LANDERS THEATRE

The Springfield Little Theatre, the oldest civic theatre operation of its size in Missouri, and one of the largest in mid-America, has announced its 2016-17 season.

The eight productions are:

• Sept. 16-Oct. 9, 2016 - Peter Pan is the timeless Tony Award-winning musical based on the play by Sir. M. Barrie with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh and music y Morris (Moose) Charlap. Popular songs include: I'm Flying, I've Gotta Crow, and Never Never Land.

• Oct. 28-Nov. 6, 2016 - Of Mice and Men is a slice of life during the Great Depression by John Steinbeck that tells the story of two roving farmhands with limited mental capacity who share a dream of owning their own ranch.

• Dec. 1-11, 2016 - A Christmas Story is an Amrican comedy based on the semi-fictional anecddotes of author Jean Shepherd and based on his book In God We Trust - All Others Pay Cash. The plot revolves around 9-year-old Ralphie Parker and his wish to receive a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle for Christmas.

• Jan. 20-Feb. 5, 2017 - 9 to 5 the Musical offers music and lyrics by Dolly Parton that tells the story of three female co-workers who seek revenge on their boss.

• Feb. 23-Mar. 5, 2017 - Disney's Beauty and the Beast Jr. tells the story in song of a beautiful girl named Belle who wants to escape her brutish suitor Gaston, but who gets more adventure than she bargains for.

• Mar. 31-Apr. 15, 2017 - Jesus Christ Superstar is the first rock opera by Tim Rice (lyrics) and Andrew Lloyd Webber (music).

• Apr. 27-May 7, 2017 - Freckleface Strawberry The Musical tells the story by Julianne Moore in music of a girl who will do anything to get rid of her freckles.

• June 9-25, 2017 - The Addams Family A New Musical Comedy tells in song about a ghoulish American family with a penchant for all things macabre.

History of the theatre

Fire is in the history of the Landers Theatre and its predecessor the Baldwin Theatre, first on January 6, 1909, when the Baldwin was completely demolished, and then in December 1920 when reportedly a boiler explosion destroyed much of the Landers. Reopened in May 1921 as part of the Orpheum Circuit, the Landers attracted many famous touring artists and vaudeville acts. In 1970 the Landers was purchased by the Springfield Little Theatre organization that had been in operation elsewhere since 1934. The theatre continues to undergo a series of restoration projects, preserving its original Baroque Renaissance/Napoleon style architecture and decor thanks to contributions from Springfield individuals and businesses and the city of Springfield's Hotel-Motel Tax Matching Fund. Recent restorations of the 641-seat structure, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, have been cited with awards from American Institute of Architects.

The Springfield Little Theatre, a volunteer driven organization, is located at 311 E. Walnut Ave., Springfield. The box office is open Mondays-Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Season tickets went on sale on July 1, 2016; single tickets go on sale August 1, 2016. For online services go here. To avoid a $5 processing fee buy individual tickets in person using cash. Call the box office at (417) 869-1334.

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