Four County Players -- 37th Season
2009-2010
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Based on the classic novel by Mark Twain, Book by Ken Ludwig, Music and Lyrics by Don Schlitz
Directed by Susan Toliver
Musical Direction by Mary AndersonMark Twain's classic story comes to exuberant musical life in this Broadway adaptation of America's favorite book. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is the irresistible story of a fourteen-year-old boy growing up in the heartland of America. This Broadway musical version of Mark Twain's immortal novel is set in 1840 in St. Petersburg, Missouri, a bustling town on the banks of the Mississippi River. In the course of the story, Tom matches wits with his stern Aunt Polly, falls in love with the beautiful, feisty Becky Thatcher, and goes on the adventure of his life with Becky and that irresistible renegade, Huckleberry Finn. Along the way we meet a terrifying villain named Injun Joe, Tom's bratty half-brother Sid, and all the other boys and girls in the village - providing one scene-stealing children's role after the other.
Thursday, July 30 at 8pm (Preview - pay what you can)
Thursday, August 6, at 10am ($5 Camp Rate)
Thursday, August 6, at 2pm ($5 Camp Rate)
Fridays, July 31, August 7 at 8pm
Saturday Afternoons, August 1 and 8 at 2:30pm
Saturday Evenings, August 1 and 8 at 8pm
Sundays, August 2 and 9 at 2:30pm
Adults $15 • Seniors/Students $12 • Children 12 & under $10
All Friday shows only $5 per ticket
Othello
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Clinton JohnstonJealousy fuels the downward spiral that is Othello's demise in one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies. One of the world's most timeless and universal tales of love and betrayal, Shakespeare's tragic masterpiece begins in Venice, Italy. Senator Brabantio's beautiful daughter, Desdemona, has secretly married Othello, a Moorish general whom Iago begrudgingly serves as ensign. Having recently been passed over for a promotion by Othello, Iago calmly and methodically plots his revenge. When word arrives that a Turkish attack of Cyprus is imminent, the army sails off to defend Cyprus. Iago seizes the opportunity to exact retribution by deceiving the trusting Othello into believing that his new wife is unfaithful. As the story unfurls across the Mediterranean Sea, envy and deceit spiral into epic tragedy.
Fridays, October 2, 9, and 16 at 8pm
Saturday Afternoon, October 17 at 2:30pm
Saturday Evenings, October 3, 10, and 17 at 8pm
Sundays, October 4 and 11 at 2:30pm
Adults $15 • Seniors/Students $12 • Children 12 & under $10
All Friday shows only $5 per ticket
A Christmas Story
Jean Shepherd’s joyous celebration of childhood, written by Philip Grecian
Directed by Derby Thomas and Devynn BushHumorist Jean Shepherd's memoir of growing up in the midwest in the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher and even Santa Claus himself, at Goldblatt's Department Store. The consistent response: "You'll shoot your eye out." All the elements from the beloved motion picture are here, including the family's temperamental exploding furnace; Scut Farkas, the school bully; the boys' experiment with a wet tongue on a cold lamppost; the Little Orphan Annie decoder pin; Ralphie's father winning a lamp shaped like a woman's leg in a net stocking; Ralphie's fantasy scenarios and more. A Christmas Story is destined to become a theatrical holiday perennial.
Fridays, December 4, 11, and 18 at 8pm
Saturday Afternoons, December 12 and 19 at 2:30pm
Saturday Evenings, December 5, 12, and 19 at 8pm
Sundays, December 6 and 13 at 2:30pm
Adults $15 • Seniors/Students $12 • Children 12 & under $10
All Friday shows only $5 per ticket
Based on the play by John Van Druten and Stories by Christopher Isherwood
Book by Joe Masteroff, Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb
The scene is a night club in Berlin, Germany, as the 1920's are drawing to a close. The Master of Ceremonies welcomes the audience to the show and assures them that, whatever their troubles, they will forget them at the Cabaret. The story follows the romance of an American writer and an English cabaret performer named Sally Bowles. Through the some of the most beloved songs in musical theater, the audience witnesses their world changing.
Fridays, March 5, 12, and 19 at 8pm
Saturday Afternoon, March 20 at 2:30pm
Saturday Evenings, March 6, 13, and 20 at 8pm
Sundays, March 7 and 14 at 2:30pm
Adults $15 • Seniors/Students $12
All Friday shows only $5 per ticket
Sylvia
by A.R. Gurney
Directed by Kenneth H. Waller
Greg and Kate have moved to Manhattan after twenty-two years of child-raising in the suburbs. Greg's career as a financial trader is winding down, while Kate's career, as a public-school English teacher, is beginning to offer her more opportunities. Greg brings home a dog he found in the park—or that has found him—bearing only the name "Sylvia" on her name tag. Sylvia becomes a major bone of contention between husband and wife. She offers Greg an escape from the frustrations of his job and the unknowns of middle age. To Kate, Sylvia becomes a rival for affection. And Sylvia thinks Kate just doesn't understand the relationship between man and dog. The marriage is put in serious jeopardy until, after a series of hilarious and touching complications, Greg and Kate learn to compromise, and Sylvia becomes a valued part of their lives.
Fridays, May 7, 14, and 21 at 8pm
Saturday Afternoon, May 22 at 2:30pm
Saturday Evenings, May 8, 15, and 22 at 8pm
Sundays, May 9 and 16 at 2:30pm
Adults $15 • Seniors/Students $12 • Children 12 & under $10
All Friday shows only $5 per ticket
Four County Introduces Workshops for Kids and Teens
Our Four County Kids program, kicking off in January 2008, offers fun, exciting, and practical workshops and classes for youngsters in grades 2 – 12.
The adventure begins with a series of classes open to newcomers interested in theater as well as young people seeking to enhance their theatrical skills. Classes start the week of January 12 and run for 6 consecutive weeks. If demand continues, we plan to offer a second session beginning in March.
To register for a class, please download the registration form and mail it in. The fee per class is $60.oo (cash, credit cards or checks are accepted as payment. Registration is on a first come, first served basis. Class size is limited. We expect these classes will be popular, so please register early!
Classes begin March 16
Download the Four County Kids Application Form!
(class descriptions included on form)
Four County Players -- 36th Season
2008-2009
As You Like It
Directed by John HoldrenRosalind, the daughter of Duke Senior (a banished duke), is raised at the court of Duke Frederick (who is younger brother to Duke Senior and took over his dukedom), with her cousin Celia (daughter to Duke Frederick). She falls in love with a young man named Orlando, but she is banished by Duke Frederick, who threatens death if she comes near the court again. Celia, being Rosalind's best friend, goes with Rosalind (who is disguised as a boy, Ganymede) and Touchstone, the court's fool, to the Forest of Arden. Upon their arrival in the forest, they happen upon Orlando and his manservant, who are fleeing the wrath of Orlando's eldest brother. What follows is an elaborate scheme devised by the cross-dressing Rosalind to find out the verity of Orlando's supposed passion for her and to further capture his heart through the witty and mischievous façade of Ganymede.
Thursdays, July 31 and August 7 at 8pm -- Pay What You Can
Fridays, July 25, August 1, 8 at 8pm
Saturdays, July 26, August 2, 9 at 8pm and August 9 at 2:30pm
Sundays, July 27 and August 3 at 2:30pm
Adults $14 • Seniors/Students $12 • Children 12 & under $10
All Friday shows only $5 per ticket
Looking Glass Alley
Presented by cakes'n'ale and Four County Players
Directed by Allen VanHouzenA collaborative new play centered around the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. Some classics, some not so familiar. The Four County Players stage will be brought to life in new ways, experimenting with masks, puppets, music, movement and more.
Thursdays, October 30 and November 6 at 8pm -- Pay What You Can
Fridays, October 31 and November 7 at 8pm
Saturdays, November 1, 8 at 8pm
Sunday, November 2 at 2:30pm
All Tickets $8 -- General Admission
A Christmas Carol
Edited by Bill Thomas from the novel by Charles Dickens
Directed by Clinton JohnstonOur own version of this classic Christmas tale told from another perspective. Once again Four County Players will stage this family favorite, last seen in 2001.
Fridays, December 5, 12, 19 at 8pm
Saturday Afternoons, December 6, 13, 20 at 2:30pm
Saturday Evenings, December 6, 13, 20 at 8pm
Sundays, December 7, 14 at 2:30pm
Adults $14 • Seniors/Students $12 • Children 12 & under $10
All Friday shows only $5 per ticket
Oliver!
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Lionel Bart
Based on the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist
Directed by Joncey Boggs
Music Direction by Greg HarrisIn a Victorian West Midlands charity workhouse, orphan boys march towards their places at the dinner tables. They dream about the meal the meal they are looking forward to. But although they anticipate the pleasures of hot sausage and mustard, cold jelly and custard, in fact all they ever get is gruel. After eating their miserable daily ration, one boy called Oliver dares to ask Mr. Bumble, who runs the Workhouse with Widow Corney, “Please sir, I want some more.” Mr. Bumble is enraged and Oliver tries to run away. When he is caught, Mr. Bumble takes him into the cold snowy streets to be sold for the price of a mere seven guineas. He is bought by Mr. Sowerberry, an undertaker, and is ill-treated by him and bullied by their older hired hand, Noah Claypole. Oliver is very miserable and daydreams of the mother he never knew. When is teased about his feelings, he hits out and is put into a coffin as punishment, but he escapes and runs out into the streets and after days and days of walking, finds himself in the streets of London.
London is an overwhelming world of thriving commerce and bustling crowds. Another older boy soon takes Oliver under his wing: he is the Artful Dodger, the ringleader of a gang of boy thieves run by a wizard of pickpocketry, Fagin. Dodger sees Oliver as a possible new recruit and invites him home with him. In the thieves' kitchen, Oliver is introduced to the other boys and to Fagin, who explains what Oliver has to do if he wants to stay there: learn how to pick a pocket or two. The boys then demonstrate how it's done. Nancy, a good-hearted, good-time girl whose boyfriend is the ominous, menacing thief Bill Sikes, leads the boys in a celebration of what a fine life it is. Nancy makes an instant friend of Oliver and tells him that a life of crime is fine as long as you look after yourself and your friends.Fridays, March 6, 13, 20 at 8pm
Saturday Afternoons, March 14, 21 at 2:30pm
Saturday Evenings, March 7, 14, 21 at 8pm
Sundays, March 8, 15 at 2:30pm
Adults $14 • Seniors/Students $12 • Children 12 & under $10
All Friday shows only $5 per ticket
Same Time, Next Year
Written by Bernard Slade
Directed by Frank DeAngelisOne of the most popular romantic comedies of the century, Same Time, Next Year ran four years on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for lead actress Ellen Burstyn, who later recreated her role in the successful motion picture. It remains one of the world's most widely produced plays. The plot follows a love affair between two people, married to others, who rendezvous once a year. Twenty-five years of manners, morals and attitudes are hilariously enacted by the lovers, Doris and George.
"Delicious ... wit, compassion, a sense of humor and a feel for nostalgia."-NY Times
"Genuinely funny and genuinely romantic."-NY Post
Fridays, May 8, 15, 22 at 8pm
Saturday Afternoon, May 23 at 2:30pm
Saturday Evenings, May 9, 16, 23 at 8pm
Sundays, May 10, 17 at 2:30pm
Adults $14 • Seniors/Students $12
All Friday shows only $5 per ticketCONTAINS MATURE SUBJECT MATTER. NOT FOR CHILDREN UNDER 13 YEARS OF AGE.
The Concert Series
John Carden and Greenwich Swing Time
In Concert
One Night Only!Saturday, September 6, 2008 at 8pm
All Tickets $20
General Admission
Eli Cook Band
In ConcertFriday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 8pm
All Tickets $15
General Admission
Doug Schneider and Friends
In Concert
with Greg Harris, Joe Bunts, Stuart Gunter and guest vocalists Kate Lambert and Gary White
One Night Only!Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 8pm
All Tickets $25
General Admission
