Seattle Musical Theatre announces its 36th season

Seattle Musical Theatre has constructed an enticing 36th season that will thrill audiences from all walks of life. New this year is a five show repertoire that includes a whimsical mix of Broadway and off-Broadway hits, contemporary and classic musicals, and a few .

The 2013-2014 season kicks off with the Tony-nominated movie-to-musical hit "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" (September 13 – October 6). Based on the popular 1988 film, the musical follows two con men living in the French Rivera, one making his extravagant living by swindling rich ladies out of their fortunes, and another who scams women by waking their compassion with the fictitious tragic tale of his grandmother’s waning health. But after meeting on a train, they realize the small town isn’t big enough for two frauds, so they determine a conning competition is the best way to see who gets to claim the territory. However, the con artist that comes out on top may come as a surprise to everyone. "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" is a cheeky, irreverent musical sure to keep everyone laughing until the very end.

To ring in the holidays, Seattle Musical Theatre is bringing back the hit from their 35th season, "Scrooge!" (December 6 – 22) Based on Charles Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol," "Scrooge!" follows grumpy Ebenezer Scrooge through his revealing night of ghostly visits from his late business partner and Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Winner of multiple Academy and Grammy Awards, Leslie Bricusse brings new life to this classic tale. Seattle Musical Theatre took its audience feedback to heart with the successful production, building a holiday tradition for families to experience this everlasting and heartwarming tale each year.

The third selection is the Tony and Drama Desk award-winning "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" (February 7 – 23). This lovably loopy musical follows six young people as they compete to become a spelling bee champion. A riotous tribute to the full spectrum of geekdom, each eccentric contestant expounds on the trials and tribulations of being a really, really good speller through hilarious and charming candid confessionals. A spunky, irresistible production riddled with improvisation, audience participation, and sunny, clever musical numbers,"Spelling Bee" finally gives nerds, oddballs, and those picked last for kickball the limelight that they richly deserve. As a unique twist, every performance includes four audience members who participate on stage as part of the bee, guaranteeing a new set of hilarious experiences every night.

Next up is the Mel Brook’s show that took Seattle by storm on its road to Broadway in 2007. "Young Frankenstein" (March 21 – April 13) is a monstrous new musical comedy that will have you remembering all the classic lines from the 1974 film starring Gene Wilder. It is the only place you'll witness a singing and dancing laboratory experiment in the largest tuxedo ever made. See Frederick Frankenstein as he unwillingly follows in his grandfather’s footsteps and becomes the mad scientist he was always meant to be.

Rounding out the season is the Pulitzer Prize, Tony, and Drama Desk Award winner "Sunday in the Park with George" (May 23 – June 15). This moving study of the enigmatic painter Georges Seurat follows the artist as he struggles to maintain his relationship with his love, Dot, while working on his definitive painting “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.” Time shifts forward 100 years later, where Seurat's descendent, an American artist, faces uncertainty about the road ahead of him. Musical theatre masters Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine bring to stage a heartbreaking work that is one of the most acclaimed musicals of all time.

Subscriptions will be available to the public for purchase in March online at www.SeattleMusicalTheatre.org or over the phone at 206-363-2809.