29 and going strong

VPA opens its 29th season

By CASEY RESSLER

Valley Life editor

The 29th season of Valley Performing Arts kicks off tonight, and as the season progresses, audiences will find a lineup that is varied and entertaining.

VPA managing producer John Fairfield said the lineup contains just about everything -- a children's production, a musical, a comedy, some drama and even a world premier.

"We are quite intentional in selecting our lineup each season, to make sure we offer something of everything," Fairfield said. "We have the same variety as people have come to expect."

Season ticket sales have been very brisk for VPA going into this season.

"I just sold three more a few minutes ago, and that brings us to 440 season tickets," Fairfield said. "We're about 25 percent better than last year at this time, which is good."

Fairfield said it also looks good for season ticket renewals.

"People are renewing at a higher rate, about 15 percent higher," Fairfield said.

Last year, 8,400 tickets were sold for all nine VPA productions. There were 460 season packages sold.

"Roughly half of those who saw our shows last year were season ticket holders," Fairfield said. "Those people pay on faith that we are going to deliver a good product to them. We have to deliver that product to them, because the money they pay in advance pays our bills and allows us to put on better productions."

Sweet Charity kicks off the season tonight, and runs through Oct. 10. The musical was a 1966 Tony nominee for Best Musical.

The theme switches from music to laughter on Oct. 29, as The Miss Firecracker Contest takes the stage, for a run through Nov. 14. A small-town orphan has dreams of winning her local beauty contest, bringing plenty of laughter to the stage.

The Christmas classic It's a Wonderful Life takes the stage Dec. 3, and runs through Dec. 19, giving Valley theater-goers a chance to get into the holiday spirit.

When 2005 rolls around, Hot Aging Women opens. The musical was written by three local VPA veterans and details the ups and downs of growing "mature" in the modern culture.

George Bernard Shaw's Caesar and Cleopatra opens Feb. 18 and runs through March 6. The timeless classic is a tale of two of history's most recognizable figures.

From March 25 to April 10, the children's theater production of Godspell Junior runs, and it marks the directorial debut of a young but experienced VPA veteran.

"We've got a couple of new directors this year. Aurora Pease is directing the children's production this year. She is a youth who has grown up with us here at VPA," Fairfield said.

The 2004-2005 season concludes with The Miracle Worker, a drama about Helen Keller and her fight to overcome disabilities.

All VPA performances are at Machetanz Theatre in Wasilla. Show times are 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are available at the box office and CARRS TIX outlets.

Throughout the year, VPA veteran Larry Bottjen plans to continue last year's highly successful children's program, in which a traveling show is presented at schools throughout the area.

"We had 6,000 people see the show last year, easily making it the most widely seen VPA production ever," Fairfield said.