It’s a season so big they gave it its own name: “A Journey of Imagination.”

The Bainbridge Performing Arts 50th Anniversary Season lineup looks to be just that, with a long list of creative stops along the way. In addition to theatrical and orchestral performances, the organization has added many new components.

At a glance the season promises four Mainstage Theatre productions, four International Series performances, three Community Series performances, three Bainbridge Orchestra concerts, five Declassified concerts, two Songstruck concerts, three Dance Card performances, two Stage Off productions, seven After Dark events, seven World Series readings and talks and 12 Improv performances.

The 2006-2007 season, which starts in October, will be the first full season for new managing director Christopher Shainin.

He said the upcoming season is “symbolic of the organization’s five decades of community involvement — from storefront to greasepaint to The Playhouse; it’s reflective of the unique community process of ‘growing up at BPA’ — with cast and crew transitioning from theatre school to novice to Mainstream veteran; … it’s resonant with our extended reach this season — a stretch that connects us with community, regional and international performing groups; it’s central to our inspiration to deepen, broaden and heighten our 2006-2007 programming; and the ‘journey’ motif is uniquely captured in each of the dramatic stories dominating our Mainstage Theatre selections.”

A look at the lineup

Those Mainstage Theatre productions begin Oct. 12 with Tom Stoppard’s “Arcadia,” directed by Kate Carruthers. The play has been called a “witty, complex and amorous adult play.”

Other plays in the series are “The Wizard of Oz, Dec. 10-23; “The Sisters Rosenweig, Feb. 2-18 and “Urinetown, The Musical,” May 11-27. Hailed as a “contemporary musical satire with a heart,” the musical with the uncomfortable name has won a slew of awards, including three Tonys.

New this season is an International Series, with Gamelan Pacifica Oct. 29, a production of “The Tempest” March 16-24, and two more international performances still to be chosen.

The Community Series strives to present work by local artists, and opens with “Last Poem on Earth,” by Paul Lewis and Bonnie Wallace, April 20-22. Two other projects will be created by the artist-in-residence program.

Declassifed features non-traditional classical music with Island Soundscape Players Sept. 17 and three chamber orchestra concerts: Romantic Concert Jan 14; Russian Concert March 25 and Parisian Concert June 10.

Dance Card features three performances: Men in Dance Nov. 4; Lehua Dance Theatre Jan. 13, 2007 and one more to be decided later.

Stage Off will present the winners of the BPA one-act playwriting competition, April 26 and 27.

Looking for something to do after Bainbridge rolls up the sidewalks? BPA is introducing an After Dark series of late night events with a 9:45 p.m. start time. The seven Saturday productions promise a variety, from cabaret and unstaged theatre to acoustic and electric bands and flamenco and social dancing.

BPA will host two professional singer/songwriter concerts in Songstruck, starting with Lucy Kaplansky, March 18. The second performer is not yet determined.

World Series will be led by Bainbridge Island poets and feature new poetic voices and talks on current issues. The seven sessions take place on Tuesdays from October to June.

New season, new Music Director

The season also marks the debut of a new music director, Alan Futterman, who will direct the Bainbridge Orchestra in its 34th season.

He “tried out” for the position last season with an appearance as guest conductor.

Futterman holds a master’s degree from the Julliard School of Music, and his background includes work with the New York City Ballet Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of New England and the New Jersey State Opera.

He also worked for 10 years as an interpreter trainer and cultural liaison for visitors from foreign governments and universities. This led to a three-year stint with the TV series “Northern Exposure,” where he was a technical advisor, foreign language scriptwriter and language coach.

Futterman said his plans for the Bainbridge Orchestra include expanding its world music offerings, featuring young “wunderkind” soloists and working closely with schools and the chamber orchestra.

He also noted there are many professional musicians on Bainbridge Island, who could be working with the orchestra.

“We will raise the level of our organization to where professionals will be proud to be part of it,” he said in his introductory speech at the BPA Community Day April 29.

The new season also marks the addition of two new classrooms for the theater school and a new internship program to train students in the areas of arts management, theatrical production and orchestra management.

Tickets can be purchased individually for BPA events and season subscription packages are available. For more information visit www.theplayhouse.org or call (206) 842-8569.