BAREFOOT IN THE PARK Launches 2019 Season at Cumberland County Playhouse

Crossville's Cumberland County Playhouse - winner of the First Night Award for Outstanding Musical of 2018 for Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - has announced its lineup for the 2019 season.

"Storyteller Michael Margolis once wrote that the stories we tell literally make the world," says producing director Bryce McDonald. "his spoke volumes to us as a creative team, because our business is literally making stories."

Neil Simon's BAREFOOT IN THE PARK: A classic romantic comedy from the author of The Odd Couple! Paul and Corie Bratter are newlyweds in every sense of the word. He's a straight-as-an-arrow lawyer and she's a free spirit always looking for the latest kick. Their new apartment is her most recent find: too expensive, with bad plumbing and in need of a paint job. After a six-day honeymoon, they get a surprise visit from Corie's loopy mother and decide to play matchmaker during a dinner with their eccentric neighbor-in-the-attic, Velasco, where everything that can go wrong, does! Adventure Theater, January 19-March 22.

MADAGASCAR - A Musical Adventure: Take a journey out of the zoo and onto the stage with your favorite crack-a-lackin' friends from the blockbuster DreamWorks film. Alex the lion is the king of the urban jungle, the main attraction at New York's Central Park Zoo. He and his best friends - Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo - have spent their whole lives in blissful captivity before an admiring public and with regular meals provided for them. But Marty lets his curiosity get the better of him and makes his escape - with the help of some prodigious penguins - to explore the world. Mainstage, February 2-March 1.

NOISES OFF: Brace yourself for sidesplitting chaos with this rip-roaring comedy. Opening night of the farce Nothing On is just hours away, and their final dress rehearsal couldn't be going any worse. Lines are forgotten, love triangles unravel, and sardines fly everywhere in complete pandemonium' and it's not even intermission! Can the cast pull their act together on stage even if they can't behind the scenes? Full of surprises and gut-busting humor, Noises Off is the classic show-within-a-show that will have you rolling in the aisles! Mainstage, March 8-April 18.

FOREVER PLAID: Four high school friends dream of becoming as famous as their idols, The Four Freshman and The Crew Cuts, and become Forever Plaid. And when they're not squabbling over vocal intonations or their charmingly outlandish choreography, they're belting out some of the most glorious four-part harmony you've ever heard. Forever Plaid is a guaranteed smash, with beloved songs and delightful patter that will keep audiences rolling in the aisles when they're not humming along to some of the greatest nostalgic hits of the 1950s, such as "Cry," "Heart and Soul" and "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing." Adventure Theater, March 29-May 24.

BRIGHT STAR: With a Grammy-nominated bluegrass and Gospel-infused score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway's Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and '40s. When Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she lost. Alice undertakes a journey to understand her past - and what she finds will transform both of their lives. A daringly hopeful tapestry of deep emotion and beautiful melodies, Bright Star is an unforgettable, uplifting theatrical journey that will hold you tight in its grasp long after you've left the theater! Mainstage, April 26-June 6.

T3 presents COVER TO COVER: Our Triple Threat classes encourage students to use their hands, bodies and voices to express their own creative impulses. By using their imaginations and experiencing this hands-on approach, children become more intrinsically motivated to read. Reading broadens our horizons and outlook on the world, giving students a window into different places, people, cultures, and traditions they might never have known without books. Through Cover to Cover, and as they grow up, we hope the arts will play a significant role in encouraging students to become creative leaders and lifelong readers. Mainstage, May 10 and 11.

RED, WHITE AND TUNA: The denizens of Tuna, Texas are back in this sequel to mega-hit Greater Tuna. Take a hilarious ride with the polyester-clad citizens of Texas' third smallest town with this side-splitting spoof of life in rural America. Beloved Playhouse stars Jason Ross and Patty Payne play nearly twenty eccentric characters of both genders and various ages as they burst into the 4th of July Tuna High School Class Reunion. This sets the stage for show full of fireworks and fun from the land where the Lion's Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies! Adventure Theater, May 31-August 8.

Roald Dahl's MATILDA THE MUSICAL: This Tony Award-winning musical revels in the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination. Matilda is a girl of astonishing wit and intelligence. Unloved by her parents, she bonds with her schoolteacher Miss Honey over the course of her first school term. But school life isn-t all smooth sailing: the headmistress Miss Trunchbull hates children and gleefully punishes those who disobey the rules, and Matilda must use her courage and cleverness to become the school pupils' saving grace! Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, Matilda is a joyous girl-power romp that will delight children and adults alike! Mainstage, June 14-August 18.

JUNIE B. JONES THE MUSICAL: The Playhouse introduces its new Theater for Young Audiences Series with this delightful adaptation of four of Barbara Park's bestselling books. It's Junie B.'s first day of first grade and things have changed for the sassy little diva: her friend Lucille doesn't want to be her best pal anymore, and Junie B. befriends Herb, the new kid at school. Junie has trouble reading the blackboard and the teacher Mr. Scary thinks she may need glasses. Throw in a friendly cafeteria lady, a kickball tournament, and a "Top Secret Personal Beeswax Journal," and first grade has never been more exciting! Adventure Theater, July 10-August 10.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT: With its family-friendly story, enduring themes, and remarkable music, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has become one of the most beloved musicals of all time! This delightful reimagining of the Biblical story details the trials and triumphs of Israel's favorite son Joseph, his eleven brothers and his coat of many colors. The score, nominated for both Tony and Olivier Awards, is full of unforgettable songs like "Go, Go, Go, Joseph," "Any Dream Will Do" and "Close Every Door." One of the most Popular Productions in Playhouse history, Joseph returns to the Mainstage with newly conceived sets and costumes that are sure to make it an event not to be missed! Mainstage, July 19-September 5.

DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER: From the playwright of Boeing Boeing comes an equally hysterical comedy! Bernard has planned a romantic weekend with his Parisian mistress while his wife Jacqueline is away. He has hired cook to prepare gourmet delights and invited his best friend Robert to provide the alibi. BUT' Robert and Jacqueline are secret lovers and are determined that Jacqueline will NOT leave for the weekend. The cook has to pretend to be the mistress, the mistress can't cook, everyone's alibi gets confused, and mayhem ensues as Bernard and Robert desperately improvise at breakneck speed! Adventure Theater, August 16-October 3.

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN: This electrifying musical adaptation of Mel Brooks' monstrously funny film will leave you in stitches! Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, inherits his family's estate in Transylvania and brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather's. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity abounds. Young Frankenstein has all the panache of the screen sensation along with a little extra theatrical flair. With such memorable tunes as "The Transylvania Mania," and "Puttin' on the Ritz," Young Frankenstein is scientifically proven, monstrously good, hysterical entertainment. Mainstage, September 13-October 24.

Ken Ludwig's BASKERVILLE: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery: Comedic genius Ken Ludwig (Lend Me a Tenor, The Fox on the Fairway) transforms The Hound of the Baskervilles into a murderously funny adventure. The male heirs of the Baskerville line are being dispatched one by one. To find their ingenious killer, Holmes and Watson must brave the desolate moors before a family curse strikes again. Our intrepid investigators navigate a dizzying web of clues, silly accents, disguises, and deceit as five actors deftly portray more than forty characters. Can our heroes discover the truth in time? Join the fun and see how far from elementary the truth can be! Adventure Theater, October 11-November 7.

ELF THE MUSICAL: Young orphan Buddy mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole, where he's raised as an elf. But when Buddy's enormous size and poor toy-making abilities reveal the truth, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his father and discover his true identity. But his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn't even believe in Santa, so Buddy must win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. Mainstage, November 1-December 21.

WINTER WONDERETTES: The Wonderettes are back! This seasonal celebration finds Cindy Lou, Missy, Suzy, and Betty Jean entertaining at the annual Harper's Hardware Holiday Party. When Santa turns up missing, the girls use their talent and creative ingenuity to save the day! Featuring great '60s versions of holiday classics such as "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Winter Wonderland," the result is, of course, marvelous! This energetic and glittering holiday package is guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages. Adventure Theater, November 15-December 22.

Tickets may be reserved by calling (931) 484-5000 or visiting www.ccplayhouse.com.

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