Orange, Texas theater has cultural season jam packed with national tours
The 2018-2019 season at Lutcher Theater features nine national tours of Broadway, a pub concert, a Christmas drama, an onstage radio play and two Grammy-winning artists.
The first show kicks off Oct. 4 with The Choir of Man, a nine-piece musical group from England that brings a highenergy show. Set in a working pub, the show features songs from popular artists like Adele, Queen and Guns N’ Roses, along with pub tunes, folk and opera.
Marla Gilmore, theater marketing manager, said the event is one of Lutcher’s “sleeper shows” and features dancing and foot stomping. She said the performers get the audience involved before and after the show.
“The Wizard of Oz” is set for Oct. 14 and tells the story of Dorothy, her dog, Toto, and her encounters with the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow.
Alto saxophonist David Sanborn will perform Oct.
27. A six-time Grammy winner, Sanborn and his quintet will perform a variety of jazz songs, along with tunes from his current album.
“A Christmas Story: The Musical” will be held Nov. 19 and 20. Based on the 1983 movie, the production tells the story of Ralphie Parker and his attempts to get the ultimate Christmas gift. What’s unique about the production, Gilmore said, is that Lutcher is the site for the first show of the tour. She said the show will feature many familiar scenes, including the leg lamp, the freezing flagpole dare and pink bunny pajamas.
The Broadway production of “Rock of Ages” takes the stage Nov. 29. The musical, nominated for five Tony Awards, features music from popular 1980s heavy metal bands like Styx, Poison, Twisted Sister and Whitesnake. The show contains mature themes.
“All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914” is set for Dec.
8. Based on true events during World War I, it tells the story of how Allied and German soldiers chose to celebrate Christmas together instead of battle. The production uses firsthand accounts from 30 World War I soldiers and includes wellknown Christmas carols and patriotic songs.
Five-time Grammy winner Michael McDonald will perform his concert, “Season of Peace: The Christmas Collection” on Dec. 18. Gilmore said the show brings a holiday spin to McDonald’s set list, but includes classic songs from his time with the band the Doobie Brothers, along with songs from his upcoming album, “Wide Open.”
“Legally Blonde: The Musical,” takes the stage Jan. 19. Based off the hit 2001 movie and the novel by Amanda Brown, it tells the story of Elle Woods and her struggle to become a lawyer. Gilmore said this production also chose Lutcher to host its first show of the tour.
“Something Rotten,” a Broadway play, is set for Jan.
25. Picked as the director’s choice, the play is set in the late 1500s where brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom struggle to write a hit play but instead are inspired to write the world’s first musical.
The Tony Award-winning musical “Jersey Boys” is scheduled for Feb. 4. It tells the story of the Four Seasons and their onstage success, along with their struggles off the stage. The production contains mature themes and language.
LA Theatre Works’ production of “Steel Magnolias” is set for Feb. 19. Gilmore said this is the first time the production is taking place at Lutcher. She said the onstage radio show is unique because it includes live sound effects and offers the audience a more intimate experience.
“The audience can truly form an emotional relationship with those characters,” Gilmore said.
The award-winning musical, “The Sound of Music,” is set for March 7.
“Finding Neverland” is set for April 12 and is based on the Academy Award-winning film. It tells the story of Peter Pan and how playwright J.M. Barrie gets inspired by a family that includes four young brothers and their imaginary adventures.
Closing out the season is the Tony Award-winning musical “Spamalot,” set for April 26. Much of the show’s premise is taken from the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Gilmore said the show was brought back to Lutcher by popular demand.
For more information about the upcoming shows at Lutcher, visit www.lutcher.org, email the box office atboxoffice@lutcher.org or call 409-886-5535.