.00.
MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET
NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 23 2007
Adapted by Patricia Di Banedetto Snyder, Will Severin and John Vreeke,
from the novel by Valentine Davies
This classic family favorite puts the spirit of Christmas on trial. When the real Kris Kringle gets a job playing Santa at Macy’s department store, he sets out to teach one little girl that yes, there really is a Santa Claus, and ends up restoring a whole city’s belief in the magic of the Christmas Season. Brought to life onstage, this hilarious and charming tale is a holiday gift to the kid in all of us. Performances are Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 4:00pm and 8:00pm and Sunday at 2:00pm Tickets prices are Adults $40, Seniors $35 and Students $20.00.
U.S. Premiere
ANTOINE FEVAL
JANUARY 10 - JANUARY 20, 2008
Written by Canadian stand-up comedian Chris Gibbs, this one man comic tour-de-force introduces us to Barnaby Gibbs - a kind-hearted but thoroughly dim-witted and clueless young Englishman who inadvertently becomes the Dr. Watson-like sidekick to brilliant detective Antoine Feval, not realizing that his new partner is actually the master thief who’s been robbing the city blind. Good guy Barnaby eagerly recounts his adventures with Antoine Feval in a story full of twists, turns, and gadzooks moments that are sure to keep you in stitches! Performances are Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 4:00pm and 8:00pm and Sunday at 2:00pm Tickets prices are Adults $40, Seniors $35 and Students $20.00.
U.S. Premiere
THE CUTTING
FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 16, 2008
By actress and writer Maureen O’Brien
Judith is in prison, on remand, accused of killing her mother. From the moment the police came to question her she has not spoken. Alex, a child psychiatrist with experience of mutism, is called in as a last resort to make a psychiatric assessment. He battles against her silence until at last he breaks the dam. This woman speaks directly to another human being for perhaps the first time in her life. A relationship is forged, and an extraordinary story is revealed. The Cutting (Bush Theatre, 1992) was nominated Best Play (London Fringe Awards) and Best Newcomer (Evening Standard Drama Awards). Performances are Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 4:00pm and 8:00pm and Sunday at 2:00pm Tickets prices are Adults $40, Seniors $35 and Students $20.00.
SISTERS OF SWING: THE STORY OF THE ANDREWS SISTERS
APRIL 3 - APRIL 20 2008
Conceived and Written by Beth Gilleland and Bob Beverage
Inspired by and based on the singing sensation of the 1940's, the Andrew Sisters, this show blends the trio's engaging harmony and witty sense of humor into one unforgettable musical revue. Filled with classic tunes like, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree" and "Rum and Coca Cola," Sisters of Swing captures the original spirit that made the Andrews Sisters a huge hit. Performances are Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 4:00pm and 8:00pm and Sunday at 2:00pm. Tickets prices are Adults $40, Seniors $35 and Students $20.00.
New England Premiere
THE PORCH
MAY 15 - JUNE 1 2008
Written by Jack Neary
Adapted from Neary’s original work Beyond Belief, sit back, relax, and enjoy good old fashioned gossip with Gert, Marjorie and Alma. Set on the North Shore of Massachusetts, this homespun comedy follows the Labor Day preparations of three best friends as they bicker about Lawrence Welk, share recipes for potato salad, and swap stories about everything from Foxwoods senior bus trips to the president’s sex life. We promise you’ll feel right at home. Performances are Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 4:00pm and 8:00pm and Sunday at 2:00pm Tickets prices are Adults $40, Seniors $35 and Students $20.00.
New England Premiere
LINDA LAVIN: SONGS & CONFESSIONS OF A ONE-TIME WAITRESS
JUNE 12 – 22, 2008
Two-time Golden Globe and Tony-winning actress Linda Lavin, for years everyone’s favorite waitress on TV’s “Alice,” dishes up an appetizing menu of great fun, swinging music and revealing anecdotes as she shares delectable morsels of her life-so-far in this “one-woman show -- with a few men on the side,” proving that the new girl in town is as endearing and lovable as ever. Performances are Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 4:00pm and 8:00pm and Sunday at 2:00pm Tickets prices are Adults $45, Seniors $36 and Students $22.50.
Performance and Ticket Information
Stoneham Theatre is located at 395 Main Street, Stoneham. Performances are Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 4:00pm and 8:00pm and Sunday at 2:00pm. Preview discounts are available for the first three performances of each show. For tickets and information visit or call the Stoneham Theatre Box Office 781-279-2200 or purchase online at HYPERLINK "http://www.stonehamtheatre.org" www.stonehamtheatre.org. Box Office hours are Tuesday through Saturday 1pm to 6pm