Pictured: Theater at the Center in Munster, IN 

Theatre at the Center along with Artistic Director Linda Fortunato has announced the line-up for the 2018 season, which includes GHOST THE MUSICAL based on the 1990 Academy-Award Winning Film.

Fortunato will direct three of the five productions, including STEEL MAGNOLIAS, which will launch the 2018 season. FOREVER PLAID and THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS follow in the spring and summer with directors TBA. The season concludes with Fortunato directing GHOST THE MUSICAL and Meredith Wilson’s MIRACLE ON 34th STREET.

“In choosing Theatre at the Center’s 2018 season, I wanted to create a blend of different styles to engage our audience,” says Fortunato.“Through intimate plays, a beloved musical revue, a new musical, and a holiday classic, we will explore the bonds of friendship and family, of loves lost and found, and meet strangers who feel like family.

Theatre at the Centers 2018 Season (from the press release)

STEEL MAGNOLIAS (February 22 – March 25, 2018): This hilarious and heart-warming play set in a Louisiana beauty shop, follows the hopes, dreams, triumphs, and tragedies of six colorful characters and inspired the 1989 film which starred Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine and Dolly Parton. It’s a story exploring the bond between a mother and daughter, and friendships of those who feel like family.

FOREVER PLAID (May 3 – June 3, 2018): one of the most popular and beloved of musical revues. “The Plaids” are a quirky quartet of high school chums in the spotlight for the biggest performance of their lives. Their spirited antics and comic banter weave together such hits as “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “Heart and Soul” and “Love is a Many Splendored Thing,” in this playful tribute to the close harmony of “guy groups” of the 1950’s.

THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS (July 12 – August 12, 2018): Popular advice columnist Ann Landers had a life which seemed letter-perfect. With more than 90 million readers each day, she had a quick wit which could be comical and creative, as well as sharp and shocking, all in the same sentence. The play unfolds in Landers’ Lakeshore Drive apartment in 1975 where she shares some of her most fascinating stories as she prepares to write the most difficult column of her career.

GHOST THE MUSICAL (September 13 – October 14, 2018): is the musical adaptation of the 1990 Academy-Award winning film sharing the love story of Sam and Molly. After Sam’s untimely death, he tries to protect Molly from an unknown threat. In an attempt to communicate with her, he enlists the help of a storefront psychic to hilarious and harrowing effect. This tale about the power of love features a score by Grammy Award winning songwriters Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard, and includes the classic “Unchained Melody.”

Meredith Willson’s MIRACLE ON 34th STREET: The Musical (November 15 – December 23, 2018): Inspired by the beloved 1947 film, audiences will enjoy the gift of music and laughter. After Santa encounters a skeptical little girl during the season of sharing and caring, a message about the importance of believing is made clear to all. “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” became famous as one the memorable songs in this joyous favorite for all ages.

For more information on Theatre at the Center’s 2018 season visit TheatreAtTheCenter.com.