After a successful summer season, the Ocean City Theatre Company (OCTC) is thrilled to announce its fall and winter programming. With a screen-to-stage theme, all three planned productions are famous and iconic movies which have been adapted for the stage. The 2018 fall/winter season will feature a mix of professional and educational programming at the Ocean City Music Pier! In October, the professionals will take center stage in the Broadway musical “XANADU.” In November, high school students will shine in the whodunnit show “CLUE!” The holidays will be magical as professionals perform alongside student performers to bring to life the musical “ANNIE!”
Running on Oct. 5, 6 and 7 is “XANADU.” This Tony Award-nominated, hilarious, roller-skating, musical adventure, all about following your dreams despite the limitations others set for you, rolls along to the original hit score composed by pop-rock legends Jeff Lynne and John Farrar. Based on the Universal Pictures cult classic movie of the same title, which starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly, “Xanadu” is hilarity on wheels for adults, children and anyone who has ever wanted to feel inspired.
“Xanadu” follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mount Olympus to Venice Beach, California in 1980 on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time – the first ROLLER DISCO! (Hey, it’s 1980!) But, when Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation, and chaos abounds.
“Xanadu” is a moving, electrifying tale of endless fun that will keep audiences in stitches while the original legendary, chart-topping ’80s tunes lift you out of your seat. You’ll want to keep the music in your head and “Xanadu” in your heart… forever.
Taking to the Music Pier Stage on Nov. 2 and 3 is the play “CLUE!” Yes, the popular board game and movie is a play! It’s a dark and stormy night, and you’ve been invited to a very unusual dinner party. Each of the guests has an alias, the butler offers a variety of weapons, and the host is, well… dead. So whodunnit? Join the iconic oddballs known as Scarlet, Plum, White, Green, Peacock and Mustard as they race to find the murderer in Boddy Manor before the body count stacks up. Based on the cult classic film and the popular board game, “CLUE!” is a madcap comedy that will keep you guessing until the final twist. This production will feature the OCTC Jr. Company.
OCTC wants you to celebrate the holidays with their magical production of “ANNIE” on Dec. 8-15 at the Ocean City Music Pier. Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, “ANNIE” has become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The beloved book and score by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin features some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written, including “Tomorrow.”
With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations… and even befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt! She finds a new home and family in billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.
OCTC will be searching for the perfect “Annie” and a cast of “orphans”. Auditions for girls ages 7-13 will be held on Oct. 6. To learn more about auditions, visit www.oceancitytheatrecompany.com or call (609) 398-1118
Tickets for all of these shows are now available at www.oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling (609) 399-6111.
OCTC is currently seeking presenting sponsors to help underwrite these productions. Interested supporters should call (609) 398-1118 or email info@oceancitytheatrecompany.com.