Jesus Christ Superstar – September 29-30
Introduced in1970 by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, this rock musical focuses on the events in the last week of Jesus’s life. But before you get afraid that it’s going to be all preachy, this is an accounting from Judas’s point of view. Judas is portrayed as a realistic, conflicted, and tragic figure who is not satisfied with Jesus's apparent lack of political planning and recent claims of divinity. A couple of songs that “made it” from this popular show are “Jesus Christ Superstar" and "I Don't Know How to Love Him". Both were fairly big hits. This production stars Ted Neeley as Jesus and Living Colour's Coery Glover as Judas.

Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA – October 20-22
Not to be confused with the opera named “Aida” on which the show is based, this is one of my favorite modern musicals. Elton John wrote a pretty eclectic mix of music for this show, ranging from modern reggae, Motown, and gospel, to pop and African-styled songs. Probably this show is closest, musically, to his Lion King. It’s basically a Romeo and Juliet story set in Ancient Egypt. Forbidden love, a jilted fiancée, interfering family members, the whole bit. I love this show.

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – March 1-4
A musical about a spelling bee can’t be interesting, right? Not true at all. It's much more about these six young students than about the bee itself. Touching at times, and hysterically funny at others, Spelling Bee is a must-see on my list. Contains mild mature themes and subject matter. May not be suitable for children.

Love Letters starring Larry Hagman and Barbara Eden – May 4-5
This is the touching story of two childhood friends who later became romantiaclly involved. It carries them from their first correspondence (a birthday party thank-you note) to their final communication at the end of their lives. One thing that makes this particular performance interesting to me? It’s going to be performed by those two from “I Dream of Jeannie”! Hopefully, her costume won’t allow her bellybutton to show this time.