Guys and Dolls May 28 – June 13, 2015 Thu, Fri, Sat at 8 PM; Sat at 2 PM Book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser Based on The Idyll of Sarah Brown and characters by Damon Runyon Presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International. Directed by Christina Westenberger

Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City, this oddball romantic comedy — considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy — soars with the spirit of Broadway as it introduces us to a cast of vivid characters who have become legends in the canon: Sarah Brown, the upright but uptight “mission doll,” out to reform the evildoers of Time Square; Sky Masterson, the slick, high-rolling gambler who woos her on a bet and ends up falling in love; Adelaide, the chronically ill nightclub performer whose condition is brought on by the fact she’s been engaged to the same man for 14 years; and Nathan Detroit, her devoted fiance, desperate as always to find a spot for his infamous floating crap game.

Oliver! July 24-Aug 2,2015 9 performances only Music, Lyrics and Book by Lionel Bart Directed by Peter Natale Presented by special arrangement with Tams-Witmark Music Library

Oliver Twist, the name given by a workhouse warden to a boy born in the workhouse orphanage, who has never felt loved or accepted, manages to escape from the harsh workhouse. Managing his way to London, Oliver feels accepted for the first time in his life, is welcomed into a group of other young boys, headed by the Artful Dodger, who make wallets under the direction of Fagin. What Oliver is initially unaware of is that they are really a band of pickpockets, One of Fagin’s associates is Bill Sikes, whose girlfriend, Nancy, is devoted to him. Oliver looks to Nancy as his one true friend, especially needed when he discovers what Fagin and the boys actually do. Oliver eventually comes to the attention of wealthy Mr. Brownlow. Out of circumstance, Bill Sikes sees Oliver as both an asset and a liability, but one that needs to be kept enslaved under his direction. Nancy has to decide whether to be loyal to Bill to help him keep Oliver, or do what is best for Oliver by helping him escape, especially as she knows that Brownlow is looking for Oliver when he learns of Oliver’s true heritage. Come and be One of the Family this summer at Oliver, a family friendly musical!

City of Angels Sept. 17 – Oct. 3, 2015 Directed by Chris Hull Book By Larry Gelbart Music By Cy Coleman, Lyrics By David Zippel Vocal arrangements by Cy Coleman and Yaron Gershovsky Presented by special arrangement with Tams-Witmark Music Library

City of Angels is the rarest of musical comedies; one that is not only loaded with music and written in the contemporary jazz idiom, but also filled with sidesplitting comedy. Set in the glamorous, seductive Hollywood of the 40’s, the world of film studios and flimsy negligees, the show chronicles the misadventures of Stine, a young novelist, attempting a screenplay for movie producer/director, Buddy Fidler. Every movie scene that Stine writes is acted out onstage by a group of characters with a music scored in the genre, as we are treated to a live version of a 1940’s private eye film. It is a tale of decadence and homicide with a liberal sprinkling of femmes fatale. But it’s not all fun and games for the private eye, as we bounce back and forth from the screen play to real life, or in this case reel life.

Amadeus Nov. 5 – 21, 2015 Directed by Catherine Hagner Written by Peter Shaffer Presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc.

Romantic Comedy Jan. 21 – Feb. 6, 2016 Directed by Julie King Written by Bernard Slade Presented by special arrangement with Samuel French

Arrogant, self centered and sharp tongued Jason Carmichael, successful co-author of Broadway romantic comedies, is facing two momentous events: he is about to marry a society belle and his collaborator is retiring. Enter Phoebe Craddock, Vermont schoolteacher and budding playwright. Quicker than a flash, Jason acquires a talented and adoring collaborator in the mousy Phoebe. Fame and success are theirs for ten years and then Jason’s world falls apart.

His wife divorces him to go into politics and Phoebe, her love for Jason unrequited, marries a breezy journalist and moves to Paris. Jason goes into professional, financial and physical decline as a newly chic Phoebe returns, solo and successful.

A darling of a play…zesty entertainment of cool wit and warm sentiment.

The Front Page Mar. 10 – 26, 2016 Directed by Sam Miller Written by Ben Hecht & Charles MacArthur Presented by special arrangement with Samuel French

An irresistible comedy with thrills and derring do set in the news room. Hildy wants to break away from journalism and go on a belated honeymoon. There is a jailbreak and into Hildy’s hands falls the escapee as hostage. He conceals his prize in a roll top desk and phones his scoop to his managing editor. Their job is to prevent other reporters and the sheriff from opening the desk and finding their story. Some hoodlums are enlisted to remove the desk, but they get mixed up with a Boy Scout troop and the mayor and a cleaning woman, among others. It’s a whirlwind wrap up with Hildy finally making his breakaway, but the cynical managing editor has him arrested before he leaves town.

Rent June 2 – 18, 2016 Directed by Peter Natale Book, Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson Presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International

An inspiring musical about friends and artists struggling with addiction, poverty, AIDS and most of all, love.

Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Winner of the TONY Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Rent has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages.

Based loosely on Puccini’s La Boheme, Rent follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom, and Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is on the outs with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves, and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical.

This is theatre at its best – exuberant, passionate, and joyous.

Get tickets or more information on Williamsburg Players website.