Shrek, Drowsy, Memphis et al. Part of 5th Avenue 2008-2009 Season

The 5th Avenue Theatre has announced its 2008-2009 season lineup, which will include the pre-Broadway world premiere of Shrek the Musical, the national tour of The Drowsy Chaperone, and the new musical Memphis.

The season will kick off with the world premiere of Shrek the Musical (August 14-September 21), based on Shrek’s adventures in the classic William Steig book and Oscar-winning film. The show features a book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize-winner David Lindsay-Abaire, music by Jeanine Tesori, and is directed by Jason Moore. The musical is scheduled to open on Broadway in the fall of 2008.

Next up is the Seattle premiere of The Drowsy Chaperone (October 28-November 16), which won five Tony Awards, including Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score. The musical tells the story of a modern-day musical theater addict known simply as “Man in Chair” who recalls his favorite musical from the 1920s, with the show magically springing to life in his living room.

The season will continue with a new production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (December 3-28). This big, brawling, rollicking comedy is set in 1850s Oregon Territory and tells the story of Adam Pontipee and his backwoods brothers’ unusual pursuit of brides.

The new musical Memphis, featuring book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music by David Bryan, will play 5th Avenue Theatre January 27-February 15. The tuner tells a rousing tale about one of the first white disc jockeys who dared to play rhythm & blues music for his white teenage listeners in the early 1950s.

Hello, Dolly! will play the theater March 10-29. When the irrepressible matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi is hired to arrange a marriage for the miserly half-millionaire Horace Vandergelder, she finds him the perfect mate — herself! But first she must win the heart of her unsuspecting “husband to be” before he gets hitched to somebody else.

Stephen Sondheim’s Pulitzer Prize-winning love story Sunday in the Park with George will play April 21-May 10. The musical is inspired by the iconic, neo-impressionist painting “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte” by French artist Georges Seurat. The groundbreaking score and book by Sondheim and James Lapine give voice to the characters in the painting and explore what it means to be an artist — and what it means to love one.

Closing out the season is the popular musical Grease (May 12-30). Sandy, Danny, Rizzo, and the gang from Rydell High make their 5th Avenue debuts as a new production direct from Broadway hand-jives its way to Seattle. This updated version of the show features songs from the smash hit 1978 movie including “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” “Grease” and “You’re the One That I Want,” in addition to the songs made famous by the original stage production, including “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin'” and “We Go Together.”

For more information, visit www.5thavenue.org.