The oldest theatre in Kentucky, CenterStage, is gearing up for a new season lineup that includes a beloved Disney musical, a thrilling political satire and all the great productions you can expect at CenterStage, the only community-level theatre that still performs big shows.
Inspired by Cultural Arts and Ideas Director John R. Leffert, each season CenterStage embarks on ambitious productions of popular Broadway shows with visually stunning sets and costumes, and amazing talent and music that will move you.
“Our goal is to choose a diverse season so that everyone can come and enjoy the shows,” Leffert said. “We want to feature shows that the audience wants to see and ones that the actors want to be in.”
The 2016/17 season kicks off by bringing Shakespeare to CenterStage with the modern day Romeo and Juliet classic, West Side Story, July 7-24. Leffert, said he’s excited about opening the season with this show and that he was in the musical in high school.
“West Side Story is truly a timeless piece on young love and the good and bad that comes along with it,” Leffert said.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof will bring back a drama to CenterStage on September 5-25. This Pullitzer Prize winning-play is widely regarded as Tennessee Williams’ best work and has all the elements of good drama: sex, greed, abuse, addiction and deception.
John Wilkes Booth, Lee Harvey Oswald and other historical assassins come to life in Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning Assassins October 27-November 13. This musical carefully delivers whit and comedy into what motivated notorious men and women and have the audience think about what it means to be an American.
“We love to feature pieces that will leave people thinking about them, and this show most definitely will,” Leffert said. “If you’re still thinking about a show a week later, we’ve done our job.”
Delve into Fanny Brice’s world as she clowns her way up from burlesque clubs to become Ziegfield’s “Greatest Star” in Funny Girl playing January 26-February 12. Brice’s dreams finally come true until she has to choose between her success and the husband who resents it.
Disney’s beloved Mary Poppins flies on to CenterStage March 16-April 2. With financials not going well for the Banks family, Mary Poppins mysteriously shows up and takes the children on magical adventures. “Anything can happen if you let it,” surely is true as the crowd will get to watch Mary Poppins fly in this show.
The season finale paints an intimate portrait of musical theater’s greatest living composer, Stephen Sondheim, in Sondheim on Sondheim playing May 11-21. Sondheim will interact with the audience through exclusive interview footage, treating each person to an inside look at his personal life and artistic process. Hear Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods and more of his most memorable songs.
“With our professional crew members, you’re always going to get the highest quality shows at CenterStage,” Leffert said. “We really are opening minds one act at a time.”
Season ticket options are available. Season Subscribers receive priority seating, save 20 percent on the price of tickets and receive discounts to other J Arts & Ideas events. Subscribe today by contacting The J at 502-459-0660.