The turn of the 19th Century, backstage at a very special nightclub and the holiday season in merry olde England are the subjects of musicals presented by Landmark Musicals in 2018. If those hints aren't sufficient, let's be clearer. Here's the lineup:

Ragtime tells the story of three groups in the United States in the early 20th century: African Americans, represented by; upp1er-class suburbanites in New Rochelle, New York; and Eastern European immigrants. It's an extraordinary work. The director is Art Tedesco with choreography by Louis Giannini and Courtney Giannini. Show opens in March 2018 for nine performances.

The Birdcage starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane). It won six Tony awards in 1983 including Best Musical. Giannini directs; show opens in July for nine performances.

The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Little Shop of Horrors, among others) and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens (who also wrote Once on This Island, Seussical and, of course, Ragtime. So Scrooge is back, this time with terrific music, and Landmark's got him! The original 1994 production was presented in New York's Madison Square Garden and was performed annually for nine years. The production is directed by Laurie Finnegan with choreography by the Gianninis. It opens in late November for nine performances.

The production designer for all three shows is Dahl Delu, the Emmy award winner; music director is Darby Fegan.

important figures in the history of musical theater and can rightfully be considered
the Father of the Modern American Musical. Putting It Together showcases nearly 30
songs from shows including Sweeney Todd, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music,
Into the Woods, A Funny Thing Happened... and others. Drawing its title from a song
in Sunday in the Park with George, it celebrates Sondheim's incomparable career.
Putting It Together is presented by talented performers (Colin Burdge, Laurie
together at a party in a Manhattan penthouse. With a bit of imagination, the guests
transform the apartment into the stage of an abandoned theater, an estate in Sweden,
an island outside of Paris, a street off the Roman Forum, the woods of a fairy tale and
a mythical town in the Southwest. Putting It Together is a "must see" for anyone who
enjoys extraordinary music in a comfortable setting. The director is William R. Stafford,
music director is Darby Fegan, choreographer is Louis Giannini.

The venue is the Performing Arts Center of Sandia Preparatory School, a departure
from the Rodey Theater, Landmark's usual venue. Tickets go on sale June 1. Go to
www.landmarkmusicals.org for your seats.


Arthur Sullivan and W. S. Gilbert thought
they were whipping up a confection to please
proper Victorians when they wrote The Pirates of
Penzance. But after more than a century, the show
still has legs. And for good reason: the music is terrific, the lyrics amazing-and it's also hilarious.
Paul Ford directs, Louis and Courtney Giannini
choreographs and Dahl Delu creates a surprising
set for the Rodey Theater. The large orchestra is
under Darby Fegan's baton. So what more could
you ask for? The Pirates of Penzance is a great
offering for the holidays.
Opening night is November 25 for nine performances
concluding December 10. Tickets go on sale November 1. Go to www.unmtickets.com.