MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS
Music and Lyrics: by Irving Berlin
Book Written By: George S. Kaufman
September 12 – October 12, 2008
The Cocoanuts was one of the three Broadway hits that made the Marx Brothers stars of the New York stage, it was also their first movie. It introduced the performing anarchists to the rest of the world. It is a chaotic spoof of the Florida land boom of the 1920’s. A delightful musical with a score by Irving Berlin, and book by the great George S. Kaufman. Groucho, Chico, and Harpo trot out their exhilarating comic dementia and clowning resulting in a hilarious, joyful laugh-fest that does everything musicals are supposed to do. This exceptional score includes crowd pleasing songs such as: , and A great way to usher in the new season on the Mainstage as we “send in the clowns.”
By: Noel Coward
January 23 – February 15, 2009
A boisterously, joyously theatrical classic comic play. Blithe Spirit centers on a man being haunted by the ghost of his first wife, Elvira, following a séance, and her continued (and increasingly desperate) efforts to disrupt his current marriage. With a truly ingenious plot, this comedy guarantees a large dose of delightful hilarity to all audience members.
Sponsored by MUTUAL OF OMAHA FOUNDATION
By Peter Quilter
March 13 – April 5, 2009
The joyful Florence Foster Jenkins had a passion for singing, but a voice of disastrous proportions, which left audiences crying with laughter. Spinning from her bizarre recording sessions, unbelievable recitals, and an ultimate triumph at New York’s Carnegie Hall – this is a true, heartwarming story about a group of eccentric friends who lived their dreams. A glittering comedy with a heart.
By Ron Hutchinson
April 17 – May 10, 2009
This comedy is set in Hollywood in 1939 and inspired by real events. is a behind-the-scenes account of a collaboration between film producer David O. Selznick, swaggering director Victor Fleming, and script doctor Ben Hecht, as they write the screenplay for “Gone With the Wind.” This one is a Hollywood dream-factory farce, a hyperventilating slapstick comedy. Frankly, my dear, this is a funny play.
Sponsored by ACT II
Presented in participation with Lauritzen Gardens
Book by Aurthur Laurents
Music by Jule Styne
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Suggested by Memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee
May 29 – June 28, 2009
Gypsy is the ultimate story about an aggressive stage mother. Join Rose, June, and Louise in their trip across the United States during the 1920’s when vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born. One of the greatest musicals of all time, the score includes Let me Entertain You, Everything’s Coming Up Roses, Some People, and Together Wherever We Go. Gypsy is considered one of the crowning achievements of the mid-twentieth century’s conventional musical theatre artform. The Playhouse has come up with another winner to close the 2008-2009 season on the Mainstage.
Sponsored by UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER
Orchestra sponsored by The Paul and Oscar Giger Foundation
SPECIAL HOLIDAY EVENT
ON THE MAINSTAGE
November 21 – December 23, 2008
“Honor Christmas in your heart!” Relive the enduring story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s reformation… acclaimed as Omaha’s #1 Christmas theatre tradition! Specially adapted for the Omaha Community Playhouse by Charles Jones with musical score and orchestration by John J. Bennett. Our 33rd annual production promises to light up your season and brighten your new year!
Sponsored by FIRST NATIONAL BANK
Orchestra sponsored by Children's Hospital
Snow sponsored by Bill and Jodie Mackintosh
Special Hearing-Imparied Performance on Sunday, December 14th sponsored in part by: Dobleman Head and Neck Cancer Institute
FONDA-McGUIRE SERIES
PRODUCTIONS IN THE HOWARD DREW THEATRE
By Lynne Nottage
August 22 – September 21, 2008
Intimate Apparel is a loving portrait of an African-American woman in New York City at the beginning of the twentieth century. Plain and unsophisticated, Ester creates intimate apparel for wealthy socialites and women of ill-repute. She weds a stranger whom she knows only through a romantic exchange of letters. When she realizes that he may not be the same person who wrote those impassioned thoughts, Ester must answer difficult questions about her own identity, about tradition, and about a woman’s place in the world. A truly moving and evocative play.
Sponsored by ENTERPRISE BANK and DR. EDGAR & CAROL SMITH
By Marie Jones
October 17 – November 16, 2008
Hollywood comes to rural Ireland in a hilarious take on the film industry. Two men bring a cast of 15 to life as a rural town in county Kerry Ireland is overrun by a Hollywood film crew. This show is a comedy on several layers, overtly funny at times, self-reflective at others, poignant and touching throughout. Award-winning had a sensational run in London’s West End and on Broadway.
Sponsored by SIMMONDS RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT
Story and Book by Keythe Farley and Brian Fleming
Music and Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe
February 20 – March 29, 2009
Ripped from the tabloids and appearing live, on stage. This biting comedy presents a witty, campy take on the Weekly World News saga about a bat boy found in a West Virginia cave. Bat Boy is shunned by society as an outsider despite refining his skills - learning to speak, sing and dance. Outrageously silly and totally charming – a twisted new take on a Broadway-lover’s dream musical.
By: Reginald Rose
May 1 – May 31, 2009
This play explodes like twelve sticks of dynamite! Twelve jurors, twelve walks of life, and only two ways to rule - guilty or not guilty. What seems like an open-and-shut murder case becomes a twisted puzzle of prejudice and intrigue. Twelve jurors are corralled in a room for the duration of their deliberation. As prejudices are tested and evidence weighed, the entire jury is forced to look past the show of the courtroom to unearth the shocking truth. Faced with playing the hangman, these dozen men must first face themselves.
Sponsored by FRASER STRYKER PC LLO
SPECIAL EVENTS IN THE
HOWARD DREW THEATRE
Late Night Catechism
Written by Vicki Quade & Maripat Donovan
Directed by Marc Silvia
July 11 – August 3, 2008
Call it Loretta Young meets Carol Burnett. This is part catechism class, part stand-up routine. You, the audience member, are part of Sister’s class. She’ll take you back to the days of the Latin Mass, meatless Fridays, and remind you about that good old ruler across the knuckles! The New York Times calls it, “hilarious, well-written and inspired.” Jeffrey Lyons from TV’s Sneak Previews calls Late Nite Catechism “something to savor and enjoy....one of the most intimate, rewarding shows in town.” Late Nite Catechism promises to make you laugh your sins off!
Sponsored by DAVID & NANCY ABBOUD and JOHN A. GENTLEMAN MORTUARIES
An Interactive Beatles Experience
Featuring Billy McGuigan
Music Director – Rick Avard
©2007 By Rave On Productions
December 5-7, 10-14, 17-21, 26-31 2008
Billy McGuigan of Rave On! fame returns with his amazing musical tribute to music of The Beatles. Rekindle the spirit of yesterday through the music of the world’s most popular band. Yesterday and Today will have you twisting and shouting in the aisles while singing every word to the songs you know and love.
Sponsored by SECURITY NATIONAL BANK