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On September 9, 2016, Lucky Penny Productions opens its 9th season in Napa with “Big River,” the musical version of Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Less than 20 years after the Civil War, Twain’s legendary story tackled the racial inequality that America continues to struggle with today, and his sharp pen satirizes people of all types as Huck and Jim ride their raft down the mighty Mississippi. Featuring a youth and adult cast of more than 20 and a beautiful score by Roger Miller, “Big River” is guaranteed to make you laugh, make your think, and touch your heart. The original Broadway production in 1985 won the Tony award for Best Musical.
“We are thrilled to present ‘Big River’ and continue our tradition of opening our season with a musical based on a great work of literature,” said Artistic Director Taylor Bartolucci, “and we are excited about every show in this season. There’s something for everyone and we hope to see the Community Arts Center overflowing all year long.”
In October, Lucky Penny presents an original creation called “I Wanna Be Bad” – a new musical derived from the tale of Minnie the Moocher and her bad boy beau Smokey. Packed with Prohibition era song and dance, it promises to be an tantalizing adventure in the speakeasy world of the 1920s. November brings “The Miracle Worker” to our stage. This classic play tells the inspiring story of Helen Keller as she is brought out of her deaf, mute and blind isolation by her relentless teacher Annie Sullivan. In December will come a pair of holiday treats – the return of “The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical” for adults who like a little risqué humor, and a new version of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” that’s just right for children and families. As 2017 begins, Stephen Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music” takes the stage - a production full of luscious music and lusty characters. The fourth annual festival of ten-minute plays is titled “Kids Rule the 8 x 10” and will feature multiple young actor opportunities as Lucky Penny produces the eight winning plays chosen from 153 scripts submitted from all over the country. As spring rolls around, “Maple and Vine” will debut in the North Bay. This modern dark comedy reveals what happens when a couple tired of the 21st century tries living in a 1950s re-enactor community, and finds the “good old days” were not all that good for everyone. The season closes in June 2017 with the hilarious “Clue: The Musical,” derived from the popular board game. This show features 218 possible endings, as the audience votes to determine the murderer.
Along with Lucky Penny’s professional season, Brian Copeland will present the “Best of San Francisco Solo Series” at the Community Arts Center from September through May.
Lucky Penny Productions began producing theatre in Napa in 2009, and opened the Lucky Penny Community Arts Center in January 2015. In their eight seasons to date, they have produced 29 fully staged musicals and plays, along with a number of cabaret shows, comedy shows, staged readings and more. Co-founders Taylor Bartolucci and Barry Martin serve as Artistic Director and Managing Director, respectively, with the help of a hands-on Board of Directors that includes Dan Monez, James McNair, Karry Petrakis, Alexis Handelman, Lisa Batto, Heather Gonsalves, Christine Graham, Heather Gonsalves, Maxine Jacobs, Julie Morales, and Ofer Tenenbaum. The Advisory Board includes Susan Bartolucci, Judd Finkelstein, Mia Malm, and Andrew Moore.
Tickets for all nine productions are now on sale, as well as Season Subscriber packages (best value in price per ticket) that allow you to see all the shows from the seats you prefer. Flex Passes are also on sale. Visit luckypennynapa.com for online purchases, or call 707-266-6305 for telephone orders. Email questions to info@luckypennynapa.com.
Lucky Penny Productions 2016-2017 Season:
Sept. 9 – 25: BIG RIVER Music and Lyrics by Roger Miller, Book by William Hauptman
Oct. 14 – 23: I WANNA BE BAD: An Original Speakeasy Musical Created by Shannon Rider, Written by Shannon Rider and Barry Martin
Nov. 4 – 20: THE MIRACLE WORKER Written by William Gibson, Directed by Thomas Chapman
Dec. 2 – 17: The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical Music and Lyrics by David Nehls, Book by Betsy Kelso, Directed by Barry Martin, Musical Direction by Craig Burdette
Dec. 2 – 18: ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS By Ken Ludwig
Jan. 27 – Feb. 12: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC Music and Lyrics by Steven Sondheim, Book by Hugh Wheeler
Feb. 24 – Mar. 12: KIDS RULE THE 8 X 10 FESTIVAL OF 10 MINUTE PLAYS
April 21 – May 7: MAPLE AND VINE By Jordan Harrison
June 2 – 18: CLUE: THE MUSICAL Book by Peter DiPietro, Music by Galen Blum,Wayne Barker and Vinnie Martucci, Lyrics by Tom Chiodo
luckypennynapa.com or call 707-266-6305
1758 Industrial Way, Suite 208, Napa