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| Lincoln Park stage photo from the 2015 "Nutcracker" performance. Photos taken by Christian Rothbauer and Andrew Wiesner, Mass Marketing students at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School. |
Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" headlines a social outcast-themed season of shows for 2016-2017 at the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center.
The theme plays out in "Shrek the Musical," "The Elephant Man," "The Outsiders," "Elf the Musical Jr." and an original Lincoln Park dance program entitled "Peter Pan: Dancing Through Neverland."
Lincoln Park's holiday tradition, "The Nutcracker," and a summer 2017 Disney musical to be announced rounds out the eight-show subscription series.
A variety of season ticket packages go on sale to new subscribers July 5.
Past subscribers have been able to renew since May 23.
In a change from past practice, individual tickets to all shows will go on sale Aug. 1.
Ticket sales are handled through the box office in person, by phone at 724.576.4644 extension 2, or online at lincolnparkarts.org.
"This is a very special season in which we tell the stories of social misfits, outcasts and those called freaks," Justin Fortunato, Lincoln Park's Artistic Producing Director, said.
"The Phantom of the Opera" (MainStage Theater, Sept. 30, Oct. 1-2, 7-9, 14-16) is Andrew Lloyd Webber's brilliant and record-breaking musical romance. Set in the Paris of 1881, a mysterious, disfigured musical genius living beneath the Paris Opera House obsessively guides his young soprano protégé.
"The Elephant Man" (BlackBox Theater, Nov. 11-13, 18-20) is a dramatic retelling of the life of a real person, Joseph Merrick, a freakshow oddity of the Victorian era whose physical deformity masks a witty, intelligent personality.
"Elf the Musical Jr." (MainStage Theater, Dec. 2-4) is based on the cherished 2003 film about Buddy, a boy raised by elves in Santa's workshop who finds his human father in New York City. The cast for this show will be drawn from grades 7 to 9 at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School.
Tchaikovsky's timeless ballet "The Nutcracker" (MainStage Theater, Dec. 16-18) is in its 10th season as a holiday tradition at Lincoln Park.
"The Outsiders" (BlackBox Theater, Feb. 24-26, March 3-5), is based on a 1967 novel by S.E. Hinton that is a staple of scholastic reading lists. A marginalized teenage boy fights to find his place in a difficult world.
In "Shrek the Musical" (MainStage Theater, March 31, April 1-2, 7-9) a sad but lovable green ogre, with help from a donkey friend, sets out to rescue a princess who hides a very big secret.
"Peter Pan: Dancing Through Neverland" (MainStage Theater, April 28-30, May 5-7) is Lincoln Park's annual large-production original dance show. Performers will dance on air with wire experience gained from last season's "Little Mermaid."
"It's a big, exciting season with a lot of stories that people know and love," Fortunate said. "We'll also be bringing back River City Brass, Jazz in the Box shows, and some surprises, things that Lincoln Park has never done before."
Fortunato said that the renewed emphasis on student involvement that began last season has been successful and is ongoing.
"We involve Lincoln Park students in every aspect of our shows, with students working in the stage crews and media arts students doing photos and videos for publicity. We have made huge strides in creating more opportunities for student involvement and collaboration outside of casting. That has been and will continue to be our main priority," he said.
Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center 2016-2017 season schedule:
The Phantom of the Opera
MainStage September 30 & October 1-2, 7-9, 14-16
The Elephant Man
BlackBox November 11-13 & 18-20
Elf the Musical Jr.
MainStage December 2-4
The Nutcracker
MainStage December 16-18
The Outsiders
BlackBox February 24-26 & March 3-5
Shrek the Musical
MainStage March 31 & April 1-2, 7-9
Peter Pan: Dancing Through Neverland
MainStage April 28-30 & May 5-7
2017 Disney musical to be announced
MainStage June 16-18 & 23-25
The River City Brass Band
MainStage Theater October 23, December 9 & July 1
Jazz in the Box
BlackBox Theater Oct. 13, January 20, April 13 & July 1
