Virtual event reveals monster season

By Shari Goldstein Stern

A little rain, hard hats and a two-year pandemic could not keep Theatre Three (T3) patrons and newbies away from celebrating the theatre’s 60th anniversary season announcement Monday night. The dress-up affair that was planned for the Norma Young Theatre was thoughtfully replaced with electronics including laptops, desktops, cell phones and tablets in the comfort of pajamas and convenience of living rooms across North Texas. Fans tuned in to Facebook’s free, streaming event, “Light the Way” at 7:30 Monday night. 

Following the 2022-2023 season announcements, the evening included the lighting of T3’s marquee after two years in the dark. T3 staged this streaming event for electronic viewing of the indoor and exterior of Dallas’ oldest professional theatre. T3’s usual high quality work was reflected in the production. 

The season will include the world premiere of a swashbuckling musical, “Stede Bonnet: A F****** Pirate Musical,” a tale based on the true story of the Gentleman Pirate. According to the playwright, Nicole Neely: “Stede, depressed and exhausted of his luxurious life, chooses to leave everything behind and become the best pirate in the world. One problem … he doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing.” Penned by Nicole Neely, a Dallas playwright, director and actor, the play will be presented April 7-May 1 on T3’s Norma Young Arena Stage. 

Oct. 13-Nov. 13, Theatre Three will bring “Young Frankenstein” to the boards. With the book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, directed by Joel Ferrell, and music directed by Cody Dry, the show is presented in partnership with Circle Theatre. 

Frankenstein’s story will be familiar to audiences who remember the movie by the same name. The film featured Gene Wilder, along with Cloris Leachman as Frau Blucher, who says emphatically about the creature, Frankenstein, “He was my Boyfriend!” With memorable tunes like “The Transylvania Mania,” “Don’t Touch Me” and “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” it will be a pleasure to welcome the younger Frankenstein to T3.

It’s hard to imagine the mind-blowing film, “Elephant Man” as a musical in the small, round stage, but T3 will surprise audiences in January with the third show of the season. Fans of the film can’t forget the pathetic, twisted, mistreated, human circus freak, the Elephant Man. It should be another memorable experience when live audiences occupy the same space as the dejected monster. Written by Bernard Pomerance and directed by Jeffrey Schmidt, “The Elephant Man” will play at T3 Jan. 19-Feb. 19, 2023.

The regional premiere of Federico García Lorca’s “The Butterfly’s Evil Spell” will run April 6 – April 30, 2023, directed by Jeffrey Schmidt. An “insect comedy” written in verse, “The Butterfly’s Evil Spell” is a story about unrequited love in a “green and humble meadow” covered in dewdrops and dripping in poetry.”

An emotionally charged rock musical, “Next to Normal,” directed by Christie Vela with music direction by Vonda K. Bowling, will end the 60th T3 season June 1-July 7, 2023. “Next to Normal” explores a family’s raw and emotional journey with a mother struggling with chronic bipolar disorder as they navigate a world of therapists and medication. The tragic love story is Tony-Award winning musical. 

For more information about Theatre Three, visit Theatre3Dallas.com or call the Theatre Three Box Office at 214-871-3300.

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