CenterStage Announces 100th Anniversary Season

CenterStage at the JCC, the oldest continuously operating theatre in Kentucky, announces its 2014-2015 season of shows and events for the public to help commemorate the company’s 100th anniversary.

There is something for everyone in the season’s lineup, from Chicago’s sexy, sizzling numbers to the exhilarating, socially conscious Spring Awakening, to the wicked fun of Sweeney Todd and the family classic Beauty and the Beast to the enchanting fable Once on This Island and, finally, the timeless masterpiece, Fiddler on the Roof.

Throughout the season, there will be opportunities aplenty for theatre-goers to help CenterStage celebrate 100 years of incredible community theatre, including a birthday party June 25 with some of the biggest names in Louisville to kick the season off.

“I’m incredibly proud to continue the 100-year tradition of CenterStage with this season’s line-up. We’ve carefully selected highly entertaining productions and planned so many wonderful ways the community can engage with the shows and the company. It’s going to be tremendous centennial year, truly worthy of CenterStage’s history and legacy for top-notch community theatre,” said John Leffert, CenterStage artistic director.

The 2014/15 season opens with Chicago, June 26-July 13, which is set in the legendary city during the roaring “jazz hot” 20s, and tells the story of two rival vaudevillian murderesses locked up in Cook County Jail.

Spring Awakening, winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, is a rock musical adaptation of an 1891 expressionist play about the trials and exhilaration of teen years. It runs Aug. 7-17 and CenterStage is planning a panel discussion for local teens to talk about the issues they face today.

Perfect for the spooky autumn season, Sweeney Todd plays Oct. 23-Nov. 9. It’s a musical thriller about a vengeful 19th century London barber who goes on a murderous rampage and the baker who cooks his victims into pies.

The year 2015 kicks off with Disney’s classic musical love story, Beauty and the Beast. It’s filled with dazzling numbers including “Be Our Guest” and the beloved title song. The show runs Jan. 8-Jan. 25 and the little ones are invited to have tea with their favorite characters before a matinee show.

Once on This Island, an enchanting musical fable, tells the story of forbidden love between people from two different worlds. During its Feb. 12-23 run, CenterStage invites the public to enjoy and learn more about the craft of storytelling at a special event with a gifted practitioner of the art.

The season finale celebrates the company’s cultural roots with the beloved classic Fiddler on the Roof, March 12-29. Tevye, the father of five daughters, tries to balance Jewish tradition with the modern world and its ever-changing political and social landscape. The production dovetails with the JCC of Louisville’s 125th anniversary and a joint celebration will mark the occasion.

Season tickets are available for the entire season for $98 per person. A Pick 5 Season Ticket is also available for any five shows during the season for $85 per person. Patron Season tickets are also available for $150, $52 is tax deductible. New this year, a Children’s Theatre Season Ticket is also available for $15 for children and $30 for adults.

Season Subscribers receive reserved seating up to 15 minutes prior to curtain, save 30 percent on the price of tickets and receive backstage passes to witness how the magic happens through the rehearsal process. JCC members receive $4 off of ticket prices during select shows. Subscribe today by contacting Lenae McKee Price at (502) 238-2763 or lprice@jewishlouisville.org or by visiting www.CenterStageJCC.org.

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