GODSPELL 2012 Kicks Off 2016 at Hershey Area Playhouse Tonight

Contemporary retellings of original sensations, heartwarming stories, comedies and horror tales are all a part of the Hershey Area Playhouse 2016 season.

The Playhouse will kick off its 16th season this weekend, Feb. 11-14, and Feb. 18-21, 2016, with Godspell 2012, an updated version of the well-known musical that explores a portion of Jesus' life, His death, and His followers. The Playhouse welcomes back Jan McCreary to direct this popular and meaningful musical.

From April 14-17 and 21-24, 2016, the Playhouse presents its spring comedy, Charley's Aunt, an energetic and fast-paced farce. Written by Brandon Thomas and directed by Robin Snyder, this play in three acts follows two students at Oxford who force their friend and fellow student to pose as an aunt from Brazil.

South Pacific takes the stage as the Playhouse's summer show. This beloved musical with a wonderfully-familiar score and thought-provoking theme takes place on an island during World War II, where love blooms between a young nurse and a secretive Frenchman who's being courted for a dangerous military mission. Directed by Matt and Tracey Ford, performances will take place July 21-24 and 28-31, 2016.

Just in time for Halloween, Frankenstein, is the Playhouse's fall production. Victor Frankenstein wants to create a "new Adam," a man who will change the human race for the better, but his experiment goes awry and tragedy results. Written and directed by Marjorie Bicknell, this adult take on the classic horror tale, based on the works of Mary Shelley, goes back to its roots to find new meaning for the modern world. Shows will be presented Oct. 6-9 and 13-16, 2016.

Miracle on 34th Street, rounds out the Playhouse's 2016 season. When a nice old man who claims to be Santa Claus is institutionalized as insane, a young lawyer decided to defend him by arguing in court that he is the real thing. Lois Heagy, an experienced actor and director in central Pennsylvania, will join the Playhouse for the first time as director of this heartwarming and familiar story. Shows will take place Dec. 1-4 and 8-11, 2016.

All performances will take place at Hershey Area Playhouse, 830 Cherry Drive, Hershey, Pa. Show times are 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sundays. The Playhouse was recently featured in VacationIdea magazine's "21 Best Things to Do in Hershey, Pennsylvania."

Discounted season tickets are available by purchasing at least four shows; individual tickets are also available. For tickets and more information, visit www.HersheyAreaPlayhouse.com.

Hershey Area Playhouse is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing residents of the community with an opportunity to participate in the creation and production of a theatrical experience. Since its inception in 1999, Hershey Area Playhouse has staged dozens of productions at numerous venues around the Hershey area. In April 2007, the Playhouse opened its new permanent home, Hershey Area Playhouse at Country Meadows.

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