Posted May 20, 2009

Proctors Schenectady, NY--- Proctors announces the 2009-2010 theatre season.

The 2009-2010 Key Private Bank Broadway Series at Proctors showcases some of Broadway’s best: WICKED, Broadway’s biggest blockbuster, highlights the season with a four-week run, December 9 – January 3; other shows in the series include Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple, October 13 -18; Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps, November 17- 22; Spring Awakening, February 16 - 21; and The Lincoln Center Theater Production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific, April 14 –18. The Key Private Bank Broadway Series consists of one ticket to each of the following shows: Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple, The 39 Steps, Wicked, Spring Awakening, and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific.

Subscribers to the Key Private Bank Broadway Series have many benefits including the opportunity to designate their favorite seat location, exemption from exchange fees, and priority discounts.

Subscription orders may be placed by phone at 518-346-6204, in person at the box office at 432 State Street, by fax at 518-881-1823 or online at proctors.org. Single tickets for the remainder of shows in the 2009-10 season will go on sale May 14 at 10 am.

SPECIAL SUMMER ENGAGEMENT:

Rent is the classic musical about love, friendship and community, and the seventh longest-running show in Broadway history. Now, Rent is coming to The Capital Region in a new touring production starring original Broadway cast members Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp!

Over the course of its groundbreaking 12-year New York run, Rent transformed the definition of musical theater -- and changed Broadway forever. Set in NYC's East Village, Rent is a modern take on the classic Puccini opera, La Boheme. It tells the unforgettable story of a group of young artists learning to survive, falling in love, finding their voices and living for today. Rent will be presented July 28 – August 2. This special summer engagement is sponsored by Keeler Motor Car as part of Keeler Broadway On Tour.

BROADWAY:

Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple, a soul-stirring musical based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the Oscar-nominated film by Steven Spielberg. It is the unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who triumphs over tremendous odds to find joy in life, and her true inner beauty. Nominated for eleven Tony® Awards, The Color Purple is a landmark theatrical event. With a joyous GRAMMY®-nominated score featuring jazz, gospel and blues, The Color Purple captures the hearts of young and old and unites audiences in a celebration of love.

Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps combines a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel and a dash of Monty Python. This Tony® and Drama Desk Award-winning treat is a fast-paced show packed with over 150 zany characters played by a ridiculously talented cast of four. In The 39 Steps, a man with a boring life meets a woman with a thick accent who claims to be a spy. When he takes her home, she is murdered. Soon, a mysterious organization called "The 39 Steps" is hot on the man's trail in a nationwide manhunt that climaxes in a death-defying finale.

The national tour of WICKED arrives in December for four weeks. Winner of three Tony Awards® and a Grammy, Wicked is the untold story of the Witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz. One – born with emerald green skin – is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. WICKED tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.

Winner of 8 Tony Awards® including Best Musical of 2007, Spring Awakening, celebrates the unforgettable journey from youth to adulthood with power, poignancy and passion you will never forget. Set against the backdrop of a repressive and provincial late 19th century Germany, Spring Awakening tells the timeless story of teenage self-discovery and budding sexuality as seen through the eyes of three teenagers. Spring Awakening is the groundbreaking fusion of morality, sexuality and Rock and Roll that has awakened Broadway like no other musical in years. It contains mature content and parental guidance is suggested.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific swept the 2008 Tony Awards, winning seven honors including Best Musical Revival and Best Director for Bartlett Sher. This breathtaking new production has created a sold-out sensation on Broadway and accolades from the critics. Based on James Michener’s Pulitzer Prize winning book Tales of the South Pacific, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific has music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan. Considered by many to be the finest musical ever written, the score includes such classics as Some Enchanted Evening, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair, Younger Than Springtime, Bali Ha’i, There is Nothin’ Like A Dame, This Nearly Was Mine and A Wonderful Guy.

BROADWAY SPECIALS:

American Idol Taylor Hicks will star as Teen Angel in the new production of the Broadway musical Grease, which arrives January 26 – 31. Directed and choreographed by Tony Award®-winner Kathleen Marshall, this updated version features songs from the hit 1978 movie including Hopelessly Devoted to You, Grease and You’re the One That I Want and other hit songs from the original stage production.

Annie, the timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie, returns March 13 – 14, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope.

These special Broadway engagements are sponsored by Keeler Motor Car as part of the Keeler Broadway On Tour.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS:

Hosted by the Theatre Guild at Proctors, The Grand Opening Gala on September 19, celebrates the excitement of a spectacular new season of shows & events. Those attending the evening of entertainment, sumptuous dining, dancing and fabulous desserts will be among the first to congratulate the 2009 inductees into the Capital Region Entertainment Hall of Fame.

Ian Anderson Plays The Acoustic Jethro Tull on October 9. Jethro Tull is usually found sharing the same delicatessen shelf as Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, The Who, The Rolling Stones and the other worthy stalwarts of the British “Rock Invasion” of the seventies. With a band consisting of German guitar virtuoso Florian Opahle, pianist and accordionist John O’Hara, bassist David Goodier, and special guest violist Meena Bhasin, Ian will play Tull acoustic classics as well as other specially-rearranged Tull rock material plus some new material specially written for these tours.

Golden Oldies Spectacular featuring former teen idols Bobby Rydell, Bobby Vee, Sonny Turner’s Platters, The Chiffons and Tony Lee arrives on October 10.

Stageworks’ thirteenth annual Play by Play Festival of New One - Acts stands at the “crossroads” with 6 new mind blowing plays. Some of the country’s best dramatists cut through territory “whose boundaries are that of imagination” to tackle life’s crucial turning points. This year’s production will be at Proctors October 14 – 18. Play By Play is produced in association with Proctors.

The spectacular image of Kung Fu comes to Proctors on October 23 with The Shaolin Warriors presenting Kung Fu from around the world. Performed by disciples of the Shaolin schools, known for their disciplined and deadly martial-arts prowess, these Kung Fu masters have trained from a young age in mental and physical disciplines which allow them to perform seemingly impossible feats. The performance includes many forms of Shaolin Kung Fu as well as a look at the daily life of the warriors and their Zen philosophy.

Northeast Craft Festival on October 24 – 25 will showcase the original work of more than 50 outstanding artists and craft designers. The two day festival will feature craft demonstrations and special seminars.

The world discovered America (at Proctors on October 30) in 1972 when a nameless horse began its gallop across the international airwaves. If this sounds like some sort of fairy tale, it seemed like one for the young musicians who harmonized their way to the top of the charts on the strength of their signature song. A Horse With No Name made America a global household name, paving the way for an impressive string of hits following in its wake. Slightly more than a year after launching the group, Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell, and Dan Peek were bonafide superstars, thanks to a timeless sound that seamlessly assimilated strands of rock, pop and folk elements.

In the midst of their fourth decade of music making, America have been perennials on the concert circuit for 34 years, pleasing their loyal fan base and attracting new generations of followers. The band’s new 2-CD set, Here & Now is a distillation of the group’s signature sound past and present, comprising one studio record of all new material and a second live disc taped at XM Radio featuring renditions of songs found on the group’s multi-platinum greatest hits album, History.

It Came from Schenectady’s 2nd Annual 24 Hour Film Fest on Halloween will offer a marathon of movies, shorts, prizes, special guests and comfy couches with feature a horror theme, October 31 – November 1. This noon to noon festival is sponsored by the Mossey Group.

Following in the footsteps of such great bands as The Allman Brothers and The Eagles, The Outlaws developed their own high-powered, guitar-driven country-rock, complete with self-penned music and three-part harmony. Today, the Outlaws are at the threshold of a new era. Along with original singer/songwriter/guitarist Henry Paul and original drummer/songwriter Monte Yoho, the Outlaws feature Chris Anderson, Billy Crain, Randy Threet, and Jon Coleman. Through sheer determination and commitment to the legacy of this great band, the most recent line-up of The Outlaws sets its sights on its musical future, while remaining true to the unique character of The Outlaws past and comes to Proctors on November 13.

Straight No Chaser will be at Proctors on November 14 and are neither strait-laced nor straight-faced. As original member Randy Stine comments, “We take the music very seriously; we just don’t take ourselves too seriously.” In the process, they are reinventing the idea of a cappella on the modern pop landscape. Originally formed a dozen years ago while students at Indiana University, the group has reassembled and reemerged as a phenomenon – with a huge fanbase, millions of viewers on YouTube… and a contract with Atlantic Records. In an era when pop music is the product of digital processing and vocal pro-tooling, Straight No Chaser is the real deal – the captivating sound of ten unadulterated human voices coming together to make extraordinary music that is moving people in a fundamental sense… and with a sense of humor.

The Capital Region's premiere ballet production of The Nutcracker featuring New York City Ballet principal dancers, Jennifer Ringer and Jared Angle arrives November 28 & 29. Under the Artistic Direction of Darlene Meyers, the Northeast Ballet’s Annual Nutcracker will kick off the holiday season with sugarplum fairies, toy soldiers and dancing dolls.

The Aluminum Show, created by Ilan Azriel, is an ingenious creation of visual theatre combining dance, puppetry and illusion to stunning effect. Already a touring sensation in Europe this one of a kind show brings inanimate objects to life with a cast of athletic dancers and an imaginative production, and cold metal tubes are turned into warm living creatures, transforming the theatre into another world. Wordless, but accompanied by an original soundtrack, this show appeals to people of all ages, languages and cultures. The Aluminum Show comes to Proctors on January 9.

The virtuosi of Canadian Brass have made the brass quintet an exciting vehicle for serious concert music. The quintet — having just celebrated its 35th season — has a long history of recording classical repertoire. They have a special affinity for Baroque music, which requires the brilliance and musical structure that has become the Canadian Brass’ trademark, which can be seen at Proctors January 16. Their more than 60 recordings to date include works by Purcell, Vivaldi, Gabrieli, Pachelbel, Beethoven and Wagner — all in meticulously crafted transcriptions that are setting new musical traditions in brass performance.

Grammy Award-winners The King’s Singers put forth the highest caliber of a cappella performance since the group’s inception at King’s College, Cambridge in 1968. Now comprised of David Hurley (countertenor), Robin Tyson (countertenor), Paul Phoenix (tenor), Philip Lawson (baritone), Christopher Gabbitas (baritone) and Stephen Connolly (bass), The King’s Singers continue to be one of the most sought-after and critically acclaimed vocal ensembles in the world, widely celebrated for their manifold repertoire choices and deep commitment to new works. The King Singers perform at Proctors February 5.

Two legendary Broadway stars join forces in an once-in-a-lifetime theatrical event. An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin reunites these Tony Award®-winning virtuosos (and lifelong friends) for the first time since Evita, at Proctors February 6. Much more than a concert, this is a unique musical love story told through a masterful selection of the greatest songs ever written for the stage.

The Capital Region Wine Festival returns to Proctors on February 13 with even more wineries. This successful event features internationally known wines and gourmet delights from the area’s best restaurants and is expanding beyond the 70 wineries already on board last year. Grand Tasting on February 13 is on sale now.

After two successful presentations, the dysfunctional Vitale and Nunzio families return to celebrate the satirical Tony ‘N Tina’s Wedding, at The GE Theatre at Proctors February 23-28. The complete entertainment package will include a ceremony full of mishaps, madcap comedy, music, dancing, a cash bar, and, of course, and a complete Italian pasta dinner.

A touching and hilarious 'tell-it-like-it-is' look at the lives of a group of female friends, GIRLS NIGHT: THE MUSICAL is a comedy that follows five friends as they re-live their past, celebrate their present and look to the future on a wild and hilarious karaoke night out. Packed with female anthems including Girls Just Want to Have Fun, I Will Survive and Say a Little Prayer, GIRLS NIGHT: THE MUSICAL comes to Proctors on March 5, 2010.

Bill Cosby is, by any standard, one of the most influential stars in America today. Through concert appearances or recordings, television or films, commercials or education, Bill Cosby has the ability to touch people's lives. His humor often centers on the basic cornerstones of our existence seeking to provide insight into our roles as parents, children, family members, and men and women. The 1984-92 run of The Cosby Show and his books Fatherhood and Time Flies established new benchmarks on how success is measured. Bill Cosby comes to Proctors on March 6 as part of the Capital Care - Rotterdam Comedy Series.

Formed in 1900 on the express wish of HM Queen Victoria to provide musical support to troops on active service, The Irish Guard now has a variety of professional ensembles that include a Concert Band, Marching Band, Salon

Orchestra, Dance Band, Fanfare Trumpeters and several other smaller ensembles. Over the years the band has toured all over the world, stopping in Japan to play in the Imperial Palace in the presence of the Empress. The Irish Guard comes to Proctors March 12.

Late Night Catechism at The GE Theatre at Proctors March 15-21 as part of the Capital Care - Rotterdam Comedy Series is an interactive comedy that transports the audience to their youth. The irrepressible "Sister" teaches class to a roomful of "students" (the audience). Throughout the course of the class, the benevolent instructor rewards the "students" for correct answers with glow-in-the-dark rosaries and other nifty prizes. Naughty students may well find themselves on stage sitting in a corner reflecting their actions. However, even the most reluctant "students" will be clamoring to get into this Sister's "class."

The violinist and conductor Itzhak Perlman, who enjoys superstar status rarely afforded a classical musician, comes to Proctors on April 10. Beloved for his charm and humanity as well as his talent, he is treasured by audiences throughout the world who respond not only to his remarkable artistry, but also to his irrepressible joy of making music. In December 2003, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts awarded Mr. Perlman a Kennedy Center Honor celebrating his distinguished achievements and contributions to the cultural and educational life of our nation. He recently performed at the State Dinner for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, hosted by President George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush at the White House.

Curtis Adams is a new breed of entertainer with a spectacular new show, which comes to Proctors on April 23. This interactive extreme variety experience has cutting edge dance, laughter, death-defying stunts and state-of-the-art visual effects. This show demonstrates visual effects only seen in the movies in a new world of illusion. Whether Curtis is melting piece by piece through a sheet of steel, manipulating cherry bombs in an audience member’s hand, or stopping bullets coming from an AR 15 Machine Gun and suspending them in mid-air, this show has something for everyone. The show not only redefines magic, but mixes these truly original visual effects with dance, featuring some of the hottest selections of music both classic and current, forming an entirely new performing art.

Through the empowering sounds of the taiko, a Japanese drum, San Jose Taiko brings to life the essence of Japan and its people, at Proctors on April 27. The music of San Jose Taiko infuses traditional Japanese sounds with the beat of world rhythms, including African, Balinese, Latin, American rock and jazz!

Popular British singer, Englebert Humperdinck, who comes to Proctors on May 7, attained international celebrity as a musician in the 1960s. Known for his popular hits There Goes My Everything and The Last Waltz, Humperdinck has managed to top the charts in the UK and the US. The combination of his sultry voice, rugged good looks and stage presence established him as an international legend and a sex symbol to millions of women everywhere. Through his 59 Gold records and 17 Platinum albums, he has earned a multitude of awards from the Grammy Awards to Golden Globe.

THE FENIMORE ASSET MANAGEMENT AND FAM FUNDS FAMILY SERIES:

In keeping with Proctors commitment to inspire new generations of art enthusiasts, Proctors offers quality live performances at family-friendly prices, which are ideal for children, parents, grandparents, friends and families. This year the Fenimore Asset Management and FAM Funds Family Series will present the following:

Through the magic of live musical theater, the all time favorite The Little Mermaid comes to life at Proctors in a delightful production from American Family Theater’s Broadway for Kids. This full scale musical production brings to life the favorite Hans Christian Andersen tale in a timeless spectacle filled with excitement and special effects. From the fantasy of a beautiful underwater sea palace to the royal interior of Prince Edmond’s castle, The Little Mermaid has adventures as she encounters the Sea Witch. Audiences of all ages will be spellbound as the Little Mermaid foils the Sea Witch, with the help of the Prince’s valet. American Family Theater’s award-winning production of The Little Mermaid has thrilled audiences of all ages nationwide with spectacle, song and special effects and will be at Proctors on March 7.

Master Illusionist Lyn Dillies performs magic with her most spellbinding feat yet in the new stage show, The Illusionaire: Magic of Lyn on March 19. She has been deemed by her peers as America’s Premiere Female Illusionist and garners rave reviews everywhere she goes! Lyn sets herself apart from other magicians by being the leading female in the business with more than 20 years of professional experience behind her. She is known for remarkable precision and execution of the grand illusion.

Stories That Dance returns to Proctors March 25. This show is a collaboration between students and Darlene Myers’ Northeast Ballet Company, which captures the stories of talented Capital Region youth and brings them to life on stage! Students help create and direct a full-scale spectacular dance production of their stories presented in a live performance.

Coming on May 6, Tom Chapin’s music spans styles and generations with adult and children’s albums, contemporary folk and pop. For more than thirty years and through nineteen compact discs, Chapin has entertained, amused and enlightened audiences of all ages with life-affirming original songs told in a sophisticated array of musical styles. Chapin’s live performances engage the hearts, minds and imaginations of children and adults alike. Elementary school teachers across North America have incorporated Chapin’s songs into their curriculum, finding them accessible and adaptable to classroom study and interaction.

PARTNERS:
THE COMEDY BOX
CAPITAL CARE ROTTERDAM – ROTTERDAM COMEDY SERIES

The Comedy Box presents the celebrity comedians and rising comedy stars in the GE Theatre at Proctors. The current lineup for The Comedy Box is:

Bobcat Goldthwait on October 9, Kathleen Madigan on October 23, Robert Schimmel on November 21, and Italian Comedy Night starring Rocky LaPorte on January 15.

THE EIGHTH STEP

For over four decades The Eighth Step has presented the finest national, international and regional folk and acoustic music in the Northeast. From Pete Seeger to Ani DiFranco, from blues to Celtic to jazz, the Step has regularly presented art that matters. The current lineup for The Eighth Step is:

Doughie MacLean on September 18, Patty Larkin & guest on October 2, Sing Solstice! Kim & Reggie Harris and Magpie on December 19, Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams on January 9, Richie Havens on March 6.

SCHENECTADY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

For its 76th season, the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra presents great composers, timeless symphonic works and masterful soloists. Audiences will rediscover beloved pieces of classical music as they are interpreted anew by the SSO, with some of the Capital District’s young talent and prominent guest artists. Concerts will be held on the October 25, January 17, March 21 and April 25.

STORY CIRCLE

Those who enjoy Garrison Keillor's "The News from Lake Wobegon" or David Sedaris on "This American Life," will love Word Plays shared experiences between the audience and the performer, combining the intensity of a one-person play with the intimacy of a one-on-one conversation. Word Plays will be presented on September 20, October 18, January 17, February 21 and April 18. There will also be a special presentation of Tellebration on November 15.

MOPCO

The Mop and Bucket Company (MopCo) is the Capital Region’s premiere improv theatre company, creating spontaneous one-of-a-kind entertainment.

Theatresports will be presented on October 30 – 31, November 1, 6 – 8. Spontaneous Broadway will be presented on January 15 – 17 and 22 – 24. Tapestry will be presented on April 16 – 18 and 23 – 25.

To place an order, call Proctors Box Office (518) 346-6204, visit the box office at 432 State Street, Schenectady, fax orders to (518) 881-1823 or order online at proctors.org.

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