State Theatre's 2009-10 season appeals to all ages

SANDUSKY

What do the Pink Ladies, puppets, Elisabeth Von Trapp, Cinderella, menopause, Irish funerals and The Pointer Sisters have in common?

All will grace the stage of the Sandusky State Theatre, which unveiled its 2009-10 schedule at a press conference Thursday afternoon.

Thomas Kazmierczak III, executive director of the theater, said his board of directors made a conscious effort this year to provide programming for all ages.

Kazmierczak said he believes the theater has assembled its strongest lineup in the venue's history.

"This is going to be the best year ever," he said. "We have traditional, exciting and entertaining programs for everyone."

One of the highlights of the season is the introduction of Bayside Puppets Theatre.

Pat Olsen, a puppet designer, fashioned a lively and diverse group of puppets, led by Lola Fontana, a cabaret singer from San Francisco.

Always in storytelling mode, Olsen said Lola landed her gig at the State Theatre after giving a rousing -- and possibly arousing -- performance for the prisoners at the North Central Correctional Institution in Marion.

But Kazmierczak assured the audience the puppets are family entertainment: "A Rockin' Halloween Adventure with Wendy Witch," "Santa's Holiday Hoedown" and "The Great Bunny Caper" are all on their docket for 2009.

There are plenty of other upcoming goodies for the kids too.

"High School Music 2" (Aug. 13-14), "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (Dec. 5-8), "The Diary of Anne Frank" (Oct. 23), "Harry the Dirty Dog" (March 3) and "Alice in Wonderland" (March 8) are some of the highlights.

For adults, "Grease" (July 25-Aug. 2), "Menopause the Musical" (Oct. 6-7), the first-ever "Sound of Music" Festival (Oct. 17-18), "The Wedding Singer" (Oct. 25), Moscow's Ballet (Dec. 9) and Finnegan's Farewell (Mar. 11-16) will attract large crowds.

As for concerts, the Israeli Ethnic Ensemble (Nov. 6), The Pointer Sisters (Nov. 14) and the Vienna Boys Choir (Dec. 2) will hold down the fort. The Israeli Ethnic Ensemble will also host workshops Nov. 1-7 throughout the city.

The 2009-10 season runs from this summer through next. It will kick off with "Mario & Mary's Wedding" (June 5-July 11), an interactive musical comedy show.

The popular Christmas Point, U.S.A. campaign will also return and will be bigger and better than its inaugural run, Kazmierczak said.

The State Theatre plans to assemble the largest collection of Santa Claus dolls in the world, and Kazmierczak said "Columbus Avenue and Water Street will be totally reformed" with lights, decorations and storefront displays.

For a complete schedule of the season, click HERE.