Sharon Playhouse's Summer 2016 Season to Feature BIG RIVER, GYPSY & More

Sharon Playhouse, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Simpkins and Managing Director Justin Ball, announces the 2016 summer season of musicals and plays Gypsy; Big River; Quartet; I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change; and the new musical, Judge Jackie: Disorder in the Court.

Gypsy kicks off the Mainstage season from June 16 - July 3, directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford (In My Life). Based loosely on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee and often referred to as the perfect American musical, Gypsy follows Rose, the ultimate show business mother, and her dreams to raise two daughters to perform on the stage. Gypsy was created by the legendary musical theatre team of Jule Styne (music), Stephen Sondheim (lyrics), and Arthur Laurents (book).

John Simpkins directs the seven-time Tony Award-winning Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn running July 21 - 31. Based on Mark Twain's classic novel, Big River moves down the mighty Mississippi as Huck helps his friend Jim, a slave, escape to freedom. Their adventures are set to an award-winning score by country music artist Roger Miller and book by William Hauptman. Jennifer Werner (The Book of Mormon) choreographs.

Quartet, a play by Academy Award-winner Ronald Harwood (The Pianist), runs August 18 - 28. Four elderly opera-singers have ended up in the same retirement home for artists. A concert is about to take place to celebrate Verdi's birthday. Will these four singers be able to recreate their youth and perform their acclaimed quartet from Rigoletto? Quartet was adapted as a 2013 film that starred Maggie Smith. John Simpkins directs.

The new musical Judge Jackie: Disorder in the Court kicks off the Stage 2 Season from July 7 - 17. With music by Michael Kooman and book & lyrics by Christopher Dimond, Judge Jackie rules over her reality television courtroom with an iron fist, presiding over a three-ring circus of America's most chaotic civil cases. But, when a drop in ratings brings her face to face with the liability of her own love life, the judge must learn to navigate the ludicrous laws of love in this over-the-top courtroom comedy. Judge Jackie premiered at Pittsburgh C.L.O. and is based on a concept by Van Kaplan. Simpkins directs.

The 2nd longest running Off-Broadway musical in history - I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change - plays Stage 2 from August 4 - 14. The celebration of the relationship takes center stage in this hilarious revue that pays tribute to those who have loved, lost, and dared to ask "What are you doing Saturday night?" Jennifer Werner (The Book of Mormon) directs and choreographs the show, with book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music by Jimmy Roberts.

Additional Sharon Playhouse artists-in-residence for 2016 include Music Directors James Cunningham and Joshua Zecher-Ross; Scenic Designers Michael Schweikardt, Jack Mehler and Josh Smith; Lighting Designers Jack Mehler and Chris Dallos; and Costume Designer Michelle Humphrey. Geoff Josselson is Casting Director.

Casting, Special Events and Cabarets will be announced in the spring. Season subscriptions ($90-$180) are on sale now. Single tickets ($15-$47) available online beginning March 15. Box Office opens April 15 by calling (860) 364-7469 x100.

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