ACTC Theatre Announces 2012-2013 Season

The 2012-13 Theatre Season at Ashland Community and Technical College will bring world-famous musicals to the college stage.

The season includes The Phantom of the Opera, A Christmas Carol , the Childrens Theatre production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and an April production yet to be announced.

This season, with the theme Musical Dreams, features some of the most magical moments in musical theatre, said Edward Figgins, ACTC Director of Theatre and Associate Professor.

Dreams from The Phantom of the Opera theme song, the ghostly dreams Scrooge in A Christmas Carol and Josephs prophetic dreams in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat are moments of theatre magic that keep the audience enthralled.

ACTC Theatre is celebrating its 57th year as a college and community theatre. It offers practical learning experiences for drama students, Broadway-style productions for area residents and enrichment opportunities for area school children through matinee performances.

All performances are in the J. B. Sowards Theatre at the College Drive Campus. Individual tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students, seniors and groups of ten or more. Season tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Several patron options are also available. For season or patron ticket information, contact the Theatre office 606-326-2073.

Season Opening

The season begins with The Phantom of the Opera, the most commercially successful stage musical in history. The winner of seven 1988 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, has been seen by over 100 million people in 144 cities in 27 countries.

The Phantom of the Opera features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart, additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe, and a book by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The score includes Think of Me, Angel of Music, Music of the Night, All I Ask of You, Masquerade and the title song.

Based on the classic novel Le Fantme de lOpra by Gaston Leroux, Phantom tells the story of a masked figure who lurks beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it. He falls in love with a talented young soprano, Christine, and devotes himself to making her a star by employing all of the devious methods at his command.

Even though Phantom continues to draw record-breaking audiences on Broadway and in London, high school and college theatre programs can apply for production rights. ACTC is proud to premier Phantom in the Ashland area.

Performances are Thursday to Saturday, Oct. 18 to 20 and Oct. 25 to 27, at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays, Oct. 21 and 28, at 2:30 p.m.

Holiday Production

Celebrate the holidays with the 19th presentation of A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley. Adapted from the Charles Dickens book by Israel Horowitz, the production has become a seasonal tradition for all ages.

In this classic tale of Christmas past, present and future, an old miser learns to get into the spirit of sharing and giving. The production is renewed every year with dazzling scenery, special effects and spectacular costumes that provide an engaging backdrop for such favorite characters as Scrooge, the Cratchets and Tiny Tim.

The score by Max Jackson, ACTC Emeritus Professor of Music, provides a mix of favorite carols and seasonal music. Public performances are Thursday to Sunday, Dec. 6 to 9, and school matinees are Wednesday to Friday, Dec. 5 to 7.

Childrens Theatre

Childrens Theatre will celebrate its 20th anniversary with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, its first full-length musical.

The Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to life in this musical parable. Joseph, his father's favorite son, is a boy blessed with prophetic dreams. The story follows Joseph, from his sale into slavery by his brothers to his rise to power as the Pharaohs advisor.

The music by Andrew Lloyd Weber and lyrics by Tim Rice provide an engaging mix of country-western, calypso, bubble-gum pop and rock 'n' roll tunes.

Public performances are Friday to Sunday, Feb. 22 to 24. Matinees for area school children are Wednesday to Friday, Feb. 21 to 23, at noon.

Childrens Theatre is an educational experience for third through ninth grade students. The young singers and actors are enrolled in a class offered through ACTC Community Education. For class information, call 606-326-2072 or email: as_ce@kctcs.edu.