Online Ticket Sales
Purchase tickets online! Our online ticketing allows you to pick the day of your choice, select your own seats, pay directly online and even have your tickets printed from the comfort of your home. Reserve your tickets today!
Season subscriptions are now on sale for the upcoming season. For a limited time, Full Season subscriptions are priced $10 lower than last season. Eight show Full Season subscriptions are $169 and five show Flex Season subscriptions are $109. Those subscriptions purchased by March 15 are guaranteed not to increase should we move to the new theater during the 2009-10 season. Current season subscribers will be receiving a letter in the mail detailing renewal instructions.
To be added to the mailing list or to order season subscriptions, call the box office at 941-748-5875 or e-mail
your name, address and phone number to boxoffice@manateeplayers.com.
Show schedules are subject to change should the new theater opening date be determined!
The Box Office is CLOSED on Saturdays
2009 Season
High School Musical 2
Public Performances
July 24 at 7 p.m.
July 25 at 2 & 7 p.m.
July 26 at 2 p.m.
CRAZY FOR YOU
August 20-September 6, 2009
Book by Ken Ludwig
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Music by George Gershwin
Billed as "The New Gershwin Musical Comedy", it is largely based on the songwriting team’s 1930 production, Girl Crazy, but interpolates songs from several other productions as well. In CRAZY FOR YOU, a stage-struck New York playboy, Bobby Child, is sent to a small, poor town in Nevada to close down the local theater. Soon Bobby falls in love with the theater owner’s daughter, Polly. In order to save the theatre, he dreams up the idea to put on a show to raise money for the theatre. In the end, the town is reinvigorated, the theatre is saved and Bobby finds love.
3 Tony Awards for Musical, Choreographer and Costume Designer
3 Outer Critics Circle Awards for Broadway Musical, Choreography and Set, Costume and Lighting Design
2 Drama Desk Awards for Musical and Choreography
"It is heaven on earth. Everything an American musical comedy should be."—The New Yorker
"A Great Broadway Musical! A show to take your kids to. … A show friends come in from out-of-town just to see!"—WABC-TV
HELLO, DOLLY!
September 24-October 11, 2009
Book by Michael Stewart
Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Based on the Play "The Matchmaker" by Thornton Wilder
"And what do you do for a living, Mrs. Levi?" asks Ambrose Kemper in the first scene of this most delightful of musical comedies. "Some people paint, some sew...I meddle," replies Dolly. HELLO, DOLLY! is full of memorable songs including Put On Your Sunday Clothes, Ribbons Down My Back, Before the Parade Passes By, Elegance, Hello, Dolly!, It Only Takes a Moment and So Long, Dearie. And we are off on a whirlwind race around New York at the turn of the twentieth century, as we follow the adventures of America's most beloved matchmaker!
10 Tony Awards for Musical, Actress, Author, Producer, Director, Composer and Lyricist, Conductor and Musical Director, Scenic Designer, Costume Designer and Choreographer
"…one is glad to welcome HELLO, DOLLY! for its warmth, color and high spirits."—Howard Taubman, New York Times
NUNSENSE
October 29 – November 15, 2009
NUNSENSE is a hilarious spoof about the misadventures of five nuns trying to manage a fundraiser. Sadly, the rest of the sisterhood died from botulism after eating vichyssoise prepared by Sister Julia. Thus, the remaining nuns – ballet-loving Sister Leo, street-wise Sister Robert Anne, befuddled Sister Mary Amnesia, the Mother Superior Sister Regina, and mistress of the novices Sister Mary Hubert – stage a talent show in order to raise the money to bury their dearly departed.
ANNIE
December 3-20
Winner of 7 Tony Awards
Annie, Sandy, Oliver Warbucks and all the great characters you’ve come to love arrive just in time for the holiday season. You’ll bet your bottom dollar you’ll love it!
2010
SUGAR BABIES
January 7-24, 2010
Conceived by Ralph G. Allen and Harry Rigby.
Sketches by Ralph G. Allen based on traditional material.
Music by Jimmy McHugh.
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields and Al Dubin.
Additional Music and Lyrics by Arthur Malvin.
SUGAR BABIES is a riotously funny, nostalgic trip for those who remember burlesque and a happy discovery for those too young to recall this irreverent form of American entertainment. All of the classic vaudeville comedy sketches are here, along with such wonderful songs as "Exactly Like You", "I Can't Give You Anything But Love Baby" and "Don't Blame Me."
"Brings it all back-- chorus girls, tap dancing, fan dancing, double and quadruple takes, fright wigs.... A big fat, old time hit.... SUGAR BABIES ... that's entertainment."—WCBS TV2
CURTAINS
February 18-March 7, 2010
Book by Rupert Holmes
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Additional lyrics by John Kander & Rupert Holmes.
A delightful return to old-fashioned musical comedy, CURTAINS unfolds backstage at Boston's Colonial Theatre in 1959 at a pre-Broadway tryout of a new musical. When the talent-free leading lady dies on opening night during her curtain call, Lieutenant Frank Cioffi arrives on the scene to conduct an investigation. But the lure of the theatre proves irresistible and after an unexpected romance blooms for the stage-struck detective, he finds himself just as drawn toward making the show a hit, as he is in solving the murder.
As the bodies pile up, the ensemble dwindles and everyone is a suspect. Can Cioffi solve the murders and save the show before it reaches Broadway? Complete with rousing production numbers and a cast of colorful backstage characters, CURTAINS has audiences cheering long before the curtain comes down.
"An insanely funny evening!"—William Goldman, Variety
"Musical Comedy Heaven!"—Michael Kuchwara, Associated Press
"A big, delightful musical packed with show-stopping numbers!"—Jeffrey Lyons, WNBC
JOSEPH
and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
March 25-April 11, 2010
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics by Tim Rice
The Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to vibrant life in this delightful musical parable. Joseph, his father's favorite son, is a boy blessed with prophetic dreams. When he is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt, Joseph endures a series of adventures in which his spirit and humanity are continually challenged. He is purchased by Potiphar where thwarting advances from Potiphar's wife lands him in jail. When news of Joseph's gift to interpret dreams reaches the Pharaoh (wryly and riotously depicted as Elvis), Joseph is well on his way to becoming second in command. Eventually his brothers, having suffered greatly, unknowingly find themselves groveling at the feet of the brother they betrayed but no longer recognize. After testing their integrity, Joseph reveals himself leading to a heartfelt reconciliation of the sons of Israel. Set to an engaging cornucopia of musical styles, from country-western and calypso to bubble-gum pop and rock 'n' roll, this Old
Testament tale emerges both timely and timeless.
"This enchanting musical explodes like glittering fireworks. A brilliant celebration of words, music and colour. The best kind of feel-good show, unashamed, warm-hearted and irresistible."—John Peter, Sunday Times
GYPSY
May 6-23, 2010
Book by Arthur Laurents
Music by Jule Styne
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
GYPSY, the musical fable suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, is written by three legendary theatrical giants. The book is by two-time Tony Award winning legend Arthur Laurents, with music by two-time Tony Award winner Jule Styne and lyrics by multiple Tony Award winner Stephen
Sondheim. The 1959 blockbuster, originally directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins, boasts a legendary score with such classic songs as "Everything's Coming Up Roses,", "Rose's Turn" and "Some People."
Produced by
The Law Firm of Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP
