Alton Little Theater Showplace
ALTON — Alton Little Theater will opens its 81st consecutive season at the Showplace on Thursday, Sept. 11, with a new comedy, “Leading Ladies,” by noted playwright Ken Ludwig.
The season continues through May 2015 with three more comedies, “Kosher Lutherans” (Oct. 16-26), “Alone Together” (Jan. 15-25) and “The Dixie Swim Club” (May 7-17) and the beloved musical, “Shenandoah” (March 19-29).
The theater group is also offering two bonus musical productions, “Always....Patsy Cline” (only four public performances Dec. 4-7) and a youth production of “Grease,” slated for July 9-19.
In fact, Alton Little Theater is running 12 months of programming and bringing in concerts and a comedy bonus show. Even “Elvis” is getting in the Act when Steve Davis & Friends bring a two-hour concert spectacular, “Memories of Elvis,” to the Showplace Sept. 28. Later on, and direct from Chicago, “The Legacy Girls” veteran tribute will go on stage Nov. 1 and an audience-interactive comedy called “Miss Abigails’ Guide To Love, Marriage And Mating” will be staged for three performances Feb. 6-8.
The 81st season also offer theater-lovers 24-hour access to purchasing tickets to all productions in one of three ways: call or come by the Showplace during box office Hours: Tuesdays 4-7 p.m. and Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., go online at http://www.altonlittletheater.org/ and click on “tickets,” after Sept. 1 call Extreme Tix at (888) 695-0888 and have an operator assist with credit card purchases. During box office hours, ticket operators are available by calling the ALT office at 462-3205; season ticket holders who need to modify their performance tickets, anyone holding a complimentary ticket, or just anyone wanting information about an upcoming production can still call the 462-6562 box office number, but no reservations are taken without payment.
Changes in the ticketing procedure were necessary to accommodate the theater’s new software, which will reduce hassles for ticketholders. Guests are invited to come to the Showplace at least one-half hour before curtain time (7:30 p.m. for evening performances and 2 p.m. for matinees) and enjoy the selection of beverages at the wine and beer bar. Two hundred fifteen seats are available for each of eight performances and guests can always try their luck by coming to the theater and purchasing tickets at the door for every show. Musical tickets for adults are $22 and plays can be seen by adults for $17. All students younger than 18 can see any production for just $10.
Patrons can save the most by purchasing a season ticket, which are still available during the run of “Leading Ladies” ($75 for the regular season and $90 with a performance of “Always Patsy Cline” included). The season ticket table is open 7-9 p.m. during the run of “Leading Ladies” and has tickets for all events, even the summer 2015 Youth Musical.
More information about the theater’s planned expansion will be announced in the near future and community members are encouraged to join the ALT mailing list and support the theater’s growth by purchase of a season ticket.