Summer theater company says tickets will go fast

Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Michael Querio admits some sleepless nights and agony went into the careful selection of the upcoming season in Grand Lake.

But now that the choices are scheduled, it was worth it.

“This season is a winner,” said the director, who is entering his fourth year with the theater.

“Each year after the season, we ask ourselves how we can possibly equal the previous season’s success, but each year has improved in quality and brought so much additional acceptance and support from our patrons,” said Susan Brandt, board vice president. “It seems that RMRT has become its very own hard act to follow.”

The first of four live theatre shows staged this summer will be “Oklahoma!” The play, first performed in 1943, opens June 13.

It was chosen for its celebration of the American spirit and the fact that it “brings something for the entire family.” The score includes such favorites as “People Will Say We’re in Love,” “Oh What A Beautiful Mornin’” and title song “Oklahoma!”

Paying homage to the great American musical, comedy “Urinetown” makes its debut before audiences in Grand Lake a week later.

A Gotham-like city government decides to enforce a ban on private toilets after a 20-year drought and what ensues is “a satirical tale of greed, corruption, love and revolution.” Audiences root for an emerging hero who leads everyone to freedom.

Next on the program is “Big! The Musical,” which opens July 5. Based on the hit movie from 1987 starring Tom Hanks, the story follows Josh Baskin, an adolescent boy who gets his wish to be a man. Although adulthood has its benefits, the shoes become too big for him to fill.

RMRT’s 2008 fall production attempts to answer the question that is the title of the play, “Why Do Fools Fall In Love?”

A mixture of comedy and drama, the show highlights love songs from the 1960s as four friends celebrate an upcoming wedding for one of them. The bachelorette party gains momentum and the girls get more than they bargain for as they learn more about each other and are reminded of the strength of friendship. Songs include “Baby I’m Yours,” “I Will Follow Him” and “Easier Said Than Done.”

The theatre company celebrates 178 sell-out performances during the last three seasons. A box office survey indicated an average 68 patrons per day are denied entry because tickets are sold out.

“It’s so disappointing to receive a call for tickets or see a smiling couple or family arrive at the box office only to learn that there are no tickets available,” Scott said, “but that is going to happen regularly until we have a new theatre and those additional 108 seats — and that will be a grand day in every sense of the word.”

Plans for funding to build a new 300-seat theatre on land the theatre company purchased last fall are making headway but, in the meantime, patrons are encouraged to buy their tickets early for the upcoming season.

Tickets and ticket packages go on sale March 1. For more information call (970) 627-5087 or visit www.rockymountainrep.com.

Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre is a nonprofit Colorado corporation.