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Submitted by Rebekah Finn for Harlequin Productions

Since 1991, Harlequin Productions has provided the community with enriching theatrical experiences year after year. 2019 will be no different, with seven exciting and entertaining live productions being planned for the historic State Theater in downtown Olympia. From the beginning, Harlequin has worked to lead conversations on cultural issues, and the upcoming season focuses on the very relevant theme of women in society. But don’t be fooled: despite the serious nature of some of these conversations, this isn’t a season full of heavy dramas. There will be comedy. There will be music. There will be romance. And there will be Stardust.

So, without further ado, here are the Season 28 shows:

  • Harlequin Productions pres-laughter-dress3-8-1068x680
    Harlequin Productions has seven exciting shows planned for their 28th season. Photo courtesy: Harlequin Productions

    “The Stardust Christmas Groove” (Nov. 29-Dec. 31): The 23rd (and final) in Harlequin’s popular series of original holiday musical comedies will be set in 1962.

  • “I Ought To Be In Pictures” (Jan. 17-Feb. 9): Neil Simon takes on another odd couple in this 1979 comedy about a screenwriter and the teenage daughter he hasn’t seen in 16 years.
  • “The Women” (Feb. 28-March 23): Clare Boothe Luce’s 1936 comedy of manners has a large all-female cast.
  • “A Doll’s House” (May 2-25): In Henrik Ibsen’s classic drama, a housewife finds herself stifled by the restrictions society places on women.
  • “Man of La Mancha”: Inspired by Cervantes’ “Don Quixote,” this 1965 musical-theater classic by Dale Wasserman won five Tony Awards and has been revived four times on Broadway.
  • “Blackbird” (Aug. 15-Sept. 14): A woman sexually abused as a 12-year-old confronts her accuser in this intense drama by David Harrower.
  • “Love and Information” (Oct. 3-26): This kaleidoscopic comic drama by respected British playwright Caryl Churchill is made up of 57 tiny plays, some lasting only a few seconds.

Fortunately, we don’t have to wait until November to be entertained by Harlequin’s 28th season of shows. On Friday, June 1, 2018, Harlequin will be offering sneak peaks of all seven productions at their annual Eclectica! Preview Party. Eclectica is one of two major annual fundraisers for the organization, so you can expect a night of no-holds-barred, extravagant fun. Snippets from the shows and thoughts from our artistic directors are only one aspect of this entertaining evening.

Starting at 6:00 p.m. on the first Friday of June, Eclectica is sure to be a great way to unwind at the end of the work week and begin to usher in summer fun. The evening includes a delicious dinner catered by Pellegrino’s, plus access to a no-host bar with beer, wine, and soft drinks. Just like every Harlequin show, Eclectica will have its own signature cocktail: this time, a classic gin and tonic, with a slice of lemon and a slice of lime.

Before sitting down to eat though, you’ll probably want to try your hand at a few of the fun games. Long-time Harlequin supporters will recognize the wine toss, where attendees have a chance to win some world-class bottles. There will also be two new exciting games this year.

In addition to game prizes, attendees can also win some fabulous items and experiences during the 50/50 Raffle and the Live Auction, sponsored by Navigate Financial. And as if that’s not enough, there’s a special prize drawing for 2019 season subscribers.

What’s the deal with subscriptions? While you can buy tickets for shows one at a time, you’ll save a lot of money if you sign up for the whole season. For example, single general admission tickets can add up to over $270 per person, a full season subscription provides a 25% discount! And you can sign up for a plan of small payments over 10 months to make it even easier.

Subscribing will also give you first pick of seats, free ticket exchange and replacement (not offered to one-time ticket buyers), half-price repeat tickets, and many other benefits. But most important of all, you’ll always see the best shows you’ve never heard of and probably wouldn’t have seen otherwise.

Call the Box Office at 360-786-0151 or stop by at 202 4th Ave. E in downtown Olympia to subscribe for Season 28 or get your tickets for Eclectica, and visit www.harlequinproductions.org for more information.

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