Uptown Players will close its 2010 season at the KD Studio Theatre with the USA Premiere of The Pet Shop Boys' musical Closer to Heaven running October 1 - October 24, 2010. Set amid the hedonistic gay culture of London's club-land, Closer to Heaven tells the story of Dave - young, sexy and fresh from Ireland and seeking the big time in London. Meanwhile, the outrageous Bob Saunders, pop manager extraordinaire, has his own plans for Dave. As fame and fortune beckon, Dave quickly learns that things aren't always as straightforward as they seem.
The book Closer to Heaven is by Jonathan Harvey whose plays include Beautiful Thing, Guiding Star and Out in the Open. The music and lyrics are by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, better known as the Pet Shop Boys, the most successful pop duo in British chart history who have sold over 28 million albums worldwide. Their number one hits include "West End Girls" and "It's a Sin".
Tickets for all shows, except Broadway Our Way are $25 - $35. Performances at the KD Studio Theatre, 2600 Stemmons Freeway, I-35 at Medical District Street will be at 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Performances at the Kalita Humphreys Theater will run at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings and 2 p.m. on Sunday with an added Thursday show on March 18 (Equus) and May 13 (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels). Season Ticket Flex Packages are also available and include great discounts and reserved seats. Individual and season tickets can be purchased online at www.uptownplayers.org or by phone at (214) 219-2718.
Now in its ninth season, Uptown Players has gathered a dedicated following with an annual audience base of over 12,000 patrons, including almost 1000 season subscribers. The response from the community and critics has been remarkable, including over 25 Leon Rabin Awards from the Dallas Theatre League, several hundred "The Column" Awards and 18 Theater Critics Forum Awards in its first seven seasons. Uptown Players has also been named the best theatre company by the Dallas Voice Readers in 2006 and 2007 and by the Dallas Observer in 2004 and 2005.
Uptown Players is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, presenting plays and musicals that challenge audiences artistically, build cultural bridges, and strive to create greater positive public awareness and acceptance through the performing arts. There is no other theater group with this unique mission in the Dallas area.
UPTOWN PLAYERS 2010 SEASON:
Broadway Our Way - January 15 - 24, 2010
Equus - February 16 - March 21, 2010
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - April 23 - May 16, 2010
Regrets Only - June 11 - June 27, 2010
Forbidden Broadway: Greatest Hits, Volume - August 6 - August 29, 2010
Closer to Heaven - October 1 - October 24, 2010
DREAM THEATRE CAMPAIGN
In 2008, with an eye to the future, Uptown Players realized their current facilities would not suit their needs and began to explore options for moving to a new site. The Dream Theatre campaign's goals are to identify the best venue for the future and secure the funding needed to allow Uptown Players to grow and continue to serve our diverse community. A special campaign board, formed in 2009, has worked with local realtors, fundraising consultants, and other area experts to scope the theater's needs, identify the best financial options and seek properties.
Uptown Players is pleased to announce the next phase in its Dream Theatre Campaign. During the 2010 season, several productions will be performed at the historic Kalita Humphreys Theater. This move will allow Uptown Players to continue their tradition of high quality, innovative and challenging theater while maximizing the facilities offered by the Kalita Humphreys. Jeff Rane, Uptown Players' Co-Founder stated, "In many ways, the Kalita Humphreys is an ideal venue for Uptown Players. We will remain close to our community and hopefully attract new patrons. The increased space, both on stage and in the audience, allows us to expand our offerings and welcome more theater-goers to each performance." Craig Lynch, Uptown Players Co-Founder, adds, "The economic challenges of 2008 - 2009 presented us with harsh realities as we embarked on our search for a new venue. By utilizing the amazing space available at the Kalita Humphreys Theater, we can meet our artistic goals while continuing our Dream Theatre Campaign on a slightly longer timeline."
