Utah Shakespeare Festival Announces New Season for 2012
Published: November 16, 2011 | Read Time: 3 minutes
Today the Utah Shakespeare Festival announced an exciting change in its 2012 season. Les Misérables, one of the world’s most popular shows and Broadway’s third longest running musical, will be playing in the Randall L. Jones Theatre from June 23 to October 20.
Written and composed by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg with lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, Les Misérables will replace the previously announced The Drowsy Chaperone in the summer and Scapin in the fall. Scapin will still be a part of the summer selections.
For patrons that have already purchased admission to these productions, tickets have automatically been changed and are in the mail. No other adjustments have been made to the calendar beyond the replacement of The Drowsy Chaperone, and of Scapin in the fall. If patrons have questions regarding their tickets, they are encouraged to call the Festival Ticket Office at
1-800-PLAYTIX.
“I am thrilled we are finally able to produce Les Misérables on the Randall L. Jones stage,” said R. Scott Phillips, Festival executive director. “It is the one show that our guests have requested over and over for many years, and for the past ten years we haven’t been able to secure the rights, due to its 25th anniversary national tour and our scheduling, until now. I am confident this show will sell out, so get your tickets now.” Phillips went on to say that, “Critics and theatre audiences from across the world have declared this musical as unquestionably one of the most spectacular stories ever brought to the stage. We are proud to have the confidence and support of Cameron Macintosh, CML enterprises and Music Theatre International to bring this to our audiences. It will make our 51st season one to remember for a long time.“
Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, Les Misérables is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. It focuses on the struggles of ex-convict Jean Valjean as he searches for meaning, love, and redemption in nineteenth century France. The musical includes some of theatre’s most memorable songs: “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” and “Do You Hear the People Sing,” among many others.
“This play was first produced by a Shakespeare company, and it fits with the Festival’s mission of presenting life-affirming classics perfectly,” said Brian Vaughn, Festival artistic director. “Capturing this story of love, revenge, and redemption is a remarkable feat, and we are ready to take on this challenge.”
Opening in London in 1985, Les Misérables has been translated into 21 different languages and has been produced in 41 countries and 291 cities. The show has won over 70 major theatre awards, including seven Tonys.
According to the official Les Misérables website, “there are approximately 101 cast and crew directly involved in every performance, not including front of house staff, and the huge back-up services including ticket sales, wardrobe staff, set contractors, maintenance, office staff, advertising and publicity. Each performance entails some 392 complete costumes consisting of roughly 1,782 items of clothing and 31 wigs.”
“We feel it is time that this beloved musical be performed at the Intermountain West’s only Tony Award-winning theatre,” said David Ivers Festival artistic director. “We are excited about this change, and hope to see you this summer at our 51st season.”
Dates for Les Misérables, as well the calendar updates for the full 2012 season are listed below. Casting and creative teams for all shows will be announced at a later date. For more information or to buy tickets call 1-800-PLAYTIX or check online at www.bard.org.
2012 Season Schedule:
To Kill a Mockingbird: June 21 through September 1
Scapin: June 22 through September 1
Les Misérables, June 23 through October 19
The Merry Wives of Windsor: June 25 through September 1
Mary Stuart: June 26 through August 31
Titus Andronicus: June 27 through September 1
Stones in His Pockets: September 19 through October 20
Hamlet: September 20 through October 20
Related Links
http://bard.org/Contact Information:
435-586-5400
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