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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.

 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.