Addison (TX) – WaterTower Theatre announced on Friday, August 23 that it will round out its 2019-2020 season with a special limited-engagement, concert-style production of the inspiring 1960s musical Golden Boy. Adapted from the 1930s drama by Clifford Odets, and featuring a book by Odets and William Gibson, Golden Boy tells the story of Joe Wellington, a young black man trying to rise from the Harlem ghetto as a prizefighter. Wellington, originated on Broadway in 1964 by the iconic Sammy Davis, Jr., is enticed by the boxing world’s promise of fame and fortune, but he makes one critical mistake: falling for his manager's white girlfriend, Lorna.
Golden Boy will run from August 20-30, 2020, on the Terry Martin Main Stage at the Addison Theatre Centre. The production will be led by Director Aaron Brown and Music Director Sheilah V. Walker, with choreography by Kellie Carroll. The outstanding score by Charles Strouse, with lyrics by Lee Adams, includes songs such as “I Wanna Be With You”, “This Is the Life”, “Night Song”, and “Colorful”. Golden Boy is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company.
“I have always had an affinity for Mr. Strouse’s work and had the pleasure of working with him a few years ago. Upon speaking with him about Golden Boy and its beautiful score, it became clear to me this work should be done!” said Shane Peterman, Producing Artistic Director. “I am very excited to have this wonderful artistic team lead this beautiful piece. Golden Boy is a rarity and gem of the American Musical Theatre.”
Single tickets to Golden Boy will be on sale beginning Tuesday, August 27, 2019, for $38 for adults. Subscribers who purchase tickets before September 30 will receive a special ticket price of $29. After September 30, subscribers may purchase tickets for $33. Tickets will be available online at www.watertowertheatre.org, by phone at 972-450-6232, or by visiting the Box Office at the Addison Theatre Centre, 15650 Addison Road, Addison, Texas 75001.
About the Director
Aaron Brown is happy to be returning to WaterTower Theatre where he recently directed Godspell and also served as assistant director for the world premiere production of Regina Taylor’s Bread. Aaron holds an MFA in Directing from Baylor University and is currently a faculty member at Sam Houston State University. Some of Aaron’s past productions include Crazy for You, Hamoncé: A Devised Piece, Black Magic: A Shakespeare Adaption, The Pavilion, and Hairspray.
About the Music Director
Sheilah Vaughn Walker has worked on Broadway, on national tours, and internationally as a conductor, music supervisor and music director with shows starring myriad celebrities such as Carol Channing, Audra McDonald, Christine Ebersole, Deborah Gibson, Joel Grey, Norm Lewis, Brian Stokes Mitchell, LaChanze, Lea Solonga, Tyne Daly, Fantasia, and Robert Goulet. Locally, she is the recipient of the 2005 and 2006 Leon Rabin Award for outstanding music direction for Ragtime at Lyric Stage and Urinetown at WaterTower Theatre. She is also a ten-year teaching veteran and former chairman of the vocal department at the Dallas Arts Magnet High School where she was voted Teacher of the Year. In addition to conducting, Ms. Walker has worked in multiple Broadway orchestra pits as a musician early in her career. Her television credits include appearances on Regis and Kathy Lee, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and The Jerry Lewis Telethon.
About Golden Boy
A rousing musical play adapted from Clifford Odets’ classic drama, beginning and ending with the rhythmic, breathing exhaust of the prizefight ring. Sammy Davis, Jr. had the lead role of Joe Wellington, a young black man from Harlem trying to rise up out of the ghetto to fame in the brutal world of boxing. But he makes one mistake: falling in love with his manager's girl, Lorna, a seen-it-all white woman whom he loves not wisely but all too well. Songs in this outstanding score include “I Wanna Be With You”, “This Is the Life”, “Night Song”, and “Colorful”.
Performance Details:
In the Terry Martin Main Stage at the Addison Theatre Centre
Show Run Dates: August 20 – 30, 2020
Opening Night: Thursday, July 20 at 7:30 pm
Performances:
Wednesdays & Thursdays: 7:30 p.m.
Fridays: 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 8:00 p.m.
Sundays: 2:00 p.m.
Ticket Prices:
Single Tickets - $38
*Student and Rush discounts available!
How/Where to Buy Tickets:
Online: www.watertowertheatre.org
By Phone: 972.450.6232
Or In-person: WaterTower Theatre at the Addison Theatre Centre 15650 Addison Road, Addison, TX 75001
Fax: 972.450.6244 Email: boxoffice@watertowertheatre.org
Box Office Hours
Performance Weeks: Tuesday-Saturday Noon-6 p.m. Closed Sunday-Monday
Non-Performance Weeks: Tuesday-Friday Noon-6 p.m. Closed Saturday-Monday
Please note: The Box Office opens one hour before show time on performance days and remains open through intermission.
About WaterTower Theatre
Founded in 1996, WaterTower Theatre (WTT) is one of Texas' leading professional theatre companies and one of the flagship arts institutions in North Texas, having played an important role as a leader in developing new talent and encouraging the growth of the DFW artistic community through its commitment to hiring local artists. WaterTower Theatre is consistently recognized for its artistic excellence by the Dallas Theatre League, DFW Theatre Critics Forum, The Dallas Morning News, The Dallas Observer, D Magazine, and The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, among others. WaterTower Theatre has a subscription base of more than 2,000 subscribers and serves an audience of over 24,000 patrons annually.
WaterTower Theatre is 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. WaterTower Theatre relies on its ticket income and generous donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government organizations to produce world-class live professional theatre and to offer community engagement and arts education programs. WaterTower Theatre gratefully acknowledges the support of the Town of Addison, The Shubert Foundation, TACA, Texas Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. WaterTower Theatre’s 2019-2020 Season is also supported, in part, through the generosity of its Producers Circle, including civic, corporate, and foundation donors AMLI Residential, Atmos Energy, FASTSIGNS Carrollton, Frost Bank, ONCOR, Slalom, Veritex Community Bank, Whole Foods, and individual donors Don and Barbara Daseke, The Bob Downs Family, Stan Graner and Jim McBride, Phillip and Janeva Longacre, Tom and Holly Mayer, Kathy Messina and Gary Goodwin, Janiece and Jimmy Niemann, Karol Omlor, Paul and Norma Schultz, Jack and Libby Swindle, Deborah and Craig Sutton, Ron and Donna Whitehead.
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