TICK, TICK...BOOM!, ROCKY HORROR And More Announced For Bucks County Playhouse 2023 Mainstage Season
This is the Playhouse’s 84th season, and the 11th since reopening in 2012.
By: A.A. Cristi Mar. 10, 2023
During a morning kick-off event, Bucks County Playhouse announced today the titles and directors for its 2023 season, which will officially launch May 19. This is the Playhouse's 84th season, and the 11th since reopening in 2012.
The 2023 season kicks off with new productions of the play, "Tommy and Me," followed by the Jonathan Larson musical "Tick, Tick ... Boom!," the Tony-winning musical romance "The Bridges of Madison County," and "Irving Berlin's White Christmas." In addition, the Playhouse will produce an all-new production of "The Rocky Horror Show" while The Playhouse Youth Company will revive the musical, "Alien8." Casting for the 2023 season is by Paul Hardt, Hardt Casting LLC.
"For 2023, we're taking a fresh look at four recently popular shows we believe will become the classics of tomorrow," says Producing Director Alexander Fraser. "Starting with Ray Didinger's valentine to sports fans in 'Tommy and Me' straight through to the nostalgic technicolor world of 'Irving Berlin's White Christmas,' these characters are at a crossroads, each facing a turning point in their lives. They promise a great evening of entertainment for the whole family and provide a sense of community that only the theatre can give."
The 2023 season will kick off May 20 with a new production of Ray Didinger's "Tommy and Me" directed by Nick Corley. "Tommy and Me" recalls a seminal time in Didinger's life when he helped his idol, Philadelphia Eagles legendary wide receiver Tommy McDonald, gain his place in the NFL Hall of Fame. The second show of the season is Jonathan Larson's ("Rent") "Tick, Tick ... Boom!" Bucks County Playhouse Executive Producer, Robyn Goodman was one of the original producers of "Tick ... Tick... Boom!" Off-Broadway in 2001.
"Before 'Rent' I gave Jonathan Larson his very first reading of 'Boho Days' which later became 'Tick... Tick... Boom!'," says Robyn Goodman. "I have always loved his music and how he captured that moment when a brilliant artist turns 30 and is still waiting for his real life to begin."
One of the centerpieces of the Playhouse season is a fresh take on "The Bridges of Madison County" directed by original Broadway cast member, and Playhouse Artistic Associate, Hunter Foster. The show will feature Broadway's Kate Baldwin ("Hello, Dolly!", "Finian's Rainbow") in the role of Francesca. Additional casting details will be announced soon.
The 2023 season will conclude with a long-planned production of "Irving Berlin's White Christmas," also directed by Foster. In addition to the subscription season, Bucks County Playhouse will present a new version of "The Rocky Horror Show," a musical that has become an October tradition at the Playhouse.
"We are pleased to announce that we will revisit "The Rocky Horror Show" this year," says Producer Josh Fiedler. "Since 2019, the last time we produced the show to record-breaking crowds, we continued to receive questions about its return. Hunter and our producing team believe it is the perfect time to create a 'Rocky Horror' for today's audiences - keeping the high energy and over-the-top irreverence of our original production but giving it a new production design, as well as some added twists and touches."
This season, the Playhouse also is focusing its attention to increasing access to its programs and has diversified its price structure, enhanced its subscription program pricing and added school day matinees at a deeply discounted rate.
"Quality theater should be for everyone," says Managing Director Adele Adkins. "We believe it is important to remove the barriers for those who feel they cannot afford to come to the Playhouse. We want to foster a lifelong love of theatre among young people - and help create the audience of tomorrow. We spent a lot of time this off season working on creating and adjusting programs that create affordability for all our patrons."
Among the areas of focus are ensuring the subscription package offers additional value by eliminating upgrade fees, creating special pricing for theatergoers under the age of 40, providing local schools with deeply discounted school-day matinee tickets, and adding multiple price points in each public performance beginning at just $39.
Season tickets are now available and start at $208 for a four-show package. A special pre-sale for single tickets starts today, with prices beginning at $39. Discounted rates are available for groups of 10 or more. All play titles, artists, and dates are subject to change. Details on casting will be announced soon. For tickets and information, visit www.BucksCountyPlayhouse.org or call 215-862-2121.
Season details:
TOMMY AND ME
By Ray Didinger
May 19 - June 17
Directed by Nick Corley
Magical things can happen when a boy meets his sports idol. Legendary Philadelphia Sports journalist, Ray Didinger's lifelong friendship with Philadelphia Eagles Tommy McDonald, led both down an unexpected path - straight to Canton, OH and the National Football League's Hall of Fame. "Tommy and Me" is a valentine to the relationship between sports stars and fans everywhere.
TICK, TICK ... BOOM!
June 23 - July 15
Book by David Auburn
Music And Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Musical Director: Rodney Bush
Directed by Eric Rosen
"Tick, Tick ... Boom!" is a high-octane rock musical that follows the life of a young composer facing 30 with little to show for it. Based on his life before he wrote "Rent", Jonathan Larson's "Tick, Tick ... Boom!" is a youthful, vibrant, and moving rock musical reminding us that sometimes dreams can come true.
THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY
August 11 - September 10
Book Marsha Norman
Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
Directed by Hunter Foster
National Geographic photographer Robert Kincaid wanders into the life of housewife Francesca Johnson for four days in the 1960s - leading to a whirlwind relationship that forever alters the course of Francesca's life. Featuring a Tony-winning score by Broadway's Jason Robert Brown ("Parade") and a performance by one of Broadway's brightest lights, Kate Baldwin.
Irving Berlin'S WHITE CHRISTMAS
November 17 - December 31
Book by David Ives and Paul Blake
Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin
Directed by Hunter Foster
A successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general. With no snow in the forecast, and no tourists in sight, can they pull off a yuletide miracle? Based on the classic Hollywood movie musical, "Irving Berlin's White Christmas" is a technicolor, Broadway musical extravaganza.
Additional Off-Subscription Productions:
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
October 13 - October 28
Book, Music and Lyrics by Richard O'Brien
Directed by Hunter Foster
Strap on your corset and roll up your fishnets, Richard O'Brien's "The Rocky Horror Show" returns to Bucks County Playhouse in an all-new production. The musical that inspired the 1975 classic cult film, "The Rocky Horror Show" follows engaged couple Brad and Janet on the adventure to beat all adventures. As they seek shelter at a mysterious old castle on a dark and stormy night, they encounter transvestite scientist, Dr. Frank 'N' Furter, as he unveils his perfect male creation, "Rocky." With an infectious rock n' roll score, "The Rocky Horror Show" is the most fun you can have in fishnets!
ALiEN8
Performed by the Playhouse Youth Company
July 27 - July 30
Book, Music and Lyrics by Kate Brennan and David Lee White
Musical Direction by Kyle Duke
Directed and Choreographed by Kara Jonsson
A new contemporary musical written in the style of "Dear Evan Hansen" and "Be More Chill", "ALiEN8" tells the story of a wounded town reckoning with their shame and finding connection through forgiveness. Featuring a beautiful contemporary score performed by the Playhouse Youth Company Orchestra and a diverse cast of characters, "ALiEN8" challenges us to think deeply about who we really are, who we want to be, and how to reconcile differences between our present and future selves.
Subscription packages and single tickets for the 2023 Season are currently available and may be purchased at BucksCountyPlayhouse.org or by calling the Box Office at 215.862.2121.
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