Runaway Stage Productions Presents The Wizard of Oz, July 5th-28th
Here’s some info from my friends at Runaway Stage Productions on their latest performance. I’m looking forward to seeing it this Friday night! -cg
Join Dorothy as she’s swept away from farmland Kansas and enters a world of color and magic. Dance and sing along the yellow brick road with her companions, Toto, Scarecrow, Tinman, and Lion. And click your heels together as you rediscover the real story of OZ in this fantastic musical treat for the whole family! But watch out for the Wicked Witch of the West and her winged monkeys. Fantasy and excitement await you on the road to discovering your heart’s desires at Runaway Stage Productions.
“Since the movie is so beloved, great care is taken to bring the spirit of the story to the live stage,” RSP Artistic Director Bob Baxter said. “We have a few magical tricks up our sleeves, and I am sure audiences will enjoy the live production of this classic family tale.”
The RSP production will use the Royal Shakespearean script and closely follow the classic Judy Garland MGM film. A resident orchestra accompanies a talented cast that includes RSP favorites Director Bob Baxter as the Cowardly Lion, Eduard Arakelyan as the Scarecrow in need of some brains, Hal DuBiel as the Tin Man searching for his heart, Amy Jacques-Jones as Glinda the Good and Ruth Phillips as the Wicked Witch. Lydia Smith plays Dorothy.
“As usual, RSP has worked very hard to find the best talent in Sacramento, as well as the best choreography, puppetry, full live orchestra, and all the special effects we can do at the 24th Street Theatre,” Baxter said. “Audiences have come to expect the best in community theatre from RSP, and The Wizard of Oz is no exception. I am excited to bring this wonderful show to our audiences at an affordable ticket price.”
Baxter said RSP’s production will stretch the technical aspects of the company and bring the magic of “The Wizard of Oz” to life on stage as a rewarding and fun adventure. The score includes the classic songs “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “If I Only…,” “We’re Off to See The Wizard” and more.
“Families, children and yes, even adults all relate to this story,” Baxter said. “It is part of American culture, and the fantasy, live on stage, makes this show the perfect family show to see again and again!”
The Wizard of Oz performs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM 7/5-7/28, 2013. TICKETS – Adults: $25 – Seniors (60+): $23 – Students: $21 – Children (12 & under): $18. Tickets can be purchased online at www.runawaystage.com (convenience fees apply) or at the door. For further information or questions, please call the box office at (916) 207-1226. Free parking is available. You can find Runaway Stage Productions on Facebook here.
Runaway Stage Productions’ 42nd Street Runs Through May 5th at 24th Street Theatre
Looking forward to seeing 42nd Street this weekend! Here’s a press release from my friends at Runaway Stage Productions. -cg
SACRAMENTO – Come on along and listen to the lullaby of Broadway with Runaway Stage Productions as RSP presents the classic comedy musical 42nd Street, playing April 12 to May 5 at the 24th Street Theatre, located at the Sierra 2 Center.
Based on the classic 1933 movie musical of the same name, 42nd Street tells the story of naive young actress Peggy Sawyer who arrives to audition for the new Julian Marsh extravaganza, set to open on Broadway with aging leading lady Dorothy Brock. A classic backstage story, 42nd Street is a delightful throwback that the entire family will enjoy. The 1980 Broadway production won the Tony Award for Best Musical and became a long-running hit. The show was produced in London in 1984 (winning the Olivier Award for Best Musical), and its 2001 Broadway revival won the Tony for Best Revival.
RSP’s talented cast and crew include both well-known favorites and new talents. Award-winning Darryl Strohl (RSP’s Legally Blonde, Kiss Me Kate and Curtains) choreographs, Andrea St. Clair (Annie, Kiss Me Kate) plays Anytime Annie, Amy Jacques-Jones (White Christmas) is Peggy, and newcomer Timothy Stewart takes on the role of Billy.
“RSP has waited to do this show until the talent was ready, and boy is it ready,” RSP Producing Director Bob Baxter said. “The cast is unbelievable, the dancing (tap, ballet and jazz) is breathtaking. I am excited watching the rehearsals, and I know the audience will enjoy the show!”
Jeremy Bolt directs music, with vocal direction by Deann Golz. They lead the RSP resident orchestra with a score that is full of famous musical numbers, including “Young and Healthy,” “You’re Getting to be a Habit with Me,” “Dames,” “We’re in the Money,” “Lullaby of Broadway,” and, of course, the iconic “Forty-Second Street.”
42nd Street performs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. 4/12-5/5, 2013. TICKETS – Opening Night – $19; Adults – $25; Seniors (60+) – $23; Students/SARTA – $21; Children (12 & under) – $18; Groups of 10+ – $19 each. Tickets can be purchased online at www.runawaystage.com (reservation convenience fees apply) or at the door. For further information or questions, please call the box office at (916) 207-1226. Free parking is available. The 24th Street Theatre is located at the Sierra 2 Center: 2791 24th Street in Sacramento.
You can find Runaway Stage Productions on Facebook here.
Runaway Stage Production’s Avenue Q Opens March 8 at New Venue
I’m so excited to see a local production of Avenue Q! Here’s a press release from my friends at Runaway Stage Productions. -cg
Runaway Stage Production’s Avenue Q Opens March 8 at New Venue
SACRAMENTO— The smash-hit Broadway musical and 2004 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, Avenue Q comes to the Black Box Theatre at the West Sacramento Community Center March 8. Black Box is a new venue for Runaway Stage Productions, special to this production only. RSP has also added additional performances on Saturdays and Sundays for Avenue Q.
The Black Box Theatre offers a state of the art production venue which will improve the production values for this production: better lights, sound, restrooms, food and drink, heating & cooling, dressing rooms, etc,” RSP Producing Director and Avenue Q Director Bob Baxter said.
Avenue Q, the musical that Entertainment Weekly called “one of the funniest shows you’re likely to see,” revolves around life in New York City as told by a cast of puppets, and people, through a hilariously irreverent Tony-winning book and score.
Avenue Q tells the story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who moves to NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account. The only apartment he can afford is way out on Avenue Q, where everyone’s looking for the same things he is: a decent job, a stable relationship, and a “purpose.” Eventually, Princeton learns to embrace the ups and downs of city life and realizes that “the real world” isn’t so bad, after all!
“Avenue Q speaks to adult audiences on love, maturing, living life in the real world, and social issues in a hilarious way,” Baxter said. “The puppet characters can say and do things that humans can’t, and the audience will enjoy the puppets and listen and be open to the topics more readily. It is an innovative way to bring the ideas to the audience. Not to mention that is an extremely clever, fun and enjoyable show.”
The RSP Resident Orchestra moves with a talented cast to The West Sacramento Community Center Black Box Theatre, located at 1075 West Capitol Ave. in West Sacramento. The show runs two hours with a 15-minute intermission. Due to adult situations (like full-puppet nudity), Avenue Q may be inappropriate for kids under 13. Parental Advisory: 80% Tony-Winning Hilarity, 10% Adult Situations and 10% Foam Rubber. Avenue Q has not been authorized or approve in any manner by the Jim Henson Company or Sesame Workshop, which have no responsibility for its content.
Avenue Q performs Thursdays and Fridays at 8 .m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. 3/8-3/31, 2013. TICKETS — Opening Night – $19; Adults – $25; Seniors (60+) – $23; Students/SARTA – $21; Children (12 & under) – $18; Groups of 10+ – $19 each. Tickets can be purchased online at www.runawaystage.com (reservation convenience fees apply) or at the door. For further information or questions please call the box office at (916) 207-1226. Free parking is available.
You can find Runaway Stage Productions on Facebook here.
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