Letter from the Directors

Dear Friends,

Well, it is time once again to invite you to join us for another journey. Last season, we promised you change-new programs, new packages, new faces-and you responded. Our "hybrid" musicals were a huge success, artistically, educationally and as entertainment. Our students and audiences flocked to Bye, Bye Birdie and Thoroughly Modern Millie in record numbers, assuring the success of this new program. Our biggest problem was how to top it. We have been working for months to put together an itinerary that brings together all the elements of success-great comedy, drama, music and dance. It has not been an easy task, but we believe we have done it-a season that takes you on a whirlwind journey around the world and across the ages. Together we'll face challenges real and imaginary, surmounting them all through the power of hope, humor, courage and love.

Our first destination is New York City, the undisputed world capitol of musical theatre, for the rock musical Rent. Loosely based on the opera La Boheme, Rent tells the story of a group of young artists and friends trying to make it in New York. An international phenomenon, Rent mixes gritty realism with humor, passion, pluck and amazing songs. Bring your hankies.

Just in time for Halloween, we'll take you to Edwardian England. Walk with us through the fog-shrouded streets of London for Bram Stoker's Dracula. Feel the damp chill in your bones, the hair on the back of your exposed neck prickling. Shh, did you hear something?

With the New Year we'll shift from blood-sucking fiends to the world's favorite orphans. Join us in Depression-era New York as a group of kids with a whole lotta pluck take center stage for Annie.

From the city streets, we'll take the subway downtown - way down - as we travel with Orpheus into the underworld in search of his lost love in Sarah Ruhl's compelling re-imagining of Eurydice. Can one couple's love conquer every obstacle, even death?

After crossing the River Styx, what's left to do but head over the rainbow? Our final destination lies in the wonderful Land of Oz, home of the Wizard, the Wicked Witch and, of course a certain quartet of strangers who become the very best of friends.

We know you need a vacation-we sure do. Won't you join us on the most excellent adventure?

- Chris Guptil, Managing Director
- George Maguire, Artistic Director