The 25th anniversary season for the Washington stage will also feature a season extra returning for its fifth year, the now-holiday tradition "Sing-A-Long Sound Of Music" — an audience-participation family-friendly presentation of the movie musical. Dates will be set later this summer.
Stefanie Powers — of "Hart to Hart" fame — stars as Anna in the national tour of The King and I which kicks off the new season for the Emerald City venue. The Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II story of the King of Siam and the British teacher who is brought in to tutor his children features such memorable songs as "Shall We Dance" and "Getting to Know You."
Next, Stephen Sondheim's Demon Barber of Fleet Street gets his spotlight in a Sweeney Todd in time for Halloween. David Armstrong directs the Sondheim Hugh Wheeler tale of a vengeful barber in Victorian England and his neighbor who owns a pie shop that has recently come into favor due to a surplus of meat pies.
Based on the stories by Hugh Lofting and the 1967 film by Leslie Bricusse, the lovable physician who can talk to animals comes to the stage in a family musical featuring puppets by The Lion King's Michael Curry.
Alan James penned the book for Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story which features the songs of ill-fated rocker. From his early days in Lubbock, Texas to his rise to fame at the Appollo to his fateful Clear Lake, Iowa concert with "La Bamba" singer Ritchie Valens and "Chantilly Lace" crooner Big Bopper, the musical is filled with songs like "Peggy Sue," "That’ll Be The Day," "Oh Boy," "Maybe Baby" and "Heartbeat." Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden and Adolph Green's Wonderful Town was revived on Broadway last season, now Seattle will get their own version of the musical with Suzanne Bouchard, Billie Wildrick and Timothy McCuen Piggee. Bill Berry directs the story of two Ohio-bred sisters who disembark from a bus into the hustle and bustle of New York City.
Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz's Tony Award musical Pippin will finish up the new season for the Washington company. David Armstrong will direct the fairytale of a prince in search of true fulfillment following him through war, sex and revolution.
The 5th Ave. new season (subject to change) is as follows:
