The Depot Theatre is hard at work preparing for its 2014 production season and is ready to announce the shows chosen to liven up the stage this summer. Are you ready? Here are the shows for the Depot’s 36th season:

• My Way, A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra (July 11-27),
• Greater Tuna (August 1 – 17),
• and Pete ‘N’ Keely (August 22 – 30).

Choosing the Depot’s 36th Season

I spoke with Karen Lewis who, as Depot Volunteer of the Year in 2012, was asked by the board to help lead the programming selection process. Karen explained that when selecting the season, the Theatre considered many plays and finally this slate of two musicals and a down home, thigh-slapping comedy were selected to lighten the summer afternoons and evenings of the Depot’s loyal audience and newcomers, alike.

“We want to make sure our audiences have a good time this summer, whether by escaping reality via songs made famous by Sinatra or laughing with and at the citizens of fictional Tuna, Texas, or by becoming members of the NBC studio audience at the final reunion show of the now divorced singing darlings Pete ‘n’ Keely,” said Karen.

Though producing professional theatre in the Adirondacks isn’t cheap, Karen explained that the theatre receives support from friends and patrons all over the country. They all believe in the Depot’s mission.

About Depot Theatre 2014 Main Stage Shows

Of course any tribute to Sinatra should be a musical, so when you stop by the Depot to view My Way be prepared to revel in 56 songs popularized by Old Blue Eyes. The Depot is even considering a relaxed “Rat Pack Happy Hour” before evening performances. The look and feel of the theatre itself may be more reminiscent of a roadhouse or juke joint during this show’s run. Prepare for straight-forward fun and easy listening.

Greater Tuna has been an immensely successful show in the United States since it premiered in the 80’s. If you’ve seen it once, you’ll want to visit again with the motley denizens of Tuna, Texas, in this laughable exploration and exaggeration of small-town Southern characters. If you saw the Depot’s 2012 performance of Hound of the Baskervilles you’ll recall that hilarious show was performed by 3 men playing multiple roles – well Greater Tuna takes that to an even greater level. If you want to see two actors exhaust themselves skillfully switching between characters then this is the show for you!

The Depot will end out the season with another musical taking you back to 1968 with Pete ‘N’ Keely. The show places you in the studio audience at NBC for a final LIVE broadcast of a now divorced singing duo. Reunited for the television broadcast reliving their swinging glory days, Pete ‘n’ Keely must deal with their issues through showbiz smiles as the show goes on. But can they do it? Will simmering resentment break through and reveal feelings of jealousy and betrayal? Perhaps the embers of love will be rekindled? Or will the studio be reduced to cinders?

Play Reading Series

The three main stage shows are not all that’s likely to make up the Depot Theatre’s 2014 season. Karen acknowledges that not everyone’s looking for laughs alone, so the Depot is considering a play reading series for those looking for more serious theatre and to give the season a good balance.

Such a series could offer staged readings of complete plays—recent plays that have been popular on and off Broadway and in London and have won Tony Awards, Pulitzers, and other special recognition—plays the Depot might never be able to produce but that audiences should want to see. Works would be chosen for the discriminating playgoer and/or those who want to see the best in modern playwriting. Casting could take advantage of both local and out-of-town actors.

Karen says, “One of the most exciting aspects of this community is the blending of local and NYC talent. There are so many great theatre companies—Pendragon in Saranac Lake, The Recovery Lounge in Upper Jay, The Essex Community Theater, The Community Players in Lake Placid—to name only the ones I’ve attended. It would be great to have of a connection with them, and with everyone who loves theatre.”

Stay tuned for more info! Visit depottheatre.org to learn more and to buy your subscription to the 2014 season.

Related articles

• Lake Champlain Weekly’s Review of Route 66 (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Theatre Review: “Lombardi” at the Depot Theatre in Westport (northcountrypublicradio.org)
• How bingo built the Depot Theatre (northcountrypublicradio.org)
• Review of Depot Theatre’s Real Women (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Review of Depot Theatre’s Funked Up Fairytales (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• A Review of Depot Theatre’s Route 66 (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Depot Theatre’s Marvelous Wonderettes Review (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)