Plenty of changes ahead for Batavia Players’ new season

By Matt Krueger mkrueger@batavianews.com

BATAVIA — The Batavia Players released their 2016 schedule this week, and it includes some significant changes to previous years.

The season includes 14 shows, many of which will span two weekends, meaning the acting troupe will give more performances than any other year.

Harvester 56 Theater, 56 Harvester Ave., will also see an upgrade, as the stage area is expanded. It’s an exciting remodeling project, according to President and Artistic Director Pat Burk.

Another change will be see at the ticket booth. The cost for every show will be more than it was in 2015. While the ticket price was $10 ($8 for students and seniors this year), the 2016 season will see the cost jump to $15 ($12 for students and seniors) or $13 ($10). Tickets for all shows can be purchased through www.show-tix4u.com or at theater box office.

Here’s a breakdown of the season:

Opening Gala

“Wreck Among the Ruins”

Jan. 2

A celebration of this past season. The troupe will honor a local arts patron as well the outstanding performances from 2015 with the annual awards presentation. Burk promises a “night of champagne and prizes set among historical ruins and our new theater update.”

“All You Need is Love”

Jan. 8

A dance showcase choreographed by Tara Pocock.

“Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean”

Feb. 12-14, 18-20

A Broadway hit that starred Cher and Sandy Dennis, this play explores star infatuation and lifelong love.

Shakespeare in Springtime

“As You Like It”

March 11-13, 17-19

One of Shakespeare’s more popular comedies provides some of his most remembered famous speeches, including “All the world’s a stage.”

On Broadway VII — “A Little Class With a Lot of Laughs”

Show: April 1-2, 7-9

Dinner: April 3

For the seventh straight year, the showcase features vocalists in a review of Broadway musicals. This year’s show features music from “Honk!,” “Seussical,” “Beautiful,” and “American Idiot,” as well as famous Gershwin pieces. Dinner will be held at Terry Hills Restaurant in Batavia.

“Sweet Charity”

April 29-May 1, May 5-7

The Neil Simon musical based on Federico Fellini’s screenplay for “Nights of Cabiria” focuses on a dancer-for-hire in New York City. The Cinderella story was made famous in the 1969 movie with Shirley MacLaine.

“Songs for a New World”

May 19-21

Called an “abstract musical” when it debuted Off-Braodway in 1995, the show is a series of songs connected by a theme.

“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf”

June 10-12, 16-18

The classic play by Edward Albee explores the breakdown of a marriage. It won the 1963 Tony Award for Best Play and was adapted into a 1966 film starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.

Children’s Summer Theater Camp

“A Kid’s Life”

July 22-23

This performance is the culmination of the fourth annual Children’s Summer Theater Camp.

20th Annual Summer Youth Theater

“Guys and Dolls”

Aug. 12-14, 18-20

Set in 1950s New York City, this classic musical follows the interaction of saints like Sister Sarah Brown and sinners like Sky Masterson. It won the 1951 Tony Award for Best Musical.

“The Town”

Aug. 26

A dance showcase choreographed by Tara Pocock.

“Bakersfield Mist”

Sept. 15-17

This new play pits an art expert against an unemployed bartender in an argument over whether or not a $3 painting is actually a Jackson Pollock original worth $50-100 million.

“Family, Friends and Lovers”

Oct. 7-8

This is the annual fundraiser for the Theater Development Fund. The show features music, dance and verse.

“A Chorus Line”

Nov. 4-6, 10-12

The classic musical won nine Tony Awards in 1976, including Best Musical, and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The musical showcases the pain, joy and acceptance of dancing in a show.

“The Christmas Gift”

Dec. 9-10, 15-17

Written and directed by Burk, this story about a very special gift placed under a very special tree.