Image taken from milburnstone.com
The end of Milburn Stone Theatre’s 27th season is coming to a close, but the 28th is on the horizon. Mark your calendars because the 2019 season is going to be a good one. It includes productions such as “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” in February, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” in April and two musicals “Evita” and “Anything Goes” in June and August, respectively.
Last year, the theatre introduced the concert series, “MST in Concert,” which simplifies usually complicated productions by focusing on the songs and music. “MST in Concert” continues this season with “Chess: The Legendary Musical Experience” in January.
According to Andrew John Mitchell, the theater’s artistic director, Milburn Stone Theatre exists for the community and is entirely community-based. Because of this, they are always looking to involve the community and student body in productions. Getting involved isn’t just for those interested in acting, however. Even the audience is participating. If interested in joining the MST team, either onstage or as a crew member, email Production Manager Melissa Redfield at mredfield@cecil.edu.
Adult tickets are $20 each, with a student rate of $15. There is also a three-show package for $42 and a bargain price of $60 for a season pass to see all shows. Additionally, there is a group rate, with 10 or more tickets being $14 each.
If you fall into the “broke college student” category or simply love helping out and getting involved, there’s another option. Ushering gives students the opportunity to see the show for free while doing a little extra work, like helping people to their seats. Snacks are also provided. If you are interested in ushering, you can email boxoffice@cecil.edu.
2018 Season Shows:
“Gentleman Prefer Blondes”
Dates: October 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14
About the show: Based on Anita Loos’s 1925 bestseller of the same title, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes follows Lorelei Lee, a blonde from Little Rock, Arkansas, who embarks on a trip to Europe with her best friend and ex-Follies girl, Dorothy to perform in a nightclub in Paris. With a zany cast of characters including American Olympians, handsome billionaires, wealthy matrons and the “Zipper King” anything and everything can happen. Popularized in the 1950’s by a film adaption starring Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe and featuring the hit songs, “Bye, Bye Baby,” “I’m Just A Little Girl from Little Rock” and the iconic showstopper, “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.” Recommended for all ages.
“12 Angry Jurors”
Dates: October 19, 20, 21
About the show: This suspenseful stage adaptation of Reginald Rose’s 1954 made-for-TV movie provides a mesmerizing glimpse into the underpinnings of the American judicial system. A 19-year-old man has just stood trial for the fatal stabbing of his father. “He doesn’t stand a chance,” mutters the guard as the twelve jurors are taken into the jury room, where they must render a unanimous verdict. But what appears to be an open and shut case soon becomes a dilemma for the twelve, as their prejudices and preconceived ideas about the accused, the trial, and each other turn the tables every which way, until the nail-biting climax. This lauded “must-see” drama will be presented for one weekend only. Recommended for audiences thirteen and up.
“Annie”
Dates: November 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25
About the show: Leapin’ Lizards! One of the world’s best-loved musical makes its way to the Milburn Stone Theatre Stage! Join us as we enter the world of Annie, a spunky orphan girl finds a home with a New York millionaire during the Depression, but must dodge the clutches of her evil orphanage mistress, in Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin and Thomas Meehan’s musical based on the popular Harold Gray comic strip. Annie includes such unforgettable songs as “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You,” plus the eternal anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.” Annie is the winner of seven TONY awards including Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography and Best Musical. Recommended for all audiences.
2019 Season Shows:
“Chess: The Legendary Musical Experience”
Dates: January 18, 19, 20
About the show: The 2019 season kicks off with the “MST in Concert” production of “Chess: The Legendary Musical Experience,” which premiered in the 80s. The story takes place during the Cold War, and is about United States and Russian relations, told through the game of chess. While it follows American and Russian chess masters trying to one-up each other, throughout the game they’re involved in both sides of a much bigger socio-economic picture. In addition to the two main male characters, the musical also features a strong female lead. While recently we have been enjoying the hit ABBA songs from “Mamma Mia” and “Mamma Mia: Here we go Again!,” “Chess” includes several pop songs written by the male half of ABBA.
“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”
Dates: February 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24
About the show: “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” is a challenging piece. The story is about a young man on the [autism] spectrum dealing with world around him in real time. A dog is found dead outside of his house, and the play examines what he’s experiencing mentally as much as he’s experiencing physically in the moment. The piece is breathtaking to witness, and the audience can experience the same sensory overload as the main character. It is a unique piece of theater that doesn’t preach or force a narrative, but hopefully gives the audience an experience of what people on the spectrum might be experiencing on a daily basis, but where the stakes are raised. The producers at MST are hoping to get schools involved in the show, as well as some other organizations, because this is such an important story to tell.
“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”
Dates: April 5, 6, 7, 13, 14
About the show: The next show planned is much more lighthearted, and in 2014 won the Tony Award for best musical. It’s a big, goofy comedy about a man who finds out he’s related to the wealthy D’Ysquith family but is all the way down the succession line to becoming the high earl. Throughout the show he falls in love and murders people, directly and indirectly, to become the head of the family. Interestingly, one actor plays everyone in the D’Ysquith family: old, young, male, female. Although the main character is male, the musical also features two strong female leads. The show is hilarious, containing a funny story and funny songs, including one in Act 2 that questions why everyone in the family keeps dying off.
“Evita”
Dates: June 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23
About the show: “Evita” is one of the most talked about and revered shows in musical history, and was very successful on Broadway. It has even been made into a major motion picture starring Madonna and features the well-known song “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina.” It is centered on the life of Argentine political leader Eva Perón, and follows her from her early life, to her rise to political power, to her death. This show provides a wonderful opportunity for a female lead. For anyone interested in the role, the MST is looking for someone who can sing, but they don’t need to be able to dance.
“Anything Goes”
Dates: August 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11
About the show: “Anything Goes” is the bridge between two seasons, spanning the end of the 28th and the beginning of the 29th. Since its debut in 1934, this musical has enjoyed popularity on Broadway. The story, full of lively antics, takes place on a boat and contains singing, dancing, and lots of energy.
The Milburn also hosts a film series and costs $7, with complimentary popcorn. All movies start at 8pm.
“A Quiet Place in the Country” – October 27
“Guardians of the Galaxy” – March 1st
“Guardians” will be an early kickoff event for Cecil Con. After the movie, Meredith Keating (Cecil Con’s event coordinator) and Brandon Boas (Video Game Master) will talk about the upcoming Cecil Con.
“The Big Lebowski” – May 3rd
“Jaws” – July 12th
For more information, you can visit https://www.milburnstone.com/.
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