The Backstage Series: Luv By Murray Schisgal featuring Gary Walters, Ralph Strangis and Laurie McDonald Directed by George Morrow August 17 - 26, 2007 Theatre Coppell's season opens with its “Backstage Series” show featuring Gary Walters and Ralph Strangis from last year's smash summer hit, Rounding Third, along with TC stage veteran Laurie McDonald. Three lonely souls play a game of relationship musical chairs with their distorted quest for romantic love in this quirky comedy. Harry Berlin, a beatnik with no future is saved from jumping off a bridge by his old college classmate Milt Manville. As they both compare their miseries, Milt hatches a scheme to palm off his wife Ellen on Harry so Milt can marry his new girlfriend. The plan seems to work, but then this convoluted love triangle unravels amid chaos and hilarity as the three try to find out what true “love” is really all about. And the greater their misunderstandings and problems, the more you laugh. A classic comedy, the play is rich with physical humor and sight gags. Sponsored by Coppell Family Medical Center Deathtrap By Ira Levin Directed by Mike Arthur October 5 - 21, 2007 This ingenious thriller promises a rare and skillful blending of two priceless theatrical ingredients: thrills that make the audience gasp and situations that promote spontaneous laughter. Dealing with the devious machinations of a writer of thrillers whose recent offerings have been flops, and who is prepared to go to any lengths to improve his fortunes, it provides twists and turns and sudden shocks in such abundance that audiences will be held spellbound until the very last moment. Two-thirds a thriller and one-third a devilishly clever comedy. Suspend your disbelief and be delighted! Contains some adult situations and language. Sponsored by Charlotte's Web By By E.B. White, Adapted by Joseph Robinette Directed by Wheelice Wilson, Jr. December 7 - 21, 2007 The Children's Literature Association named this "the best American children's book of the past two hundred years," All the enchanting characters are here: Wilbur, the irresistible young pig; Fern, a girl who understands what animals say to each other; Templeton, the gluttonous rat; the Zuckerman family; the Arables; and, most of all, the extraordinary spider, Charlotte, who proves to be a true friend and a good writer. Determined to save Wilbur, Charlotte begins her campaign with the "miracle" of her web in which she writes, "Some pig." It's the beginning of a victorious campaign which ultimately ends with the now-safe Wilbur doing what is most important to Charlotte. This is a beautiful, knowing play about friendship that provides an evening of enchantment. The Shadow Box By Michael Cristofer Directed by Wheelice Wilson, Jr. February 8 - 24, 2008 In this Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play, three terminally ill patients and their families deal with their relationships, anxieties and impending mortality in three cottages on the grounds of a large hospital. Surrounded by loved ones, all are trying to face and make sense of death. The play dramatizes their anxieties and their coming to grips with the finality of their condition, a preordained future whose only imponderable trait is its exact length. An overwhelmingly poetic, emotional experience that is as funny as it is moving. NOTE: This show contains adult situations and language. Parental discretion advised. Sponsored by 8384 N. Beltine Road Irving, TX 75063 214.574.2000 800.388.7889 Funny Money By Ray Cooney Audition Info Directed by George Morrow April 11 - 27, 2008 Never has this master of farce been frenetically funnier. Henry A. Perkins, a mild mannered C.P.A, accidentally picks up the wrong briefcase-one full of money. Henry assumes it is illicit cash and he decides to keep it. Then the fun begins as Henry begins dodging the police, a taxi driver with an attitude, his wife who just fell off the wagon, his in-laws and “Mr. Big” the true owner of the briefcase. Henry's inept attempts to extricate himself from this impossible circumstance lead to increasingly hysterical situations. From the author of last season's hilarious farce, Run for Your Wife, this show promises to be another of TC's popular and hysterical comedy productions. Cabaret' Book by Joe Masteroff Based on the play by John Van Druten and Stories by Christopher Isherwood Music by John Kander Lyrics by Fred Ebb Directed by Wheelice Wilson, Jr. July 11 - 27, 2008 A seductive and visceral story of love and war, this musical is the story of Cliff, an American writer who discovers the dilapidated decadence of 1930s Berlin at the dawn of the Hitler era. He falls in with the denizens of the Kit Kat Klub, and takes up with the club's former star attraction, the incredible Sally Bowles. He witnesses the blindness and self-deception of a group of people who allow Nazism to gradually take control while they are emotionally and spiritually fast asleep. Performances for all shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. TC's 2003-2004 season TC's 2004-2005 season TC's 2005-2006 season TC's 2006-2007 season