Berkeley Playhouse has pulled out all the stops for next year’s professional season, Subscriptions (flex passes) are on sale now! It’s a year of fantasy and adventure at the East Bay’s new favorite place for family musical theatre! The season opens this August with the west coast professional premiere of Disney’s Aladdin. The stage adaptation retains all of the magic of the blockbuster animated movie, with the humor and songs kids and adults love so much — tunes like “Arabian Nights,” “Friend Like Me,” and “A Whole New World.” Jennifer King Artistic Director of Napa Valley College Repertory Theater, will direct.  Single tickets are available now, or why not subscribe to the whole fantastic season?

In November-December, Artistic Director Elizabeth McKoy brings to the stage the “Enchanted” version of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Based on the 1997 remake with a multicultural cast including Whitney Houston and Bernadette Peters, Berkeley Playhouse’s Cinderella will be full of whimsy, silly humor, and aerial adventure. Executive Director Jerry R. Foust will lead the orchestra. Each matinee performance will be a kids’ costume ball – young audience members are encouraged to dress up for a parade on-stage after the show.

In the Spring, the most famous of C.S. Lewis’ novels comes to life with a musical adaptation of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe. Jon Tracy (award-winning playwright and director) will direct this fantasy-adventure.

Jon Tracy will also team up with composer Scott DeTurk to realize Berkeley Playhouse’s first commissioned work for the professional mainstage. The all-ages musical will be a coming-of-age story about love and family — in all their forms — in the shadow of Prop 8. The piece will premiere in April as the inaugural work of the Playhouse’s new works series, “Voices.”

The Cat in the Hat – well, he’s back! Closing out the 2010-2011 season will be a return of the 2007 Playhouse mega-hit, Seussical the Musical. The show will be directed by Kimberly Dooley.

In addition to the professional season, Berkeley Playhouse conservatory students will also stage several musicals, including Disney’s Aristocats, Bravado (a new musical), and Little Shop of Horrors.

SUBSCRIPTIONS ON-SALE NOW! The Playhouse has unveiled some new cost-saving measures and benefits for subscribers. There is a Buy 3-Get-1-Free option (4-Show Pass), and a Buy-4-Get-1-Free (5-Show Pass).

Passes come in Adult, Youth, Senior and Tot (5 and under) prices. Purchasers of the 5-Show Pass get a free “Bring A Friend” voucher.

All mainstage performances are at the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Avenue, Berkeley.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT EACH SHOW!

CLICK HERE TO BUY SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW!