2015 in Rosebud

Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter

 

The 2015 season has been announced for Rosebud Theatre, and once again it is one that promises to make you laugh, cry, and walk away reflecting on yourself and your personal journey.
“Somewhere under a rainbow, you’ll find Rosebud. The plays this season are all about finding yourself in an unexpected place where miraculous things happen,” said Artistic Director Morris Ertman.
“The whole season started with this notion of a journey towards someplace or something that makes us different. Annie Sullivan leaves her orphanage school to go and take on her very first teaching assignment and what’s so great about that story is that those two people remained dear, dear friends through their whole lives, talk about a journey that changes your life and a sense of destiny too which is kind of what under a rainbow is about, and it’s kind of what most of these plays are about.”
The theatre season officially kicks off on March 27 with ‘The Miracle Worker.’ It’s the true story of Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller. Keller was a deaf, blind and mute girl and her parents didn’t quite know what to do with her.
“Annie Sullivan was a young teacher and this was her first assignment and it really is the story of the miracle of language given to Helen Keller,” said Ertman
“It’s a really powerful story in terms of the way it’s going to feel on stage, it’s incredibly physical and it will be like watching a battle in some ways, a battle of wills.”
Also in March, the 10 to 14, the Theatre for Young Audiences is offering ‘Treasure Island.’ The classic children’s tale comes alive with a new twist.
“In this adaptation an acting troupe arrives at the theatre, all their props and costumes have been delayed and there’s an audience right in front of them. Now all of a sudden they’ve got to improvise everything,” said Ertman.
The story becomes a clever and funny adaptation of the script many know and love.
On the studio stage May 6 to June 20 is ‘Wildwood Fire’, by Lauren de Graaf and Kelsey Krogman. It’s the story of June Carter Cash and Johnny Cash who are going to be performing in Rosebud when Johnny ends up landing himself in the hospital. The show must go on so Carter, and her mother Maybelle Carter, come to the stage.
Johnny Cash had a turbulent life fighting with addiction and this really becomes the personal sojourn of June Carter Cash. She intimately shares in story and song her fears and her love and goes through a journey with the audience about her love for Johnny Cash.
“It feels like we just got to share an intimate, intimate conversation in a hospital waiting room with a giant, that giant being June Carter Cash, only she’s doing it in concert form because she didn’t know what else to do so she brings the audience in on her story,” said Ertman.
This summer will see a yellow brick road leading to Rosebud. From May 29 to Sept. 5 the musical ‘The Wizard of Oz’ will be on stage.
“It based on the film, and it will be a way for people to see that well known story, but live so it will feel different than the movie,” said Ertman.
Rosebud is going to dig into the story of the Wizard of Oz so it will be more than just a trip down memory lane; it’s the story about a girl running away from home because she thinks no one cares.
“Every teenage kid thinks somewhere else is better than home. She winds up getting transported somewhere else, where everything is really supposed to be much better and she finds herself and once she’s in Oz she wishes she was home. Because of course she realizes that home is actually pretty incredible,” said Ertman.
“The story will seem fresh, and new and it will feel like it was made for a 21st century teenage girl, even though we’re setting it for its original time.”
This summer on the studio stage, from July 2 to Aug. 29 ‘The Last Train to Nibroc’ will win over your heart.
“This is a beautiful little witty, twist-turning love story,” said Ertman.
“It’s the story about a young man who is on leave, he’s a World War II flyer, he’s on this train and he wants to be a writer. He meets this girl who is very religious and wants to be a missionary and she wants nothing to do with this guy.
“It’s the story about a rocky romance that winds up in a place that neither of them expected, and it’s beautiful writing. We have two really great people cast in the show, it will delight and challenge people.”
‘Mass Appeal’ is making a return in the fall, Sept. 18 to Oct. 24.
It’s the story about a very popular priest who knows exactly what to do to make his congregation happy, he’s old and a little bit cynical – ‘a just give them what they want kind’ of guy.
“One day he’s delivering a sermon on the ordination of women and he’s delivering a very carefully worded sermon from the pulpit that digs into the ordination of women and the Catholic Church 20 years ago,” said Ertman.
It’s a hot button issue and a young seminary student challenges him, one he has been put in charge of to teach and train in the ways of being personable. The student thinks you need to give it like it is and speak the truth.
“If people liked ‘Tuesdays With Morrie’ they’ll love this show, it’s got a similar, interpersonal dynamic that they’ll like,” said Ertman.
Next Christmas the Toad of Toad Hall is returning to the hamlet in ‘A Wind in the Willows Christmas in Rosebud.’
The production will feature the music of John Rutter’s ‘Three Musical Fables.’
“This show will be a cross between Monty Python, Gilbert and Sullivan and the most heart-filled and heartfelt Christmas feeling you’ll ever get in the theatre,” said Ertman.
The tale begins with Toad enjoying a wild and reckless car ride, which ends with Toad arriving home just in time for Christmas Eve. The evening sees Badger, Ratty, Mole and their orchestra go on a storytelling journey.
One such tale is of the reluctant dragon, and another of monks and their singing donkeys.
“There’s music in it that’s so sublime that you’ll feel like Christmas has just arrived,” said Ertman.
Tickets are on sale for the season and can be purchased by calling the theatre at 1-800-267-7553, or by going online to www.rosebudtheatre.com. A meal is included with most shows.