Month: September 2024

(SEP 19, 2024—GAINESVILLE, GA) Gainesville Theatre Alliance is thrilled to present The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, a musical adaptation of the popular children’s story, as part of its 2024-25 Monster of a Season, and its annual Theatre for Young Audiences offering. The show runs October 5-12 at Brenau University’s Pearce Auditorium.

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs brings a fresh perspective to the classic tale. When the Big, Bad Wolf takes the stand in Piggsylvania’s Trial of the Century, he finally gets his say. But whether he’ll get a fair trial in a corrupt piggy court is anyone’s guess. Will the pigs’ splashy puppet show make a puppet out of justice, or is the wolf’s catchy song and dance about a sneeze gone wrong all razzle-dazzle? Enter the jury box and decide the wolf’s fate in this musical adaptation of the hit children’s book. The show is recommended for all ages.

Director Kimberly Staples, who recently retired as the Theatre Director for Buford County Schools and now teaches Theatre Education at the University of North Georgia is excited to bring this retelling to life. “One of my mentors has repeatedly said to me that perception is reality. And that is true for this retelling of this childhood favorite,” Staples said. “Which perception is the truth? The pigs? The wolf? You, the audience, get to decide.”

GTA Artistic Director Zechariah Pierce is hoping the Gainesville families will enjoy the show. “It’s been quite some time since our Theatre for Young Audiences offering has produced a musical (perhaps the first ever of this particular kind of musical), so we chose one that is a well-known adaptation of a popular children’s book,” Pierce said.

Audiences are invited to attend the free Ice Cream Social catered by Puzzle Piece Pastries, which takes place after the October 6th 2:30 pm performance. Characters from the show will be in attendance and will be available for pictures.

Tickets for the show range from $8 to $16 and are available for purchase at GainesvilleTheatreAlliance.org or by calling the GTA Box Office at 678-717-3624.

(SEP 5, 2024—GAINESVILLE, GA) Gainesville Theatre Alliance proudly announces its 2024-25 season, themed “A Monster of a Season.” This season promises to captivate audiences with four thrilling productions. “We try to showcase, both to our audiences and our students, a wide range of genre, story-telling techniques, cultural foci, historical periods, and technological challenges in producing,” said Artistic Director Zechariah Pierce. “We sold out 3 of the 4 shows of our season last year, so we’re hoping people get their tickets early, so they don’t miss out this time!”

• The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, book & lyrics by Robert Kauzlaric, music by Paul Gilvary & William Rush, based on the book by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith
  October 5-12, 2024 at Brenau University’s Pearce Auditorium
  Recommended for all ages
  When the Big, Bad Wolf takes the stand in Piggsylvania’s Trial of the Century, he finally gets his say. But whether he’ll get a fair trial in a corrupt piggy court is anyone’s guess. Will the pigs’ splashy puppet show make a puppet out of justice, or is the wolf’s catchy song and dance about a sneeze gone wrong all razzle-dazzle? Enter the jury box and decide the wolf’s fate in this musical adaptation of the hit children’s book.
• A Monster Calls, based on the novel by Patrick Ness and inspired by an original idea by Siobhan Dowd, devised by Sally Cookson, Adam Peck and the Company
  November 8-16, 2024 at University of North Georgia-Gainesville’s Ed Cabell Theatre
  Recommended for ages 13+ for intense emotional themes
  Conor has the same dream every night, ever since his mother fell ill and started treatments that don’t seem to be working. But tonight, there’s a visitor at his window, and it wants the most dangerous thing of all: the truth. This powerful theatrical adaptation, brought to life through inventive staging, explores the complexities of loss and the strength found in confronting the truth.
• Macbeth by William Shakespeare
  February 14-22, 2025 at Brenau University’s Hosch Theatre
  Recommended for ages 13+ for violence and dark psychological themes
  Valiant Scottish general Macbeth meets three witches who predict he will become Thane of Cawdor and then King of Scotland, igniting in him a desire for power. As Macbeth and his wife seize power through a series of bloody deeds, they are led down a path of murder, madness, and eventual ruin. Shakespeare’s timeless and compelling tragedy dramatizes the effects of political ambition on those who seek power.
• Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein, book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, music and lyrics by Mel Brooks
  April 11-19, 2025 at University of North Georgia-Gainesville’s Ed Cabell Theatre
  Recommended for ages 15+ for sexual innuendo and mild language
  From the creators of Broadway sensation, The Producers, comes this monster musical comedy, adapted from the legendary film. Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein inherits his family’s estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick and a leggy lab assistant, Frederick brings his own monster to life. Scientifically proven, monstrously good entertainment!

Tickets for all performances are on sale now and patrons are encouraged to take advantage of GTA’s season packages, which offer up to 20% off based on the number of shows purchased on the season. Tickets and season packages can be purchased online at GainesvilleTheatreAlliance.org or by contacting the box office at 678-717-3624.