Whitefish Theatre Co. announces 2018-19 line-up

In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the Whitefish Theatre Co. has 15 showed lined up for the 2018-2019 season that include quality community theater, world and Americana music. and special events

“Our theme for our 40th season is ‘Celebrating the Past, Stepping into the Future,’” Executive Director Gayle MacLaren said. “As a way to celebrate the past, we have chosen a few tried-and-true gems from previous seasons to produce again. We have also chosen new voices in theater, music and entertainment as a way to step into the future.

- “Every Brilliant Thing,” black curtain theater — Sept. 22-23

A moving play about a girl who starts a list of things worth living for to ease her mother’s depression. Called “heart-wrenching and hilarious,” the show is a compassionate tribute to the irrepressible resilience inside us all and a reminder to find delight in the everyday.

- Matt Andersen — Sept. 28

A Nova Scotia-based singer-songwriter who will once again grace the stage with his giant soul-filled voice and powerful blues performance. With two European blues awards, a JUNO nomination for Roots Album of the Year and a Best Solo Performer award at the Memphis Blues Challenge, Andersen is “the kind of guy who can captivate a room with just an acoustic guitar and that big, comforting voice.”

- “Kettlehouse”— Oct. 18-21 and 25-27

A new comedy that is having its world premiere with Whitefish Theatre Co. For the past 34 years, Miles Kettlehouse’s divorced parents have been living under the same roof, loathing each other and refusing to talk. As a result, Miles’ life has been reduced to being a back-channel negotiator for her emotionally stunted parents, cramping both her home and love life. Written by award-winning playwright Robert Caisley, this new play is an outrageous comedy of errors about love, dysfunctional families, nosebleeds and the art of Feng Shui.

- Emi Sunshine — Nov. 2

A 14-year-old prodigy from East Tennessee who has captured the nation’s attention and enchanted hearts-a-many with her musical wizardry. Described as the “spunky little sister to artists Iris DeMent, Natalie Maines, Nanci Griffith and Janis Joplin” and recently featured on “Little Big Shots”, Sunshine is a true vocal stylist, adding her own unique, contemporary blend of roots music that is equal parts Americana, bluegrass, gospel and country, with a sprinkle of the blues.

- “Trying,” black curtain theater — Nov. 10-11

Based on the real-life experiences of playwright Joanna McClelland Glass, “Trying” features Sara Schorr, an inexperienced but fearless 25-year-old writer who has been hired to help put the brilliant but irascible Judge Francis Biddle’s affairs in order as his health is failing. Called “exquisitely literate, moving, and compelling,” this new play illustrates how two unlikely partners, at dramatically different places in their lives, can forever save one another by discovering each other’s fears, regrets, hopes and joys.

- “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” — Dec. 6-9 and 14-16

When the six Herdman kids — considered the terror of teachers, parents, and students alike — manage to snatch the major roles in the holiday show, everyone is convinced that this holiday show will be the worst Christmas pageant ever. A great family show!

- “Ripcord,” black curtain theater — Jan. 26-27

Cantankerous Abby is forced to share her quarters at the Bristol Place Senior Living Facility with new arrival Marilyn, a fiercely cheerful new roomie who wants the bed next to the window. “Ripcord” is “The Odd Couple” meets “The Golden Girls” in this over-the-top story from David Lindsay-Abaire.

- Letters Aloud: “FAME” — Feb. 8

This Seattle-based acting troupe has created an innovative show titled “Fame” that brings to life personal letters of the famous and infamous, complete with live music and photos, for a joyful and often hilarious look at the very human condition of celebrity and the lessons it teaches. Letters Aloud explores the humanity of fame through letters to and from luminaries like Emily Dickinson, David Bowie, Tom Hanks, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Oprah Winfrey, Amelia Earhart, Andy Warhol and others.

- “Mamma Mia!” — Feb. 21-24 and March 1-3

The timeless hits of ABBA tell the unforgettable story of a young woman’s search for her father on the eve of her wedding. Called “the sunniest of all musicals,” over 60 million people around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make Tony-Award winning “Mamma Mia!” the ultimate feel-good musical.

- Vitaly — March 9

Vitaly is a master illusionist who is bringing his show “An Evening Of Wonders” to our stage. Hailed as one of the most unique and innovative illusionists in the world, Vitaly makes paintbrushes paint on their own, photographs literally come to life right before your eyes and volunteers from the audience see their faces vanish from their own driver’s licenses.

- Women Of The World — March 22

Women Of The World is an award-winning a cappella quartet that performs folk and traditional music, often with a contemporary twist, in 31 of the world’s languages. Hailing from Italy, Japan, Haiti and India, Women of the World has collaborated with African vocal icon Angelique Kidjo and Grammy Award-winning vocalist Bobby McFerrin and has spread their musical message of peace with performances at esteemed venues such as the Blue Note Jazz Club, Carnegie Hall and Boston Symphony Hall.

- “Alice In Wonderland” — April 11-14 and 18-20

Join Alice on her adventures as she sees a cat disappear, takes advice from a caterpillar, tries to solve the Mad Hatter’s riddles, and avoids the commands of the Queen of Hearts. In a place where everyone and everything keep getting “curiouser and curiouser,” this beloved, timeless story by Lewis Carroll celebrates the pluck and intelligence of a young girl, as well as the powerful wonder of imagination.

- The Sweet Remains — April 25

The Sweet Remains is an acoustic folk-rock trio headed by three gifted and charismatic singer-songwriters. Their songs easily appeal to fans of modern folk-rockers like Wilco, Jason Mraz, Ray Lamontagne, and John Mayer. However, it is their lush three-part, honey harmonies that distinguish The Sweet Remains from the throngs of guitar-toting troubadours and harken back to super-groups of the 60’s and 70’s like Crosby, Stills and Nash, the Eagles and Simon & Garfunkel.

- “The Christians,” black curtain theater — May 4-5

Today should be day of celebration for Pastor Paul as he presides over his congregation of thousands in a church filled with classrooms for Sunday School, a coffee shop in the lobby, and a parking lot big enough to get lost in it. But when the beloved minister steps up to the pulpit to share a reconsidered version of his beliefs, his stunning revelation leaves the entire church community rocked to its core.

- “I Hate Hamlet,” cabaret theater — May 30-31, June 1-2 and 7-9

Aspiring actor Andrew Rally has just landed the role of a lifetime playing Hamlet onstage. There is just one problem: He hates Hamlet. As fate would have it, Andrew’s new Manhattan residence is the former apartment of the brilliant actor John Barrymore, whose portrayal of Hamlet was legendary. When Barrymore’s ghost appears to Andrew – intoxicated and in full Shakespearean garb – so begins a wildly funny duel between the two actors over women, art, success, duty, television, and yes, even the apartment.

All shows are at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish. Currently, season passes and build-your-own season passes offer 10 to 15 percent discounts off regular ticket prices; call the box office at 406-862-5371, order through the brochure order form on the WTC website, or visit at 1 Central Ave. in Whitefish. Box-office hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Individual tickets for all shows can also be purchased on at www.whitefishtheatreco.org.