Venice Theatre 2015-2016 Season

Top-notch musicals, comedies, dramas and “family friendly” entertainment have made the Venice Theatrea regional favorite for 65 years. The 2015-2016 Season, consisting of the Maine Stage Series, Stage II Series, Cabaret, Generations, and Concerts and Special Events promises to be no exception.

Stage II Series:

The Beauty Queen of Leenane

November 5 through 22
Described as a black comedy, Martin McDonage’s play (He also wrote The Pillowman and A Behanding in Spokane) tells the tale of a middle-aged Irish spinster caught up in an unhappy, dysfunctional relationship with her mother, who sabotages her dreams of love. The blistering 1998 Broadway show won four Tony awards.

Sweeney Todd

January 21 through February 14
Stephen Sondheim’s “Demon Barber of Fleet Street” won eight Tonys for its shocking and unforgettable musical tale of murder, revenge and Mrs. Lovett’s unusual pies.

Venus in Fur

March 31 through April 17
David Ives’ play follows the erotic novel in its examination of seduction, sexual power and identity taking place in an unexpected, dramatically powerful theatrical audition.

Metamorphoses

April 28 through May 15
Ancient Rome and modern times come to life staged around a large pool of water in vignettes retelling Ovid’s Roman myth poetry.

Main Stage Series:

Hair

November 10 through December 13
Broadway cast member and Tony winning performer Ben Vereen directs his vision of this musical extravaganza that rocks the ‘60s era of peace, love and the Vietnam war. Songs like “Aquarius”, “Good Morning, Starshine”, and of course, “Hair” won the 1978 Tony for Best Musical and the 1969 Grammy for Best Score.

Noises Off:

January 12 through 31
Michael Frayn’s comedy has been called “The funniest farce ever written,” thanks to its inspired mayhem, slamming doors and both on-stage and behind-the-scenes shenanigans portrayed by a hapless troupe of actors in a memorable play-within-a-play.

Ragtime

February 16 through March 13
Venice Theatre reprises its great hit of the 2010 season, with book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. E.L. Doctorow’s novel becomes a sweeping turn-of-the-century musical, full of drama, evocative story telling and history as three families’ lives intertwine within a rapidly
changing American tapestry.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

April 5 through April 24
With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, this comic musical has entered the halls of farcical fame as one of the funniest romps through ancient Rome ever undertaken.

Cabaret:

Trailer Park Christmas: December 3 through 20
Rocky Horror Show: February 26 through March 19

Generations:

A Christmas Carol: December 17 through 21
James and the Giant Peach: May 17 through 22

INFO:
Venice Theatre
140 W. Tampa Ave.
Venice, Fl 34285
Box Office: 941-488-1115
Venicestage.com