Bucks County Playhouse Announces 2019 Winter/Spring Visiting Artists Series

This winter and spring Bucks County Playhouse offers a full slate of entertainment representing a wide variety of musical, comedy and special event performances as part of the Visiting Artists Series at the Playhouse.

Since its reopening in 2012, the Playhouse has continued to expand its schedule - presenting and producing more events year-round. The Visiting Artist Series represents one of the few times on the calendar when outside producers take the stage to showcase their work. Renowned and unique performers from across the country - or around the globe - join local favorites for a lineup of crowd-pleasing fare that begins January 4 and runs through the spring opening of the Playhouse's 2019 Subscription Season. Except where noted, tickets for all events in the Visiting Artists Series are currently on sale online, at the Playhouse Box Office, and the New Hope Visitors' Center.

Here is the overview of the schedule (to date) with details below:

• January 4 and 5 -- "The Official Blues Brothers Revue"
• January 16 to 20 -- "The Reduced Shakespeare Company in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised]"
• January 30 to February 2 - "Love Letters" starring Meredith Baxter and Michael Gross
• March 9 - "The Music of Simon and Garfunkel" Performed by Swearingen & Kelli
• March 15 and 16 - "Irish Music Festival"
• March 21 to 23 -- "Legends in Concert: Country Edition"
• March 28 to 30 -- "One Funny Mother Starring Dena Blizzard"
• May 3 -- "Beatles for Sale: Lennon and McCartney Revisited"

MUSIC: "The Official Blues Brothers Revue" • January 4 and 5

There have been many imitators, but there is only one duo in North America sanctioned by Dan Aykroyd and Judith Belushi to don the official hat and sunglasses and walk in the legendary footsteps of Jake and Elwood Blues. Discovered in Las Vegas, performers Wayne Catania and Kieron Lafferty capture the infectious humor and unbridled spirit of the Blues Brothers like no one since John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd walked the stage. Backed by a powerhouse band, they'll give you a show to remember, packed with classic hits from the Blues Brothers catalog, including "Soul Man," "Rubber Biscuit," "Sweet Home Chicago" and more. For a night of laughter, dancing and foot-stompin' fun, see the Official Blues Brothers Revue!

THEATER: "The Reduced Shakespeare Company in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised]" • January 16 - 20

"The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised]" is the original, and timeless classic from the Reduced Shakespeare Company. Every ten years, give or take, the RSC goes back to the source, the fountainhead, the birth of all things that followed. All 37 Plays in 97 Minutes! "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised]" is an irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bard's plays. It was London's longest-running comedy, having clocked a very palpable nine years in London's West End at the Criterion Theatre! The show has been seen at the Kennedy Center, Off-Broadway, and from sea to shining sea. Join these madcap men in tights as they weave their wicked way through all of Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories and Tragedies in one wild and memorable ride that leaves audiences breathless and helpless with laughter. [In the spirit of Shakespeare himself, RSC shows contain some occasional bawdy language and mild innuendo. All children (and parents) are different, so the show is rated PG-13: Pretty Good If You're Thirteen.]

THEATER: "Love Letters" • January 30 - February 2 • Back By Popular Demand!
Get swept away in this nostalgic and heartfelt show starring Meredith Baxter and Michael Gross from TV's "Family Ties!" When Andrew accepts an invitation to Melissa's birthday party, and Melissa writes a thank-you note, a romantic friendship and correspondence is born that will last more than 50 years! Though their relationship constantly changes, these pen pals remain each other's most trusted confidantes. A touching romance through old-fashioned pen and paper, "Love Letters" is a disarmingly funny and unforgettably emotional portrait about the powerful connection of love.

MUSIC: "The Music of Simon and Garfunkel" Performed by Swearingen & Kelli • March 9
Swearingen & Kelli recreate the music, memories and magic of the most famous folk-rock duo of our time, Simon and Garfunkel. AJ Swearingen has been performing this music for twenty years with mastery of Paul Simon's intricate guitar playing. His deep baritone blends perfectly with Kelli's angelic vocals delivering a true tribute to the sound of the 1960's Greenwich Village, NY coffeehouse performances.

MUSIC: "Irish Music Festival" • March 15 and 16

(Note: On sale soon)
Come to Bucks County Playhouse and celebrate St. Patrick's Day with live music, fine food, delicious drinks and friends!

MUSIC: "Legends in Concert: Country Edition" • March 21 - 23
See six of the biggest country music legends on stage performed by an outstanding cast of accomplished tribute artists, talented singers and dancers, and some the top musicians in the industry. Dolly Parton, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Shania Twain, and Johnny Cash! You can see these incredible tributes all together in one truly unique entertainment experience. Direct from Las Vegas, "Legends in Concert: Country Edition" presents dynamic and talented performers re-creating the unforgettable concert appearances of these show biz legends.

COMEDY: "One Funny Mother Starring Dena Blizzard" • March 28 - 30 • Back By Popular Demand!
Dena Blizzard, the viral video sensation and creator of the Back to School Rant (125 million views), Chardonnay Go (24 million views) and Chardonnay Go, The Board Game for Wine Lovers, Moms, and Other Shameless People has an Off-Broadway Show! Join this comedian, former Miss New Jersey, and married mother of three on her hilarious journey through the trials and tribulations of motherhood and marriage. Since becoming a married mother of three, Dena wrestles with the eternal question, "Have I gone crazy since having these kids?" and the answer is a hysterical, "Laugh 'til your face hurts" comedy you won't want to miss!" "One Funny Mother" is an Off-Broadway hit currently touring the United States, has been licensed overseas, and was recently named "Best One Woman Show" at the 2015 United Solo Festival in New York City. "One Funny Mother" is a great "Girls Night Out", or Date Night for anyone that is a mom, has a mom, or is married to a mom.

MUSIC: "Beatles for Sale: Lennon and McCartney Revisited" • May 3 • Back By Popular Demand!

(Note: On sale soon)

"Beatles for Sale: Lennon and McCartney Revisited" takes a magical mystery tour back to the 1960s to explore the high energy, youthful vitality of the Beatles. With four talented young performers whose look and sound instantly channel the Fab Four, the concert focuses on some of the Beatles famous B-sides including "Anna," "This Boy," "Another Girl," "You Won't See Me," "In My Life," "Paperback Writer," and "We Can Work It Out" and so much more. The concert also includes classics such as "Twist and Shout," "Lucy In The Sky with Diamonds," "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and a spectacular medley from "Abby Road." Not your average Beatles show, "Beatles for Sale: Lennon and McCartney Revisited" is the real thing - a high energy reincarnated performance of what the actual Beatles did live.

Except where noted, all Visiting Artists Series performances are now on sale. Special pricing is available for groups of 10 or more. Visit buckscountyplayhouse.org to purchase tickets or for more information call the box office at 215-862-2121.

Bucks County Playhouse is a year-round, nonprofit theatre that has grown to a $6 million producing organization with an annual audience of over 73,000. Founded in 1939 in a converted 1790 gristmill, Bucks County Playhouse quickly became "the most famous summer theatre in America," featuring a roster of American theatrical royalty including Helen Hayes, George S. Kaufman, Moss Hart, Kitty Carlisle, Angela Lansbury, Alan Alda, Tyne Daly, Bernadette Peters, and Liza Minnelli and remained in continuous operation until 2010. In 2012, the Playhouse re-opened after a multi-million-dollar restoration thanks to the efforts of the Bridge Street Foundation, the nonprofit family foundation of Kevin and Sherri Daugherty, and Broadway producer Jed Bernstein. Now open, the Playhouse just unveiled a 4,000 square foot Delaware-river facing restaurant and bar expansion.

In 2014, Tony Award-winning producers Alexander Fraser and Robyn Goodman took the helm of the Playhouse, and today the Playhouse has reclaimed its reputation of attracting Broadway and Hollywood artists. Its productions of "Company" starring Justin Guarini, and William Finn's "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" were named by Wall Street Journal to its "Best of Theatre" list for 2015. The 2017 season included four world premieres and audiences grew by over 34%. Box office records have been repeatedly broken by Signature Productions of "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story," "Steel Magnolias" directed by Marsha Mason, and "Million Dollar Quartet," "42nd Street," and "Guys & Dolls" directed by Hunter Foster. The creative teams who come to create new productions at the Playhouse are among the most talented artists working in the professional theatre today and relish the opportunity to work on the historic stage where Grace Kelly, Robert Redford, and Jessica Walter began their careers.

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