The season kicks off on Sept 13 with "Blood Brothers."
Danny Eaton, producing director at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield. The Majestic Theater will begin and end its newly-announced 2012-2013 season with two very different musicals, alongside three comedies sandwiched in-between that have seen success on both the Broadway and regional stage.
The season kicks off on Sept 13 with “Blood Brothers” whose Broadway run included performances by British invasion songstress Petula Clark and popular television stars and singers David and Shaun Cassidy.
“‘Blood Brothers’ was a huge hit for us in our second season, and after “Buddy” it’s the one play that people continually ask us to bring back. So, I thought it was about time and we’ve got some of the originals back with us,” said Danny Eaton, founder and producing director of the Majestic, referring to Majestic favorites Christine St. Amant Greene and Ben Ashley.
Broadway returns to the Majestic stage in November with Neil Simon’s romantic comedy, “Barefoot in the Park,” which made it’s New York City debut in 1963.
“Interestingly enough, we’ve done a number of Neil Simon’s plays over the years, but not ‘Barefoot’ which is one of his earliest and most endearing works,” said Eaton.
The new year in January kicks off with an offering entitled “The Cabbage Patch” by Canadian playwright Daniel Lillford, which Eaton referred to as “a character-driven, family kind of mystery.”
“Unless we’re trumped unexpectedly by another theater group, our production of ‘The Cabbage Patch’ will only be its second since premiering at The Depot Theatre in Westport,” said Eaton.
The plot revolves around retired Canadian officer Arthur McKay, who is secretly in love with his sister-in-law. When she goes missing, the mystery is that she is believed to be the victim of murder and buried in his cabbage patch, noted Eaton.
February’s “Skin Deep” by John Lonoff was recommended to Eaton by several audience members last season who had seen productions of the play at various theaters.
“I got the script and it reminded me of a female version of ‘Marty,’ which starred the late Ernest Borgnine,” said Eaton.
“It’s about a frumpy, middle-aged woman who has all but given up on love, and then gets set up on a blind date with a bar owner. She is sharp-witted and sharp-tongued, which she uses to hide her inner feelings. But, the play has a pretty sweet ending,” he added.
The season will end with “Lies and Legends – The Musical Stories of Harry Chapin” which opens in April.
Chapin, who died in a car accident in 1981 at the age of 38, was an American folk singer and philanthropist who was best known for his songs “Cat’s in the Cradle,” “Taxi,” “W*O*L*D,” and others.
“I’ve always loved Harry’s music. He was a storyteller and his songs are really wonderful, heartfelt stories. We thought it would be a nice way to end the season with this show that includes four singers, none of which performs as the late musician,” said Eaton.
“Lies and Legends,” which opened in 1985 at Village Gate in New York City, ran for 79 performances and continues to be performed around the country.
As for subscriptions for the new season, Eaton said he is pleased with the response so far, and looks forward to a season equal to or better than last year in terms of number of subscribers.
But, there is still one challenge, he noted.
“It’s the graying of the audience. It’s been a phenomenon for quite a few years now. And, I don’t know what is going to turn it around,” said Eaton about the lack of younger people attending the theater.
The full 2012-2013 season schedule follows:
“Blood Brothers,” by Willy Russell, Sept. 13-Oct. 28
“Barefoot in the Park,” by Neil Simon, Nov. 8-Dec.16
“The Cabbage Patch,” by Daniel Lillford, Jan. 3-Feb. 10
“Skin Deep,” by Jon Lonoff, Feb. 21-March 31
“Lies and Legends – The Musical Stories of Harry Chapin,” April 11-May 26