ASHTABULA — Straw Hat Theatre at the Ashtabula Arts Center will open for the summer season June 12 with one of the great theatrical successes of our time, “Man of La Mancha.”
Directed by Douglas Anderson and written by Dale Wasserman with music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion, “Man of La Mancha,” employs a play-within-a-play structure to pit reality against the fantastic.
Thrown into prison, Cervantes attempts to win favor with his fellow prisoners by telling the stunning tale of Don Quixote, a knight who embarks on a romantic and noble journey to win the heart of a good woman and to capture “The Impossible Dream.”
The show boasts what has been described as a gorgeous musical score including such show-stopping numbers as “The Impossible Dream,” “Dulcinea,” “What Do You Want of Me?” “Little Bird, Little Bird” and many more.
Performances will be held on June 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, and 27.
Also included in the summer line-up is the big Disney hit, “Disney's High School Musical.” Performed on July 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, the show tells the story of two high school juniors from rival cliques: Troy Bolton, captain of the basketball team and Gabriella Montez, the girl with all the brains. While on summer vacation with their families, the two meet and upon returning to school in the fall, they try out for the lead parts in their high school musical. Despite the other students' attempts to spoil their dreams, Troy and Gabriella resist peer pressure and rivalry, inspiring others along the way.
“Disney's High School Musical” was written by David Simpatico with music adapted, arranged and produced by Bryan Louiselle.
The production is based on a Disney Channel original movie, written by PeterBarsocchini and will be directed by Kim Godfrey.
The final show of the summer will be offered July 31, Aug. 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, and 15. “Disney's Beauty and the Beast” is one of the most popular and captivatingly romantic stories ever told. This multi-award winning musical has been seen by over 25 million people.
Written by Linda Woolverton with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice, this beloved “tale as old as time” tells the story of a small-town girl, Belle, who is taken prisoner by a reclusive Beast, who is actually a human prince under a spell.
Within the confines of the Beast's castle, they learn the true meaning of love and friendship together with the Beast's league of enchanted household objects. Including favorite songs as “Be Our Guest,” “Home” and “Beauty and the Beast.” It is directed by Lisa Marie French.
All Straw Hat Theatre shows begin at 8 p.m. Tickets or subscription cards can be purchased by calling the arts center at 964-3396. Box office ticket prices are $14 for patron seating, $12 Adults and $11 seniors / students. All advance-sale, pre-paid tickets will receive a $2 discount per ticket.
Patrons may purchase a season subscription. Each subscription offers three discounted admissions to any Straw Hat show this season. For those who only want to see one show, all three admissions can be used at one time. Or for those who want to see all three shows this season, one admission can be used at each of the productions
Subscription prices are $33 patron seating, $27 adults and $24 seniors/students. Arts center members will receive an additional discount.
