Sierra Repertory season continues with musicals and comdey

Sierra Repertory Theatre continues its 2013 season with the biographical musical “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story.” The 2013 season will also include a summer performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” a fall performance of the comedic play “Harvey” and a special Christmas run of “It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play,” which will close the season. Season tickets and general admission tickets are on sale.

The story of legendary recording artist Buddy Holly, “Buddy” runs March 2 to April 21 at the East Sonora Theatre.

The successful rock ‘n’ roll musical includes more than 20 of Holly’s greatest hits, including “Peggy Sue,” “That’ll be the Day,” “Oh Boy,” “Rave On” and “Maybe Baby.”

The season continues April 19 with “Church Basement Ladies,” playing through May 19 at Fallon House Theatre.

A musical celebration of the church basement kitchen and the women who work there, “Church Basement Ladies” features four distinct characters as they organize the food and solve the problems of a rural church about to undergo changes in 1965.

From the elderly matriarch to the young bride-to-be, we see them handle a record-breaking Christmas dinner, the funeral of a dear friend, a Hawaiian Easter Fundraiser and a hot July wedding.

They stave off disasters, share and debate recipes, and keep the pastor on course while enjoying and tolerating, each other as the true “steel magnolias” of the church.

The next show at East Sonora, “Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks,” plays May 31 through June 23.

The comedy is about a formidable retired woman and an unexpected friendship she develops with her acerbic dance instructor. Since its Broadway opening, the play has been translated into 12 languages and has traversed the globe with productions in more than 20 countries.

The popular Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “Oklahoma!” plays Fallon House June 28 to Aug. 18.

Set in the Western Territory just after the turn of the century, the high-spirited rivalry between the farmers and the cowboys provides a colorful backdrop for the love story of handsome cowboy Curly and winsome farm girl Laurey. The beloved score includes “Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’” and “People Will Say We’re In Love.”

“Respect: A Musical Journey of Women” opens July 26 and plays through Sept. 1 at East Sonora.

This international hit musical tells the exciting story of women through popular music and the real adventures of women realizing dreams, lost loves, relationships and careers.

The song list includes “Won’t You Come Home Bill Bailey,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” “I Enjoy Being a Girl,” “Where The Boys Are” to “I Am Woman,” “Seventeen,” “Boots Are Made For Walkin’,” “R.E.S.P.E.C.T.,” “I Will Survive” and dozens more.

“The Spitfire Grill” plays Oct. 4-27 at East Sonora. It depicts the journey of a young woman just released from prison who decides to start her life anew in a rundown mining town. When she begins changing the lives of the townsfolk, she sparks a journey within the town toward its own reawakening.

The season at Fallon House concludes with two comedic plays. “Don’t Dress for Dinner”runs Sept. 6 through 29 and follows the mishaps of a philandering husband and several mistaken identities.

The classic play “Harvey” brings Elwood P. Dowd and his invisible rabbit to Fallon House Theatre Oct. 25 to Nov. 24.

This irresistible classic American comedy is chock-full of eccentric and loveable characters and has warmed the hearts of audiences for generations.

Closing the 2013 season at East Sonora, “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play “runs Nov. 15 through Dec. 22.

The holiday treat stays true to the classic film and brings the spirit of the season to captivating life on stage right before your eyes and ears.

Season tickets and single tickets for 2013 are on sale through the Sierra Rep box office and can be purchased over the phone at 209-532-3120 or in person at the East Sonora Theatre.

For more information visit sierrarpep.org.