2009 - 2010 Season

MainStage Productions

Over the River and Through the Woods by Joe DePietro
Directed by Brenda Nemec
Auditions: July 27-28, 2009 at 7 pm
Performances: September 18-20, 24-27, 2009

Over the River and Through the Woods tells the story of Nick--a single, Italian-American guy from New Jersey--his parents retired and moved to Florida; however that does not mean his family is not still in Jersey. In fact, he sees both sets of his grandparents every Sunday for dinner. When offered the job he's been waiting for--marketing executive--which would take him away from his beloved, but annoying, grandparents, the news does not sit so well, beginning a series of schemes to keep Nick around--that includes bringing to dinner the lovely--and single--Caitlin O'Hare as bait. ~ Cast List ~

Broadway Bound by Neil Simon
Directed by Kaye Cotton
Auditions: September 21-22, 2009 at 7 pm
Performances: November 6-8, 12-15, 2009

Picking up where Brighton Beach Memoirs and Biloxi Blues ended, part three of Neil Simon's acclaimed autobiographical trilogy finds Eugene and his older brother Stanley trying to break into the world of professional comedy writing while coping with the breakup of their family. When their material is broadcast on the radio for the first time, the family is upset to hear a comedy rendition of their trials and tribulations. Eugene wraps up the play by explaining that his parents finally divorced and he and Stan were launched on writing careers. ~ Cast List ~

Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Music and lyrics by Roger Miller
Book by William Hauptman, adapted from the novel by Mark Twain

Directed by Ed McClure
Musical Direction by Lisa Welty-Auten
Choreography by Martina Peacock and Dru Peacock-Wiser
Technical Direction by Mike Manning
Auditions: January 4-5, 2010 at 7 p.m.
Performances February 12, 18-21, 25-28, 2010
Showtimes: 8pm; Sunday matinee at 2pm
Valentines Spectacular, February 13, 2010
Valentines Luncheon, February 14, 2010

Twain's timeless classic sweeps us down the mighty Mississippi as the irrepressible Huck Finn helps his friend Jim, a slave, escape to freedom at the mouth of the Ohio River. Their adventures along the way are hilarious, suspenseful and heartwarming, bringing to life your favorite characters from the novel--the Widow Douglas and her stern sister, Miss Watson; the uproarious King and Duke, who may or may not be as harmless as they seem; Huck's partner in crime, Tom Sawyer, and their rowdy gang of pals; Huck's drunken father, the sinister Pap Finn; the lovely Mary Jane Wilkes and her trusting family. Propelled by an award winning score from Roger Miller, the king of country music, this jaunty journey provides a brilliantly theatrical celebration of pure Americana. ~ Cast List ~

The Miracle Worker by William Gibson
Directed Rick Pierson
Performances: April 9-11, 15-18, 2010
Showtimes: 8pm; Sunday matinee at 2pm
Special Performance with interpreter for the deaf: April 8th at 7pm

Immortalized on stage and screen by Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke, this classic tells the story of Annie Sullivan and her student, blind and deaf Helen Keller. The Miracle Worker dramatizes the volatile relationship between the lonely teacher and her charge. Helen, trapped in her secret world, is violent, spoiled, almost sub-human and is treated by her family as such. Only Annie realizes that there is a mind and spirit waiting to be rescued from the dark, tortured silence. Annie's success with Helen finally comes with the utterance of a singe word: "Water"! ~ Cast List ~

It Runs in The Family by Ray Cooney
Directed by Charles Riedmueller
Auditions: April 12-13, 2010 at 7 pm
Performances: June 4-6, 10-13, 2010
Showtimes: 8pm; Sunday matinee at 2pm

Britain's master farceur (Run for Your Wife and Caught in the Net), is at it again. Set in a hospital, It Runs in the Family contains the usual assortment of farcical nuts running in and out of doors mistaking everybody for someone else, as Dr. Mortimore tries to fend off a paternity suit, an ex wife, a punkish son and various other lunatics so that he may, at last, deliver the Ponsonby Lecture in an international conference. ~ Cast List ~

South Pacific Music by Richard Rodgers,
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan, adapted from the Pulitzer Prize winning novel "Tales of the South Pacific" by James A. Michener
Directed by Ed McClure
Musical Director/Conductor Lisa Welty-Auten
Choreography by Martina Peacock and Dru Peacock-Wiser
Technical Direction by Mike Manning
Auditions: June 7-8, 2010 at 7 pm
Performances: July 30-August 1, 5-8, 12-15, 2010
Showtimes: 8pm; Sunday matinee at 2pm

Set in an island paradise during World War II, two parallel love stories are threatened by the dangers of prejudice and war. Nellie, a spunky nurse from Arkansas, falls in love with a mature French planter, Emile. Nellie learns that the mother of his children was an island native and, unable to turn her back on the prejudices with which she was raised, refuses Emile's proposal of marriage. Meanwhile, the strapping Lt. Joe Cable denies himself the fulfillment of a future with an innocent Tonkinese girl with whom he's fallen in love out of the same fears that haunt Nellie. Full of classic songs “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Life”, “Some Enchanted Evening”, “There is Nothing Like a Dame”, and “Happy Talk”, this show is a classic of the American musical theater. ~ Cast List ~

SecondStage Productions

Love Letters
Performances: January 8-10, 2010
Curtain: 7:30pm; Sunday Mantinee at 2:00pm

Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner, both born to wealth and position, are childhood friends whose lifelong correspondence begins with birthday party thank-you notes and summer camp postcards. Romantically attached, they continue to exchange letters through the boarding school and college years—where Andy goes on to excel at Yale and law school, while Melissa flunks out of a series of “good schools.” While Andy is off at war Melissa marries someone else, but her attachment to Andy remains strong and she continues to keep in touch as he marries, becomes a successful attorney, gets involved in politics and, eventually, is elected to the U.S. Senate. Meanwhile, her marriage in tatters, Melissa dabbles in art and gigolos, drinks more that she should, and becomes estranged from her children. Eventually she and Andy do become involved in a brief affair, but it is really too late for both of them. However Andy’s last letter, written to her mother after Melissa’s untimely death, make it eloquently clear how much they really meant, and gave to, each other over the years—physically apart, perhaps, but spiritually as close as only true lovers can be. This production features two RLT veterans, Kevin Lancaster and Mary Eileen Ameigh, starring in the two lead roles.

KidWorks Productions

It's A Wonderful Life by James W. Rodgers
Directed by Ed McClure
Performances on December 4-6, 10-13, 2009
Showtimes: 7pm; Sunday matinee at 2pm
Presented as part of RLT's KidWorks Productions
Tickets $10 adults / $7.50 students

In our American culture It's a Wonderful Life has become almost as familiar as Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The saga of George Bailey, the Everyman from the small town of Bedford Falls, whose dreams of escape and adventure have been quashed by family obligation and civic duty, whose guardian angel has to descend on Christmas Eve to save him from despair and to remind him by showing him what the world would have been like had he never been born that his has been, after all, a wonderful life. ~ Cast List ~

Funny-Bone Rock-a-Billy Hoe Down
Performances: March 12-13 at 7 p.m.
Venue: The Victory Theater, 116 S. Second St., Rogers

Get on your overalls, long johns and hillbilly hats and join in the fun of "Funny-Bone Rock-a-Billy Hoe Down." This RLT KidWorks production has got singin', dancin', joke-tellin' and actin' out of stories that will tickle your funny bones. Yes, you'll be tempted - and encouraged - to get up and do the "Cotton-Eyed Joe" with our "hillbillies" on stage, and you can sing along to the familiar theme songs of "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "Green Acres." Some of the kids are making their performance debuts; Some are veterans of the stage! Come see the up-and-coming talent doing all sorts of shenanigans. Tickets are available at the RLT Box Office for $5 each; children under 2 years old get in free. Yee Haw! You won't want to miss this one!

The Secret Garden book and lyrics by Marsha Norman
music by Lucy Simon
based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Directed by Juan Martinez
Performances: April 30-May 2, 6-8, 2010;
Curtain: 8:00pm; Sunday Mantinee at 2:00pm
Mother’s Day Lunch Special on May 9, 2010.

This enchanting classic of children's literature is now a brilliant musical by a Pulitzer Prize winning playwright. Orphaned in India, an 11 year old girl returns to Yorkshire to live with an embittered, reclusive uncle and his invalid son. The estate includes a magic locked garden. Flashbacks, dream sequences, a strolling chorus of ghosts, and some of the most beautiful music ever written for Broadway dramatize The Secret Garden's compelling tale of regeneration—a treasure for children and adults. ~ Cast List ~

Welcome to the 60's!
Directed by Martina Peacock and Dru Peacock Wiser
Performances: May 21-22, 7 p.m.
Venue: The Victory Theater, 116 S. Second St., Rogers

Dig out your go-go boots and peace signs, and join in a night of great fun for the entire family as the talented youth of RLT KidWorks perform a variety show of great 60's music -- everything from The Age of Aquarius to the Brady Bunch theme song. You'll leave with a smile on your face and a 60's song in your heart. Love, peace and flower power!

KidWorks Summer Session I
Camp June 14-26, 2010
Performances: June 25-26, 2010 at 7 p.m.

Broadway production numbers from your favorite musicals come to the RLT stage! KidWorks @ Spotlight Studio presents kids from 4-16 singing, dancing, and acting up a Broadway Blast!

Bring the whole family to this delightful show where you'll see kids on stage along with some familiar RLT veteran performers. This show features the talented kids attending the KidWorks Musical Theater Camps. Don't miss this one!

Broadway Blast II
Camp June 28 - July 10, 2010
Performances: July 9 & 10, 2010 at 7 p.m.

Broadway production numbers from your favorite musicals come to the RLT stage! KidWorks @ Spotlight Studio presents kids from 4-16 singing, dancing, and acting up a Broadway Blast!

Bring the whole family to this delightful show where you'll see kids on stage along with some familiar RLT veteran performers. This show features the talented kids attending the KidWorks Musical Theater Camps. Don't miss this one!