[NEohioPAL] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The North Canton Playhouse now announces their 2008-2009 Season!

[North Canton Playhouse]

The North Canton Playhouse, Center for the Performing Arts now announces its 2008-2009 Season. Our 33rd Anniversary.
   
  MAIN STAGE / STUDIO SEASON:
   
  "The Laramie Project"
September 19th - October 7th, 2008 (Studio)
Directed by Marci Lynn Saling
  THE STORY: In October 1998 a twenty-one-year-old student at the University of Wyoming was kidnapped, severely beaten and left to die, tied to a fence in the middle of the prairie outside Laramie, Wyoming. His bloody, bruised and battered body was not discovered until the next day, and he died several days later in an area hospital. His name was Matthew Shepard, and he was the victim of this assault because he was gay. Moisés Kaufman and fellow members of the Tectonic Theater Project made six trips to Laramie over the course of a year and a half in the aftermath of the beating and during the trial of the two young men accused of killing Shepard. They conducted more than 200 interviews with the people of the town. Some people interviewed were directly connected to the case, and others were citizens of Laramie, and the breadth of their reactions to the crime is fascinating. Kaufman and Tectonic Theater members have constructed a deeply moving theatrical experience from these
 interviews and their own experiences. THE LARAMIE PROJECT is a breathtaking theatrical collage that explores the depths to which humanity can sink and the heights of compassion of which we are capable.
   
  "Halloween Suspense"
  October 24th - November 2nd, 2008 (Mainstage)
Directors TBA
THE STORY: A series of one act thrillers that are guaranteed to make you jump out of your seat!
   
  "Revue of Christmas Past"
  December 11th - 21st, 2008 (Mainstage)
Directed by Lisa Paynter
THE STORY: A Christmas revue of all of your favorite music from the past century. Full of fun singing and dancing and a special appearance by Elvis!
   
  "Confessions from a Ladies Room"
January 16th - February 1st, 2009 (Studio)
Directed by Jay Spencer
THE STORY: The premise of the play focuses on the reunion of four television actresses at the home of their former producer. The four principle characters once starred in a hit television show together and have now gathered to discuss the possibility of planning a reunion special for a new network. Confessions from the Ladies Room was touted by the press as a "rollicking roller coaster ride where the fun is in the ups and downs of the journey." It has also been called by critics as "refreshing...amazing" and a "fun show and should be seen by everyone."

"Footloose!"
February 27th - March 15th, 2009 (Mainstage)
Directed by Brenton Cochran
THE STORY: One of the most explosive movie musicals in recent memory bursts onto the live stage with exhilarating results. When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn't prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, determined to exercise the control over the town's youth that he cannot command in his own home. When the reverend's rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren's reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. To the rockin' rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated top 40 score (the soundtrack album reached number one on the Billboard charts and has sold over 15 million copies!)
 and augmented with dynamic new songs for the stage musical, FOOTLOOSE celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind. 

"Stalag 17"
May 15th - 31st, 2009 (Mainstage)
Directed by Mary McManaway
THE STORY: This "turbulent and gutsy play" shows a group of American prisoners lodged in a German prison camp, trying to escape, to embarrass and irritate their captors. The plot revolves about the escape of an American who will face serious punishment for sabotaging a train, and his fellow prisoners who hide him. They at last learn which prisoner has been all the while a stooge for the Germans. Dominant tone of the play is lusty comedy, but this is ingeniously combined at all times with excitement and tension of the most holding sort of suspense.

"Disney Musical"
August 7th - 30th, 2009 (Mainstage)
Directed by Lisa Paynter

WALSH PRODUCTIONS TBA
November 2008 and April 2009

YOUTH THEATRE SEASON:
All shows produced in collaboration with Cochran Productions
   
  "Ax of Murder"
October 10th - 26th, 2008
THE STORY: Everyone's heard of a haunted house. Probably even a haunted theater. But a haunted play? Could it be haunted by the spirit of a man who died recently at the theatre? No... it's not possible! At least, that's what theater director Bonnie Bagwell tries to convince the other members of the troupe as writer Colin Chambers hints at the trail of horror that has cursed his script, Ax of Murder. Unfortunately, curiosity gets the best of the actors and, despite Colin's adamant warnings, they open the script and start reading the play. It soon becomes apparent the play is mirroring their theater and even the specific actors. "The play changes with each performance," Colin intones, though he's not taken seriously. But when a police sergeant shows up on cue stating he was called in on a murder, people begin to wonder. Wonder turns to fear when someone IS murdered onstage! And it seems as if no one could have done it. No one, that is, except perhaps a ghost. Your audiences
 won't know who or what to believe. Characters show up in all areas of the theater, running down aisles and then disappearing. The characters even suspect the audience members! Murder weapons disappear and then show up in the worst of places. Beware the twists and turns of this play. You never know what will happen next when you see Ax Of Murder.

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"
January 7th - 11th, 2009
THE STORY: Who wouldn't want to join Charlie Bucket in his adventurous tour of Willy Wonka's world-famous Chocolate Factory? Now is your chance! Your audience will see Augustus Gloop, Violet Beauregarde, Veruca Salt, Grandpa George, Grandma Georgina, Willy Wonka and Charlie himself come to life, and all involved will discover the true meaning of teamwork, self-confidence and self-esteem. Each member of your cast will have a role that promotes a special understanding of other people as, together, they and your audience experience a chocolate-candy fantasy. The entire production is smoothly tied together by an energetic and personable Narrator, who effortlessly bridges time and excites the audience with creative anticipation. The delicious fun of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory awaits you!
   
  "Thoroughly Modern Millie"
April 17th - May 3rd, 2009
THE STORY: Thoroughly Modern Millie is a high-spirited musical romp that has all of New York dancing the Charleston. It’s the zany new 1920’s musical that has taken Broadway by storm! Taking place in New York City in 1922, Thoroughly Modern Millie tells the story of young Millie Dillmount, who has just moved to the city in search of a new life for herself. It’s a New York full of intrigue and jazz - a time when women were entering the workforce and the rules of love and social behavior were changing forever. Based on the popular movie, the stage version of Thoroughly Modern Millie includes a full score of new songs and bright dance numbers. Filled with frisky flappers, dashing leading men and a dragon-lady of a villainess audiences will love to hate, Thoroughly Modern Millie is a perfectly constructed evening of madcap merriment. And with the role of Millie Dillmount, musical theatre has found a new heroine for the ages in Thoroughly Modern Millie. 
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