Dear subscribers, fans, and new members of the EPAC family, Happy autumn to all of you! As we enter the last months of 2017, we at EPAC are planning our 2018 season. We hope it will be another year in which diversity is celebrated, something we always try to do. After all, the things that make us different from each other may also make us curious about each other. By exploring the ways we re different and the reasons why, we may find that which unites us. At EPAC, we believe that all stories should be told. So when scheduling a season, we try to bring you a cornucopia of styles, genres, and subject matter. Nothing pleases us more than when audience members find themselves excited by a show that they were uncertain about seeing whether it s a younger theatergoer finding joy in a classic from the past or a more mature and experienced audience member being happily surprised by a work that is nontraditional in style or subject. If eclectic programing has become something for which EPAC is known, then next season promises to be one of the most EPAC-ian ever. Where else can you see both the punk-rock musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch and the 1950s classic of life in the Midwest, Picnic? Or the romantic and charming Beauty and the Beast along with the wicked comedy Hand to God, about a religious teenager and his sock puppet, which develops a demonic, foul-mouthed, irreverent personality? Or the thrilling musical masterpiece West Side Story, about violence and romance among urban teenagers, along with Peter and the Starcatcher, a wacky and imaginative prequel to Peter Pan? We are also excited to be bringing you the awardwinning musical Fun Home in the spring. This is one of the richest, most moving and most critically acclaimed theater works of recent years, and EPAC is proud that we will be the first company in Lancaster County to showcase this production! We are eager to bring you this wonderfully diverse group of productions. We hope that you will subscribe to our 2018 season. Remember that as a subscriber, you can not only secure your preferred seats early and see the entire season at a discounted price, but you are also a producer. It is thanks to you that we can present another season of great community-based theater. Over my years at EPAC, I have found that our subscribers are the most friendly and loyal theater lovers in the area. I look forward to seeing all our friends throughout another season of exciting theater. Sincerely, Edward R. Fernandez Artistic Director
FULL SEASON AND FLEX PASS SUBSCRIBERS SAVE OVER 20% ON REGULAR TICKET PRICES! PLUS ENJOY SPECIAL SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS Be our guest at EPAC s annual Subscriber and Sponsor Reception First-choice seating for all EPAC Main Stage productions First-choice seating for EPAC s Kids4Kids productions and EPAC on The Edge Additional discounts on all single tickets purchased for Main Stage Productions, EPAC on the Edge, and Kids4Kids productions! One free exchange of tickets per production. Lost your tickets? The box office will reissue them! AVAILABLE SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES STANDARD FULL SEASON PACKAGE FLEX PASS FULL SEASON PACKAGE Want to enjoy the savings of a Full Subscription but don t want to commit to a schedule? With Flex Pass, you still save over 20% on the entire season but attend any performance of a run! Just call the box office 24 hours before show time, or reserve online with a Flex Pass code and we ll have your seats waiting at will-call. PICK 4 PACKAGE (INCLUDES ONE PLAY) Choose any four shows (must include one play) and save over 10% on the price of a regular ticket. PICK 3 PACKAGE (INCLUDES ONE PLAY) Choose any three shows (must include one play) and save over 10% on the price of a regular ticket to the hottest shows in town. $175 $175 $108 $81 *Subscription packages do not include EPAC s Kids4Kids Production of Willy Wonka Jr. SUBSCRIBER ADD-ON PACKAGES EPAC ON THE EDGE Save 20% by pre-purchasing your tickets to all three EPAC on the Edge productions in advance. KIDS4KIDS SERIES Save 20% by pre-purchasing your tickets to all Kids4Kids programming in advance. Add-on includes a ticket to Willy Wonka Jr., EPAC s Got Talent, and our 2018 Young Artists Fall Cabaret. $36 $45 HOW TO SUBSCRIBE Call the box office at (717) 733-7966, ext. 1, to speak to our subscription specialist today or visit ephrataperformingartscenter.com/2018 season and click on the Subscribe option under the Tickets tab. *Online subsriptions sales begin January 2
The Cripple of Inishmaan 2017 season All EPAC productions are presented on a three-quarter thrust stage, which places the audience closer to the performance and offers an intimate theatrical experience unlike any other in the region. We kindly ask that you refrain from renewing your subscription at the box office window prior to a performance. Please have forms filled out in advance, as this will expedite the renewal process. Thank you! Cover photos top to bottom: Hair (2017), Hairspray (2017), Disney's The Lion King Jr. (2017) Production photography thanks to David Gerz
Words and Music by Leslie Bricussse and Anthony Newley Adapted for the Stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy A. McDonald Based on the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl February 2 18, 2018 Roald Dahl s Willy Wonka Jr. is a Kids4Kids musical production based on the beloved book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. When poor Charlie Bucket finds himself in possession of a golden ticket, he and his Grandpa Joe get the chance of a lifetime. During their tour of the famous chocolate factory, Charlie and Grandpa Joe travel through Mr. Wonka s world of pure imagination. But they re not the only ones on this exclusive tour! The other four winners are gluttonous Augustus Gloop, spoiled Veruca Salt, gum-expert Violet Beauregarde, and TVobsessed Mike Teavee. It turns out this tour is more than just a PR stunt, as Mr. Wonka has a secret agenda. The five children will be tested on more than just their sweet tooth. They re in for a dangerous adventure through a wacky and unexpected world! SHOW SPONSOR Ted Williams, CFP, MBA, Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Roald Dahl s Willy Wonka Jr. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
A Play By Rick Elice Based on the Novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson Music By Wayne Barker March 15 24, 2018 Tony Award Nominated for Best Play 2012 Recommended for all Audiences Peter and the Starcatcher is a magical story about imagination and growing up and never growing up. Based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson and adapted for the stage by Rick Elice with music by Wayne Barker, this high-flying adventure tells the backstories of Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Neverland. In addition to these beloved characters, a motley crew of new characters will find themselves shipwrecked in your heart. Molly Aster is a Starcatcher-in-training. Her father, Lord Leonard Aster, is on a special Starcatcher mission for Queen Victoria in search of starstuff. Molly hopes to impress her father with her serious determination. But how can she stay serious when she is confronted by goofy orphans, clumsy pirates, and sing-songy mermaids! Join the fun at EPAC and watch in wonder as Peter and Molly teach us all the meaning of fun, puns, friendship, imagination, and wishing on a star or should we say starstuff! Peter and the Starcatcher is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Book and Lyrics by Lisa Kron Music by Jeanine Tesori Based on the graphic novel by Alison Bechdel April 26 May 12, 2018 2015 Five Tony Award Winner including: Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical Recommended for Teen and Adult Audiences Fun Home is a tragicomedy musical about growing up and coming out. The book and lyrics are written by Lisa Kron with music by Jeanine Tesori, based on the graphic novel memoir of the same name by Alison Bechdel. The story follows Alison through the most influential stages of her life. As a young girl growing up in her family s funeral home, Alison begins to question her identity and to unravel the mysteries of her father s identity too. In college, Alison experiences her sexual awakening with her friend Joan. Adult Alison narrates these experiences to the audience and captions the significant moments of her life that made her the woman she is today. Fun Home is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.
By Robert Askins June 7 16, 2018 2015 Tony Award Best Play Nomination Recommended for Adult Audiences Hand to God is a dark comedy about a troubled teen and his puppet, written by Robert Askins. After the death of his father, Jason joins a Christian puppet ministry to help with his anxiety. It helps all right, but not in the way that he or his mother had hoped. Jason may be timid, but his puppet, Tyrone, is certainly not. Tyrone is rude, irreverent, dangerous, and not afraid to say all of the things that Jason knows he shouldn t say to his mother, the bully, and the girl next door. Something like this shouldn t happen in a small town like Cypress, Texas! Is the puppet possessed, or is Jason losing his grip on his sanity? Hand to God is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.
Based on a Conception of Jerome Robbins Book by Arthur Laurents Music by Leonard Bernstein Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Entire Original Production Directed and Choreographed by Jerome Robbins July 19 August 4, 2018 1958 Best Musical Tony Nominee Recommended for Teen and Adult Audiences West Side Story is an epic fan-favorite musical written by Arthur Laurents with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and concept and choreography by Jerome Robbins. Teen rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, face more than turf wars in 1950s New York. They must confront the racism between whites and Puerto Ricans that tears them and the city apart. Based on Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet, a forbidden romance buds between a boy and girl from the different gangs. Can their colorblind love overcome the racial tensions and mend the feud? The intense choreographed fights, the light comedic sliceof-life, and the heartwarming young love will keep the audience on the edge of their seats and singing into the night. West Side Story is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
By William Inge September 6 15, 2018 Winner of the 1953 Pulitzer Prize for Drama Recommended for Teen and Adult Audiences Picnic is a Pulitzer prize-winning play by William Inge about life in 1950s Kansas. You never know what will happen at the neighborhood Labor Day picnic, especially when a handsome young drifter comes to town. When the young drifter, Hal Carter, comes to visit his college friend, Alan Seymour, and look for work, Alan s girlfriend Madge finds herself falling for him. As Flo Owens tries to keep her daughters Madge and Millie away from Hal, it seems that her neighbor Helen Potts is trying to push them together. Alan and Madge aren t the only couple whose relationship is on the rocks. Schoolteacher Rosemary is balancing keeping her boyfriend Howard at a respectable distance and getting him to pop the question! With all this feminine energy, Hal is really about to shake things up at this small town s wholesome picnic! Picnic is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.
Text by John Cameron Mitchell Music and Lyrics by Stephen Trask October 18 November 3, 2018 2014 Tony Award Best Revival of a Musical Recommended for Adult Audiences Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a gender-bending musical by John Cameron Mitchell with music and lyrics by Stephen Trask. Hedwig Robinson is a transsexual punk rocker from East Germany who goes on a U.S. tour with her band, The Angry Inch. During the performances, Hedwig tells the story of her life: her transition from the boy Hansel into the woman Hedwig, her botched sex-change operation, her former lover and band-mate that stole her music for fame, her marriage to Yitzhak the Jewish ex-drag queen (who is also her talented back-up singer), and everything in between. Hedwig explores her journey to fame, the origins of love, and her own identity. Hedwig and the Angry Inch is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.
Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice Book by Linda Woolverton December 6 22, 2018 1994 Tony Award Nominee for Best Musical, Best Book for a Musical, and Best Original Score Recommended for All Audiences Disney s Beauty and the Beast is a musical story of love, adventure, and redemption. The book was written by Linda Woolverton with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. Based on the awardwinning 1991 animated film by Walt Disney Animation Studios and the original French fairytale by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, this story reminds us that true beauty lies within. A young and selfish prince, obsessed with beauty, is cursed by an enchantress until he can learn its true meaning. In a small French village, the beautiful but strange Belle dreams of adventures like the ones she s always reading about in books. When Belle discovers that her father has been imprisoned by a beast in an enchanted castle, she courageously trades herself for her father s freedom. But perhaps Belle s dreams are about to come true in a way she never expected. Can true love break the curse? Disney s Beauty and the Beast is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Doubt 2017 season Returning for its second year, EPAC on the Edge will once again introduce audiences to new plays presented as intimate staged readings. Each performance will be coproduced with another Lancaster based theater company, previous co-producers include Theater of The Seventh Sister and Creative Works of Lancaster. Audiences will be delighted, provoked, and fascinated as each reading brings them close to the edge. The series will feature three single-night performances. Titles and co-producers to be announced early 2018. Friday, June 22, 2018 Friday, August 10, 2018 Friday, November 9, 2018 All readings will take place at 8pm at the Ephrata Performing Arts Center. Our Kids4Kids Series and youth programming offers our young performers a vessel to explore their own unique talents and awaken the vast artistic potential within them. EPAC s Got Talent Saturday, May 19, 2018 7:30 PM Young Artists Cabaret Friday, September 21, 2018 Saturday, September 22, 2018 7:30 PM Kids4Kids SHOWS SPONSOR Ted Williams, CFP, MBA, Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
Single Tickets for 2018 are on sale as of January 2, 2018. PURCHASE TICKETS WITH CREDIT CARD ONLINE AT WWW.EPHRATAPERFORMINGARTSCENTER.COM OR BY CALLING (717) 733-7966 EXT. 1. STANDARD SEATING Adult...$32 EPAC on the Edge*...$15 *General Admission Seating Senior...$28 (Age 62 and over) Kids4Kids Programming Student...$25 Adult...$20 Willy Wonka Jr. (With student ID) Student...$15 Bargain Seating...$15 EPAC s Got Talent...$20 Young Artists Cabaret...$20 GROUP RATES Groups of 10-19 people will receive a discount of $5 per ticket. Groups of 20 or more will receive a discount of $8 per ticket. Group rates are not available for the Kids4Kids programming, EPAC on the Edge, or Bargain Seating. Groups must make advance reservations and make one payment for the group at the time of reservation. Contact the box office by e-mail, at boxoffice@ephrataperformingartscenter.com for more information, or by phone, at (717) 733-7966, ext. 1. STUDENT RUSH All seats remaining unsold 30 minutes prior to the start of the show will be sold to high school and college students with current ID for $15. Seating is subject to availability and not guaranteed. Student Rush tickets may not be reserved in advance and are not available for Kids4Kids shows or special events. SCHOOL DAY PERFORMANCES EPAC is offering school day performances for Willy Wonka Jr., Peter and the Starcatcher, and Disney's Beauty and the Beast. School day performances are open to all schools, colleges, and home school groups. Contact the office manager by e-mail, at officemanager@ephrataperformingartscenter.com for more information, or by phone, at (717) 733-7966, ext. 3. TICKET SALES AND EXCHANGE POLICY All sales are final; no refunds. Exchanges may be made no later than 24 hours before a performance. Non-subscribers will be charged a $5 per ticket fee for exchanges. No exchanges will be made after curtain time for that performance. CONTACT INFORMATION Ephrata Performing Arts Center is located in the Sharadin Bigler Theatre P.O. Box 173 320 Cocalico Street (in the Tom Grater Memorial Community Park), Ephrata, PA 17522. Call (717) 733-7966 or visit our website at www.ephrataperformingartscenter.com BOX OFFICE HOURS Non-Performance Weeks: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 12 PM 3 PM Performance Weeks*: Monday-Wednesday: 12 PM 4 PM Thursday & Friday: 12 PM Show Time Saturday: 2 hours before Show Time *extended hours on show night
Kids4Kids: Willy Wonka Jr. FEBRUARY S M T W TH F S Fun Home APRIL/MAY 2 3 4 9 10 11 16 17 18 S M T W TH F S April 26 27 28 May 3 4 5 9 10 11 12 West Side Story JULY-AUGUST S M T W TH F S July 19 20 21 26 27 28 August 1 2 3 4 Hedwig and the Angry Inch OCTOBER/NOVEMBER S M T W TH F S Oct 18 19 20 25 26 27 Nov 31 1 2 3 Peter and the Starcatcher MARCH S M T W TH F S Hand to God JUNE 15 16 17 21 22 23 24 S M T W TH F S 7 8 9 13 14 15 16 Picnic SEPTEMBER S M T W TH F S 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 Disney s Beauty and the Beast DECEMBER S M T W TH F S 6 7 8 9 13 14 15 16 19 20 21 22 7:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. Kids4Kids EPAC s Got Talent Saturday, May 19, 2018-7:30 PM Young Artists Cabaret Friday, September 21, 2018-7:30 PM Saturday, September 22, 2018-7:30 PM SEASON SPONSORS
ephrata performing arts center at the Sharadin Bigler Theatre 320 Cocalico Street PO Box 173 Ephrata, PA 17522 Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Lancaster, PA Permit No. 1746