Cape Playhouse Names 2016 Guest Artistic Director

Noted theatrical producer and manager Erik Orton is taking the helm as Guest Artistic Director, overseeing the 2016 season. The announcement was made today by Peter Murray, president of the Board of Trustees for The Cape Cod Center for the Arts, operator of the Cape Playhouse.

"Erik Orton's experience with Broadway shows and national tours is an ideal mix for the range and quality of productions for which The Cape Playhouse is famous," Murray said. "We are excited to welcome him."

Over the past two decades, Erik Orton has made his mark as a producer, manager, writer, and director on Broadway and across the country. He has been a limited partner on several recent productions, including: Godspell (2012 Broadway revival); The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Broadway, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles productions); Carousel (West End revival); and Wicked (Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco productions). Orton has worked for a variety of Broadway general management and production offices, including Alan Wasser Associates, Richards/Climan Inc., and The Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts. Broadway shows and tours he has managed include Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera, LES MISERABLES, and Miss Saigon.

Orton's original musical Berlin was performed Off-Off-Broadway, went on to a production at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, CT and was ultimately produced for worldwide broadcast, winning an Emmy Award, the CINE Golden Eagle Award, and a Bronze Telly Award. He co-wrote book, music, and lyrics for The Drummings, based on the life and times of Irish statesman Daniel O'Connell.

Erik Orton will assume artistic responsibilities previously held by Mark Cuddy, who resigned after two very successful seasons. A national search for a permanent Artistic Director for The Cape Playhouse is underway.

The historic Cape Playhouse marks its 90th anniversary this season; a schedule of special events will be announced in the near future. Productions already announced for the 2016 season include Last of The Red Hot Lovers, Talley's Folly, The Music Man, The May Queen, Cabaret, and The Mousetrap. Each production of the 2016 Season will run for two weeks, except The Music Man, which will have a three week run. Season tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at www.CapePlayhouse.com or by calling 508-385-3911.

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