Theater announces shows for upcoming season

Including community theatre productions, world music and more, Whitefish Theatre Company has announced the shows that make up its 2016-2017 season.

“Our season this year highlights WTC as a place for the community to interACT,” says Executive Director Gayle MacLaren. “Each year, WTC strives to engage our community with fun, relevant and thought-provoking productions and concerts. Whether you are involved with WTC as an actor, volunteer, sponsor, donor or patron, WTC invites you to interact with us for a spectacular line-up this year.”

The season will showcase eight very different theatre selections and five diverse music concerts.

“We are extremely excited about our upcoming season that truly has something to please every palate,” says Artistic Director Jesse DeVine.

WTC opens its season on Sept. 24 and 25 with a Black Curtain production of “Marjorie Prime.” It’s the age of artificial intelligence and 85 year-old Marjorie Prime has a handsome new companion programmed to feed the story of her life back to her. What will she remember — and what will she forget — in this provocative drama that explores the mysteries of human identity and the limits –- if any -– of what technology can replace.

WTC’s music series begins on Oct. 5 with Hot Club of San Francisco, an award-winning gypsy jazz ensemble. Performing in the Hot Club tradition of Django Reinhart, HCSF presents “Cinema Vivant,” a magical evening of three vintage silent films that are brought to life as superb musicians match every movement on screen with a blend of Spanish guitar, jazz rhythms, and fast swing.

The diverse fall schedule continues on Oct. 20-23 and 27-29 with “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)[Revised].” Celebrating the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death, this family-friendly, lightening-speed jambalaya will cover 37 of the Bard’s comedies, histories and tragedies in an irreverent, over-the-top romp.

On Nov. 11, WTC hosts The Kinsey Sicks, America’s favorite dragapella beautyshop quartet. The Kinsey Sicks will perform their show “Chicks with Shticks.”

The winter season begins with “A Christmas Story” on Dec. 1-4, 9-11, and 16-18. Based on the beloved 1983 film, this feel-good holiday play follows Ralphie and his search for the perfect Christmas gift — a Red Ryder carbine-action range model air rifle.

WTC is then thrilled to kick off the New Year with Always ABBA, an all-star Canadian tribute band that will bring timeless and transcendent ABBA to life on stage on Jan. 27. With magnificent harmonies, authentic costumes and plenty of sing-a-long moments, Always ABBA will have you dancing in your seat to favorite ABBA hits.

The popular all-kids production of “The Neverending Story” will be performed on Feb. 23-26 and March 3-5. Adapted from the 1979 novel and 1984 film, young and old alike will delight in the fantasy tale of Bastian Balthazar Bux whose belief in a magical land and story, and eventually in himself, saves everything.

Next up, WTC is delighted to showcase Niyaz, a spellbinding Middle Eastern fusion ensemble who performs on March 10. Niyaz blends medieval Sufi poetry and folk songs from Turkey, India and their native Iran with traditional acoustic instruments and modern electronic rhythms.

On March 25-26, WTC will then present “Love Song,” an offbeat comedy that is the second Black Curtain production. This sweet play follows Beane, an eccentric outsider who has trouble relating to family and friends. Following a burglary at his apartment, however, Beane falls in love with Molly, his assailant.

All audiences will enjoy the heartwarming story of “On Golden Pond” with shows on April 13-16 and 20-22. Lovable curmudgeon Norman and his spirited wife Ethel have returned to their summer lake home in Maine when their vacation is interrupted by their estranged daughter, her uptight fiancé and his rebellious teenage son.

On April 28, WTC is then excited to host Mary Kaye, a western singer/songwriter who is the winner of the 2016 Wrangler Award for Outstanding Original Western Composition. With a voice that ranges from expressively wistful to all-out powerful, Mary Kaye mixed upbeat two-stepping songs, swing tunes and ballads of love and loss that blend splendidly with her colorful tales of the West.

WTC will then present its final Black Curtain theatre production on May 6-7 with “Luna Gale.” A compelling portrait of flawed people making impossible choices, the story follows Caroline, a veteran social worker who thinks she has a typical case on her hand when she meets two young drug addicts accused of neglecting their baby.

Finally, WTC’s 38th season comes to a close with a cabaret-style show of Broadway hit “Cabaret” on June 1-4 and 8-11. This intoxicating show features well-known classics of the musical stage.

All shows are at the O’Shaughnessy Center. Season passes and build-your-own-season passes, offering discounts off regular ticket prices, are available.

For information call 862-5371 or visit www.whitefishtheatreco.org.