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Tacoma Little Theatre's recently finalized mainstage roster for 2010/11 brings a wide range of style, from mystery to drama to rock opera, leaving behind the current season's all-comedy mandate.

Sleuth
Aug. 27-Sept. 26, 2010

Described as "the ultimate game of cat and mouse," Anthony Shaffer's Tony-winning Sleuth brings the whodunnit genre back to TLT. Director John Munn is a well-documented mystery nut, recently directing Agatha Christie's Mousetrap at Lakewood Playhouse. Sleuth promises to be a highlight of the season, pending the strength of its small, two-man cast.

Eleemosynary
Oct. 22-Nov. 14, 2010

Immediately balancing the two-man cast of Sleuth is the three-woman cast of Eleemosynary. Lee Blessing explores the relationship of three generations of women, all exercising independence and will in their own ways

Annie
Nov. 26-Dec. 24, 2010

I'll be honest here: Annie annoys the hell out of me - not nearly as much as Sound of Music, but enough. Nonetheless, it is sure to appeal to the TLT's prime demographic of classic-lovers, and draw a decent crowd in the family-heavy Christmas slot. Preliminary schedule announcements had A Christmas Story in this slot, but word is that rights issues got in the way.

Frost/Nixon
Jan. 14-Feb. 6, 2011

Though it boasts a slightly larger host of characters, the burden of quality for Frost/Nixon, much like Sleuth, will rest mostly in the casting of the two leads. This dramatization of the televised post-Watergate Nixon interviews by talk show host David Frost has enormous potential to be fantastic, given the right men on the stage.

A Flea In Her Ear
March 4-27, 2011

Another show with which I am only marginally familiar, TLT's great success in executing Noises Off this season bodes well for their next attempt at a farce.

The Who's Tommy
April 29-May 29, 2011

Filling the slot vacated when they moved Annie back to Christmas, Tommy will be an interesting one to watch unfold. Can TLT replicate the massive success - and ticket sales - of 2008's Buddy Holly Story? Quality of the band will be absolutely paramount here as they attempt to recreate the legendary classic rock of The Who, as will some pretty absurd staging to capture the frenetic, acid-drenched imagery of the film.

These stage shows are on sale now at Tacoma Little Theatre's Web site.

LINK: Weekly Volcano review of TLT's Major Barbara