PHOENIX, ARIZ.: Valley Youth Theatre (VYT) has announced its 2017-18 season, featuring six productions for audiences of all ages.
The season will start with the return of Shrek the Musical (Aug. 11-27), with music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. The musical, based on the DreamWorks film, is a fairytale adventure about an ogre whose life turns around after he rescues a princess.
Next up will be Madagascar—A Musical Adventure (Oct. 28-Nov. 19), with book by Kevin Del Aguila, and music and lyrics by George Noriega and Joel Someillan. Based on the DreamWorks movie, the musical follows a group of animals as they plot an escape from the Bronx Zoo.
For the holidays will be the return of VYT audience favorite A Winne-the-Pooh Christmas Tail (Dec. 1-23), with book, music, and lyrics by James W. Rodgers, about a Christmas Eve when the animals of the Hundred Acre Wood rally to find their friend Eeyore’s tail.
Following will be The Hobbit (Feb. 9-25), adapted by Patricia Gray from J.R.R. Tolkien, about a hobbit sent on a quest to recover an important treasure.
Next will be a musical version of Little Women (April 6-22, 2018), with book by Allan Knee, music by Jason Howland, lyrics by Mini Dickstein, based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott. The musical follows the four March sisters in Massachusetts as their father fights in the Civil War.
The season will conclude with Annie (June 15-July 1, 2018), with book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin, about an orphan in New York City who finds a new home and family with a billionaire.
Valley Youth Theatre, founded in 1989, presents shows for children and the young at heart.
