SISTER ACT, WEST SIDE STORY & More Set for Theatre By The Sea's Summer 2016 Season

Bill Hanney is pleased to announce the full lineup for the 2016 Summer Season at the historic Theatre By The Sea (TBTS). The four show subscription season will include BUDDY: The Buddy Holly Story, WEST SIDE STORY, THE WIZARD OF OZ and SISTER ACT. Tickets are on sale May 1 by phone (401-782-8587), online at theatrebythesea.com and at the Box Office Window (364 Cards Pond Road in Wakefield, RI) which opens at 10am for in person sales. Patrons who visit the box office in person on May 1 are encouraged to bring their family to enjoy complimentary light snacks and explore the beautiful seaside grounds and gardens.

"I am very excited to be putting together another four show season that will feature something for everyone! There is the nostalgia of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, the great laughs at Sister Act, a magical production of The Wizard of Oz, and a true musical classic, West Side Story," said TBTS owner and producer Bill Hanney. "Not only will the audiences be thrilled by the great shows this season, they will be happy to learn that we have installed a new climate control system to help cool the theatre down on the nights when the sea breezes are not enough do the job on their own."

Theatre By The Sea's 2016 Musical Season opens with BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY (June 1 - June 19). Follow the incredible journey of Buddy's meteoric rise to the top of the record charts during the golden days of rock 'n' roll in this dynamic tribute musical. You'll be cheering for more, with such rousing fifties favorites as "Peggy Sue," "Oh Boy," "Maybe Baby," "That'll Be the Day," "Raining In My Heart," Ritchie Valens' "La Bamba" and the Big Bopper's "Chantilly Lace." This joyous celebration of a musical legend has audiences on their feet in every corner of the globe and it will explode on the Theatre By The Sea stage in a toe-tapping, hand-clapping extravaganza!

New York City, as two young idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the 'American' Jets and the 'Puerto Rican' Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world filled with hate, violence and prejudice is one of this country's most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time. From the first notes to the final breath, WEST SIDE STORY is one of the greatest love stories of all time.

Following one classic with another, there truly is no place like home as the greatest family musical of all time lands on the stage of Theatre By The Sea, THE WIZARD OF OZ (July 20 - August 13) live on stage. You will be swept away by our twister of a tale celebrating the iconic 1939 MGM film. The entire family will be captivated as they travel down the Yellow Brick Road and beyond with Dorothy, Toto and their friends the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow in this lavish production, featuring magical special effects, dazzling choreography and the classic songs audiences love.

The spectacular summer season will end with SISTER ACT (August 17 - September 4) Based on the hit 1992 film and featuring original music by Tony and 8-time Oscar winner Alan Menken (Newsies, Beauty And The Beast, Little Shop Of Horrors, Hercules), this uplifting musical is a sparkling tribute to the power of friendship. When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she'll never be found - a convent! Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with the rigid lifestyle and the uptight Mother Superior. Using her unique disco moves and singing talent to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church and community but in doing so, blows her cover. Filled with powerful gospel music, outrageous dancing and a truly moving story, Sister Act is reason to rejoice.

Musicals run Tuesdays through Sundays. Check Website for exact dates and show times. Tickets are $47, $57, & $67. Tickets are on sale May 1 by calling (401) 782-8587, online at theatrebythesea.com, or in person at 364 Cards Pond Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. 4 Show discount subscriptions are on sale now, call the Box Office for pricing and information. The 2016 Season is sponsored by WJAR - NBC 10.

Theatre By The Sea will also continue its popular Children's Festival in 2016. Shows will include Snow White (July 8), Lucky Bob (July 15), Disney's Alice In Wonderland Jr. (July 29), Aladdin (August 5), and Keith Michael Johnson's Bubbleology (August 12). All shows at 10am & 12 Noon and all tickets are $12.

Theatre By The Sea has had many incarnations since opening in 1933. Tommy Brent saved the theater from demolition in 1967 and ran it successfully until FourQuest Entertainment took over the lease in 1988. Following extensive renovations that fall and winter, FourQuest reopened the theater in the spring of 1989 and continued producing Summer Theater at the seaside playhouse until the fall of 2003. Bill Hanney purchased the property in 2007and, with producing partners, successfully mounted a production of 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,' just six weeks later, reopening the historic theatre on August 8, 2007. Theatre By The Sea continues to annually produce a successful four-musical subscription season annually.

PHOTO CREDIT: Ellen Harvey (Mother Superior) and Jeannette Bayardelle (Deloris) in SISTER ACT playing August 17 - September 4. Photo©Paul Lyden

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