A Circus of a Season, 2018-19

Anyone Can Whistle

Written by Stephen Sondheim, Anyone Can Whistle is an absurdist social satire about insanity and conformity (among a dozen other things!). This legendary cult show is a wacky, intelligent, highly unconventional musical which tells the story of a corrupt mayoress who fakes a miracle to revitalize her bankrupt town and the ill-fated romance between the rational nurse and the easy-going doctor who is determined to enjoy the chaos that it brings.

1776

Long before Hamilton, there was 1776! It’s a long, hot summer in Philadelphia, and the Continental Congress is an exhausted and quarrelsome assemblage, at each other’s throats over the burning question of independence from Great Britain. The nation is on the brink of revolution – if only our founding fathers can agree to sign the declaration! 

Chess

Secrets, lies, collusion and betrayal? Love, courage and loyalty? Checkmate! In this highly acclaimed rock musical, the ancient and distinguished game of chess becomes a metaphor for romantic rivalries and super-power political intrigue as two great chess masters—American and Russian—meet in Bangkok to battle for the world championship at the height of the Cold War. 

Newsies

Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged "newsies." When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to "Seize the Day" and strike for what's right! 

Carnival!

Naïve orphan Lili happens upon a failing carnival troupe in the south of France and meets puppeteer Paul, a former ballet dancer and a war hero, now lame and unable to ever dance again. Paul forms a puppet act with Lili as the main attraction, and the carnival is changed forever!