News

'Annie,' 'Joseph Dreamcoat,' 'Tuna Christmas' headline '17 Playhouse lineup

By Bill Moss, Published: November 10, 2016

"Annie," "Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and the popular "Tuna Christmas" headline the 2017 season of the Flat Rock Playhouse.

Twenty-five productions on the Mainstage, Studio 52 & Family programming and the popular Music on the Rock series range from beloved musicals to youth productions to Music on the Rock tributes.

“Box office returns have reached record numbers for the second consecutive season, and it has been a truly humbling experience to continue a legacy that was established eighty years ago when Robroy Farquhar established the Vagabond Playhers,” Artistic Director Lisa K. Bryant said in a news release. “As we celebrate this momentous anniversary, I am incredibly proud of the work we do as Vagabonds, onstage and off, and the profound impact of our artistic endeavors as we welcome a growing community to the Flat Rock Playhouse family.”

As with the last two seasons, Flat Rock Playhouse determined the lion's share of their 2017 schedule of plays and musicals from the opinion of the patrons themselves via extensive surveys.

“With more shows and a fabulous variety, we know that our patrons will be thrilled to see all of their top picks appearing in our next season” says Bryant. “We also have returning favorite Nat Zegree, who enthralled audiences this summer with his portrayal of Jerry Lee Lewis in Million Dollar Quartet, and local stars Scott Treadway and Preston Dyar, who are set to grace the Flat Rock stage again in 2017 amongst many, many other talented, and beloved actors who make up the extensive Vagabond family! Exciting additions to an already exciting year!”

Subscriptions go on sale Monday, November 14th. The Playhouse will be offering three different packages this season packed with benefits including discounts, VIP parking, and choice seating.

“In an effort to best meet the preferences of our patrons, we have refined our subscriber packages to what we believe will offer our audiences the greatest savings, the easiest access, and enjoyable, exciting experiences at Flat Rock Playhouse,” says the Senior Director of Marketing and Development, Dane Whitlock. “Our Plan A Package will expand to offer one ticket to all eleven shows (up from nine the previous year) this season at double the savings for subscribers. We will also be returning to our traditional Flex Package, which will offer eight tickets to subscribers to use in any way they prefer! We believe that these two packages, in combination with our popular Music on the Rock (MOTR) Package (one ticket to all eight 2017 MOTR’s), will greatly serve our Vagabond community by offering upwards of 20% savings on standard Box Office prices to see our wonderfully, jam-packed 2017 season!”

Flat Rock Playhouse encourages everyone to mail in their subscriptions, call, or visit the Box Office starting Monday, November 14th. Patrons wishing to renew their current plan are to call the Flat Rock Playhouse Box Office at 828.693.0731 before December 10th, 2016.

The wait is over, and as 2017 draws near, Flat Rock Playhouse opens their doors and reminds all past, present, and future Vagabonds of their motto, Come Play with Us, as they celebrate eighty great years, and look forward to eighty+ more!

The musicals & plays in Flat Rock Playhouse’s 2017 Mainstage Season include:

• Classic Nashville Roadshow to run March 8 through 18. Let Classic Nashville Roadshow take you on a journey down memory lane with your favorite classic hits honoring the world’s most beloved country greats – Dolly, Hank, Patsy, Tammy, George, Merle, and many, many more! Starring Jason Petty and Katie Deal.
• Smokey Joe’s Café to run April 21 through May 13. The music of Leiber and Stoller is sure to have you tapping your toes and dancing in the aisles with such hits as “On Broadway”, “Stand by Me”, “Jailhouse Rock”, “Yakkity Yak”, and “I Am Woman”.
• A Tuna Christmas to run May 19 through June 3. By popular demand, Scott Treadway and Preston Dyar serve up Christmas a little early this year with this hilarious comedy featuring the residents of Tuna, Texas – the “third smallest” town in the state. 2 actors. 22 characters. 2 million laughs!
• Annie to run June 9 through July 2. Leaping lizards! For the very first time, America’s favorite redheaded orphan will be gracing the stage at Flat Rock Playhouse. Do not miss what is considered one of the best family musicals ever written!
• The Dixie Swim Club to run July 7 through 22. Designing Women, The Golden Girls, Steel Magnolias… Make way for The Dixie Swim Club – a hilarious and touching comedy about five Southern women who prove that friendships can last forever.
• Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to run July 28 through August 20. This megahit returns to Flat Rock Playhouse in this irresistible family friendly reimagining of the Biblical story of Joseph, Israel’s favorite son. Featuring an infectious and unforgettable score by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita).
• Music of the Night: The Songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber to run August 25 through September 3. The music of Andrew Lloyd Webber continues on at Flat Rock Playhouse with hits from one of the best musical theatre composers of all time. Featuring songs from Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cats, Phantom of the Opera and many more!
• Donny Edwards, a Heart and Soul Tribute to the King to run September 6 through 9. Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has NOT left the building! For the third year in a row, Donny Edwards returns to Flat Rock Playhouse for one weekend only in his tribute to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll: Elvis Presley.
• Amadeus to run September 15 through 30. Nat Zegree, Jerry Lee Lewis from last year’s smash hit Million Dollar Quartet, returns to Flat Rock Playhouse to star as one of the original bad boys of popular music… Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
• Little Shop of Horrors to run October 6 through 21. Don’t feed the plants! One of the longest running Off Broadway hits of all time makes its Flat Rock Playhouse debut in this hilarious musical comedy about a boy and his bloodthirsty plant. Featuring a sensational score reminiscent of early 1960’s rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown.
• Dial M for Murder to run October 27 through November 11. A classical whodunit just in time for Fall at the Playhouse, Dial M for Murder is a sophisticated, chillingly sinister thriller brimming with madness, murder and mayhem that will hold you spellbound with suspense.
• Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas Spectacular to run November 17 through December 22. Haul out the holly and deck the halls! This original musical revue performed by your favorite Flat Rock Playhouse singers and dancers is sure to be brimming with holiday cheer. Come celebrate the holidays – Vagabond style!

All of the plays and musicals in the 2017 Mainstage Season will be performed on the Flat Rock Playhouse Mainstage in the Village of Flat Rock.

The musicals and plays slated for Flat Rock Playhouse’s 2017 Family Series:

• Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, Jr. to run March 24 through April 2. The delicious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl’s fantastical tale. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr. is a scrumdidliyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone’s sweet tooth.
• Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr. to run June 29 through July 23. Journey “under the sea” with Ariel and her aquatic friends in Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr., adapted from Disney’s Broadway production and the motion picture featuring the enormously popular Academy Award-winning music and delightfully charming book and lyrics. An enchanting look at the sacrifices we all make for love and acceptance.
• You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown to run September 7 through 24. Happiness is... this charming musical featuring the beloved Charles M. Schulz Peanuts gang. Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Sally, Schroeder and yes Snoopy too! A delight for the whole family.
• Pinkalicious to run November 9 through 19. Pinkalicious can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor’s office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe – a dream come true for this pink loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out a way to get out of this pink predicament.
• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever to run November 30 through December 17. In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids – probably the most inventively awful kids in history. When they end up as the leads, their interesting interpretation of the story (which they have never heard before) helps everyone rediscover the meaning of the holiday.

All of the musicals and plays in the 2017 Studio 52 & Family Series will be performed at the Playhouse Downtown.

The Music on the Rock concert series includes:

• The Music of the Beatles, February 16 – 26.
• The Music of the Rat Pack, March 9 – 19.
• The Music of the Simon and Garfunkel, March 30 – April 9.
• The Music of Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison, May 4 – 14.
• The Music of Don Henley and Phil Collins, June 1 – 11.
• Motown Summer Nights, August 3 – 13.
• The Music of Lionel Richie and Diana Ross, September 28 – October 8.
• Donny Edwards, a Heart and Soul Tribute to the King, the return limited engagement direct from Las Vegas will perform September 6 – 9 on the Flat Rock Playhouse Mainstage.
• The Women of Woodstock, October 26 – November 4.
• All Music on the Rock concerts will take place at the Playhouse Downtown, excluding Donny Edwards, a Heart and Soul Tribute to the King, which will be on the Flat Rock Playhouse Mainstage in the Village of Flat Rock.