NCP 2012 SEASON
Annex Comedy

February 10 - 26, 2012
Directed by Peggy Hanna

Greater Tuna is the hilarious comedy about Texas' third smallest town, where the Lion's Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies.  The eclectic band of citizens that make up this town are portrayed by only two performers, making this satire on life in rural America even more delightful as they depict all of the inhabitants of Tuna - men, women, children, and animals.  For example, there is Coach Raymond Chassie, who explains why his football team lost 48-0:  "We lost mainly because we couldn't score".  And so the day continues, as Tuna's citizens parade across the stage in all their outrageous and irreverent glory, commenting on life, politics, and what makes them (and sometimes us) tick.


Youth Theatre Musical
Augustine Auditorium

March 2 - 11, 2012
Directed by Audra Moesta

Set in ancient China, this story of adventure, courage and bravery is one for all ages.  The story begins as Mulan's big day with the village Matchmaker is wrecked by her nervousness thereby dishonoring her family, making Mulan feel terrible.  Fa Zhou, her father, is unexpectedly called to the army by the Emperor's Counselor, but instead Mulan steals her father's helmet and sword, dresses as a boy and runs away from home to go in his place.  The story continues as Mulan heroically saves the army from attack then masterminds a plan to rescue the kidnapped Emperor.   Mulan is honored for her bravery and now has restored honor to her family!  The score includes favorites like "Reflection"  and "Honor to Us All" as well as new songs to get the audience up on their feet!





Augustine
Auditorium
Musical


April 27 - May 13, 2012
Directed by Brent Rodgers

It's 1959 and Rydell High is filled with rebellious, thrill-loving students.  In the midst of this scene, Sandy Dumbrowski enters as the new girl in school.  It turns out that she and the leader of the T-Birds gang, Danny Zuko, have had a brief love affair the summer before.  While Sandy stresses to her new classmates the emotional attachment she and Dannny had, Danny stresses the physical aspects of their relationship.  As the show goes on, the students at Rydell HIgh have to deal with love, gang violence, teen pregnancy, and friendship.  In the end, Sandy and Danny resolve their differences and end up happily together.  The score includes the well-known hits like "Summer Nights", "Greased Lightin' ", and "Born to Hand Jive".


Annex Comedy

June 1 - 17, 2012
Directed by Paul Angelucci

Following Brighton Beach Memoirs (presented at the NCP in 2008) and Biloxi Blues (presented at the NCP in 2011) this is the poignant and funny conclusion of Neil Simon's semi-autobiographical Brighton Beach Trilogy.  Eugene and his brother, Stanley, are trying to break into the world of professional comedy writing while coping with the breakup of their family.  When their material is broadcast on the radio for the first time, the family is upset to hear a comedy rendition of their trials and tribulations, and comic antics ensue as Eugene and Stanley continue to launch their writing careers.

Augustine Auditorium Musical

July 13 - 29, 2012
Directed by Michael Cavalier

Yee Haw!  The NCP presents this Broadway blockbuster of small town vice and political side stepping recounting the good times and the demise of the Chicken Ranch, known since the 1850's as one of the better "pleasure palaces" in all of Texas.  Governors, senators, mayors, and even victorius college football teams frequented Miss Mona's bordello until puritanical hypocrites, religious zealots dictating decency and morality, focus righteousness on the landmark.  The score features songs like "Hard Candy Christmas" and the well-known "I Will Always Love You".  Stomp your feet and holler out loud, this down home charmer will thrill audiences!



Annex Drama

August 10-26, 2012
Directed by Lester Malizia

The scene is a sprawling farmhouse in rural Missouri, which is home to Ken, a legless Vietnam veteran, and his lover, Jed, a horticulturist.  They are visited by Ken's sister, June, and her teenage daughter, ad by Gwen and John - the former a hard-drinking pill-popping heiress who aspires to be a rock star, the latter her wary-eyed husband and manager.  All are old friends from college days, and former activists who agitated for what they hoped would be a better world.  The action centers on Gwen's offer to buy the farm, which she plans to convert into a recording center, and on Ken's Aunt Sally, who has come to the family homestead to scatter the ashes of her late husband.  Their talk, as the play progresses, is sharp and funny and, in the final essence, deeply revealing of lost hopes and dreams and of the bitterness that must be fought back if one is to perceive the good which life can offer.


Annex Mystery Thriller


Oct. 19 - Nov. 4, 2012
Directed by Caryn Leslie

Postmortem, a clever thriller by Ken Ludwig, author of the 2009 Annex comedy, Lend Me a Tenor, has delighted audiences nationwide.  One of upstate New York's finest actors and playwrights, William Gillette, invites cast members for an entertaining weekend at his Connecticut River castle.  What he didn't plan on was a murder plot against him!  Sift through the classical killing devices of guns and knives with William as he tries to solve his own death scene.  Taking on the face of Sherlock Holmes, William takes on the role of his life - literally!

AUGUSTINE AUDITORIUM

Enchanted Edition

Nov. 16 - Dec. 2

Directed by Paula R. Ferguson

The timeless enchantment of a magical fairy tale is reborn with the Rodgers & Hammerstein hallmarks of originality, charm and elegance.  As adapted for the stage, with great warmth and more than a touch of hilarity, the hearts of children and adults alike still soar when the slipper fits.  Cinderella (Enchanted Edition) is paramount in transporting a new generation to the miraculous kingdom of dreams-come-true.  With memorable songs like "In My Own Little Corner", Cinderella  takes place "Once upon a time" and ends "happily ever after" bringing a bit of nostalgia to the entire family.