The Pollard Theatre Announces Return with Season 34: In Good Company

Image
  • Ticket holders from Season 33 productions You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Puffs will be honored for the new dates.
    Ticket holders from Season 33 productions You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Puffs will be honored for the new dates.
Body

Guthrie, OK (Monday, 21st, 2021) –Today, the Pollard Theatre Company announces plans to reopen in August, welcoming audiences back to the theatre for the first time since closing its doors in March 2020. 

Under the creative vision of Artistic Director Jared Blount, Pollard's 34th Season: In Good Company will encompass a blend of contemporary and traditional works and long-awaited productions. In addition, under the administrative leadership of Executive Director Kara Luther-Chapman, Pollard submits a restructured format of operations that will include a Mainstage Series featuring traditional live theatre performances and the Pollard Performance Series; supplementary programming featuring concerts, comedians, and musical revues. 

"I couldn't be more excited returning to live theatre with this eclectic blend of shows, including a reinvigorated telling of Bram Stoker's Dracula and the long-awaited regional premiere of Puffs, or Seven Uneventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic," says newly appointed Artistic Director, Jared Blount. "After a year and a half apart from our friends and family, it only seems necessary to comment on our need for connection. Every show in this season has an allusion to loneliness or isolation, in which the realization for both the characters and the audience hopefully is, ‘We are not alone.’ That theme, partnered with our longstanding tradition of diverse and quality productions, is a promise for a meaningful year of theatre.” In total, Pollard will provide ten live performances for audiences in its year-round season. 

"As part of an aggressive strategy to ensure long-term viability, Pollard is excited to welcome this new hybrid model of performances. While we experienced numerous challenges during the pandemic, it also provided a moment to evaluate our strategic plan and refresh our business model," says Executive Director, Kara Luther-Chapman. "We are thrilled to provide more live-performance events for our audiences and broaden our demographic. In addition, more performances mean more job opportunities for local artists and economic growth for Oklahoma."


The Pollard opens with The 39 Steps (August 6th-28th), a hilarious and fast-paced blend of Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece of the same title, mixed with covert espionage and a dash of Monty Python in this classic whodunit. Audiences will recognize acclaimed Oklahoma actors Wil Rogers and David Fletcher-Hall, rounding out a cast of four performers playing over 150 various roles. 

"When you’re talking about train chases, plane crashes and a character list that long, you need four very talented actors to pull off that particular endurance test," says Blount. "The actors we’ve found won’t just kill it- they’ll kill it like Norman Bates. Part of the excitement of experiencing that show is wondering how the actors are going to execute the next bit, and when they succeed, it’s a whole night of laughter.” 

Followed by a limited engagement concert featuring the sultry vocals of singer-songwriter Shelly Phelps & the Storm (September 3rd & 4th) for the Pollard Performance Series. 

"We are delighted to announce Oklahoma native Shelly Phelps and her talented band as our first in-house Pollard Performance Series guest artist," says Luther-Chapman. "She is an elegant blend of blues and rock with a touch of theatrical flair that audiences will love." 

Then, in October, under the co-direction of Blount and Luther-Chapman, the Pollard dares patrons to return for the seductive and gothic horror of Steven Dietz's Dracula (October 8th-30th). This production hopes to restore the suspense and seduction of Stoker's famous vampire, and might leave audiences in awe. 

"This production in particular is one we are very excited about; while it will be a challenge from a technical standpoint, we believe it will be both memorable and impactful to our audiences." says Blount. "People want to see the classic interpretation of Dracula, and they have a certain expectation of who and what that is. It would be very interesting to meet that expectation in a way that truly frightens people." 

To wrap up 2021, attendees will recognize the traditional holiday classic; It's a Wonderful Life: a Live Radio Play (November 26th-December 23rd) featuring new and returning cast members. This production, staged as a 1940's radio broadcast, transports audiences to a bygone era narrating the story of idealistic George Bailey and a fateful Christmas Eve. 

The Pollard will return in 2022 with a slated comedic performance to be announced in January, and will dazzle audiences with the vocal stylings of Jimmy Dale-Richardson in Heartbreak Hotel: An Evening with the King (February 4th-12th) as part of the Pollard Performance Series. Then, in March, the Peanuts come to life in the family-friendly musical: You're a Good Man,Charlie Brown (March 4th-26th), followed by the regional premiere of Puffs, or Seven Uneventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic (May 6th-28th). Finally, Cross Rags & Young (June 24th & 25th) will close the Pollard Performance Series for an encore performance after headlining the Pollard's Welcome Home: Benefit Concert held on May 15th, 2021. 

"This season provides something for everyone, and we believe the response will be a positive one. Our restructured format invites new patrons to experience the historic elegance of the Pollard while maximizing our assets and ensuring we return to live-in theatre performances stronger than ever." exclaimed Luther-Chapman. 

The Pollard Theatre Company is a professional resident theatre recognized by patrons, critics, and artists as one of the leading theatrical producers in central Oklahoma. The Pollard Theatre Company produces with additional support from the Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, The Shubert Foundation, and Guthrie Tourism. The Pollard Theatre is located at 120 W. Harrison Ave. Guthrie, OK 73044. Ticket holders from Season 33 productions You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Puffs will be honored for the new dates. Tickets are on sale now! For more information on upcoming programming or to purchase tickets, please visit www.thepollard.org or call (405) 282-2800. 

 

Subscribe to the online newsletter:

* indicates required