There's nothing like live theater to create a sense of community; a conversation between the audience, the playwright, and the actors on stage. The Beaumont Community Players are back with an exciting 2016-2017 season to create the magic that not only entertains but challenges and provokes us.

My Fairy Lady

Director: Paula Bothe
Rated G | Family
McFaddin- Ward Auditorium
September 9, 10, 16, 17*, 22, 23, 24, 2016

"My Fair Lady" has gorgeous music, charming characters, and a delightful story. It is brilliantly witty and funny as it matches a determined woman with a stubborn man in a battle of wills. The Principal Songs include "Wouldn't It Be Loverly?," With a Little Bit of Luck," "The Rain in Spain," "I Could Have Danced All Night," "On The Street Where You Live," "Get Me to the Church on Time," "Show Me," and "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face."

She Kills Monsters

Director: Michael Saar and Michael Mason
Rated R | Mild Adult Themes
McMillan Studio Theater
October 14, 15, 21, 22*, 28, 29

A comedic romp into the world of fantasy role-playing games, She Kills Monsters tells the story of Agnes Evans as she leaves her childhood home in Ohio following the death of her teenage sister, Tilly. When Agnes finds Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook, however, she stumbles into a journey of discovery and action-packed adventure in the imaginary world that was Tilly’s refuge. In this high-octane dramatic comedy laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres, and 90s pop culture offers a heart-pounding homage to the geek and warrior within us all.

The Happy Elf

Director: Alan Anderud
Rated G | Family
McFaddin-Ward Auditorium
November 25, 26, December 2, 3*, 8, 9, 10

The Happy Elf tells the tale of Eubie the Elf, a lovable fellow who wants to spread Christmas joy throughout the town of Bluesville.  You'll follow Eubie, the happiest elf in the North Pole. More than anything else, Eubie longs to be a part of Santa’s sleigh team. Instead, he’s stuck checking the naughty-or-nice lists. Then one Christmas Eve he sees something strange: in the whole town of Bluesville, not a single person has been nice. With a pinch of elfish magic and a magical whoosh, Eubie’s off to Bluesville. But can he turn a whole town of naughty children nice in just one day?

"Christmas is my favorite time of the year because it brings together family, friends, and traditions," says Director Alan Anderud. "This year I have chosen to direct "The Happy Elf." I think it embodies all of what I enjoy about this wonderful time of the year. The music, joy, and laughter bring back those childhood memories we all seem to forget as we grow older. The excitement of Christmas is brought to life by three elves as they are charged with turning an entire town with nothing but naughty kids into nice ones for Christmas. Don't miss this new musical comedy by Grammy Award-winning artist Harry Connick Jr."

God of Carnage

Director: Reese Ravencraft
Rated R | Strong Adult Themes
McMillan Studio Theatre
January 27, 28, February 3, 4*, 9, 10, 11

A playground altercation between eleven-year-old boys brings together two sets of Brooklyn parents for a meeting to resolve the matter. At first, diplomatic niceties are observed, but as the meeting progresses, and the rum flows, tensions emerge and the gloves come off, leaving the couples with more than just their liberal principles in tatters.

"I've always loved irony and people-watching. 'God of Carnage' is a warped romp into the ridiculous; one that is steeped in irony," says Director Reese Ravencraft. "This play combines the two in a darkly funny character study. There is a playground fight where a child is seriously injured. Two sets of parents meet to discuss what should be done about injuries suffered and the bad behavior of their children. Sometimes old adages like, 'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree,' have so much merit."

Xanadu

Director: Donny Avery
Rated PG | Family Friendly
McFaddin-Ward Auditorium
February 24, 25, March 3, 4*, 9, 10, 11, 2017

Xanadu follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach, California in 1980 on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time - the first ROLLER DISCO! (Hey, it's 1980!) But, when Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation and chaos abounds.

"In the musical 'Xanadu,' the story is about as basic as you can get-- Boy meets girl. Girl and boy fall in love. Girl turns out to be a Greek muse who inspires boy to open a rollerskating disco--ya know, it's just what happens," says Director Donny Avery. "I am overjoyed to be directing the award-winning Broadway musical 'Xanadu' featuring the music of ELO. Along with the amazing late '70s/early '80s music (much of it you know), I simply am in love with the charm of the show. This witty, heart-filled show never takes itself too seriously and allows you all to sit back with a big smile on your face as its magic washes over you."

Steel Magnolias

Director: Ryan A. White
Rated PG | Mild Themes
McMillan Studio Theatre
April 7, 8, 14, 15*, 21, 22, 2017

The action is set in Truvy's beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are "anybody" come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (who is not sure whether or not she is still married), the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town's rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, ("I'm not crazy, I've just been in a bad mood for forty years"); an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M'Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby (the prettiest girl in town), is about to marry a "good ole boy." Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few acerbic but humorously revealing verbal collisions, the play moves toward tragedy when, in the second act, the spunky Shelby (who is a diabetic) risks pregnancy and forfeits her life. The sudden realization of their mortality affects the others but also draws on the underlying strength and love which give the play, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad.

"'Steel Magnolias' is on the top of my favorite movies of all time," says Director Ryan White. "I was excited when I discovered this was also a stage play. Concerned with a group of gossipy southern ladies in a small-town beauty parlor, 'Steel Magnolias' is alternately hilarious and touching - and, in the end, deeply revealing of the strength and purposefulness which underlies the antic banter of its characters."

SPAMALOT the Musical

Director: Keith Cockrell
Rated PG | Mild Themes
McFaddin-Ward Auditorium
May 12, 13, 19, 20*, 25, 26, 27, 2017

Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur’s quest to find the Holy Grail. Inspired by the classic comedy film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the musical also diverts a bit from more traditional versions of the legend. Instead, Spamalot features shenanigans including a line of beautiful dancing girls, a flatulent Frenchmen and killer rabbits. Outside, there is a plague with a 50% chance of pestilence and famine. Throughout the show, Arthur, traveling with his servant Patsy, recruits several knights to accompany him on his quest, including Sir Bedevere, Sir Robin, Sir Lancelot, and Sir Galahad. Besides the rabbits and farting Frenchman, they meet such characters as the Lady of the Lake, Prince Herbert, Tim the Enchanter, Not Dead Fred, the Black Knight and the Knights who say Ni.

"Obviously fans of Monty Python will be in heaven watching Spamalot, but it may surprise people how enjoyable this show is for those who have never seen the British group's shows," says Director Keith Cockrell. "Besides being hilarious, with great songs (and great dance numbers!), this is a brilliant love letter to the Amerian Musical. A great time will be had by everyone who is not yet dead and not just those who know what that line means before seeing the show."

All shows take place at the Betty Greenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. with an additional 2:00 p.m. matinee (denoted with an asterisk *).

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