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Dorothy J. Esser Foundation

61st Season 2003-2004

ALL PERFORMANCES AT 7:30 P.M.



PERFORMANCES: September 4,5,6,12,13,19 & 20, 2003
The ultimate story about an aggressive stage mother. Join Rose, June and Louise in their trip across the United States during the 1920's, when vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born. Jule Styne's music and Stephen Sondheim's lyrics include 'Let Me Entertain You,' 'Some People,' 'You'll Never Get Away from Me,' 'If Momma Was Married,' 'All I Need Is the Girl,' 'Everything's Coming Up Roses,' 'You Gotta Get A Gimmick' and 'Together Wherever We Go.' This is a gripping story of one of the most frightening aspects of show business. GYPSY originally played for 702 performances on Broadway at the Broadway Theatre. It played for 300 performances in London at the Picadilly Theatre. Ethel Merman played Rose. Angela Lansbury played Rose in the Revival in 1973, and Tyne Daly played the role in the 1989 Revival and finally Bette Midler in 1993.
Starring SHARI LYNN.
Music by Jule Styne, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by Arthur Laurents
CAST & REVIEWS




PERFORMANCES: November 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 & 29, 2003
THE MAN OF LA MANCHA is a remarkable show and one of the great theatre successes of our time. This is a play-within-a-play, based on Cervantes' "Don Quixote." We have a poignant story of a dying old man whose impossible dream takes over his mind. 'It's All the Same,' 'Dulcinea,' 'I'm Only Thinking of Him,' 'The Impossible Dream,' 'I Really Like Him' and 'Little Bird' remain in your thoughts and in your soul well after you see the show. His dream is Everyman's dream. His tilting at windmills is Everyman's great adventure. Miguel de Cervantes, aging and an utter failure in his varied careers as playwright, poet and tax collector for the government, has been thrown into a dungeon in Seville to await trial by the Inquisition for an offense against the Church. Somehow, the footlights disappear, time is telescoped and the 'man of La Mancha' speaks for humankind. MAN OF LA MANCHA played for 2,328 performances in New York at the ANTA Washington Square Theatre and for 253 performances in London at the Piccadilly Theatre.
Starring MARY CHESNUT.
Music by Mitch Leigh, Lyrics by Joe Darton, Book by Dale Wasserman
CAST & REVIEWS

PERFORMANCES: February 26, 27, 28 and March 5, 6, 12, 13, 2004
Combine Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew with Porter's music and lyrics to get KISS ME, KATE, an instant success with every cast and audience. This is a play-within-a-play where each cast member's on-stage life is complicated by what is happening offstage. Musical numbers include 'Why Can't You Behave,' 'So In Love Am I,' 'Wunderbar,' 'Tom, Dick or Harry,' 'Were Thine That Special Face,' 'Too Darn Hot,' 'Brush Up Your Shakespeare,' 'I Hate Men,' 'Always True to You (In My Fashion)' and 'Another Op'nin, Another Show.' KISS ME, KATE is fun, melodious and sophisticated. KISS ME, KATE played for 1,070 performances on Broadway at the New Century Theatre and for 501 performances in London at the Coliseum Theatre. The original cast included Alfred Drake, Patricia Morison, Lisa Kirk and Harold Lang. It is currently being revived at the Martin Beck Theatre on Broadway. The original cast introduced in 1948 by Columbia Records, had the distinction of being the very first original cast recording done for the new medium.
Starring CATHY FOY.
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter; Book by Sam and Bella Spewack

CAST & REVIEW



PERFORMANCES: May 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, 2004
The entire community of Camelot awaits the arrival of Guenevere, King Arthur of England's future Queen. Members of the audience are quickly drawn in. Some of the enchanting musical numbers include 'The Simple Joys of Maidenhood,' 'The Lusty Month of May,' 'How to Handle a Woman,' 'I Loved You Once in Silence,' 'If Ever I Would Leave You' and 'What Do the Simple Folk Do?' In the end it is fourteen-year-old Tom who tells the world of Camelot's quest for right and honor and justice. CAMELOT played for 873 performances on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre and for 518 in London at the Drury Lane Theatre. It starred Richard Burton, Julie Andrews, Robert Goulet and Roddy McDowall.
Starring TINA SHELTON.
Music by Frederick Loewe; Lyrics and Book by Alan Jay Lerner
Based on The Once and Future King by T.H. White
CAST & REVIEWS



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