La Crosse Community Theatre announced its 2018-2019 season on April 7 at its annual Patron Gala Fundraiser.
“This is an incredibly exciting season for LCT,” said Grant Golson, Executive Director of LCT. “We are presenting two musicals that have never been done on our stage before. There is truly something for everyone, whether you long to be onstage, behind the scenes, or simply want to sit in the audience and watch the magic unfold.”
The 2018-2019 season has 9 shows, including 2 musicals and 2 special offerings in the Veterans Studio Theatre.The season includes a mixture of LCT debuts and familiar classics.
The season opens with Mamma Mia, with music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus and some songs with Stig Anderson, book by Catherine Johnson, and originally conceived by Judy Craymer.ABBA’s hits tell the hilarious story of a young woman’s search for her birth father on the eve of her wedding.
The fall show will be Neil Simon’s comedy, Fools. The village has been cursed with chronic stupidity, and Leon has 24 hours to break the curse before he too, becomes stupid.
LCT’s holiday show will be Ken Ludwig’s The Game’s Afoot. When a Christmas party guest is murdered in his mansion, a Broadway star assumes the role of Sherlock Holmes to solve the crime-just in time for the holidays.
Back by popular demand, LCT will also reprise The Santaland Diaries during the holiday season. Written by nationally known comedian, David Sedaris, and adapted by Joe Mantello, The Santaland Diaries will star LCT actor and storyteller, Michael Scott. Like last year, this production will be in collaboration with The Pump House Regional Arts Center, with performances held at the Pump House and in the Weber Center’s Veterans Studio Theatre. The show is still for mature elves only.
In January, LCT will present a drama in the Veterans Studio Theatre. Wait Until Darkis the story of a blind woman who turns the table on a sinister con man and two ex-convicts when they attempt to hatch a plot against her.
Next in LCT’s season will be Tennessee Williams’ classic drama, A Streetcar Named Desire, about a woman whose life has been undermined by romantic illusions. As tensions rise with her brutish brother-in-law, her delusions give way to madness.
New York City’s newsboys seize the day in LCT’s spring musical, Newsies, when they strike against unfair working conditions set by publishing titan, Joseph Pulitzer.Newsies features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, book by Harvey Fierstein, and is based on the Disney Film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White.
Once again LCT will close out the season with a Theatre for Youth show. Evil has never been so adorable in Brian D. Taylor’s Dr. Evil and the Basket of Kittens. Dr. Evil wants to destroy the world, but when a basket of kittens arrives on his doorstep, it’s his world that is turned upside down.
Finally, LCT’s children’s touring show features Hans Christian Andersen at his storytelling best in Pixies, Kings and Magical Things. It’s a clever retelling of three classic tales: The Swineherd, The Pixie and the Grocer, and The Emperor’s New Clothes. This production will travel to area schools, bringing theatre to young audiences throughout the Coulee Region. There will also be performances in the Veterans Studio Theatre.
“Join us for a daring, bold, and exciting 2018-2019 season,” said Golson.
Season tickets are now available. The Lyche Theatre Package, which includes tickets to the five main stage shows, will be priced at an early bird discount of $122-$140 now through June 15, 2018. After June 15, the cost will be $129-$148. A Six-Pack Flex Package, whose tickets can be used in any combination to see any show, will be $146-$166. Wait Until Dark, the Veterans Studio show, will be $25 when ordered along with a season ticket.
Single ticket prices will be $10 for youth productions, $24-$32 for non-musicals and $26-$34 for musicals. Student and military prices will be $16 and $10 ($18 and $12 for musicals), respectively, with ID required. Patron donors may reserve seats beginning April 16, and season ticket holders may do so one week before the public for each production.
For more information, visit www.lacrossecommunitytheatre.org or call 608-784-9292.