From Barter's 2008 Production of "Don't Cry for Me, Margaret Mitchell" (Rick McVey)
"It's not just theatre ... It's Barter." After celebrating its 80th anniversary last season, Barter Theatre is back Jan. 31 with a year packed with some all-time favorite comedies, spectacular musicals, thrilling American classics and Appalachian stories.
Here is a taste of what's in store at Barter this spring:
"Don't Cry For Me, Margaret Mitchell," by two of Barter's favorite comic authors V. Cate and Duke Ernsberger, begins Jan. 31 at Barter Stage II. Hilarious, irreverent and mostly true, it's 1939, and David O. Selznick has already begun filming "Gone With the Wind," but he needs a new script. There's only one writer up to the task, the legendary Ben Hecht. The only problem is, Hecht has never read the book. Selznick locks himself, Hecht and director Victor Fleming in his office, with only bananas and peanuts to eat. Their mission: write a new script in exactly one week. You will laugh until you are out of breath at the antics, which produced one of the classic movies of all time.
"Man of La Mancha" begins Feb. 13 on Barter's Main Stage. Its lyrics by Joe Darion and music by Mitch Leigh include "Dream the Impossible Dream." You will be inspired by this glorious story of hope in the face of almost insurmountable odds. A funny, moving musical featuring Cervantes' unforgettable characters: the knight errant Don Quixote, his lovable sidekick Sancho Panza and the beautiful Aldonza, who becomes his inspiration, Dulcinea.
"I Do, I Do, I Do," a new romantic comedy from Robin Hawdon, the writer of "Don't Dress for Dinner" and "Perfect Wedding," begins Feb. 27 on Barter's Main Stage. She's picked out the dress, the flowers and the cake. Now she just needs to pick a groom. Diana has it all: beauty, intelligence and a sweet-nature. There's just one problem: it's one week before her wedding, and she has promised herself to three different men. How shall she decide? Well, you won't know until the final moment in this hilarious romp of misadventures and loves lost and won.
"The Dryad: an Appalachian Tale" by Carol Wright Krause begins March 8 at Barter Stage II. This is the world premiere of the winner of Barter's 2013 Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights. It is a delightfully enchanting mountain story. Lena has returned to the family homestead after leaving her no-good husband only to find hard times. To make matters worse, the chestnut trees that locals have always depended on are dying off, one by one. When a mysterious young girl appears, their lives are changed forever. But where did she come from, and what does she want?
Other plays during the season include "The Wizard of Oz," "My Fair Lady," "Ring of Fire: The Story of Johnny Cash," "The Crucible" and "A Modern Christmas Carol," plus many more.
Tickets and Season PassBooks are available for the 2014 season. Call 276-628-3991 or visit BarterTheatre.com for more information.
