NEXT TO NORMAL, SEMINAR Highlights Phoenix Theatre 2012-2013 Season

BLOODY, BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON
September 20–October 21, 2012
Music and lyrics written by Michael Friedman
Book by Alex Timbers
Livia and Steve Russell Theatre – Midwest Premiere

In the vein of AVENUE Q and SPRING AWAKENING comes BLOODY, BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON an irreverent, high-octane, hysterically funny musical about America’s first “rock star” president, Andrew Jackson. If you think politics is a dirty business today, just wait until you see what it was like in 1829!

SEMINAR
October 25–November 25, 2012
By Theresa Rebeck
Frank and Katrina Basile Theatre – Midwest Premiere

In Theresa Rebeck’s new comedy, the diabolical, sarcastic Leonard gives a Masterclass-style writing seminar to four students. As Leonard’s biting criticisms mount, alliances are made and friendships are broken. Who will win the approval of the man who literally wrote the book on what makes authors and writing great? Theresa Rebeck has written for television (SMASH, NYPD BLUE, LAW AND ORDER), movies and stage and has been produced at the Phoenix many times.

A VERY PHOENIX XMAS 7: GETTING FIGGY WITH IT
November 29–December 23
By Various Artists
Livia and Steve Russell Theatre – Midwest Premiere

It must be the Holiday season because A VERY PHOENIX XMAS has returned with new sketches, musical numbers, and more dancing than ever. Yes, the Sock Monkeys are back! The holidays get turned upside down as various playwrights put a new spin on tried-and-true traditions in a way that is a sure-fire treat, guaranteed to make you laugh. This year features performances by Indy’s newest “it” group-The Fourth Wall.

GUAPA
January 3–20, 2013
By Caridad Svich
Frank and Katrina Basile Theatre – NNPN Rolling World Premiere

Single-mom Roly lives in a dusty Texas border town that everyone longs to escape. She’s never seen anything like Guapa, a natural-born athlete with a fiery ambition to become an international soccer star. When Guapa joins Roly’s family, everyone’s life is turned upside down. With only one shot to reach the big leagues from the barrio, how can Guapa convince the non-believers to let go of their doubts, spread their wings and fly? This inspiring story will have you cheering in the aisles!

NEXT TO NORMAL
January 24–February 24, 2013
Book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey
Music by Tom Kitt
Livia and Steve Russell Theatre – Midwest Premiere

This ground-breaking and innovative musical touches on themes not usually found in the genre. Diana Goodman has been struggling with her bipolar disorder, and almost twenty years later, she and her family are still coping. Winner of three Tony Awards and becoming only the eighth musical to win the Pulitzer Prize, NEXT TO NORMAL is a potent look at grief, loss, and, ultimately, healing.

THE LYONS
February 28–March 31, 2013
By Nicky Silver
Frank and Katrina Basile Theatre – Midwest Premiere

In this scathing dark comedy, Rita Lyons rules the family with an iron fist, and her dying husband, Ben, is swearing at everyone because he has nothing to lose. Lisa, Rita’s daughter, is an alcoholic, and her son, Curtis, is gay, which he has not mentioned to his homophobic father. Tempers flare, words are exchanged, and secrets are revealed.

To Be Announced (TBA)
April 4-5, 2013
Livia and Steve Russell Theatre

Many times in the past we have announced a season with a “TBA” slot. This allows us the opportunity to wait for an especially “hot” play to become available. And this year is no exception. We have our eye on several titles which required a few more months past the deadline for this brochure for production clearance. This allows us to bring timely, new shows direct from New York and share them with you. I can guarantee that this show will be worth the wait.

4000 MILES
May 9–June 9, 2013
By Amy Herzog
Frank and Katrina Basile Theatre – Midwest Premiere

After finishing his transatlantic bike ride, Leo arrives at his grandmother’s Greenwich Village apartment. Over the course of several weeks, Leo and his grandmother, Vera, learn from each other the lessons that life has to teach as well as tolerance for each other’s differences. The two different generations impart to one another a sense of wisdom from their radically different worlds in Amy Herzog’s funny and moving play.

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