Altarena Playhouse 2008 Season
Wait Until Dark
January 18 - February 16, 2008
By Frederick Knott
Before the unforgettable film version starring Audrey Hepburn, this elecrifying thriller was a hit on Broadway and London’s West End. The suspense begins from the opening scene, as three sinister con men embark on a mission to find a very valuable doll in a dark Greenwich Village apartment. But they get more than they bargain for when the blind Susy Hendrix returns home and begins to suspect all is not as it seems. The deadly cat-and-mouse game builds to a heart-pounding “lights out” climax that’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Wait Until Dark is a meticulously crafted and thoroughly satisfying thrill-ride written by Frederick Knott, who also gave us the classic Dial M For Murder. [May not be suitable for young children.]
Chicago
March 7 - April 12, 2008
Music By John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse
Directed by Christina Lazo
Written by the same team that gave us Cabaret, Chicago is a brash and bawdy musical masterpiece brimming with show-stopping songs, decadent dance numbers, and stinging satire. When Roxie Hart is accused of murdering her lover, and her husband refuses to take the fall, a slick lawyer reinvents Roxie’s image, making her a celebrity in the process. It’s jazz-age Celebrity Justice mixed with a little modern razzle-dazzle. Chicago enjoys the distinction of being the longest running revival in Broadway history. The 2002 film version won six Academy Awards, including best picture. [May not be suitable for young children.]
On Golden Pond
May 30 - June 21, 2008
By Ernest Thompson
Directed by Richard Bunker
On Golden Pond is a classic American comedy that’s every bit as touching, warm, and witty today as when it debuted on Broadway in 1979. Retired couple Ethel and Norman Thayer spend every summer at their home on Golden Pond. This year, their adult daughter visits, bringing along her Fiance and his 13-year-old son. The turbulent relationship between father and daughter, the generation gap between grandparents and grandchild, and the difficulties facing a couple in the twilight years of a long marriage, all combine to give this play a unique insight into the modern family. The Altarena’s intimate, in-the-round setting is the perfect place to share this beloved play with your family. [Suitable for all ages.]
Hay Fever
July 11 - August 9, 2008
By Noel Coward
Directed by Frederick L. Chacon
Noel Coward’s name is synonymous with sophisticated comedy and uniquely British wit. In this most theatrical of plays, he pulls out all the stops and delivers a dizzy mixture of manners, misunderstandings, and absolute madness. Hay Fever centers around the four members of the eccentric Bliss family, who each invite a guest to stay at their country house for the weekend. As the guests arrive, it becomes apparent that a weekend in the country with this unhinged family is anything but “bliss.” Hay Fever is a loopy, light-hearted farce guaranteed to get you through the summer with a smile. [Suitable for all ages.]
Bat Boy: The Musical
September 26 - November 1, 2008
Music & Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe
Book by Keith Farley and Brian Flemming
Directed by Phil Lowery
Ripped from the headlines of the Weekly World News, the tuneful and terrific Bat Boy is unlike any musical you’ve ever seen. When a half-bat, half-human creature is discovered in a cave outside of a small town, one family steps in to adopt him and raise him as their own. But the townsfolk are suspicious, and begin to blame their recent troubles on the pointy-eared newcomer. What’s a singing, dancing bat-boy to do? From Los Angeles to New York to London, the hilarious Bat Boy has been a cult hit where ever it’s played. There’s no better way to celebrate the Halloween season than with Bat Boy at the Altarena. [May not be suitable for young children.]
