Allentown, Pa. (May 15, 2017) — Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre's 38th season features hilarious businessmen, dancing silverware, and high-flying theatrics, as two classic musicals and a world-premiere all-ages circus production take to the summer stage, starting June 14.
To kick off the season, SMT presents modern Disney classic "Beauty and the Beast," June 14 – July 1. The production will feature lavish scenic design, spectacular special effects, and "a touch of Disney magic," says SMT Artistic Director Charles Richter — together with Alan Menken's beloved score.
Next up, Broadway star, TV personality and Muhlenberg alum Frankie Grande stars in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," a comic send-up of corporate life in the 1960s, July 11-29. "How to Succeed..." features a lively score by Frank Loesser, and won both the Tony Award for Best Musical and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
For families, SMT teams up again with Atlas Circus Company to present "Tal: Beyond Imagination," a world-premiere circus piece for all ages, June 27 – July 29. The show features aerial acrobatics, juggling, comedy, and magic, and follows up Atlas's record-setting modern circus production "Wild," presented last summer. A free 45-minute activity workshop follows each performance.
After 38 years, Muhlenberg SMT continues to shine as a summer highlight in the Lehigh Valley, Richter says.
"It'll be a spectacular season," says Richter, who will direct "How to Succeed...." "I've seen some exciting design drawings for both mainstage shows, and we have a great deal of talent on board for the entire season."
"Beauty and the Beast" runs June 14 – July 1 in Empie Theatre, on a special family-friendly performance schedule: Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.
"How to Succeed..." runs July 11-29 in Baker Theatre, performing Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
"Tal: Beyond Imagination" runs June 27 through July 28 in the Studio Theatre, with performances on Wednesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are available online at muhlenberg.edu/SMT, or from the box office at 484-664-3333 or in person.
The musical score of "Beauty and the Beast" combines Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's 1991 film score with new songs by Menken and Tim Rice. Nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, "Beauty and the Beast" tells a "tale as old as time" — Belle is a beautiful, bookish young woman, trapped in a town where no one understands her; the Beast is a vain young prince trapped under the spell of the enchantress he wronged. The curse is reversible, but time is running out. Will Belle help the Beast break the spell, or are he and his enchanted household forever doomed'
Award-winning director Gary John La Rosa helms his first SMT production. La Rosa's directing credits include well over 150 productions, including National Tours of "Footloose" and "Beehive," numerous prominent regional credits, and several Off-Broadway productions, including "Marry Me a Little," "Pins and Needles," "Another Day in Paradise," and "Carnival."
Joining La Rosa are musical director Ed Bara, choreographer Ann Cooley, scenic designer Edward T. Morris, and lighting designer Gertjan Houben. Illusionist David Caserta, a Muhlenberg alum, will serve as magic consultant for the production.
"'Beauty and the Beast' is a beloved stage musical that has charmed theatregoers for more than two decades," La Rosa says. "Our production features a glorious cast, full orchestra, extraordinarily beautiful production values and effects. It's something we all could use more of right now, and I am thrilled to make my SMT debut with it."
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Musical, "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" follows the rise of J. Pierrepont Finch, an ambitious young businessman working as a window washer for the World Wide Wicket corporation. By using tips and tricks from a handy little handbook, Finch quickly rises through the ranks until, somehow, he finds himself in the corner office, with all the perks and responsibilities that come with it.
Broadway performer and TV and web personality Frankie Grande stars as Finch. Grande, a 2005 Muhlenberg alum, appeared on Broadway in "Rock of Ages" and "Mamma Mia" — as well as the 16th season of the popular CBS reality TV competition "Big Brother" (he finished fifth).
"I'm extremely excited about returning to my alma mater, working with my amazing professors, and being part of Muhlenberg Theatre & Dance once again," Grande says. "I believe the program to be the absolute best in the nation!"
Richter directs the production, with musical director Bryan L. Wade, choreographer Karen Dearborn, scenic designer John Raley, costume designer Hunter Kaczorowski, and lighting designer Gertjan Houben.
From the creators of last summer's "Wild" comes a new all-ages circus experience, "Tal: Beyond Imagination" — a tale of dreamers and eccentrics who gaze up at the stars in search of something more. Through high-flying aerial acrobatics, dance, juggling, comedy, and magic, TAL invites you along on a journey of imagination — to a world of color and wonder, where you'll experience the imagination of a child and the feeling of infinite possibility just within reach.
"My aim with this show is to bring the audience and cast together in such a way that they experience the show together," says creator and director Noah Dach, a 2016 Muhlenberg graduate. "I think it will resonate for a lot of people."
Patrons can join the cast after the show for a free 45-minute Circus Activity Workshop, to learn circus skills and explore themes of the show through movement and storytelling. Group size is limited, and advance registration is suggested. Daytime workshops are recommended for ages 4-12; evening workshops are for all ages, children and adults.
Special accessible performances are available for all three productions. Audio Description and Open Captioning will be available for "Beauty and the Beast" on Sunday, June 24, and for "How to Succeed..." on Sunday, July 15, both at 2 p.m. A Relaxed (Sensory Friendly) performance of "Tal: Beyond Imagination," for children with Autism and other sensory processing challenges, will be offered Saturday, June 30, and Wednesday, July 25, both at 10 a.m. Tickets and information about accessible performances is available at 484-664-3087 (for accessible shows only), or
Founded in 1981, Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre is in its 38th season of bringing world-class professional musical theatre productions to the Lehigh Valley at reasonable ticket prices. SMT productions feature accomplished professional directors, choreographers, and designers, as well as large professional orchestras. Performers include Equity guest artists, talented community members, and students in Muhlenberg College's acclaimed Theatre & Dance Department, ranked one of the best programs of its kind in the country. More information about SMT and the Theatre & Dance Department is available at muhlenberg.edu/theatreanddance.
Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. SMT also receives funding from a Lehigh County Quality of Life grant.
Additional funding and support comes from the Dexter F. & Dorothy H. Baker Foundation, the William B. Butz Memorial Fund, the Morning Call, RCN, Albarell Electric, Inc., Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Davison & McCarthy, P.C., Lehigh Valley Style, and the Lehigh Valley Educators Credit Union.
Summer Music Theatre tickets are available at muhlenberg.edu/SMT, or 484-664-3333.