Musicals at Richter (MAR), Connecticut’s longest running outdoor theater company, proudly announces its 2018 season. Nestled in the hills of Danbury, MAR has thrilled audiences since 1985 with fully-staged productions from the best of Broadway, performed outdoors at their facility in Danbury on the grounds of the Richter Arts Center..
This year, the season kicks off with “Legally Blonde,” based on the popular 2001 film of the same title. Dubbed“a high-energy hymn to the glories of girlishness” by the New York Times, this big, heroine-worshiping musical follows Elle Woods, a sorority girl who enrolls at Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend, Warner. Throughout the show, no one has faith in Elle Woods, but she manages to surprise them when she defies expectations while staying true to herself. Featuring an infectious pop score by Laurence O’Keefe (“Heathers,” “Batboy: The Musical”) and Nell Benjamin, and an effervescent book by Heather Hach, this crowd-pleasing show opens June 29 and runs Thursday through Sunday evenings through July 14.
The beloved Broadway classic “Annie” is MAR’s second main stage production. The Tony Award-winning musical centers on a feisty 1930s-era girl who escapes the “hard-knock life” of the orphanage with tyrannical Miss Hannigan for a better life in the household of billionaire Oliver Warbucks. It boasts a tuneful, upbeat score by Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, and a big-hearted book by Thomas Meehan. “Annie” opens July 27 and plays Thursday through Sunday evenings through August 11.
Other opportunities for young and aspiring performers (ages 8-16) are available through Musicals at Richter’s tuition-based Summer Youth Theater Workshop programs. Participants can choose from the “Summer Spotlight” musical showcase (June 25 - July 20 session with performances July 19 and 20) and a production of “The Lion King, Jr.” (July 23 -August 18 session with performances August 16, 17 and 18). Check musicalsatrichter.org for further information, early bird discounts and to register.
Musicals at Richter rounds out the season with its popular daytime Fairy Tale Theater play series by and for young audiences. Established by veteran actor and Danbury educator Elyse Jasensky 20 years ago, these hour-long, interactive adaptations of classic tales feature talented young actors, plenty of audience participation, a show-related craft activity, birthday recognitions and a visit with Mother Goose. Fairy Tale performance titles and dates will be posted shortly on the MAR website.