Sharon Playhouse Announces Season of Hits: ANYTHING GOES, ALL SHOOK UP, and More

The Sharon Playhouse in Sharon, CT announces its 2018 season under the new management team of Artistic Director Alan ML Wager and Managing Director Robert Levinstein.

The exciting hit-filled 59th season starts with Cole Porter's Delightful, Delicious and De-Lovely Tony award-winning hit Anything Goes (June 15-July 1), directed by Mr. Wager and choreographed by Justin Boccitto.

Next up is the hip swiveling hit All Shook Up (July 13-22) based on William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night featuring the immortal songs of Elvis Presley and is presented as a Sharon Playhouse Youth Production, directed by Sarah Combs and choreographed by Grace Mihalchik.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of its first production at the Playhouse will be Neil Simon's charming and hilarious hit Barefoot in the Park (July 27-August 12), directed by Clayton Phillips.

Closing out the mainstage season will be the crowd pleasing and endearing hit Always...Patsy Cline (August 17- September 2). Based on the real friendship of Patsy Cline and housewife Louise Seger, the show features the memorable catalogue of Patsy Cline songs and will be directed by Mr. Wager.

The Playhouse is bringing its full Children's Theatre program back to the Sharon Playhouse mainstage with two different sessions.: 101 Dalmatian's, Kids (July 21 & 22).Based on the classic animated film, it's a fur-raising adventure featuring Cruella De Vil, Disney's most outrageous villain, and 101 of the most adorable heroes to set their paws onstage, and Willy Wonka, Jr. (August 4 & 5). The delicious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl's fantastical tale.

In addition to the four main stage productions and Children's Theatre offerings, plans are under way to bring special events, concerts, cabarets and staged readings to theBok Gallery, the other performance space at the Playhouse, truly making it a year-round theater for the Litchfield County community and surrounding Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York communities.

Nestled in the beautiful foothills of the Berkshires, the Iconic Sharon Playhouse is a critically acclaimed non-profit professional theatre that brings the best plays and musicals to the Northwest Corridor every summer. The Sharon Playhouse has become a cultural institution providing exciting summer entertainment and training opportunities for novice and professional actors.

For tickets and more information visit www.SharonPlayhouse.org

Mr. Levinstein's (Managing Director) knowledge of technical theater and finance, coupled with a creative eye offers a unique blend of business and art. As Associate Producer/Casting Director for the Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine, he managed all aspects of theatrical production, served as a conduit between various diverse departments, controlled and supervised a multi-million dollar annual budget and cast of such luminaries as Stefanie Powers, Sally Struthers, Jefferson Mays, Carson Kressley, to name just a few. As a Producer/General Manager 22Q Entertainment productions included the Off-Broadway play Would You Still Love Me If... starring Kathleen Turner at New World Stages, the critically acclaimed Kick!, directed by Lynn Taylor-Corbett, It Is Done, a thriller set and performed in a bar (a critical success in New York...and award-winning in the Los Angeles transfer) along with the New York City premiere of The Spoon River Project, which played under the stars at the historic Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. As a Production Stage Manager, he has worked on Broadway (Waiting in The Wings with Lauren Bacall), National Tours (Camelot with Michael York), The Actor's Fund, and television...including shows for NBC, TBS and network award shows.

Mr. Wager (Artistic Director) brings over 30 years of experience working in theater, television and film to the Sharon Playhouse. As a director, he has steered successful productions of Beauty and the Beast, Oklahoma!, Guys & Dolls, among others. As an actor, he's appeared in leading roles ranging from Broadway, National Tours and regional theaters all over the United States. He is a sought-after vocal coach who has worked with performers such as Patrick Cassidy, Amy Peitz and Veanne Cox. Alan is also a musical theater composer. Concept recordings of his shows feature such gifted artists as Brent Barrett, Andrea Burns, Diana Canova, Meg Bussert, Elizabeth Loyacano and Glory Crampton. In 2011 Wager and Levinstein formed 22Q Entertainment which was represented in North Hollywood with an award-winning production ofAlways...Patsy Cline starring Sally Struthers, while back in New York City, the company produced the My Big Italian trilogy.

Sharon Playhouse is a not-for-profit summer theatre that uses a unique blend of professional designers, directors, musicians, Equity actors, non-Equity actors, and dedicated community performers and volunteers.

www.sharonplayhouse.org

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