The Company Theatre Presents 2015 Theatre Season

The award-winning Company Theatre Centre for Performing Arts (TCT), the South Shore’s theatrical destination since 1979, announces their 2015 theatrical performance season, featuring the best productions in theatre, music, comedy and mystery. TCT launches their 36th year rich on the theme of their most recent award for Outstanding Achievement in the American Theatre, awarded by New England Theatre Conference (NETC) in October.

Kicking off an extraordinary year of theatrical productions, talented actors from The Academy of The Company Theatre’s (ACT) Teen Conservatory present Rogers & Hammerstein’s American classic Oklahoma!, from January 23 through 25. A high spirited rivalry between turn of the century farmers and cowboys provides a colorful background for two headstrong romantics staking claim in a new territory. The beloved musical score includes “Oh What A Beautiful Morning”, “I Cain’t Say No”, “Surrey with the Fringe on Top” and the triumphant and sweeping title song “Oklahoma!”.

Raucous pop-rock musical The Full Monty plays a limited engagement from February 4 through 8. Back by popular demand! Based on the cult hit film, this raucous contemporary musical alters expectations and stereotypes by taking it all off! A group of unemployed steelworkers gets bold and unclothed to make some quick cash as they conquer their fears, self –consciousness, and prejudices. The men find their strength in each other, giving them the individual courage to “let it go” Filled with razor sharp humor and toe tapping pizzazz, this upbeat 10-time Tony Award® nominee comedy takes audiences to full on hysteria!

Hope springs eternal in the greatest story ever told, when the twice Tony Award® nominated epic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar hits the stage from March 13 through April 4. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s masterpiece is inspired by the four Gospels’ account of the last week in the life of Jesus, beginning with his arrival in Jerusalem and ending with the crucifixion. Radical teachings lead to the ultimate betrayal during Christ’s final tumultuous days on Earth. Emotionally intense and thought provoking, The Company Theatre’s Jesus Christ Superstar promises to be an up close and inspirational experience. Transcendent!

ACT’s youth program presents Shrek the Musical Jr., a version of the Tony Award® winning from April 17 through 26. Based on the Oscar-winning film, the fairy tale adventure gathers all the beloved characters from the film to life on stage, and proves there’s more to a story than meets the ears. An unlikely hero finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wise-cracking donkey and a feisty princess who resists rescue. A gingerbread man with an attitude and dozens of other fairy tale misfits deliver the kind of mess that only Shrek can solve! Irreverent fun for the whole family, Shrek proves that beauty is truly in the eye of the ogre.

The birth of our nation is witnessed in the musical that follows the formation of the Declaration of Independence, from July 24 through August 16, with the vividly blazing musical 1776. An unconventional Broadway hit, 1776 traces the pages of history through the eyes of the men behind the national icons. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Richard Henry Lee and Thomas Jefferson attempt to convince the members of the second Continental Congress to vote for independence from the British monarchy.

Hitchcock meets hilarity in the wildly ingenious, fast paced comic thriller The 39 Steps, presented from October 9 through 25. A six-time Tony Award® nominee and two-time winner, The 39 Steps was acclaimed as “The most entertaining show on Broadway!” by The New York Post. A cast of four actors portray over one hundred forty characters in a whirl-wind tale based on the 1935 film classic. This typically British affair has all the excitement of a Hitchcock masterpiece; a who-done-it with an old fashioned romance and a dash of Monty Python style humor thrown in! An onstage plane crash, a train roof top chase, a nationwide manhunt spiraling to a death defying finale, and non-stop laughs make The 39 Steps a rollicking fun display of theatrical invention.

ACT youth program presents a quackingly good time with Honk! Jr., presented from November 6 through 8. A heartwarming celebration of being different, this beloved new musical is based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling. Since it first hatched, Honk! Jr. has winged its way around the world. Little Ugly looks quite a bit different from his darling duckling brothers and sisters. Feeling rather foul, he finds himself on an adventure of self-discovery. Along the way, Ugly meets a whole flock of unique characters and finds out being different is not such a bad thing to be. Honk! Jr. is a delightful production for all ages with its sparkling wit, memorable score and plenty of heart.

2015 wraps up in full out theatrical fashion with the musical adventure Mary Poppins, performing from November 27 through December 20. Everyone’s favorite, practically perfect nanny, popularized by the classic Disney film, captures hearts from Broadway and beyond in this winner of seven Tony Awards®, including Best Musical. Set in England in 1910, the rambunctious Banks family has sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Combining magic and common sense, the inspirational Poppins teaches the entire family how to value each other again. Memorable adventures, and an enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers and special effects makes this a “supercalifragilistic” must see!

The Company Theatre also features a spectacular 2015 series of Special Events, including Changes in Latitude: The Jimmy Buffett Tribute (January 10), The Bridgewater Triangle (January 27), Bad Medicine: A Tribute to Bon Jovi (January 31), Rainforest Reptiles (February 17), An Evening with Joyce Kulhawik (February 17), A Night to Remember: Elvis, Jerry Lee, Carl & Johnny (February 21), Game of Thrones: A Look Beyond the Wall (February 28), Five O’Clock Shadow (May 5), James Montgomery Blues Band (May 16), Banned in Boston (May 19) and Divas with a Twist (June 2).

As an established non-profit organization, The Company Theatre celebrates their 36-year commitment to provide accessible, affordable and exceptional quality theatrical entertainment and education to area communities. ACT Studio One offers a strong foundation through advanced training in the performing arts for students of all ages. Adults and children from across the region enjoy progressive classes, featuring acting, voice, and dance. The next enrollment period will be held in January 2015.

Tickets for all performances go on sale on at the Open House on November 22. Online and phone ticketing is available beginning Monday, November 24. Single theatrical performance tickets range from $24 to $42, special events tickets range from $13 to $33, ACT production tickets range from $15 to $18. Theatre club season subscription, student, school and large group discounts are available. For a complete performance schedule, to order tickets, or for more information, call the box office at 781-871-2787, email boxoffice@companytheatre.com, or visit www.companytheatre.com. The Company Theatre Centre for the Arts box office, located at 30 Accord Park, Norwell, is open Monday to Friday from 11 am to 6 pm, and during all performances. Free parking is available on site, and the theatre is handicap accessible. For the latest information on programs and performances, please follow The Company Theatre Centre for the Arts on Facebook.