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Fabulous Fox reaffirms commitment to total entertainment experience
with 2008-09 Broadway Series
By Daniel Hines
Publisher
America’s Seniors at TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com
It has become an annual event in the life of our website…the preview
interview with Mike Isaacson, who has the responsibility of bringing
the magic to the Fabulous Fox Theater each season with the Broadway
Series.
But, this year was a bit different. As we listened to Mike
explain the shows for 2008-09, we realized that over the years, we
have had another extraordinary experience other than just listening
to a description of each new season’s bookings.
We realized that Mike, whom we’ve always admired for his talent and
enthusiasm truly is someone who approaches each and every task with
skill and commitment, but brings an amazing reservoir of
understanding of and appreciation for theater that provides the
Fabulous Fox with a truly unique resource…one that has enabled it to
not only meet but expand its standing as a leading entertainment and
theater venue not just for the St. Louis region, but on a national
basis as witnessed by the multiple Tony award- winning shows
produced by Fox Theatricals, for which Mike serves as associate
producer.
Among the keys to the continuing and increasingly strengthening role of
The Fabulous Fox reflected in the 2008-09 schedule is the
‘pacing’ of the shows as reflected in the schedule, as well as a
commitment to spotlight a variety of offerings.
The
season starts October 21-November 2, 2008 with ‘The Color Purple.’
When we suggested to Mike that even though we know of the success of
the production on Broadway, the theme might seem heavy for some.
After all, as noted in the production’s website, the story deals
with dealt with “issues of infanticide, domestic violence, racial
oppression, and spiritual crisis. “
Mike was quick to point out that the story really is one of love and
triumph over adversity, and that many great musicals are truly based
on momentous events, and it is the power of the music that brings a
new dimension to the story being told.
He promises that anyone who sees the show will leave the theater
uplifted.
But,
then, almost as going from the sublime to the ridiculous, ‘Legally
Blonde, The Musical’ is next January 20-February 1, 2009.
This is the highly popular production from Fox Theatricals, and might
at first glace seem like a strange follow-up to ‘Purple.’
Not to worry, however. For those who have seen only the movie, a
word—be prepared for a pleasant surprise. Having seen the
videotaped version of the stage production on TV, I told Mike how
different it seemed from the movie.
He readily agreed, suggesting that the when a production moves from the
screen to the stage, there is a need to look carefully for
adaptation and to bring something new to the characters providing
them with a freshness that helps redefine them to the live audience.
In this case, it will be an evening of pure fun and enjoyment.
And
that’s good because ‘Legally Blonde, The Musical’ is followed by the
really heavy and thought-provoking ‘Spring Awakening’, February
10-22, 2009. Mike adds a note of caution: If this show
were being rated, it would be ‘R’. It is designed for adult
audiences, and deals with the choices young people make—some of them
good, some not so good—in a rock ‘n roll presentation of ‘morality
and sexuality,’ offering yet another example of the willingness of
The Fabulous Fox to present challenges that all of us have faced.
But,
just about the time one believes that things are getting a bit too
serious, along comes what Mike describes as ‘pure
entertainment’…’Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy’, March 17-29, 2009.
“It is just what it says it is, “ Mike explains. “It’s a circus
on stage filled with all sorts of artists, color and music.”
This definitely is a show for everyone.
Of
course, in the theater, there are always those mainstays that no
matter how often you see them, you just can’t get enough of them.
It’d be like seeing Musial, Slaughter and Schoendienst having their
youth restored and coming to bat one more time. That’s the way
it is with ‘Chorus Line’, May 12-24.2009
Even if one has seen this all-time favorite, it’s still a ‘must-see’
for its dancing, and its story of triumph over odds, albeit a bit of
the optimism of an earlier era.
As Mike explains, “It’s a show within a show…it’s a look at the lives
of the performers who make things happen.” And, as he adds,
‘It’s just one of the all-time great shows.”
Finally,
to make sure everyone ends the season feeling good, The Fabulous Fox
presents the Disney production of the Tony award-winning ‘Mary
Poppins’, August 13-30, 2009.
Mike suggests that even if you’ve seen the movie, be prepared for some
new and exciting things in this production that critics have raved
about.
So in one season, we will have
traveled the world of triumph over racism and abuse, been admitted
to the mind-set of a young woman doing her thing to shake things up
even with her affection for things pink, been reminded of the
turmoil of emerging sexuality and sensuality with a rock 'n roll
beat, zipped away into our childhood dreams of colorful circus
performers in an almost fantasy-type setting, given an intimate look
at the work and dreams of the people who make the shows we love, and
given the dessert of a long-standing family favorite guaranteed to
satisfy us.
With this mix, The Fabulous Fox
has reaffirmed its commitment to offering a venue for total
entertainment.
______________
And there's even more--the remainder of the
schedule at The Fabulous Fox offers even more great shows and
entertainment experiences
The eight specials for 2008-2009 will be offered to
subscribers for priority seating before their public on-sale dates.
The Tony®-nominated John Doyle production of
SWEENEY TODD, the ingenious tale of the demon barber
bent on revenge, takes the Fox stage for the first time November
14-16, 2008.
CATS, the Andrew Lloyd Webber
timeless classic that has become a family favorite returns November
28-30, 2008.
Dance St. Louis will present the RADIO
CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR starring the ROCKETTES,
sponsored by Ameren UE December 11-28, 2008. With teddy bears that
dance, wooden soldiers that come to life, reindeer that fly, and the
Radio City Rockettes performing their fancy footwork and eye-high
kicks, this show lives up to its spectacular name!
Dance St. Louis will also present the explosive,
provocative and utterly unique STOMP
April 3-5, 2009. HAIRSPRAY, the
bouffant-topped, mega hit plays April 24-26, 2009.
The internationally acclaimed celebration of Irish
music, song and dance RIVERDANCE
returns to the Fox May 1-3, 2009 as a Dance St. Louis presentation.
After ten years on tour, RENT will play June
2-7, 2009 with original stars of the stage Adam Pascal
and Anthony Rapp recreating their signature roles.
And the Andrew Lloyd Webber phenomenon that cast its
spell over millions worldwide THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
will play a four-week run September 23-October 17, 2009, marking the
sixth Fox appearance for Broadway’s current longest running musical
champ.
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