A scene from the Broadway production of ‘Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,’ which will be one of four mainstage shows in Uptown Players’ 2014 season
Uptown Players‘ 13th season — its fifth in the Kalita Humphreys Theater — is its most ambitious and impressive yet.
The company has scored two coups, snagging local rights to two Tony Award-winning hits: The musical The Boy from Oz and this year’s best play winner, Christopher Durang’s Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.
In addition, UP will stage only its second-ever revival with the campy musical Pageant. The company’s first revival, Kiss of the Spider Woman, opens tonight. Rounding out the mainstage season will be The Lyons, a comedy-drama that had a Broadway run in 2012.
In addition to the season series, Uptown will have two bonus productions: the annual Broadway Our Way fundraiser, and the Pride Performing Arts Festival, with its mainstage production the musical Soho Cinders. The latter, however, will move from its position for the past three season during Dallas Pride, and now will coincide with National Pride Month in June. (It has already announced another co-production with the Turtle Creek Chorale of Sweeney Todd, following its successful collaboration this year with Ragtime.)
For the first time in several seasons, the troupe has no plans to do a cross-dressing bonus show at the Rose Room. Lynch held out the possibility, however, that such a production could be added down the line, if a property became available.
Here is the full season:
Broadway Our Way (Jan. 17–26). The season begins with the annual fundraiser show, in which the women sing songs written for men and vice verda.
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Feb. 14–March 9). Gay playwright Christopher Durang updates Chekhov’s drama with an American setting and a campy gay twist.
Pageant (March 28–April 13). A beauty pageant is underway, and who will win? Miss Deep South? Miss Great Plains? All the roles are played by men in this cross-dressing musical romp.
Sweeney Todd: The Concert (April 24–26). A co-production with the Turtle Creek Chorale, following up their hit version of Ragtime this winter. Performed at City Performance Hall.
The Lyons (May 2–18). A dysfunctional family deals with the impending death of its patriarch in this comedy-drama.
Soho Cinders (June 13–22). A summer bonus show, this take on Cinderella puts an impoverished man in the position of the hapless kitchen maid who becomes the consort of a big wig.
The Boy from Oz (July 25–Aug. 10). Hugh Jackman won a Tony Award portraying Australian song-and-dance man Peter Allen, a flamboyant gay man who nevertheless married Liza Minnelli.
Tickets for all shows range from $25–$50, and, except for Sweeney Todd, will all take place at the Kalita Humphreys Theater. Season tickets are available. Click here for more.