Oh, What a Beautiful Season! Ogunquit Playhouse Announces Premiere of GRUMPY OLD MEN, OKLAHOMA!, SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE, and More in 2018

The legendary Ogunquit Playhouse is thrilled to produce five spectacular musicals for its upcoming season that includes an all-new production of the sizzling song and dance celebration Smokey Joe's Café, the U.S. premiere of the hilarious new musical Grumpy Old Men, a beautiful new production of the classic Oklahoma!, and the first regional production of the sumptuous new musical An American in Paris. Closing out the season is a surprise smash musical sensation that will run for an unprecedented 8 weeks, from September 5 through October 28, which will be announced in March.

"We are elated to be heading into our 86th season with an extraordinary lineup of shows, and are very fortunate to be collaborating with show's original producing team on an all-new production of Smokey Joes Café, which will transfer to New York following its run at the Ogunquit Playhouse," stated Bradford Kenney, Ogunquit Playhouse Executive Artistic Director. "We have also been following the development of the brand new musical version of Grumpy Old Men and are delighted and honored to produce the U.S premiere of this hilarious new production for Playhouse audiences this season. Oklahoma! has had a long history at the Playhouse and we are thrilled to create a new production to celebrate its 75th anniversary. We are also excited to create a fresh new look for our regional premiere of the beautiful musical An American in Paris."

Season ticket subscription packages are on sale now and the only way to guarantee the best seats for the best price to these five exciting shows! Prices start at only $247 for a five-show package and $147 for a three-show package. Gift certificates and Flex Passes are also on sale online and through the Box Office. Individual tickets are on sale exclusively for Ogunquit Playhouse members beginning Tuesday, February 20. Individual tickets sales begin Monday, February 26 with prices starting at $52.

The season kicks off with an all-new production of Smokey Joe's Café, on stage May 16 to June 9. The Ogunquit Playhouse is thrilled to be collaborating with the show's original producing team on an all-new incarnation of the record breaking Broadway hit Smokey Joe's Café, which heads to New York City following its Ogunquit run. The Grammy Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated smash made history as Broadway's longest running musical revue and celebrates the best songs of the legendary songwriting duo, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Their generation-defining songs climbed the Billboard charts and provided hit after hit for icons like Elvis Presley, Ben E. King, The Coasters, and The Drifters. With themes of love won, lost and imagined, their songs touched global audiences with wit and slice-of-life emotions. Audiences will be treated to more than more than 30 show stopping tunes including classics like "On Broadway," "Yakety Yak," "Charlie Brown," "Jailhouse Rock," "Hound Dog," "Love Potion #9," "Spanish Harlem," and "Stand by Me." The show will be directed and choreographed by Emmy Award-winner and Tony Award-nominee Josh Bergasse whose credits include Broadway's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and On the Town, Fox's "So You think You Can Dance" and NBC's "Smash."

Next up is the beloved classic Oklahoma! on stage June 13 to July 7, celebrating its 75th Anniversary since opening on Broadway. This groundbreaking musical was Rodgers and Hammerstein's first collaboration, and in many ways was their most innovative, having set standards for musical theatre that are still being followed today. The original designs and choreography from Cameron Mackintosh's London and Broadway revival of Oklahoma!, that made Hugh Jackman a star, will be featured in this lavish production. The high-spirited rivalry between the local farmers and cowboys living in Western Indian Territory at the turn of the twentieth century provide the colorful setting for Curly, the confident cowboy, and Laurey, the beautiful, head-strong farm girl, to play out their love story. Throw in a fierce rival vying for Laurey's attention, one flirtatious fiancée, a reluctant suitor, magnificent choreography and one of the most beautiful musical scores ever written and you have a recipe for a rip roaring good time! This lively musical features the timeless classics, "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'," "The Surrey with the Fringe On Top," "I Cain't Say No," "People Will Say We're in Love," and of course the triumphant "Oklahoma!"

One of the most captivating musicals ever to be adapted for the stage, An American in Paris - A New Musical is inspired by the Academy Award-winning film and featuring the music of George and Ira Gershwin hits the stage July 11 to August 4. The Ogunquit Playhouse is proud to be the first regional theatre to produce this new musical, which won four Tony Awards in 2015. Hoping to start a new life, World War II veteran Jerry Mulligan chooses newly-liberated Paris as the place to make a name for himself as a painter. But Jerry's life becomes complicated when he meets Lise, a young Parisian shop girl with her own secret - and realizes he is not her only suitor. This lavish new musical is guaranteed to sweep you off your feet-and into the arms of a story you'll never forget. The stunning combination of classic music, timeless story, breathtaking dance and a beautiful, all-new design created exclusively for the Ogunquit Playhouse results in a spectacular musical that includes the Gershwin songs "I Got Rhythm," "Liza," "'S Wonderful," "But Not for Me," "Stairway to Paradise" and orchestral music including "Concerto in F," "2nd Prelude," "2nd Rhapsody," "The Cuban Overture," and "An American In Paris."

Fasten your seat belt, it's going to be a grumpy ride! The Ogunquit Playhouse is proud to produce the U.S. premiere of the new musical-comedy, Grumpy Old Men: The Musical - on stage August 8 to September 1 and just in time to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the classic 1993 Warner Brothers film starring Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau and Ann-Margret. This hilarious new show was penned by Dan Remmes, with music by Neil Berg and lyrics by Nick Meglin. Two aging neighbors, Max and John, have been feuding for more than fifty years until the beautiful and charming Ariel moves in across the street -raising the rivalry to new heights! Don't miss this laugh-out-loud story of family, friendship, love and romance in a fresh new musical that's guaranteed to delight!

About the Ogunquit Playhouse:
The Ogunquit Playhouse, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization listed on the National Historic Register, is located on Route One in Ogunquit, Maine and produces the finest Broadway musicals each season with performances Tuesday through Sunday, from May through October. Follow the Ogunquit Playhouse on Twitter (@OgunquitPH) and on Facebook (facebook.com/OgunquitPlayhouse) for behind-the-scenes info, photos and fun throughout the season. For a complete list of show times, pricing and more information about the season visit www.ogunquitplayhouse.org.

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