The Vero Beach Theatre Guild had a remarkable season this past year. As the current leadership and army of volunteers continue to raise the bar on everything from performance quality to set design and technical direction, more and more residents and visitors are flocking to the area's beloved community theatre. The lineup for the new season has been announced and promises another great year of theatrical entertainment as the Vero Beach Theatre Guild prepare's to kick off its 62nd season in July. Newcomers will discover top-notch performances at reasonable prices and regulars will find lots of reasons to "fall in love with the Guild all over again!"
The 2019-2020 season will open on July 10th with Andrew Lloyd Webber's groundbreaking musical, “CATS” based on ‘Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats’ by T. S. Eliot. Directed by Tony nominated theatre educator, Michael Naffziger, of the award-winning theatre program at Indian River Charter High School the performance will feature Eleanor Dixon in the role of Grizabella, and a slew of wildly talented IRCHC and VBHS students among others. “CATS” promises to be a performance like no other in Vero Beach Theatre Guild’s history.
Julia Glattfelt will direct the September production of “A Bench in the Sun” by Ron Clark. It’s 'Grumpy Old Men' meets 'The Odd Couple' in this sunny comedy about longtime friends joined at their arthritic hips by the bonds of time. Living in a retirement home they spend their days on a bench in the garden bickering. A once famous actress has just moved in, whose flirtatious ways catch the eyes and hearts of the pair, giving them something new to argue over in this wise, moving but most of all, very funny story.
In November, Lerner & Loewe’s soaring musical “Camelot” graces the stage with the legendary love triangle of King Arthur, Guenevere and Sir Lancelot. Alex Martinez will direct this fantastical masterpiece which triumphed on Broadway and lead to a film version as well as numerous revivals in New York, London and across the globe.
Get ready to laugh it up in January with the Jones, Hope, Wooten comedy “Always a Bridesmaid” directed by Art Pingree. Guild audiences were consistently delighted last season with other productions by the dynamic playwright team. In this hilarious comedic romp, four friends have sworn to keep the promise they made on the night of their Senior Prom: to be in each other's weddings…no matter what (or how many). More than thirty years later, these Southern friends-for-life are still making "the long walk" for each other, determined to honor that vow.
March, 2020 will serve up a global phenomenon that has wowed audiences for over 40 years. “Jesus Christ Superstar” with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, is a timeless work set against the backdrop of an extraordinary series of events during the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ, as seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. The musical started as the historic rock opera Billboard Album of the Year in 1971 featuring a legendary score that includes ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’, ‘Gethsemane’ and ‘Superstar.’ Jon Putzke will direct the production.
The main stage season of productions will wrap up in May of 2020 with the historically based farce “Moonlight & Magnolias” by Ron Hutchinson. Patti Hall will direct this hilarious look into 1930’s Hollywood as legendary producer David O. Selznick has just shut down production on the most eagerly anticipated movie in history- Margaret Mitchell's bestselling novel ‘Gone With The Wind.’ Determined to produce a rewrite in five days, he engages the services of ace script doctor Ben Hecht, who has not read the novel - and director Victor Fleming, poached straight from the set of ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ Summoning both to his office, the producer locks the doors, closes the shades, and on a diet of bananas and peanuts, the three men labor over five days to fashion a screenplay that will become the blueprint for one of the most successful and beloved films of all time.
Back this year by popular demand is an all new Apron Series lineup. “A Season with Arthur Miller” features three staged readings of Miller classics. “The Crucible” will be performed in October followed by “A View from the Bridge” in January and finally “Death of a Salesman” in April. Otherwise known as Readers Theatre, the Guild’s Apron Series has grown in popularity with audiences over the past two years.
Season subscriptions are still available, and Vero Beach Theatre Guild offers flexible 4,5 and 6 show passes. Single tickets go on sale June 10th and may be purchased online at www.verobeachtheatreguild.com or by calling the box office at 772-562-8300.