Shows Main Stage: Season 19   The Ransom of Red Chief   I Hate Hamlet   The Full Monty   The Best Man   Rumpelstiltskin   Side Man   Miss Evers Boys   The Sugar Bean Sisters • The Jungle Book   Gigi Main Stage: Season 20 Black Box: Season 19 Events: Season 19

MAIN STAGE: SEASON 19 (2007-2008)   THE RANSOM OF RED CHIEF July 12-15 & 19-22, 2007 Family Comedy adapted by Anne Coulter Martens of a short story by O. Henry, directed by Mary K Hodges Nees In a small town in about 1910, two drifters of dubious repute arrive in town to get money by kidnapping the child of the wealthiest person in the place. They snatch a boy, calling himself Red Chief who turns out to be a lot more than they bargained for. They then have to revise their ideas about the kidnapping scheme.   I HATE HAMLET Aug 9-12 & 16-19, 2007 A supernatural Shakespearean swashbuckling spoof by Paul Rudnick, directed by Erin Bennett Andrew Rally's life takes an unexpected turn; his television show is canceled and the only gig available happens to be an actor's dream role - or ultimate nightmare - playing Hamlet in New York City. He rents the former apartment of the most famous Hamlet of all, John Barrymore. Romping hilarity ensues as Andrew learns the true meaning of acting.   THE FULL MONTY Sep. 13-16, & 20-23, 2007 Book by Terrance McNally, Music and Lyrics by David Yazbek, Directed by Veronica Wing Quick, Musical Direction by Dave Wiseman & Maggie Malone, Choreography by Amanda Himebaugh Seeing how much their wives enjoy watching male strippers during their "Girls' Night Out," unemployed steelworkers in Buffalo New York come up with a bold way to make some quick cash. In the process they find renewed self-esteem, the importance of friendship and the ability to ‘let it go’. Photos   THE BEST MAN Oct  11-14 & 18-21, 2007 A political intrigue by Gore Vidal, directed by Bob Gras William Russell and Joseph Cantwell are the chief rivals for their party’s Presidential nomination. Cantwell, a ruthless and ambitious young man, has some “dirt” which could destroy his opponent’s chances. But Russell uncovers equally damaging material against Cantwell. The question is will Russell forsake his high-minded principles and sink to his opponent’s level. Generously underwritten by Cooley Law School. This production is a part of Cooley Law School's "Stages of the Law" event. Photos   RUMPELSTILTSKIN Nov. 23- Dec. 9, 2007 A musical comedy for the whole family by Stan Gill, directed by Jane Zussman In this classic fairy tale, an evil gnome spins straw into gold—for a price too dear for a Miller's-Maid-turned-princess to pay. Laugh at the gold-obsessed King and Queen and the Miller who “exaggerates,” as you learn lessons about the pitfalls of greed and lying — and help the Miller's Maid foil the villain, Rumpelstiltskin. Photos   SIDE MAN Jan. 24-27, & Jan. 31-Feb. 3, 2008 A jazz memory by Warren Leight, directed by Susan Chmurnysky Set in 1953 and traveling to 1985, this lovely and poignant memory play unfolds through the eyes of Clifford, the only son of Gene, a jazz trumpet player, and Terry, an alcoholic mother. Alternating between their New York City apartment and a smoke-filled music club, Clifford narrates the story of his broken family and the decline of jazz as a popular entertainment. Photos   MISS EVERS' BOYS Feb. 21-24 & 28-Mar. 2, 2008 A Fictionalized Account of the Tuskegee Experiment by David Feldshuh, directed by Ken Beachler This warm, moving, surprisingly humorous play explores social and ethical issues at the heart of the infamous 40-year governmental Tuskegee Study of Untreated Blacks With Syphilis. Doctors hid the true nature of their research and treated the men with placebos. Photos   THE SUGAR BEAN SISTERS March 27-30 & April 3-6, 2008 An Outlandish Comedy by Nathan Sanders, directed by Tom Ferris As Faye awaits the return of her space alien friends, and Willie Mae yearns for a good Mormon husband so she can enter the Celestial Kingdom upon her death, Miss Videllia Sparks, a mysterious “bird woman” from New Orleans, arrives — and madness ensues. Photos   THE JUNGLE BOOK April 25-27, May 2-4, 2008 Enduring Classic by Rudyard Kipling adapted by Joseph Robinette, Joint production with All-of-us Express Children’s Theatre, Directed by Scott Sorrell Young Rudyard Kipling is sent from his home in India to a British boarding school. There he fi nds his own “jungle” in which people parallel his animal creations. In the struggle of good versus evil, everyone learns the worth of friendship, the importance of loyalty — and values to survive the “laws of the jungle.” purchase tickets on line   GIGI May 29-June 1, & 5-8, 2008 A Musical Comedy by Alan Jay Lerner, Music by Frederick Loewe, Directed by T.E. Klunzinger In 1901 Paris, a young woman is schooled by her grandmother on how to get the most out of life, while a man-about-town family friend hasn’t noticed she’s growing up. The Belle Epoque is set to Lerner and Loewe’s Oscar/Tony-winning score, like whipped cream and champagne — light, sweet, and intoxicating. tickets on sale April 29, 2008 top