A packed house of Business, Government, Civic, and Community leaders joined enthusiastic Theater supporters from throughout the Morongo Basin and beyond at the Joshua Tree Community Center Wednesday evening. September 20. The three Morongo Basin Chambers of Commerce, Yucca Valley, Twentynine palms, and Joshua Tree, joined Theatre 29 volunteers to reveal the exciting 2018 theatrical season.
Theatre 29 Board President Gary Daigneault opened the event by welcoming the overflow crowd to the 9th annual event with a brief look at the remarkable history, ongoing growth, and unquestioning community support for the all-volunteer Community Theater organization since its inception in 1999.
Representatives of each of the Morongo Basin Chambers of Commerce greeted the full house, giving an overview of their plans and information about Chamber events and opportunities in their individual communities.
As the formal season announcement unfolded, the six directors for the season took the podium, and with humor, snippets of shows and outstanding vocal and theatrical performances, they introduced the much-awaited 2018 season.
For 2018, Theatre 29 will present six Main Stage productions, their wildly successful Summer Youth Theater Program, and nine fan-favorite Improvisational Theater troupe performances. The 2018 season brings a well-balanced season of live arts with an eclectic mix of new shows, classic shows, and even more opportunities for young people to participate.
Musicals will run 12 performances over a four-week run (three performances, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday each weekend) with allowance to extend the run another weekend. Non-Musicals will run nine performances in a three-week run, also Friday, Saturday evenings, and Sunday matinees. Each play will run Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.. All shows are produced at the Theatre 29 building at 73637 Sullivan Road in the City of Twentynine Palms.
1/19/18 – 2/4/18
Classic Comedy, “Odd Couple”
by Neil Simon
Directed by Katie Fleischman
When Felix becomes suicidal over his impending divorce, he accepts an offer to move in with his friend, the jovial but messy Oscar. Felix drives Oscar and the poker playing gang crazy with his obsession over his soon-to-be ex. Oscar tries to get him out of his funk by arranging a double date with two British neighbors, Cecily and Gwendolyn. When the plan backfires and Felix grows even more despondent, his friendship with Oscar is put to the test. Neil Simon at his best in this fast-paced comedy that will keep you laughing!
3/2/18 – 3/25/18
Broadway and Cinematic musical icon, “Wizard of Oz”
by L. Frank Baum with music and lyrics by Harlen Arlen and E.Y. Harburg
Artistic Director, Gary Daigneault, Musical Director Bill Barrett, Choreographer, Sarah Fleischman
Click your heels together three times and join The Scarecrow, The Tinman, The Cowardly Lion, Dorothy… and Toto too, as they journey through the magical land of Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their hearts’ desires. This production contains all of the beloved Oscar-winning songs from the movie including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “We’re Off To See The Wizard,” all the favorite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way. Rediscover the real story of Oz in this fantastic musical treat for the whole family.
4/27/18 – 5/20/18
“First Date”, Musical, Inland Empire Debut!
Music and Lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner – book by Austin Winsberg
Directed by Charles Harvey, Music Director Kathryn Ferguson
Opposites attract in this uproarious romantic musical comedy about the chances we take to find love. When tightly wound Aaron is set up with cool girl Casey, a quick drink turns into a hilarious dinner served with sides of Google background checks, fake emergency phone calls, a slew of bad boy and uptown girl exes, and some seriously saucy chemistry. Can this mismatched pair turn what could be a dining disaster into something special before the check arrives, or end up at another table for one? A recipe for a great date night, this show has something for everyone who has ever been in love.
6/25/18 – 7/29/18
Summer Youth Theater
Theatre 29’s highly successful Summer Youth Theatre program continues into its fifth consecutive year, bringing to life Theatre 29’s mission statement of “…offering opportunities to our children…”. Over the course of five weeks, five days a week, our Summer program teaches a wide variety of theatrical skills, including auditioning, acting, singing for Musical Theater, Choreography, costuming, make-up, backstage skills, set construction, lighting, sound, and box office management.
Run 8/17/18 – 9/2
“Harvey”, Classic Comedy
By Mary Chase
Directed by Wendy Cohen
Elwood P. Dowd is a good-natured, mild-mannered eccentric who is polite and cheerful and always friendly toward any strangers he might encounter, there is just one problem: his best friend is an invisible six-foot-tall rabbit, Harvey. Wherever he goes, he brings an extra hat and coat for Harvey, and he buys theater tickets and railroad tickets in twos so that they can go everywhere together. His sister and her daughter try to have Elwood committed to the local sanitarium, where the behavior of the prominent psychologist and his staff raise the age-old question of who is more dangerous to society: the easy-going dreamer with a vivid imagination or the people who want him to conform to the accepted version of reality.
10/5/18 – 10/28/18
“Carrie, the Musical”, Musical, Inland Empire Debut
Book by Lawrence D Cohen-Music by Michael gore-lyrics by Dean Pitchford
Based on the Novel by Stephen King
Directed by Charles Harvey, Music Director Kathryn Ferguson
Based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel and classic film: in the small town of Chamberlain, Maine, Carrie White is a misfit. At school, she’s an outcast who’s bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she’s at the mercy of her loving but cruelly over-protective mother. But Carrie’s just discovered she’s got a special power, and if pushed too far, she’s not afraid to use it. A true horror musical who does not lend itself to campy cliché, CARRIE contains language, dark themes, and mature subject matter. THIS IS NOT FOR CHILDREN UNDER 13! This is a Halloween exclusive!
11/23/18 – 12/16/18
“Annie” Broadway hit Musical
Book by Thomas Meehan, Music by Charles Strouse, Lyrics by Martin Charnin
Based on Little Orphan Annie, permission by Media Tribune Services
Artistic and Musical Direction by Katherine Ferguson
With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the Orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations… and even befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt! She finds a new home and family in billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy. The perfect family musical!
February 10
April 14
May 26
June 16
July 14
August 11
September 15
November 10
December 29
“Baker’s Dozen” Theatre 29 Improvisational Troupe
Directed by Chris Fleischman
Theatre 29’s smash hit improvisational comedy troupe, THE BAKER’S DOZEN, is back and DOUGHIER than before! Monthly shows will tickle the funny bone and bust those ribs with non-stop insanity, goofy characters and quick, unscripted cleverness. Each show is different. You never know what will happen next! As such, there can sometimes be some adult content.
2018 Season tickets and individual show tickets are available now. Visit www.theatre29.org or call 760-361-4151.
