NUNSENSE Breaks Box Office Records at Gretna Theatre

All the records that exist support the conclusion. Long-time members of the Board of Directors agree. There has never been a completely sold out performance of a play at Gretna Theatre. All that changed on Sunday when the Gretna Theatre production of NUNSENSE starring Sally Struthers broke all box office records for the 83-year-old company.

"The Mt. Gretna Playhouse is an enormous venue for a summer stock theater company," said Gretna's Producing Artistic Director Larry Frenock. "Most summer theatres are in the 300 to 400-seat range, but our Playhouse has 708 seats - trying to sell that many is always daunting. With the extra folding chairs we set up (as permitted by code), 736 people enjoyed Sunday's performance of NUNSENSE - and that's a true milestone!" Two-time Emmy Award-winner Sally Struthers broke her own box office records that date from her first appearance at Gretna Theatre in ALWAYS, PATSY CLINE nine years ago.

Struthers addressed the audience directly from the stage at the final curtain call, thanking the director, the other actresses in the show, and the staff of Gretna Theatre for a wonderful experience. Dan Goggin, who is the author of all seven NUNSENSE shows including NUNCRACKERS and NUNSENSE JAMBOREE was invited to direct the show by Frenock who worked with him on the 15th anniversary production ten years ago. Goggin offered to bring the premiere New York cast to appear with Ms. Struthers just prior to opening the show in New York on June 18 for the first time since its original run twenty-five years ago. "I couldn't have been more excited to bring this
level of talent and hilarity to Gretna Theatre!" said Frenock.

Next up is a tribute to the "girl groups" of the 50s and 60s, THE MARVELOUS WONDRETTES, playing June 10 - 13 only and sponsored by the Lebanon Valley Brethren Home. The story revolves around four girls with voices as big as their crinoline skirts, all wrapped up in popular music of the time such as "Lollipop," "Stupid Cupid," "Dream Lover," "Leader of the Pack," " Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me," "It's in His Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song)" and more. "This pink bubblegum of a musical is just as funny and touching and snappy as any show we've done," said Frenock. "The Marvelous Wonderettes" just closed its original New York run in January and Frenock was granted the rights to present the regional premiere of the show at Gretna Theatre. Performances are Thursday and Sunday at 2:00 pm and Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm this week. Adult tickets are $30 for matinees and $36 for evenings. Children and student tickets are $10 for any of Gretna Theatre's mainstage shows. The season lineup continues with THE Will Rogers FOLLIES, a family-friendly version of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, PETER PAN, MR. HOBBS' VACATION, and MAME as well as five Theatre for Young Audiences productions Saturday mornings in July. Tickets and further information may be obtained at the Box Office at the Mt. Gretna Playhouse, by telephone at 717-964-3627 or at www.gretnatheatre.com.

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