2009-2010 Season Information

Fall Musical: Oklahoma!

Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Music by Richard Rodgers

Director & Choreographer: Mary Michael Patterson (University of Michigan Musical Theatre Senior)
Assistant Dir & Chor: Kevin Munhall (U of M Musical Theatre Student)
Orchestra Director: David Perample
Vocal Directors: Brian Buckner (U of M Music Student)

Oklahoma, the groundbreaking show that changed American Musical Theatre forever, has been the most beloved musical worldwide since it opened in 1943. Though the story of Laurey, Curley, Aunt Eller, Ado Annie, Will and Jud and beautiful score including “Oh What a Beautiful Morning,” “People Will Say We’re in Love,” and “Everything’s Up to Date in Kansas City” are well known by many, they never lose their fresh appeal.

All performances in Schreiber Auditorium.

Tickets: $9 (Students, 65+ Seniors, PHS Staff); $12 (Adults)
All seats are General Admission, with the exception of Patron Tickets ($25 and reserved in our best section, click here for more info).

• Saturday, November 7th, 7:30 pm
• Sunday, November 8th, 2:00 pm matinee
• Friday, November 13th, 7:30 pm
• Saturday, November 14th, 7:30 pm
• Sunday, November 15th, 2:00 pm matinee

Previews & Reviews (click to see):
Publicity Shoot (Myra Klarman)
Photoblog Review (Myra Klarman)
Student Review (AnnArbor.com)

Comedy Troupe

Directors: Alex Leydenfrost & Aaron Moore

Lovingly referred to as the “Ugly Stepsister” of Theater Guild, Comedy Troupe returns for it’s 37th season, easily making it the longest running show in Pioneer history. Due to popular demand, we haven’t added any additional performances this year, so we still have three.

There is a limited amount of irreverent, politically incorrect, potty-mouth improvisational sketch comedy available so attendance at every show is recommended. Oh yeah, and if you leave offended that we didn’t choose any of your suggestions, sorry dude, we’re the funny ones…not you!

All performances in The Little Theater.

Tickets: All $5
General Admission
Season Subscription Available For Only $25 (yes, that's how we joke!)

• "The Millage People", Friday, 11/20, 7:30pm
• "Almost Bronze", Friday, 3/5, 7:30pm
• Friday, TBA, 7:30pm

FutureStars 2010

Directors: Sadie Yarrington, Desi Oakley, Han Park, & Joel Sparks (U of M Dance & Musical Theatre Students)
Music Director: Brian Buckner (U of M Music Student)

One of the most popular talent shows in the area, FutureStars is back and better than ever. As of 2009, the district administration has given us permission to open this one-of-a-kind competition to any public high school student in the district! The top acts from each of the preliminary shows, as voted on by the audience, will go on to the Finals to compete for the title of "FutureStar 2010"!

This year we are proud to host the following judges for Finals: Zack Pearlman, PTG alum and Hollywood actor; Courtney Clark, owner of Cake Nouveau and a Food Network regular;
Lucy Ann Lance, WLBY radio talk show host; and Philip van Spronsen, U of M alum and screenwriter. Also, we're happy to welcome back alum Lucciana Costa to the Pioneer stage for a special guest performance at the Finals. She'll be performing some songs from her new album!

Last year over 1400 people came in and rocked out to amazing performances.  Come watch these teens light up Schreiber auditorium— it's a fantastic chance for the whole family to enjoy some music, dance, and a little competition on the side!

All performances are in Schreiber Auditorium.

Preliminary competitions:
Tickets: All $5
General Admission

• Friday, January 8th, 7 pm, "Disney Goes Pop"
• Friday, January 8th, 9:30 pm, "On My iPod II" (students only)
• Saturday, January 9th, 7 pm, "Mostly Michael"
• Saturday, January 9th, 9:30 pm, "The Oh-Ohs; Songs from the 2000's" (students only)

Finals competition:
Tickets: $9 (Students, 65+ Seniors, PHS Staff); $12 (Adults)
General Admission

• Saturday, January 16th, 7:30 pm

Previews & Reviews (click to see):
Review & Photos (AnnArbor.com)
Photoblog Review (Myra Klarman)
Blog Review (Jeff Cass; AnnArbor.com)

Competition Drama: Eurydice

Written by Sarah Ruhl

Directors: Julia Glander & Aaron Moore

In Eurydice, Sarah Ruhl reimagines the classic myth of Orpheus through the eyes of its heroine. Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love. With contemporary characters, ingenious plot twists, and breathtaking visual effects, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story.

This is Pioneer's entry into the state-wide MIFA one-act play competition, which this year focuses on dramas. Competition is a unique opportunity for both actors and the tech crews. Not only does the entire show and company travel to other schools, but the students have 25 minutes to set up their play and 45 minutes to perform it and remove the set from the stage! Judges, who are local theater experts from around the state, also give out awards for acheivement in various aspects of the production.

Theatre Guild's 2009 entry, On The Verge, placed 2nd overall in the state, and received many awards for technical and acting excellence!

Public performances will be held in Schreiber Auditorium. The students will set up and perform the play just like they do when they compete.
Tickets: All $6
General Admission

• Friday, February 5th, 7:30 pm
• Saturday, February 6th, 7:30 pm

Competition dates:
Competitions are free of charge and open to the public.

• District Competition (at St. Johns High School): January 30th, all day
• Regional Competition (at Woodhaven): February 13th, all day
• State Competition (at the Midland Center for the Arts): February 19-20th, all day

Mid-Winter Musical: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Book by Rachel Shenkin
Music & Lyrics by William Finn

Directors: Allison McDowell & Eric Maier (U of M Musical Theatre Students)
Music Director: Brian Buckner (U of M Music Student)

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a one act musical comedy centered around a spelling bee set in a geographically ambiguous Putnam Valley Middle School. Six quirky adolescents compete in the Bee, run by three equally quirky grown-ups. Nominated for 6 Tony awards, Spelling Bee, originally presented on Broadway in 2005, is charming, endearing, funny and touching--- and features spontaneous and hilarious audience participation!

All performances in The Little Theater.

Tickets: $9 (Students, 65+ Seniors, PHS Staff); $12 (Adults)
NEW: Assigned seating! Tickets are on sale in advance online (click on link below), or at the door (we only accept cash or check at the box office).

• Friday, February 12th, 7:30 pm
• Saturday, February 13th, 2:00 pm matinee
• Sunday, February 14th, 2:00 pm matinee
• Friday, February 19th, 7:30 pm
• Saturday, February 20th, 2:00 pm matinee & 7:30 pm
• Sunday, February 21st, 2:00 pm matinee

Book by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie
Lyrics by Dean Pitchford and Kenny Loggins
Music by Tom Snow

Director: Mary Michael Patterson (University of Michigan Musical Theatre Senior)
Assistant Director: Kevin Munhall (U of M Musical Theatre Student)
Choreographer: Sadie Yarrington (U of M School of Dance Student)
Music Director: Brian Buckner (U of M Music Student)

In 1984, Footloose, the movie, became a huge hit. Adapted for the stage in 1987 by Snow and famed director/choreograhper Bobbie, Footloose, the musical, tells the story of a teenage boy suddenly moved from a big city to a small conservative Texas town where dancing is forbidden. The kids revolt and with songs like "Let's Hear It For the Boy," "I Need a Hero," and the title song, "Footloose," tell a great story that features a variety of wonderful characters, energizing music and of course, dancing!

All performances in Schreiber Auditorium.

Tickets: $9 (Students, 65+ Seniors, PHS Staff); $12 (Adults)

• Saturday, April 24th, 7:30 pm
• Sunday, April 25th, 2:00 pm matinee
• Friday, April 30th, 7:30 pm
• Saturday, May 1st, 7:30 pm
• Sunday, May 2nd, 2:00 pm matinee

Student Productions 2010

Writing Mentor: Joe Zettlemaier
Directing Mentor: TBA

This Theatre Guild classic features several short plays written, produced, acted in, and directed by Theatre Guild students. "Stud Pros" as we call it, is always an amazing and fun show, and these original plays will impress you with their creativity and quality.

All performances in The Little Theater.

Tickets: All $6

• Friday, May 21st, 7:30 pm
• Saturday, May 22nd, 7:30 pm
• Sunday, May 23rd, 2:00 pm matinee