Ogunquit Playhouse Has Announced its 2020 Season; Jason Alexander and BD Wong to Premiere New Shows

The Ogunquit Playhouse has announced an exciting lineup of shows for its 88th season that includes the Northeast regional premiere of the hilarious dark comedy The War of the Roses, a new play based on the novel by Warren Adler and helmed by Tony Award-winner Jason Alexander, and the world premiere of the funny and heartwarming musical adaptation of Mr. Holland's Opus, helmed by Tony Award-winner BD Wong. The season opens with the high-energy musical sensation Dirty Dancing -The Classic Story on Stage based on the smash-hit film, then continues with a stunning revival of the Tony Award-winning, all-Gershwin, tap dancing extravaganza Crazy for You, and the exhilarating Broadway hit musical based on the lives of Grammy Award-winning husband-and-wife team Gloria and Emilio Estefan, On Your Feet!. The season will stretch to the holidays once again with the return of the hit show White Christmas in collaboration with The Music Hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

"We are honored and thrilled to be collaborating with an incredible team of industry leaders on a number of premieres as part of our 88th season in 2020," stated Bradford Kenney, Ogunquit Playhouse Executive Artistic Director. "It's been a great honor to be able to collaborate with Eleanor Bergstein to bring to the stage her iconic film Dirty Dancing. We have been working closely with Tony-winner BD Wong and Tony-nominee Wayne Barker over the last several years on the development of the new musical adaptation of Mr. Holland's Opus, and we are thrilled to produce its world premiere for Playhouse audiences this year. We have also been working alongside Tony-winner Jason Alexander and the Broadway team on the development of the hilarious new play The War of the Roses, which makes one of its premieres on our stage in late summer. The cultivation of new works is now part of our mission as we produce world-class performances, tell the most compelling stories, and challenge and inspire our audiences in new ways. We are honored that these wonderful new shows will be seen alongside the entire season this year at Ogunquit Playhouse."

Five-show season ticket subscriptions are on sale now and the only way to guarantee the best seats for the best price to these exciting shows! Three and four-show subscriptions are on sale beginning Tuesday, February 18. Prices start at only $250 for a five-show subscription and $150 for a three-show subscription. Individual tickets are on sale exclusively for Ogunquit Playhouse Members starting March 11. Individual public ticket sales begin Wednesday, March 18 with prices starting at $53. Gift certificates are also on sale online and through the Box Office. To learn more about becoming a Member, season subscriber, or to purchase tickets and gift certificates, visit www.ogunquitplayhouse.org or call the Box Office at 207-646-5511.

You'll have the "time of your life!" Opening the Ogunquit Playhouse season May 13 through June 20 is Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story on Stage, an unprecedented live experience exploding with heart-pounding music, passionate romance, and sensational dancing. This new adaptation is based on the world-wide smash-hit film with book by original screenplay author Eleanor Bergstein. The show tells the story of two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives. The musical features iconic moments with Baby, Johnny, and the whole crew, along with the hit songs, "Hungry Eyes," "Hey Baby," "Do You Love Me?" and the heart-stopping "(I've Had) The Time of My Life."

Who could ask for anything more? The stunning all-Gershwin, tap-dancing extravaganza, riotously entertaining, and Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Crazy for You, hits the Ogunquit Playhouse stage June 24 through July 25 complete with Susan Stroman's spectacular Tony Award-winning choreography and Ken Ludwig's laugh-a-minute plot. The zany story follows a young New York banker Bobby Child, who is sent to Deadrock, Nevada, to foreclose on a rundown theatre. In Deadrock, Bobby falls for spunky Polly Baker, the theatre owner's daughter. But Polly takes an instant dislike to the city slicker, so Bobby vows - through cunning, razzmatazz, and a hilarious case of mistaken identity - to win Polly's heart and save the theatre. Crazy for You is the winner of three Tony Awards including Best Musical. The Ogunquit production also includes the Broadway sets by Robin Wagner and the dazzling Tony-winning costumes by William Ivey Long. This high-stepping Broadway musical includes a treasure trove of George and Ira Gershwin's most beloved songs including "I Got Rhythm," "Naughty Baby," "They Can't Take That Away from Me," "Embraceable You," "But Not for Me," "Nice Work if You Can Get It," and "Someone to Watch Over Me."

The world premiere of the joyous new musical Mr. Holland's Opus lights up the Ogunquit Playhouse stage August 1 through August 22. Featuring music by Tony Award-nominee Wayne Barker and book and lyrics by Tony Award-winner BD Wong, Mr. Holland's Opus follows an aspiring young composer who begrudgingly takes a job as a high school music teacher "temporarily" to make ends meet while starting a family with his new wife. Life has its own plans, and his "temporary" job stretches over four decades and his dream of composing a great symphony is forced to take a back seat, as he struggles with the challenges of parenthood and unfulfilled dreams - until he realizes that teaching is his true calling. Adapted from the beloved Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film written by Patrick Sheane Duncan, this funny and moving show is a bouyant love letter to the essential joy of making music, parenthood, and the special place we keep in our hearts for our favorite teachers. Who was your Mr. Holland?

Can you say -- "I don't?" Tony Award-winner Jason Alexander brings the hilarious dark comedy The War of the Roses, to the Ogunquit Playhouse stage for its 2020 season. This new play follows Oliver and Barbara Rose, a wealthy couple seemingly enjoying marital bliss, until the moment Barbara asks for a divorce. A diabolically funny and bitter battle ensues that sets new standards for how far a couple will go to get even. Battle lines are drawn, territory is staked out, and hostilities fly (along with some glassware and other assorted items!) as the Roses engage in a duel that wildly escalates and threatens to burn their relationship, their precious home, and their sanity to the ground. This ferociously funny story of domestic warfare examines the razor-thin line between love and hate, and features the greatest stage role for a chandelier since The Phantom of the Opera. This cautionary tale is based on the novel The War of the Roses by Warren Adler, is reimagined and adapted for the stage by multi-Emmy Award-winning author Peter Tolan, and directed by Jason Alexander. The War of the Roses makes its Northeast premiere at Ogunquit Playhouse August 26 through September 19.

C'mon, let's do the Conga! Closing the 88th season is the international musical sensation On Your Feet! on stage September 23 through October 25. Twenty-six-time Grammy Award-winning husband-and-wife team Gloria and Emilio Estefan share their inspiring true story about heart, heritage, and believing in their talent - and each other. This exhilarating Broadway musical follows their incredible journey from anonymity in Cuba to stardom in the United States. It was nominated for the 2016 Tony Award for Best Choreography and features a book by Academy Award-winner Alexander Dinelaris, along with some of the most infectious and joyful songs of the past quarter-century, including "Rhythm is Gonna Get You," "Conga," "Don't Want To Lose You Now," "1-2-3" and "Coming Out of the Dark." Put on your dancing shoes, get on your feet, and conga your way over to the Playhouse!

Now a favorite seacoast tradition, the Ogunquit Playhouse production of Irving Berlin's classic White Christmas returns to The Music Hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, just in time for the holidays. Based on the beloved, timeless film, this heartwarming musical adaptation features seventeen Irving Berlin songs and book by David Ives and Paul Blake. The musical focuses on WWII veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis who have a successful song-and-dance act. With romance in mind, they follow two beautiful singing sisters to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil's former army commander. The dazzling score features well known standards including "Blue Skies," "I Love A Piano," "How Deep Is the Ocean" and the perennial favorite, "White Christmas." Tickets for this show go on sale at www.TheMusicHall.org or at their box office (603-436-2400) starting April 4 for The Music Hall members only and April 20 for the general public. This show sold out in 2017 - be sure to get your tickets early!