2021-2022 Season
Exhilarating musicals & plays. Exciting shows performed by professional talent
2021-2022 SEASON
SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR ALMOST HEAVEN
Almost Heaven
"Songs of John Denver"
Conceived by Harold Thau
Described as “among the most beloved entertainers of his era,” John Denver was an American musical icon who achieved great success with his down-to-earth acoustic sound. Almost Heaven celebrates the life and times of this music man with over 25 of Denver’s chart topping hits including: “Rocky Mountain High,” “Sunshine on My Shoulders,” “Thank God, I’m a Country Boy,” “Annie’s Song,” “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” and many more.
Presenting Sponsor:
ANONYMOUS
ON THE STARK MAIN STAGE
SHOW DATES: MAY 10-29, 2022
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s
Carousel
”A musical masterpiece”
Music by Richard Rodgers
Book & Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
In a small coastal village in Maine, carnival barker, Billy Bigelow, falls in love and marries local millworker, Julie Jordan. Their romance quickly faces obstacles as both lose their jobs just as they learn she is pregnant. Desperately intent on providing for his family, Billy is coerced into being an accomplice to a robbery. Caught and facing prison, Billy dies, but is given a second chance at redemption fifteen years later when he returns to earth to meet his daughter. She is a lonely, friendless teenager, but Billy’s love for her instills a sense of hope and dignity she never felt before. Featuring beloved songs “If I Loved You,” “June Is Bustin' Out All Over,” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel is one of the most beautiful and compelling musicals of the 20th century.
CarouselContent Advisory – This production contains theatrical smoke and haze, a loud gunshot, and scenes depicting physical violence.
Presenting Sponsor:
BILL & LAURA FRICK
BOBBIE OLSEN
and ANONYMOUS
ON THE STARK MAIN STAGE
SHOW DATES: JANUARY 4 - 23, 2022
Ken Ludwig’s
A Comedy of Tenors
”A romantic-madcap tale”
Written by one of America’s most prolific playwrights,
Comedy of Tenors is an uproarious tale of romantic indiscretions and madcap situations. On the eve of the concert of the century, 1930’s Paris is all abuzz as four renown tenors are set to take the stage in a stadium filled with screaming fans. What could possibly go wrong? Apparently a lot, when you have one hotel suite, four tenors, two wives, and three girlfriends. Can producer Henry Saunders keep Italian superstar Tito Merelli and his hot-blooded wife from causing operatic chaos?
Presenting Sponsor:
BILL & JUDY* SCHNEEBECK
ON THE STARK MAIN STAGE
SHOW DATES: FEB 1 - 20, 2022
On Your Feet!
”The hit Broadway Musical”
Music & Lyrics by Emilio Estefan & Gloria Estefan
Book by Alexander Dinelaris
Based on the lives and music of 26-time Grammy Award-winning husband-and-wife team, Emilio and Gloria Estefan, On Your Feet is a high-energy celebration of the songs that got the world dancing to the rhythm. From humble beginnings in Cuba and exile in Miami, Emilio and Gloria’s passion for music helped them overcome overwhelming odds and personal tragedies. With an estimated 100 million albums sold worldwide, Gloria Estefan is among the most successful crossover artists ever. On Your Feet showcases over 20 of her biggest hits including: “Conga,” “1-2-3,” “Anything for You,” and “Get on Your Feet.”
Presenting Sponsors:
DAVE HORNER & CONSTANCE PITCHER and RON HUNT & LISA AMOROSA
ON THE STARK MAIN STAGE
SHOW DATES: MARCH 8 - 27, 2022
Billy Elliot
”Uplifting & Electrifying"”
Music by Elton John
Book & Lyrics by Lee Hall
Originally Directed by Stephen Daldry
Winner of 10 Tony® Awards including best musical, Billy Elliot tells the inspirational story of a young boy’s struggle to make his dreams come true. Based on the international smash hit film and set in a northern English town during the 1984 miners’ strike, Billy Elliot features sensational choreography and an explosive musical score by Elton John. Follow Billy’s journey as he struggles to get out of the boxing ring and into ballet class, where he discovers a passion for dance that changes his life and the lives of those around him.
The Riverside Theatre
production of
Billy Elliot the Musical
Presenting Sponsor:
BILL & EVA GURLEY and THE O’HAIRE GROUP-MERRILL LYNCH WEALTH MANAGEMENT
ON THE STARK MAIN STAGE
SHOW DATES: APRIL 12 - MAY 1, 2022
Stark Stage
Large-scale musical productions and plays are produced on this stage, along with lectures and special events.
WAXLAX STAGE Tickets:
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change
”The smash hit musical revue”
Music by Jimmy Roberts
Book by Joe Dipietro
One of Off-Broadway’s longest-running musicals, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, celebrates the modern-day mating game where the desire for love is fundamental. Filled with comedic songs about love and relationships, this show is everything you’ve ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives, and in-laws, but were afraid to admit.
Presenting Sponsor:
DICK & STEPHANIE SOLAR
CANCELED. Due to circumstances that we could not have foreseen, key members of the creative team are unable to move forward with the production at this time and will be considered for a slot in a subsequent season.
Do not call the Box Office. Ticket purchasers will automatically be mailed a refund check. Please allow us time to process and mail.
Bakersfield Mist
“A new-comedy drama inspired by true events”
By Stephen Sachs
Inspired by true events, this new comedy follows Maude, a fifty-something unemployed bartender, who buys a painting for a few bucks from a thrift store. Despite almost trashing it, she’s now convinced it’s a lost masterpiece by Jackson Pollock worth millions. But when world-class art expert Lionel Percy flies over from New York and arrives at her trailer home in Bakersfield to authenticate the painting, he has no idea what he is about to discover.
This play contains adult language.
Presenting Sponsors: DICK & STEPHANIE SOLAR
ON THE WAXLAX STAGE
SHOW DATES: MARCH 22 - APRIL 10, 2022
Waxlax Stage
Productions on the intimate Waxlax Stage are modern, and thought-provoking.