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Jason Tam, Ed Dixon, Lee Harrington & More Set for Sharon Playhouse's 2015 Season

By: Apr. 13, 2015
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Sharon Playhouse, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Simpkins and Managing Director Justin Ball, has announced initial casting and creative teams for its 2015 Season with the musicals My Fair Lady, Merrily We Roll Along, and Little Shop of Horrors on the Mainstage; Ed Dixon's new play Georgie: The Life and Death of George Rose and True Love on Stage 2 in the Bok Gallery. The Youth Theatre will present the Tony-winning Peter and the Starcatcher.

The 2015 Season opens with the Tony Award-winning musical My Fair Lady from June 18 - July 5. Based on George Bernard Shaw's comedy, Pygmalion, My Fair Lady features book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, with music by Frederick Loewe. Richard Stafford (In My Life) directs and choreographs with music direction by Fiona Santos. Making their Sharon debuts are Rufus Collins (The Royal Family) as Henry Higgins, Lee Harrington (Roundabout's Into the Woods) as Eliza Doolittle and PLeter Cormican (The Phantom of the Opera - Toronto) as Alfred P. Doolittle. Professor Henry Higgins loves language. Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle yearns to speak like a lady. His curiosity and her determination launch a daring social experiment designed to turn a lower-class ugly duckling into a high-society swan -- with unexpected results for both of them.

Merrily We Roll Along (July 15-19) stars Jason Tam (If/Then; A Chorus Line) as Franklin, A.J. Shively (La Cage aux Folles) as Charley and Lauren Marcus (Sharon Playhouse's They're Playing Our Song) as Mary. John Simpkins directs, with music direction by Eric Kang. Featuring a book by George Furth and score by Stephen Sondheim, the authors of the landmark musical Company reunited to turn the traditional showbiz musical on its head in this thrilling and compelling Broadway fable about friendship, compromise and the high price of success. Inspired by the 1934 play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, Merrily We Roll Along is a powerful and moving story featuring some of Sondheim's best known songs including "Good Thing Going," "Not a Day Goes By" and '"Old Friends."

Little Shop of Horrors (August 13-30) stars Rob Morrison (Avenue Q/ Nerds) as Seymour and Kelly D. Felthous (Wicked national tour) as Audrey. Casey Hushion (Nerds) directs and choreographs, with music direction by Eric Kang. A deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, Little Shop of Horrors has devoured the hearts of audiences for over 30 years. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney's The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin) are the creative geniuses behind what has become one of the most popular shows in the world. This affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi movies centers on a down-and out skid row floral shop employee who becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving.

From May 14-17 and May 28-31 on Stage 2 in the Bok Gallery, Sharon Playhouse will present a developmental workshop of Ed Dixon's new play Georgie: The Life and Death of George Rose. Directed by John Simpkins. The one-man play will star Ed Dixon and centers around his mentor, Tony Award-winner George Rose, the well-known Broadway character actor. During their quarter of a century friendship, Mr. Rose gave Ed impersonations of Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson, Edith Evans and a host of theater luminaries. Mr. Dixon becomes Mr. Rose and at least fifty other fabulous characters. The New York Times said, "Mr. Dixon morphed from one character to another, delivering incisive impersonations and well-timed punch lines." The denouement is harrowing and includes Dixon's first-hand knowledge of the events which led to Mr. Rose's demise in the Dominican Republic. A very complete portrait of a very complicated life.

On Stage 2 at the Bok Gallery from August 6-9, Sharon Playhouse will present True Love, with book by Sarah Schlesinger and David Evans, music by David Evans and lyrics by Sarah Schlesinger. John Simpkins directs with music direction by Joshua Zecher-Ross. The cast features Lael Van Keuren (Sister Act), Nick Gaswirth (A Christmas Story), Jane Bruce (Elf), and Max Sheldon. A new look at the legendary romance comics of the 1940's and 1950's, True Love is a musical valentine to a long lost but never to be forgotten era.

On the Mainstage from July 31 through August 2, Sharon Playhouse Youth Theatre will present Peter and the Starcatcher, the grownup prequel to Peter Pan. In this 5-time Tony Award winning play by Rick Elice, an ensemble cast of actors play more than 100 unforgettable characters using their ingenious stagecraft and the limitless possibilities of imagination. Jason Brantman and Fiona Santos direct with music direction by Fiona Santos.

Additional artists in residence for 2015 are Scenic Designers Brian Prather, Lauren Mills and Josh Smith; Lighting Designers Chris Dallos, Clifton Taylor, Jamie Roderick and Craig Stelzenmuller; Costume Designer Michelle Humphrey; and Sound Designer Brad Berridge. Geoff Josselson is the Casting Director.

Sharon Playhouse also continues its unique partnership with NYU Steinhardt, enabling college students from Universities around the country to earn college credit for their participation in the 2015 Collegiate Company.







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