Geva Theatre Center's 40th Anniversary Season to Include AVENUE Q and More

Geva Theatre Center's Artistic Director Mark Cuddy and Executive Director Tom Parrish today announced the much anticipated 2012-2013 season of seven Wilson Mainstage productions and six Fielding Nextstage presentations that make up the organization's 40th Anniversary Season of producing professional theatre for audiences in the Greater Rochester region. The season, titled Live the Dream, celebrates the dream of the organization's founders 40 years ago for professional regional theatre in Rochester. For the past 40 years, Geva has realized dreams on its stages: the dreams of playwrights seeing their words brought to life, of actors who have dreamt all their lives of performing on the world's great stages, the dreams of directors and designers who create unlimited worlds to explore, and the dreams of audience members who are transported through great storytelling.

The 2012-2013 Wilson Mainstage Season is sponsored by Nocon & Associates, A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., and will feature a great American classic comedy; a play about two of the greatest minds of the 20th century going head-to-head in intellectual combat; the Rochester premiere of one of the hottest new Broadway musicals; a rollicking modern comedy about one of America's favorite pastimes; a moving play set against the backdrop of the Civil War; and the grand finale - one of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies. Rochester will also celebrate Charles Dickens' bicentenary with Geva's magical production of A Christmas Carol, a holiday tradition.

Continuing on the success of the 2012 Fielding Nextstage Season, Geva will present a full program of productions in the Fielding throughout 2012-2013, including Geva's entry in the inaugural First Niagara Rochester Fringe Festival, the return of a stunning one-woman play about our educational system and an eclectic collection of great contemporary plays.

Rochesterians are also in for a huge, pre-season treat as Geva announces two spectacular summer events: the Tony Award-winning Avenue Q, in residence at Geva from June 28 to July 21 and The Tribute to Sir Elton John and Billy Joel from July 27 to August 11.

"For those of us fortunate to have Geva be a nationally-recognized cultural leader in 2012, we have to pay homage to the millions of audience members in our community who have attended for thirty-nine years," commented Artistic Director Mark Cuddy. "That devotion has inspired the artists of Geva to plan a celebratory season that best expresses the artistry and variety that our community has come to expect from us. I think we've done it!"

"Forty years ago, a group of Committed Artists and civic leaders had a dream for a professional theatre in Rochester," adds Executive Director Tom Parrish. "The upcoming anniversary season celebrates the dedication of the many that have made Geva Theatre Center what it is today, looks to future with optimism, and reflects the dreams of our community – dreams of family, friendship, faith, love, quality education, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness."

Geva Theatre Center approaches its 40th anniversary with a deep respect for where it has come from and with a clear vision about its plans for the future. To celebrate the beginnings of Geva Theatre Center, we will present a special, Anniversary Lunchtime Series. Geva's first productions in 1973-74 were short offerings during lunch. In that spirit, we will present Four Readings for the Fortieth...each Forty Minutes long, presented in the Fielding Nextstage on Thursdays at 12:15pm, two in the fall and two in late spring: September 27 and October 4, May 2 and 9. A ticket and lunch option will be provided. Honoring the audience's essential role in making live theatre, attendees of Company will be able to vote for their four favorite lunchtime plays from the inaugural season, and those are the ones that Geva will produce in a reading format.

Additionally, Rochester's leading professional theatre will be announcing a special program of signature events to celebrate this Ruby Anniversary at a later date.

For 40 years, Geva Theatre Center has been Rochester's home for great theatre offering patrons the opportunity to enjoy superb, landmark productions in their own community. Geva Theatre Center continues to be one of the premier cultural and educational institutions in Rochester, the most attended regional theatre in New York State, and is a leader among professional theatres in this country.