This milestone season begins with a Chicago-area premiere stage journey to the mountains of Colorado in the 1970s and ‘80s with Almost Heaven – John Denver’s America. Talley’s Folly, the Pulitzer-Prize winning romantic comedy, is the second Mainstage production of the season. The jazz clubs of Harlem of the 1920s and ‘30s and the music of “Fats” Waller in Ain’t Misbehavin’ is next, before it’s off to Yonkers, New York in the 1890s for audiences to once again reunite with America’s famous matchmaker Dolly Levi in the iconic musical Hello, Dolly! The 2020 season concludes with Elf, The Musical, a holiday family favorite based on the popular 2003 movie.
"For our 30th Anniversary Season I wanted to make sure to have something for everyone,” said TATC Artistic Director Linda Fortunato.
“We'll travel through many eras and styles to capture the joy of theatre and celebrate the way wonderful storytelling and music bring us together."
Almost Heaven – John Denver’s America (February 13-March 22, 2020) is a musical tribute and intimate celebration of John Denver’s life and career. From growing up in a military family to his emergence on the 1960s folk scene and the climb to ‘70s superstardom with his later career of the 1980s and 1990s, John Denver’s story is brought to life in this Chicago-area premiere through his countless hits including “Take Me Home Country Roads,” “Rocky Mountain High,” “Annie’s Song,” and “Sunshine on My Shoulders.” Almost Heaven – John Denver’s America is directed by Linda Fortunato.
Talley’s Folly (April 30-May 31, 2020), a Pulitzer Prize-winning romantic comedy by Lanford Wilson, tells the story of one night in the lives of two unlikely sweethearts. Matt – bookish, honest, and delightfully funny – tries to allay Sally’s fears that her family would never approve of their marriage. With charm and wit, they face their differences while revealing secrets and finding strength in each other. This funny and sweet love story stars real-life sweethearts, Artistic Director Linda Fortunato and Chicago favorite Sean Fortunato. Talley’s Folly is directed by David New.
Ain’t Misbehavin’ (July 9-August 9, 2020), by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby, Jr., is a musical revue that will transport audiences to a nightclub during the Harlem Renaissance where the music and excitement of the 1920s and 1930s are in the spotlight courtesy of the great Thomas Wright “Fats” Waller. Fun, rowdy and soulful music captures the varied moods of the era. The Tony-Award-winning Best Musical features toe-tapping songs like “Honeysuckle Rose,” “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” “Mean to Me” and “The Joint is Jumpin’.” Ain’t Misbehavin’ is directed by Daryl Brooks.
Hello Dolly! (Sept. 10-Oct.11, 2020), music and lyrics by Jerry Herman with book by Michael Stewart and directed by Linda Fortunato, is bursting with humor, dance and romance in one of the most enduring and best-loved musicals of all time. This Tony Award-winning classic will star E. Faye Butler, the internationally-acclaimed actress and 7-time Jeff Award winner, in the title role of the irrepressible matchmaker Dolly Levi. This joyful musical features favorite songs like “Before the Parade Passes By”, “Ribbons Down My Back” and, of course, “Hello, Dolly!”
Elf ,The Musical (Nov. 12-Dec. 20, 2020), with book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin with music by Matthew Sklar and Lyrics by Chad Begueline, is a hilarious and charming musical based on the 2003 movie. Raised by Santa’s elves, Buddy the Elf is unaware he is actually human until his enormous size and poor toy-making ability makes it impossible to ignore. He embarks on a journey to New York City to find his father and discover his true identity. This modern day Christmas favorite will have both kids and adults lighting up with laughter, embracing their inner Elf, and rediscovering what it means to be a family. Elf, The Musical is directed by Linda Fortunato.
Founded in 1991, the 410 seat Theatre at the Center is a year-round professional theater at its home in The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. Theatre at the Center is the only professional theater company in Northwest Indiana, offering Broadway style performances, special event concerts and family programming all in an elegant and accessible venue with plenty of free parking. Theatre at the Center is located off I80/94, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago.
Renewal for existing Season Subscribers to secure the 2020 Season begins August 18, 2019 and continues through September 22, 2019 with new season Subscription sales beginning October 8, 2019. Individual tickets for any of the five Mainstage shows of the new 2020 season are on sale beginning December 10, 2019.
The season schedule for Mainstage show performances are 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays with a 3 p.m. matinee most Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays and select Thursday and Sunday evenings. Individual ticket prices range from $42 - $46. To purchase individual tickets, call the Box Office at 219-836-3255 or www.Tickets.com at 800-511-1552 as authorized ticket agents to avoid fraudulent third party ticket broker web sites and outlets. Group discounts are available for groups of 11 or more. Student tickets are $20 and gift certificates are also available. For more information on Theatre at the Center, visit www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com.