New London Barn Announces 2017 Summer Season

For 85 years, the New London Barn Playhouse has been a vital part of the Lake Sunapee and Upper Valley communities, enriching the summer months with an annual season of top-quality, professionally-produced classic and contemporary musicals and plays. After their record-breaking 2016 season was honored with the New England Theater Conference's prestigious Moss Hart Award for Excellence in Professional Theater, now the Barn is gearing up to cross another milestone with their 85th consecutive summer season in 2017!

The Mainstage Season begins with Godspell, the first hit musical from composer and Barnie Stephen Schwartz (Pippin, Wicked). Running June 14-25, Godspell is a timeless story of friendship and loyalty based on the Gospel of Matthew and includes hits like "Day by Day," "Prepare Ye the Way Of The Lord," and "Beautiful City."

A Tony Award-winning musical adaptation of the beloved Victorian classic, The Secret Garden tells the story of a lonely orphaned girl sent to live with her reclusive uncle, where she unexpectedly discovers the magic of the natural world, running June 28-July 9. Next comes Souvenir, playing July 12-16, taking a funny and poignant look at the life of the infamous Florence Foster Jenkins, a wealthy New York socialite whose earsplitting singing was matched only by her unconquerable delusions of greatness. Widely regarded as one of the greatest musicals of all time, West Side Story plays July 19-August 6. This retelling of Romeo and Juliet set amongst rival gangs in 1950's New York City features a soaring score from geniuses Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, with classics like "I Feel Pretty," "Somewhere," "Something's Coming," and "America". Following West Side Story is the ultimate jukebox musical: All Shook Up, running August 9-20 and featuring the hip-swiveling melodies of the King himself: Elvis Presley. To close its historic 85th season, the Barn presents On Golden Pond, a bittersweet and funny story about family and the ties that keep us together, running August 23-September 3.

MONDAY NIGHT SERIES

The Barn's hugely popular New London Barn Intern Idols! series returns for its 7th season this year. The Acting Intern Company will split into competing teams on select Monday nights, with each team singing their hearts out to earn the audience's votes. Each date features a different evening of musical competition, with the themes:

July 3: Audience Choice: Cast your vote in June for that Idols! theme that you've been dying to see! Whatever the winning theme, it's guaranteed to bring the house down.

July 24: The Piano Man: A rock 'n' roll celebration of the magnificent Billy Joel.

August 14: Interns' Choice: The 2017 Acting Intern Company puts together their very own farewell revue.

Each Idols! evening offers two performances, at 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm.

CHILDREN'S THEATER SERIES

The Barn's Junior Intern Company is comprised of approximately 25 dedicated young performers, ages 12-18, who produce and perform the Children's Theater Series. The Series includes five shows, with four presented on the historic Barn stage and one FREE outdoor production. This year the JI's are tackling Bookworms! July 1, The Snow Queen July 15, Romeo and Juliet (FREE outdoor performance), Stuart Little July 27, and Seussical: The Musical August 17 and 19. All performances are 11:00 am and 2:00 pm, and tickets can be purchased at nlbarn.org or 603-526-6710.

SUMMER CAMPS

Now more than ever, the Barn is proud to continue its commitment to arts education by offering 5 weeks of camps for budding actors and actresses! 2017 camps are geared towards artists aged 6-11, run from July 17-August 11 with classes in the morning or afternoon, and are taught by Barn Staff, members of the Acting Intern Company, and special Guest Artists. Information and camp descriptions can be found at https://nlbarn.org/2016/02/24/summercamps.

FLEX PASSES

The best deal of the summer, Barn Flex Passes offer audiences the ultimate in flexibility and savings. The four-pack passes can be redeemed in any combination and at any point, offering savings of up to 18% over single ticket prices! Flex Passes must be purchased before June 14. More info at www.nlbarn.org/subscriptions.

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