Gainesville Theatre Alliance’s 2017-18 season tickets on sale now

A childhood classic, a George and Ira Gershwin musical and a Grecian tale of tragedy and triumph are just a few of the theatrical productions the Gainesville Theatre Alliance (GTA) has in store for the 2017-18 season.

GTA is a nationally acclaimed collaboration of the University of North Georgia (UNG), Brenau University, theater professionals, and the northeast Georgia community.

Recently, GTA received a $10,000 partner grant from the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA). The GCA awarded more than $1 million to more than 100 theaters, dance companies, museums, cities, colleges, and other entities.

"We are happy to have these funds, which we spend entirely on hiring Georgia professionals to work on productions alongside our students, keeping the bar high for GTA work and helping our students graduate with a professional network," said Beth Kendall, marketing manager for GTA.

Those funds will be used for the 2017-18 season.

Tickets for the 38th season went on sale July 1 and can be purchased online at GTA or by calling the GTA Box Office at 678-717-3624. By early August, 97 percent of the GTA performances were sold out.

Theater-goers may purchase tickets to one show or all five. They also may build their own custom ticket package, earning discounts for two shows or more.

The plays and musicals set to entertain audiences this season will be "Jungle Book," "Crazy for You," "Avenue Q," "Monstrous Regiment," and "The Odyssey."

Opening the season on Sept. 29 will be "Jungle Book," presented by WonderQuest: GTA for Young Audiences.

Gay Hammond, director of WonderQuest, has adapted Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale of the man-cub Mowgli and his funny, faithful friends, Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther in their wild adventures.

"I like to adapt classic literature," she said. "Every generation needs to become acquainted with it, and not just the Disney version but the original."

Hammond geared the 50-minute play for a younger audience. Kendall said the shortened version also allows school children to see the matinee during school hours.

Family performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29 and 30 and Oct. 6 and 7 and 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 1. Shows will be in the historic Pearce Auditorium at Brenau University at 500 Centennial Circle in Gainesville.

Tickets are $12-$15 for adults and seniors and $8-$10 for students and children.

Next in line is the George and Ira Gershwin musical "Crazy for You," featuring the classic tunes, "I’ve Got Rhythm," "Someone to Watch Over Me," "Nice Work If You Can Get It," and "Embraceable You." 

Jim Hammond, the GTA artistic and managing director, said the musical has a more traditional Broadway feel and has the Gershwin music that will appeal to the audience.

"It’s an extraordinary dance and singing production," he said.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7-11 and 14-18 and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 12 and 18. All shows will be in Hosch Theatre in the John S. Burd Center at Brenau University at 429 Academy St. in Gainesville.

Tickets are $28-$30 for adults, $26-$28 for seniors and $18-$20 for students depending on seat location. 

The February Festival of Theater will feature two shows: "Avenue Q" and "Monstrous Regiment."

A three-time Tony Award winner for best musical, score and book, "Avenue Q" is a racy mix between "South Park" and "Sesame Street" and is rated R.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13-17 and 20-24 and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 18 and 24. Shows will be in Hosch Theatre.

Tickets are $24-$26 for adults, $22-$24 for seniors and $14-$16 for students.

"Monstrous Regiment" is based on the 31st novel of Terry Pratchett’s wildly popular Discworld series. It looks at the absurdities of war and ambiguities of identity. 

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16, 18 and 20-24 and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 17 and 24. Shows are in the Ed Cabell Theatre at UNG's Gainesville Campus at 3820 Mundy Mill Road in Oakwood.

Tickets are $18-$20 for adults, $16-$18 for seniors and $12-$14 for students. 

Wrapping up the season will be the tragic Greek tale "The Odyssey." Based on the epic poem by Homer, the story follows warrior Odysseus during his arduous 10-year journey home from the Trojan War.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. April 10-14 and 17-21 and 2:30 p.m. April 15 and 21 in the Ed Cabell Theatre.

Tickets are $18-$20 for adults, $16-$18 for seniors and $12-$14 for students. 

This season also includes two GTA Discovery Series offerings: "Secret in the Wings" on Nov. 10-13 and "Fuente Ovejuna" from April 4-7. Tickets to Discovery Series performances are free with seating on a first-come-first-seated basis.

For more information, visit GTA.