Bring it On :: Rhode Island's 2012 Theatre Preview

2012 will feature an eclectic variety of offerings for theatregoers at the state's top performing arts venues.

Pawtucket's Gamm Theatre opens the year with "Festen," an English-language adaptation of the Thomas Vinterberg's Dogma-styled film "The Celebration," that concerns a birthday celebration of Danish family patriarch and a hidden secret. The Gamm production runs from January 12 through February 12.

In the play, the family's patriarch Helge, is confronted by the oldest son Christian, who reveals a secret that divides the family over a 24-hour span at a lavish country estate. When the play opened in London in 2004, A BBC London reviewer described the play as "one of the most powerful, poignant and overwhelming evenings I've ever spent in the theatre."

Next up at the Gamm is "Boom," from playwright Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, which will be presented from March 8 through April 8.

"Sex to change the course of the world..." With this line from a personal ad, marine biology grad student Jules lures journalism student Jo to his subterranean lab-turned-apartment, where he studies fish sleep cycles for signs of the apocalypse. And so, one hell of a blind date and a hilarious play begin. Will the "intensely significant coupling" of this unlikely pair result in another big bang, or is mankind's fate in the hands of someone watching outside the fishbowl? Rising American playwright Sinn Nachtrieb tackles our fascination with myths about the origins (and end) of life with this doomsday comedy developed in Rhode Island at Brown/Trinity's Playwrights Repertory Theatre.

A stage adaptation of a literary classic follows next as George Orwell's "1984" that will debut on May 3 and run until June 3.

In Orwell's vision of the future (written in 1949), the totalitarian state runs under the tenants "War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength."

The Gamm breathes new life into the landmark novel with a bold retelling of the political satirist's hauntingly prophetic story. In his futuristic world, Big Brother is watching. But his hero - Winston Smith - clings stubbornly to his vision of a different future. What starts as an act of rebellion and hope rapidly unravels in a nightmare of doomed love, personal betrayal and the terrors of Room 101. British playwright Nick Lane's spare script, punctuated by chilling multi-media effects, resonates now more than ever.

"Shrek," "Poppins" and "Bring it On"

Providence Performing Arts Center will feature some major Broadway shows, beginning January 3 with "Shrek The Musical," based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film. The musical, with music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, brings the hilarious story of everyone's favorite ogre to life on stage. In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre - not a handsome prince - shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won't shut up, a villain with a short temper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's one on hand... and his name is Shrek. The score features 19 all-new songs.

"Mary Poppins" will grace the PPAC stage from February 8 through the 19th.

Based on P.L. Travers' cherished stories and the classic 1964 Walt Disney film, "Mary Poppins" features the Academy Award-winning music and lyrics of Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The stage production has been created, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh, by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes, who has written the book, and the Olivier Award-winning team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, who have composed new songs and additional music and lyrics. Olivier Award-winning Richard Eyre directs with co-direction and choreography by Tony and Olivier Award winner Matthew Bourne.

From March 20-25, PPAC will present "The Addams Family." Based upon the original illustrations by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams. The show features a book by "Jersey Boys" authors Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, Drama Desk-winning composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa ("The Wild Party"), choreographer Sergio Trujillo ("Jersey Boys") and Olivier Award-winning director/designers Phelim McDermott & Julian Crouch ("Shockheaded Peter") with creative consultation by four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks.

A spanking new musical based on a popular film -- "Bring It On The Musical" comes to PPAC from April 24-29. Set against the world of competitive cheerleading, this powerhouse new show hilariously proves that winning isn't everything when it means losing something - or someone - you really care about.
The show unites Tony Award-winning writer Jeff Whitty ("Avenue Q"); Tony Award-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda ("In The Heights"); Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning composer Tom Kitt ("Next to Normal") and lyricist Amanda Green ("High Fidelity"); Tony Award-winning orchestrator Alex Lacamoire ("In The Heights"); and Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler ("In The Heights").

Shakespeare at the Trinity

Providence's Trinity Repertory Company will present William Shakespeare's classic "The Merchant of Venice," from February 3 through March 4. Curt Columbus will direct resident company members Stephen Berenson, Fred Sullivan, Jr., Stephen Thorne, Rachael Warren, and Joe Wilson, Jr.

At the mercy of Shylock, a moneylender to whom he owes a heavy debt, Antonio must find a way out of losing collateral he simply can't afford to lose - a pound of his own flesh. A new setting brings to bear the timelessness of Shakespeare's controversial tragicomedy.

"Sparrow Grass," Artistic Director Curt Columbus' adaptation of Racine's "Ph�dre," the classic tragedy is brought into focus within our current time. A woman's dark and misdirected passion threatens to destroy a family from within. Directed by Brian McEleney and starring Richard Donnelly, Phyllis Kay, and Barbara Meek, the show runs from February 16 through May 13.

"Love Alone," by playwright Deborah Salem Smith, comes to the Trinity from February 28 through May 27. After a routine medical procedure goes tragically wrong, the lives of both the patient's family and the doctor charged with her care are transformed. The cast includes Angela Brazil, Janice Duclos, Mauro Hantman, and Anne Scurria.

"The Mourners' Bench," by award-winning playwright George Brant, runs from March 7 through May 24. Starting simply during a quiet afternoon in a humble living room, an intriguing interwoven tale emerges from a moment of terrible loss that reaches beyond time. Testing the limits of fate and redemption, these very human characters struggle to overcome their shared dark history.

Matunuck's Theatre By the Sea will present a quartet of popular musicals for their summer season, including "Forever Plaid," "The Sound of Music," "9 to 5: The Musical," and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."