Dozens of Sudbury Theatre Centre patrons were on hand at the theatre at lunchtime Friday, munching on appetizers as they anxiously awaited the release of the 2017-2018 season lineup.
Thirteen different theatre, musical and dance productions will appear on the big stage at STC next fall, winter and spring, in a season that's been billed as “nostalgia, awe and laughter.”
“Part of it for me is about how to gel it together,” said artistic executive director Caleb Marshall.
“It really is a celebration of entertainment from decades past, there is a lot of nostalgia and there definitely is a little awe, with some of our comedy and variety in the spectacle series.”
Marshall said it's always challenging choosing a season lineup, as STC has to look at what it can afford, what audiences will like and include a certain amount of Canadian content.
“But ultimately, it has to be a vision I can believe in, because if I'm passionate about the season, hopefully that passion will be infectious,” Marshall said.
Mainstage theatre series lineup:
- Million Dollar Quartet – Sept. 28 to Oct. 15 – the hip-shaking, guitar-twanging story of the night Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins made recording history.
- Jake's Gift – Nov. 11-12 – a story about a Second World War vet that shows healing takes courage.
- A Christmas Story – Dec. 7-23 – Based on the 1983 movie — which is set in the 1940s — a young boy named Ralphie attempts to convince his parents, his teacher, and Santa that a Red Ryder B.B. gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.
- The Invention of Romance – Feb. 8-25 – In this rom-com with a twist, 30-something Kate deals with her disastrous love life as her elderly widowed mom rekindles a romance with a man from her early life.
- Dean & Jerry: What Might Have Been – March 15-25 – A fabulous live concert of timeless hits, great gags and stories from the most famous musical comedy team of the 1950s – Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
Check out the full 2017-2018 lineup on the theatre's website.