Ordway Center for the Performing Arts today unveiled its 2009-10 Theater Season and planet Ordway® Target® World Music and Dance Season. The announcement, made by Ordway President and CEO Patricia Mitchell, revealed a performance calendar filled with ambitious productions reflecting the breadth of American artistry and emerging global talent.
The four productions appearing in the Ordway's Theater Season include a first-time national tour, a beloved Disney musical created just for the Ordway, last year's Tony Award® and Pulitzer Prize-winner for "Best Play," and the seven-time 2008 Tony Award®-winning musical.
"We feel privileged to offer our audiences a season of productions that span the full range of human emotion," says Mitchell. "Next year's program was chosen with our deepest values at heart: bringing joy to Ordway patrons through artistic performance. And we're convinced the shows will deliver on that promise."
The first production to reach the Ordway's Main Hall stage is "Little House on the Prairie," which launches its national tour in Saint Paul (Oct. 13 - 25, 2009). Melissa Gilbert, renowned actress who played Laura for 10 years on the famous television show, stars as Ma in this musical theater adaptation that includes new production numbers and design changes. Next, Ordway creates its own version of "Disney's Beauty and the Beast," promising memorable holiday entertainment for the entire family (Dec. 15, 2009 - Jan. 3, 2010). Steppenwolf's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award®-winning "August: Osage County" comes to the Ordway in a limited engagement starring Estelle Parsons as the unsettled, pill-popping matriarch Violet (March 16 - 21, 2010). Rounding out the season is the Lincoln Center Theater's production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "South Pacific," winner of seven 2008 Tony Awards® including "Best Musical Revival" (May 4 - 16, 2010).
As in previous years, Ordway will create its own new production for one of the Theater Season selections, in this case "Disney's Beauty and the Beast." "We're excited to have the opportunity to create a new production of this popular story," says James Rocco, Vice President of Programming and Producing Artistic Director at Ordway. "The timeless story, wonderful music and imaginative characters provide all the ingredients for an enchanting theater experience that appeals to all ages."
For 2009-10, the Ordway continues to explore the latest currents in world music and dance with the planet Ordway® Target® World Music and Dance Season. These dynamic artists bring their amazing talents to the Ordway stage for single-performance engagements throughout the year. The 2009-10 lineup features The Bad Boys of Dance (Oct. 30, 2009), Yasmin Levy (Nov. 1, 2009), Dance Brazil (Feb. 19, 2010), Dreaming of Duke, featuring Nnenna Freelon and Harolyn Blackwell (Feb. 21, 2010), Shidara (Feb. 24, 2010), Diavolo (Mar. 25, 2010), and dre.dance (May 20, 2010).
"The planet Ordway® Target® World Music and Dance Season is a fusion of cultural traditions as redefined by some of the most cutting-edge artists working in the world today," says Heather Spicuzza, the Ordway's Vice President of Education and Community Engagement. "We are delighted with our new season that brings these amazing artists to the Ordway." In addition to performing on the Ordway stage, these artists participate in Ordway's community engagement programs, where they interact with students and adults in workshop and master class settings.
2009-10 Ordway Theater Season
Little House on the Prairie
October 13 - 25, 2009
"Little House on the Prairie" is one of the most popular and beloved celebrations of early Americana since the appearance of Laura Ingalls Wilder's classic book series 70 years ago. Since its premiere at the Guthrie, this musical adaptation has evolved into even more of an exciting and compelling show, with a stronger focus on the Ingalls family, a slew of brand new production numbers and dynamic design changes. Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura for 10 years in the much loved television series, continues her legacy by starring as Ma. Families will continue to fall in love with these life-affirming stories about the Ingalls' struggles and triumphs through the celebration of the pioneering spirit and the core values on which this country was founded.
