OCTA UNVEILS DYNAMIC 2017-2018 SEASON

03 Feb OCTA UNVEILS DYNAMIC 2017-2018 SEASON

Lineup Features Music, Laughs, and a Heart-Warming Family Story

Olathe, KS (Feb 3, 2017) – Olathe Civic Theatre Association (OCTA) announces its exciting 2017-2018 season of five diverse shows, which will kick off September 15, 2017. The lineup includes two award-winning musicals, a heart-warming classic family story, a fresh comedy-drama, and a laugh-out-loud farce.

“OCTA is thrilled to offer a dynamic combination of plays and musicals helmed by talented local directors. It’s a mix of shows guaranteed to provide a boundless variety of entertainment,” Ted Collins, OCTA Board President explains. “We are grateful to our patrons and season ticket holders for taking this ride with us. It continues to be an exciting time for our theatre!”

The 2017-2018 lineup is:

Ruthless!  September 15–October 1, 2017
Book and Lyrics by Joel Paley | Music by Marvin Laird
Directed by Jay Coombes | Music Direction by Tim Braselton
Eight-year-old Tina Denmark knows she was born to play Pippi Longstocking, and she’ll do anything to win the part in her school musical.  Her mother, fellow students, and the rest of the world had better watch out because nothing will stop her quest for stardom!! Cunningly spoofing classic musicals and campy films from Gypsy to The Bad Seed, this aggressively outrageous musical garnered rave reviews during its long Off-Broadway run.

Anne of Green Gables  November 3-19, 2017
Adapted by Joseph Robinette from the novel by L.M. Montgomery
Directed by Heather Tinker
The children’s classic brought to life on stage for the whole family! Don’t miss the timeless story of plucky Canadian orphan Anne Shirley, who forges a new life when she is mistakenly sent to a middle-aged brother and sister who’d sought to adopt a boy for help on their farm. Relive all your favorite moments from Anne’s feuds with Gilbert, the cake disaster, her adoration of Matthew, and the mistaken wine bottle, just to name a few.

Violet February 9-25, 2018
Book and Lyrics by Brian Crawley | Music by Jeanine Tesori
Directed by Julie Ewing | Music Direction by Kevin Bogan
A scarred young woman embarks on a bus journey from her farm in Spruce Pine, North Carolina to Tulsa, Oklahoma in hopes of being healed by a TV evangelist, but discovers the true meaning of beauty along the way. Set in 1964, this stunning show won both the Drama Critics’ Circle Award and Lucille Lortel Award as Best Musical for its touching script and show-stopping anthems ranging from American-roots to folk to gospel.

Superior Donuts April 6-22, 2018
By Tracy Letts
Directed by Robert Flaherty Hart
From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of August: Osage County comes this moving comedy-drama set in an Uptown Chicago donut shop. Facing age 60 and all alone, proprietor Arthur has his dreary world turned upside down by the arrival of Franco, an ambitious employee in his early 20s. The play also serves as inspiration for the new CBS comedy of the same name!

Unnecessary Farce June 1-17, 2018
By Paul Slade Smith
Directed by Bill Pelletier
Two cops. Three crooks. Eight doors. Go! In a cheap motel room, an embezzling mayor is supposed to meet with his female accountant, while in the room next door, two undercover cops wait to catch the meeting on videotape. This fast-paced farce is a comic gem!

About Olathe Civic Theatre Association

Olathe Civic Theatre Association is a 501c3 organization producing theatre in Olathe since 1974. Performing in the Buddy Rogers Family Playhouse, OCTA produces five high-quality, engaging, and thought-provoking theatre productions a year. Through the generosity of volunteers, season ticket holders, donors, and the City of Olathe, OCTA has grown into one of the most progressive community theaters in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Social and Digital Media

Receive daily updates by ‘liking’ OCTA’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/olathecivictheatre and follow OCTA on Twitter at @OCTATheatre.

OCTA’s Remaining 2016-2017 Season Productions at a Glance

Poor Relations
February 17 – March 5, 2017 | By Robert Flaherty Hart | Directed by Tina Morrison
A KC Area Premiere!

This original play by Kansas City native Robert Flaherty Hart takes place in suburban St. Louis, where decades-old secrets are uncovered as three adult siblings navigate their changing relationships and uncertain futures. When one of the three comes into a substantial fortune, will it soothe old wounds and lead to forgiveness or drive a permanent wedge into already shaky bonds?

New Works Playwright Competition (Special Event)
March 10 – 11, 2017

See 10-15 minute teasers of five plays written by local playwrights.  Vote on the one you’d like to see workshopped as a full-length play on the OCTA stage!

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
April 21 – May 7, 2017 | By Christopher Durang | Directed by Nino Casisi

Middle-aged siblings Vanya and Sonia share a home in Bucks County, PA, where they bicker and complain about the circumstances of their lives. Suddenly, their movie-star sister, Masha, swoops in with her new boy toy, Spike. Old resentments flare up, eventually leading to threats to sell the house. Adding to the ensemble are sassy maid Cassandra, who can predict the future, and Nina, a lovely young aspiring actress.

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Please direct all media inquiries to:  Charlotte Gilman at 913-484-1651 (cell) or asgcroc@aol.com.
For further information or tickets, please visit our Web site at www.olathetheatre.org.
Reservations can be made by calling the reservation hotline at 913-782-2990 or by writing tickets@olathetheatre.org.