THEATRE UNDER THE STARS
PRESENTS
TUTS' 2019 - 2020 SEASON
THEATRE UNDER THE STARS ANNOUNCES 2019 / 2020 SEASON
Subscriptions now available to six-show season in the Hobby Center
Theatre Under The Stars today announced the six shows that will be offered in
their 2019/20 season at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts: A Chorus Line,
Spring Awakening, Elf - The Musical, Disney’s Newsies, the premiere of the new
musical Pure Country, and the national tour of the Tony Award® winner for Best
Revival of a Musical, Once On This Island.
Season subscriptions start at just $195 for the six-show series and are now
available at
tuts.com/subscriptions
or by calling 713-558-8887. Individual tickets for each show will be available
to the general public on Monday, July 15, 2019.
“On the heels of our 50th anniversary, the upcoming season is a defining moment
for us as we embark on our next 50 years,” said Dan Knechtges, TUTS Artistic
Director. “We have an exciting mix of both traditional and contemporary Broadway
classics, with the professional premiere of a new Texas-themed musical, the
return of a heartwarming holiday classic, and the exclusive Houston engagement
of the national tour of the 2018 Tony Award-winning Best Revival.”
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A CHORUS LINE
September 10 – 22, 2019, the Hobby Center
The singular sensation that is A Chorus Line opened on Broadway in 1975 and was
an instant classic. This incisive portrait of the life of the Broadway dancer
received nine Tony Awards® as well as the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It went
on to become one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history. A brilliantly
complex fusion of song, dance, and compellingly authentic drama, A Chorus Line
is the musical for everyone who’s ever had a dream and put it all on the line.
A Chorus Line is conceived and originally directed and choreographed by Michael
Bennett, with book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, music by Marvin
Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban and co-choreographed by Bob Avian. The TUTS
production will be directed by Julie Kramer, with choreography by Jessica
Hartman.
“A
Chorus Line
is perhaps the best musical ever written,” said Knechtges. “It’s also got some
of the most unbelievable choreography you’ve ever seen wedded to an almost
perfect score. It’s thrilling, and I can’t think of a better show to celebrate
our place as Houston’s home for musical theatre.”
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October 8 - 20, 2019, the Hobby Center
When it debuted on Broadway, Spring Awakening offered a raw and honest portrayal
of youth in revolt, shattering expectations of what musical theatre can be. The
show earned eight Tony Awards in 2006, including Best Musical. Based on Frank
Wedekind’s controversial 1891 expressionist play of the same name and featuring
an electrifying alt-rock score, Spring Awakening follows a group of adolescents
as they navigate their journey into adulthood with a poignancy and passion that
is illuminating and unforgettable.
Spring Awakening features a book and lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Duncan
Sheik. The production will be directed by Taibi Magar with choreography by
Marlana Doyle.
Spring Awakening
is a bit of a departure for us in the sense of the subject matter and in the
modern rock score,” said Knechtges. “However, I want TUTS to honor recent
exemplary theatre in addition to the traditional classics. This soul-stirring
story from the late 1800’s is remarkably relevant today.”
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December 7 - 22, 2019, the Hobby Center
This modern-day Christmas classic returns to TUTS for the holiday season. Based
on the cherished 2003 movie, Elf - The Musical, tells the story of Buddy, a
human accidentally transported to the North Pole as a baby. Unaware that he is
actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to
face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York
City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help the Big
Apple remember the true meaning of Christmas. This warm-hearted musical is sure
to make all Houstonians embrace their inner Elf.
Elf - The Musical features songs by Tony Award nominees, Matthew Sklar and Chad
Beguelin (Disney's Aladdin, The Wedding Singer), with a book by Tony Award
winners, Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The
Drowsy Chaperone). The production will be directed and choreographed by Dan
Knechtges.
“I don’t think there is a better modern show for the holidays than Elf,” said
Knechtges. “With its bubbly, infectious score, it’s guaranteed to get you into
the holiday spirit.”
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February 18 – March 1, 2020
TUTS is thrilled to bring the national tour of the 2018 Tony Award for Best
Revival of a Musical to the Houston, direct from Broadway. Once On This Island
is the sweeping, universal tale of Ti Moune, a fearless peasant girl in search
of her place in the world, and ready to risk it all for love. Guided by the
mighty island gods, Ti Moune sets out on a remarkable journey to reunite with
the man who has captured her heart. Once On This Island is a timeless testament
to theater’s unlimited possibilities.
The groundbreaking vision of two-time Tony Award nominated director Michael
Arden and acclaimed choreographer Camille A. Brown conjures up “a place where
magic is possible and beauty is apparent for all to see!” (The Huffington Post).
Once On This Island features a score that bursts with life from Lynn Ahrens and
Stephen Flaherty, the Tony Award-winning songwriters of Anastasia and Ragtime.
Once On This Island
is an extremely emotional and thrilling production that celebrates the
transformative power of love.” said Knechtges. “Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty
are considered the foremost theatrical songwriting team of their generation, and
we’re thrilled to host the official tour of this Broadway sensation.”
PURE COUNTRY
April 14 – 26, 2020
Theatre Under The Stars presents the world premiere professional production of
the new musical, Pure Country. Based on the beloved 1992 film starring George
Strait, the musical tells the tale of a jaded country music mega-star who
suddenly walks away from his successful yet joyless career to return to his
Texas roots and rediscover his passion for life, love, and music. Including the
chart-topping hits "I Cross My Heart" and “Heartland,” as well as new music
written for the stage, this theatrical event is sure to be a hot ticket in the
Lone Star State.
Pure Country features music by Stephen Dorff, lyrics by John Bettis, and book by
Rex McGee. The production will be directed and choreographed by Dan Knechtges.
Pure Country
is obviously a celebration of Texas culture, but it also has a universal message
about the importance of home, both in terms of geography as well as the inherent
human need to manifest our true passions, even when the world has other
expectations of us,” said Knechtges. “I’m also excited that TUTS is able to play
this pivotal role in the development of this new musical, which is a renewed
commitment to our heritage of fostering new works.”
Disney's NEWSIES
May 19 – 31, 2020
They delivered the papers, until they made the headlines. TUTS is excited to
bring Houston audience an all new production of Newsies, the smash-hit,
crowd-pleasing musical from Disney.
A two-time Tony Award-winning show, Newsies has audiences and critics alike
calling it “a musical worth singing about!” (The New York Times). Filled with
one heart-pounding number after another, it’s a high-energy explosion of song
and dance you won’t want to miss. Based on true events, Newsies tells the
captivating story of a band of underdogs who become unlikely heroes when they
stand up to the most powerful men in New York. It’s a rousing tale about
fighting for what’s right... and staying true to who you are.
Newsies was brought to the stage by an award-winning creative team. It features a score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman, with a book by Harvey Fierstein.
The production will be directed and choreographed by Chris Bailey, who dazzled
TUTS audiences with his production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast for TUTS
50th Anniversary Season.
“Newsies is thrilling. The combination of exuberant dance, a
glorious score and a story of young people fighting for their rights is a recipe
for a great evening at the theatre,” said Knechtges. “And we are delighted to
continue our long-term partnership with Disney by being the first theatre
company in Houston to produce this joyous show.”
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Theatre Under The Stars is committed to making theatre accessible for everyone.
Along with the access team at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, TUTS
offers American Sign Language interpreted performances, open captioning
performances, and audio-described performances for each production of the
season. Additionally, each production includes a No Boundaries workshop which
provides unique ways to enhance musical theatre for individuals with
disabilities. Touch Tours are also offered with each production. These special
events offer patrons with visual impairments the opportunity for a tactile
exploration of a production. To learn more, visit
tuts.com/accessibility.
OUT@TUTS is Houston’s premiere night out for LGBTQ musical theatre fans. For the
2019/20 Season, OUT@TUTS will take place on the second Thursday evening of each
production’s run. Patrons are invited to Diana American Grill after the curtain
comes down for free bites, drink specials, and live music. For more information,
visit
tuts.com/out.
Theatre Under The Stars is grateful to our 2019/20 Season Sponsors:
Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, United Airlines, and ABC-13/KTRK.
TUTS is supported in part by the City of Houston through the Theater
District, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Texas Commission
on the Arts.
Pure Country
is sponsored by ConocoPhillips.
THEATRE UNDER THE STARS (“TUTS”) - (Dan Knechtges, Artistic Director;
Hillary J Hart, Executive Director) - was founded by Frank M.
Young in 1968 and is Houston’s leading musical theatre company for performance,
arts education and professional theatrical training; ranging from the classics
to new work development. As a 501c3 performing arts organization, TUTS is
dedicated to breaking down barriers to access by focusing on inclusivity,
education, and community engagement through a commitment to artistic excellence,
programs in the community, technique-based curriculum at the Humphreys School
of Musical Theatre, and explorative, creative life-skills at The River
Performing and Visual Arts Center. For more information, visit
www.tuts.com.
Theatre Under The Stars is excited to announce our 2019/2020 Season!
The 2019/20 Season is sure to be a hit Houstonians who love musical theatre. The
six-show season includes exclusive productions of both traditional and modern
Broadway classics, the world premiere of a brand new musical with Texas roots,
and a must-see Tony®-winning national tour!
The full 2019/20 line up is:
A Chorus Line - September 10 - 22
Spring Awakening -
October 8 - 20
Elf - The Musical - December 7 - 22
Once on This Island - February 18 - March 1, 2020
Pure Country
- April 14 - 26, 2020
Disney’s Newsies - May 19 - 31, 2020
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How To Subscribe
Subscriptions to TUTS’ 2018/19 mainstage season are
available:
· Online
at TUTS.com
· Phone
at (713) 558-TUTS
· In
person at the TUTS Box Office (800 Bagby St. – Downtown Houston)
· Discounted
group subscriptions of 15 or more are available at (713) 558-8888 or via
email at groupsales@tuts.com
VIP Subscribers – How to Access the Best Seats
Join TUTS as a Star Patron, Stage Door Circle Member or Founder’s Club Member.
VIP subscribers enjoy exclusive benefits from intimate cast talk-backs and
exclusive events with show partners to backstage tours and more! Visit TUTS.com/clubs to
learn more about benefits at each level.
For more information visit TUTS.com.
Theatre Under The Stars
800 Bagby Street
Houston,
TX, 77002
The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts