Lost in Yonkers

Performances

September 11-13, 17-20, 24-26, 2009

Venue

Community Players Theatre

Synopsis

Winner of the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play, “Lost in Yonkers” centers on brothers Jay and Arty, who are left in the care of their domineering Grandma Kurnitz and warm-hearted Aunt Bella while their father goes on the road as a traveling salesman.

Author: Neil Simon

 

Historian’s Corner

Lost in Yonkers Preview (Curtain Calls 5.3, September 2009)

The opening play of the 87th Season at Community Players was “Lost in Yonkers.” This show saw the directorial debut of Opal Virtue. The reviewer praised the ensemble’s acting and the pacing of the story. This Neil Simon play was not just a comedy or a serious drama but had elements of both styles of writing. There was a theater survey included with the program designed to learn what out patrons enjoyed and what they would like to see in the future and how they learned about Community Players.

Les Misérables-School Edition

Performances

July 10-12, 16-19, 23-26, 2009

Venue

Community Players Theatre

A Theatre For Young People/Fundraiser Production

Synopsis

In 19th century France, Jean Valjean is released from 19 years of unjust imprisonment but finds nothing in store for him except mistrust and mistreatment. He breaks his parole in hopes of starting a new life, initiating a life-long struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways. Finally, during the Paris student uprising of 1832, Javert must confront his beliefs after Valjean spares his life and saves one of the student revolutionaries who has captured the heart of Valjean’s adopted daughter. His world-view shattered, Javert commits suicide, and Valjean at last attains the peace he has sought for so long.

Based on the novel by Victor Hugo
Music by Claude-Michel Schonberg
Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer
Original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-MarcNatel
Additional material by James Fenton
Orchestrations by John Cameron
Original London Production Directed and Adapted by Trevor Nunn and John Caird
Original London production by Cameron MacKintosh and The Royal Shakespeare Company
School Edition specially adapted and license by Music Theatre International and Cameron MacKintosh

 

Historian’s Corner

Les Misérables-School Edition Preview (Curtain Calls 5.2, July 2009)

The 87th Season at Community Players was called “A Season of Firsts.” The title refers to the fact that none of the shows selected for the season had been performed before at Players.

The Theatre For Young People/Fundraiser was the High School Edition of the award winning musical “Les Miz.” It had a cast of 43 students from the Bloomington-Normal area. The fundraiser collected $1,100 through a raffle. The two Grand Prizes, which included Park Hopper Passes to Disney World and airline tickets from Allegiant Air, were awarded at the intermission of the last performance. There were also winning gift certificates from local merchants.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid (2017)

Performances

July 7-9, 13-16 & 20-23, 2017

Venue

Community Players Theatre

Synopsis

Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories and the classic animated film, “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. With music by eight-time Academy Award winner, Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and a compelling book by Doug Wright, this fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible songs, including “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl” and “Part of Your World.”

Set under and above the high seas, “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” tells the story of Ariel, an adventurous young mermaid who’s got a thing for disobeying the rules and following her heart. Ariel’s fascination with the human world often leads her to the sea surface, a zone that’s designated as “off-limits” by her father Triton, the sea king. One day while sneaking to the surface, Ariel witnesses a shipwreck and rescues Prince Eric, with whom she becomes instantly smitten. Furious at Triton’s inability to understand her love for the prince, Ariel runs away and strikes a deal with Ursula, Triton’s evil witch of a sister, to experience the life she dreams of on land.

Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Glenn Slater
Book by Doug Wright

Historian’s Corner

“Disney’s The Little Mermaid” was a very well-received musical by both the reviewer and the audiences. This production was praised for its clever staging, top notch talents, and wonderful choreography. “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” was touted as infectious fun, by turns hilarious and heart touching. Almost every seat during the run of the production was sold out.

Crew

Hauptmann

Performances

March 22-25, 2012

Venue

Community Players Theatre

Synopsis

“Hauptmann” is the extraordinary tale of a German immigrant sentenced to death and executed for the abduction and murder of the Lindbergh baby. Facing a nation that has already declared his guilt, Bruno Hauptmann, with the help of the six guards watching his cell, tells his side of “The Crime of the Century,” recreating the events leading up to his incarceration.

Author: John Logan

 

Historian’s Corner

Hauptmann Preview (Curtain Calls 7.5, January 2012)

“Hauptmann” is a serious drama that is told in a very fascinating way. The reviewer spoke of the quality of the actors bringing to life the characters, such as the narrator becoming the titled character speaking broken German, as well as the six guards, and how easily they slip into the real-life people of the trial who had been affected by “The Trial of the Century.”

Dramas are usually very carefully selected by the play reading committees because they are not always the audience favorites, yet when one of quality comes along to tell a compelling and fasinating story, our patrons enjoy and support them.