FUNNY GIRL
September 11 - 20, 2009
Music by Jule Styne
Lyrics by Bob Merrill
Book by Isobel Lennart
Carpenter Performance Hall with Full Orchestra

Her career spanned from comedienne to Vaudeville star. In The Ziegfeld Follies, in Hollywood films and on the radio, Fanny Brice was one of the most celebrated entertainers of her time. This show is her story. Musical numbers include I'm the Greatest Star, I Want to Be Seen with You Tonight, Don't Rain On My Parade, People, The Music That Makes Me Dance, Who Are You Now? and You Are Woman, I Am Man. As talented as she was, she deserved to be loved by everyone; audience and husband alike.

THE ROAD TO QATAR
October 9 - 24, 2009
Book & Lyrics by Stephen Cole
Music by David Krane
Dupree Theater - World Premiere New Musical

Based on the real life experience of being commissioned to write the first American musical to premiere in the Middle East. Three years ago both Stephen Cole and David Krane (who did not know each other at the time) received an email that read: "We want you write musical. How much?" This began an unbelievable but true journey that introduced the two "short Jews" to an alien world of camels, deserts and crazy Egyptian theatrical producers. During the course of this sensational Arab adventure, Stephen and David starred in their own personal Bob Hope-Bing Crosby "road picture" that took them to Dubai, Qatar, London, Bratislava and back to the USA after writing and presenting a huge original musical for the Emir of Qatar and one thousand of his invited guests. When they returned, they had no other choice but to write their story in the only way they knew how: as a musical! The names have all been changed, but the story is totally true.

SHOW BOAT
IN CONCERT WITH FULL ORCHESTRA
January 29, 30 & 31, 2010
Carpenter Performance Hall

Spanning the years from 1880 to 1927, this lyrical masterpiece concerns the lives, loves and heartbreaks of three generations of show folk on the Mississippi, in Chicago and on Broadway (and their life-long friends). The primary plot follows Magnolia, the naive daughter of the show boat captain, as she marries a gambler and moves with him to Chicago. His gambling continues as his debts compound, and soon he deserts her and their young daughter. A subplot concerns the potential arrest of Magnolia's selfless best friend on charges of miscegenation when it's discovered that she is mulatto, and her subsequent downward spiral into despair. The passing of time reunites Magnolia and her now-grown daughter with her family on the show boat as well as with her husband, who eventually returns offering a hopeful second chance at familial fulfillment.

JULIE JOHNSON SINGS
March 26, 27 & 28, 2010
Carpenter Performance Hall

Julie has made her mark on Broadway, Off-Broadway, film and television, as well as in regional theater. In 2003 she sang at Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops conducted by Skitch Henderson. She counts performing the lead in Always…Patsy Cline opposite Sally Struthers as a special experience. Her recent performance in the role of Mrs. Lovett in the staged, concert version of Sweeney Todd at Dallas’ Meyerson Hall fetched rave reviews proclaiming her the best-sung Mrs. Lovett ever performed! On top of all that, Julie has released two country albums.

Sold-out shows and a growing fan base have caught the ear of critics. Show Business Magazine says, "Johnson has an astonishing vocal instrument. It's a honey-colored, full-bodied dramatic mezzo." Billboard writes, "This is a voice that demands your attention." The Fort Worth Star-Telegram says, "Hers is a rich and powerful voice over which she has complete control."

BYE BYE BIRDIE
June 18-27, 2010
Music by Charles Strouse
Lyrics by Lee Adams
Book by Michael Stewart
Carpenter Performance Hall with Full Orchestra

BYE BYE BIRDIE is one of the most captivating musical shows of our time. It is a satire done with the fondest affection, and tells the story of a rock and roll singer who is about to be inducted into the army. An English Teacher, What Did I Ever See in Him?, Put on a Happy Face, One Boy, A Lot of Livin' to Do, Kids, Rosie and Spanish Rose are musical theatre classics. This is the tops in imagination and good old fashion fun.