San Diego Theater: CORONADO PLAYHOUSE’S 76TH SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT (2022)

Post image for San Diego Theater: CORONADO PLAYHOUSE’S 76TH SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT (2022)

by Milo Shapiro on August 23, 2021

in Theater-Regional

CORONADO PLAYHOUSE’S 2022 SEASON

Coronado Playhouse, the oldest arts organization in Coronado, has announced for its 76th Season six fully-staged productions — three of which are San Diego premieres — and two cabaret shows.

For tickets (single $15-$30, subscriptions starting at $61.20),
call (619) 435-4856 or visit Coronado Playhouse.
Subscription renewals available August 23, 2021.
New subscriptions available October 11, 2021.
Single tickets on sale November 22, 2021.

#################################################

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL (San Diego Premiere)
Based on the series by Stephen Hillenburg
Book by Kyle Jarrow
Musical Production Conceived by Tina Landau
January 14 – February 20, 2022
Thursday-Saturday @ 7pm, Sunday @ 2pm

Since its launch in 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has reigned as the number one kids’ animated series on TV, while generating a universe of beloved characters, theatrical releases, consumer products, and now a dynamic Tony award-winning Broadway musical.

Adapted from the iconic Nickelodeon series. SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, Squidward and all of Bikini Bottom face total annihilation — until a most unexpected hero rises to take center stage. The stakes are higher than ever as SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face the total annihilation of their undersea world. Chaos erupts. Lives hang in the balance. And just when all hope seems lost, a most unexpected hero rises up and takes center stage. The power of optimism really can save the world. The SpongeBob Musical was named Best Musical by the Drama Desk Awards and Outer Critics Circle and earned 12 Tony Award nominations – the most nominated musical of the 2017-2018 theatre season.

While children will delight in recognizing their favorite characters, the musical’s creative team took care to infuse the show with elements specifically targeting adults, including the eclectic musical score. The SpongeBob Musical boasts a rare collection of original tunes written by a slew of today’s top music stars. Original Songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, T.I. And Songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny & Andy Paley. Additional Lyrics by Jonathan Coulton / Additional Music by Tom Kitt.

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (San Diego Premiere)
By Agatha Christie. Adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig
March 18 – April 16, 2022
Thursday-Saturday @ 8pm, Sunday @ 2pm (dark 4/17)

Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated and with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer – before he or she decides to strike again. Everyone is a suspect in this celebrated mystery crime drama.

Ken Ludwig’s clever adaptation of the Agatha Christie classic boasts all the glamour, intrigue and suspense of Dame Agatha’s celebrated novel, with a healthy dose of humor to quicken the pace.

AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’
The Fats Waller Musical Show
Conceived by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Murray Horwitz
May 20 – June 19, 2022
Thursday-Saturday @ 8pm, Sunday @ 2pm

Assembled under the expert eye of acclaimed director/lyricist, Richard Maltby, Jr., Ain’t Misbehavin’ is one of the most popular, well-crafted revues of all time and winner of the 1978 Tony Award for Best Musical.

The inimitable Thomas “Fats” Waller rose to international fame during the Golden Age of the Cotton Club and that jumpin’ new beat, swing music. Although not quite a biography, it evokes the delightful humor and infectious energy of this American original as a versatile cast struts, strums and sings the songs that he made famous in a career that ranged from uptown clubs to downtown Tin Pan Alley to Hollywood and concert stages in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

The intoxicating music will delight and energize audiences as well as provide great insight into a vibrant time in American history and music.

TWO GENTLEMEN ROCK VERONA (San Diego Premiere)
Edited and adapted by James Saba from The Two Gentlemen of Verona
by William Shakespeare

Musical arrangements by Steve Gunderson
July 15 – August 7, 2022
Thursday-Saturday @ 8pm, Sunday @ 2pm
26th Annual FREE Classic Series
Made possible by a grant from the City of Coronado

Two Gentlemen Rock Verona follows the misadventures of two best friends, Valentine and Proteus set in the Rockin’ and Rollin’ 1950s. Valentine is about to leave his small town for a life in the big city, while Proteus chooses to stay behind to woo the lovely Julia. Proteus’ father has other plans for him, however, and instructs him to follow Valentine to pursue his education. When Proteus arrives, he gets one look at the Duke’s daughter, Sylvia, and immediately forgets Julia back home. The problem is that Sylvia is his best friend’s girl; and Julia won’t be dumped that easily! Mix in some bandits, an incensed father and a disguise (of course) and it’s friend versus friend in a madcap tale of romantic rivals.

Set to the soundtrack of the wild and wacky 1950s, the play deals with the themes of friendship, passion and infidelity, and the scandals that occur when fools fall in love. This production is based on Two Gentlemen of Verona. The exact composition date is unknown, but it is generally believed to have been one of Shakespeare’s earliest works, if not his first play.

HANDS ON A HARDBODY
Book by Doug Wright
Lyrics by Amanda Green
Music by Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green
September 2 – October 9, 2022
Thursday-Saturday @ 8pm, Sunday @ 2pm

A New Musical. Made in America. For 10 hard-luck Texans, a new lease on life is so close they can touch it. Under a scorching sun for days on end, armed with nothing but hope, humor and ambition, contestants fight to keep at least one hand on a brand-new truck in order to win it. In the hilarious, hard-fought contest, only one winner can drive away with the American Dream. Inspired by the true events of the acclaimed 1997 documentary which was adapted into a musical commissioned by La Jolla Playhouse.

Hands on a Hardbody received three Tony Award nominations, nine Drama Desk Award nominations including Outstanding Musical, and won in the Outstanding Sound Design category. The musical also received three Outer Critics Circle Award nominations, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical.

BIG FISH
Book by John August 
Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
November 4 – December 11, 2022
Thursday-Saturday @ 8pm, Sunday @ 2pm (dark 11/24)

Dream, Love, Live Bigger. Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film directed by Tim Burton, Big Fish tells the story of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest…and then some! Edward’s incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him—most of all, his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to have a child of his own, is determined to find the truth behind his father’s epic tales.

The story shifts between two timelines. In the present-day real world, sixty-year-old Edward Bloom faces his mortality while his son prepares to become a father himself. In the storybook past, Edward ages from a teenager, encountering a Witch, a Giant, a Mermaid, and the love of his life, Sandra. The stories meet as Will discovers the secret his father never revealed.

Overflowing with heart and humor, Big Fish is an extraordinary musical that reminds us why we love going to the theatre—for an experience that’s richer, funnier and bigger than life itself.

Special Events:

LOVE SONGS FROM BERLIN TO DYLAN
Coronado Playhouse Cabaret Series
October 14 – October 16, 2022
Friday & Saturday @ 7pm, Sunday @ 2pm

The nearly two dozen songs her are a love letter in the form of a very special cabaret, which includes solos, duets and group numbers sung by 12 performers, including old and new faces. This diverse group will help the Playhouse express gratitude to patrons for their support and will highlight popular productions from their 76-year history.

HOLIDAY CABARET
Coronado Playhouse Cabaret Series
December 16 – December 18 (one weekend only)
Friday & Saturday @ 7pm, Sunday @ 2pm

Celebrate the close of Coronado Playhouse’s 2022 season with this year-end Holiday Cabaret. CPH cabarets are favorites; this holiday-themed, feel-good show will sell out during this one weekend run. A talented group of musicians and performers will help the Playhouse ring in the holidays.

Leave a Comment