Rosebud Theatre promises depth and diversity in 2016

Laureen F. Guenther
Times Contributor

 

Rosebud Theatre, following the theme of Something More, emphasizes depth of character and diversity of places in its 2016 lineup.
Outside Mullinghar, set in Ireland, will run on the Opera House stage April 1 to June 11. Two middle-aged neighbors – both unmarried – have a long-standing family land feud. Yet they discover they love each other – and both are longing to be loved.
Valley Song is a musical story playing on the Studio Stage. In a small, isolated community in South Africa, young Veronica wants to throw aside her family’s expectations, and run to the big city to pursue a singing career. She’s determined to abandon tradition and pursue that dream, even if it breaks her grandfather’s heart. Valley Song will run May 19 to June 25.
Tent Meeting, a musical co-written by Rosebud Theatre’s artistic director Morris Ertman with Ron Reed, is set in a prairie town where a drought-worried farmer is afraid he’ll lose his farm – and his wife. And a visiting preacher makes things worse, not better. Tent Meeting will open June 24 and run til Aug. 28 in the Opera House.
In The Sunset Limited, running July 8 to Aug. 27 on the Studio Stage, a born-again ex-convict has kidnapped a suicidal professor and is holding him hostage in a small apartment. He’s determined to protect the professor from himself, and to convince him there’s a God – and that He’s with them in that seedy apartment building.
In An Inspector Calls, set in England after World War II, a wealthy family receives a visit from a police inspector, who’s determined to find out why they sent away, refusing to help, a needy young woman who’s been found dead. This whodunit will run Sept. 9 to Oct. 29 on the Opera House stage.
The Christmas classic Miracle on 34th Street will open in the Opera House on Nov. 11 and run til Dec. 23.
Kris Kringle works as a department store Santa and becomes close friends with one little girl. Her mother has taught her daughter not to believe in Santa Claus – and the store counselor takes Kris Kringle to court to prove he’s delusional about his identity.
Rosebud’s Theatre for Young Audiences presents Sleeping Beauty March 2 to 5, as part of its Twisted Tales series. In this version, written by Rosebud Centre of the Arts Executive Director Adam Furfaro, the Master Book of Tales has been damaged, mixing up the plots and making characters go missing. An apprentice named Malcolm has to clean up the mess before the timeless stories are ruined forever.
Individual tickets and various seasons ticket packages are available at 1-800-267-7553 and rosebudtheatre.com.