Gretna Theatre Announces Exciting 2019 Season

Gretna Theatre announced their 92nd anniversary season today in Mount Gretna, PA, featuring five mainstage productions in the historic Mount Gretna Playhouse. Executive Producer Brian Kurtas is proud to unveil the 2019 season noting, "We are looking forward to sharing these titles, which are a collection of Broadway classics and new award-winning plays. I couldn't be more thrilled to offer these shows to the community after a year of growth and regenerated excitement for the work we do. Almost everything you see on our stage is created right here in Central PA."

Audiences will be treated to Irving Berlin's Broadway classic musical Irving Berlin's I Love a Piano; the hilarious baseball comedy by Richard Dresser, Rounding Third; your family favorite hit Broadway musical Oliver!; a Central Pennsylvania regional premiere of the new award-winning comedy Murder for Two; and a special appearance by the military's USO Show Troupe. Based in Mount Gretna Pennsylvania, Gretna Theatre is a 92-year old professional, nonprofit theater, and America's oldest summer theatre.

Gretna Theatre opens its season with the celebration of the classic songwriter Irving Berlin, in Irving Berlin's I Love a Piano. The classic musical will make you sing, laugh, dance, and shout with joy! Irving Berlin's I Love a Piano follows the musical journey of one piano with a sour note from Tin Pan Alley to the present day, as it winds its way through the lives of many Americans. The story comes to life through timeless Irving Berlin tunes including, "Blue Skies," "There's No Business Like Show Business," "Puttin' on the Ritz," and of course, "I Love a Piano."

Rounding Third follows the boisterous journey of two Little League coaches - one a veteran, the other a new recruit - from their first tentative meeting to the climactic championship game. They couldn't be more opposite with their markedly different views on how to coach today's kids on our national pastime. The audience is the stand in for the team, so you can expect this new comedy to hit big league laughs while exploring the bumpy terrain of fatherhood and baseball. Chock-full of hilarity, Rounding Third is a home run for all ages.

Next, your family favorite Broadway musical adaptation of the classic Dickens' novel springs to life on the Gretna stage with some of the most memorable characters and songs ever. Oliver! tells the story of an innocent and hopeful young hero as he requests, "More please," from the harsh workhouse master, then escapes and learns street survival from the Artful Dodger, one of crafty Fagin's pickpocket urchins. With popular songs like "As Long as He Needs Me," "Food, Glorious Food," "Consider Yourself" and "Where is Love." Oliver! is a musical theatre masterpiece and our largest production of the season!

Everyone is a suspect in the next show of our 2019 season, Murder for Two, a hilarious whodunit murder mystery with a twist. In this zany 90-minute show, two performers play 13 roles - not to mention the piano. One actor investigates the crime while the other plays all the suspects. A witty and madcap homage to old-fashioned murder mystery, this highly theatrical duet is loaded with killer laughs. Perfect for ages 8 to 88, Murder for Two has played to sold out audiences across the country, and will have you dying of laughter.

Finishing the 2019 season is the military's popular USO Show Troupe, featuring a special performance of their American Heartland musical tribute that has been part of American tradition for over 70 years. The USO Show Troupe is sure to please a variety of musical tastes ranging from today's top 40 to Broadway, Big Band, and even some patriotic tunes. Performing live annually for more than 300,000 service members and their families, the USO Show Troupe presents top of the line entertainment.

The only way to guarantee the best seats and the biggest discounts is to subscribe today! Season subscriptions (5 show and Flex) are on sale now at gretnatheatre.org or by calling the box office at 717-964-3627. Individual tickets for the 2019 season will go on sale in January of 2019.

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