Kicking off the season from June 18-July 5 will be My Fair Lady, directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford (In My Life); it will be followed by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's Merrily We Roll Along, running July 15-19 under the direction of Simpkins.
Directed and choreographed by Casey Hushion (artistic director of North Carolina Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors will run Aug. 13-30. The musical features a book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken.
A developmental workshop of Ed Dixon's new play Georgie: The Life and Death of George Rose, directed by Simpkins, will be held May 14-17 and May 28-31 on Stage 2 in the Bok Gallery of Sharon Playhouse.
Here's how the new work is billed: "The one-man show about his mentor, George Rose, the well-known Broadway character actor, will also star Ed Dixon. During their quarter of a century friendship, Mr. Rose gave Ed impersonations of Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson, Edith Evans and a host of theater luminaries. Mr. Dixon becomes Mr. Rose and at least fifty other fabulous characters during the 90-minute play. The New York Times said, 'Mr. Dixon morphed from one character to another, delivering incisive impersonations and well-timed punch lines.' The denouement is harrowing and includes Dixon's first-hand knowledge of the events that led to Mr. Rose's demise in the Dominican Republic. A very complete portrait of a very complicated life. Rose was a classically trained British actor and two-time Tony winner (The Mystery of Edwin Drood and My Fair Lady) who also performed in The Pirates of Penzance, My Fat Friend and Coco, and met Dixon in New York."
On the Mainstage from July 31-Aug. 2, Sharon Playhouse Youth Theatre will present Peter and the Starcatcher by Rick Elice. True Love, a new musical with a book by Sarah Schlesinger and David Evans, music by Evans and lyrics by Schlesinger, will be held Aug. 6-9 on Stage 2 at the Bok Gallery. Simpkins will direct.
According to Sharon Playhouse, "An affectionate tribute to the legendary romance comics of the 1940's and 1950's, True Love is a valentine to a long lost but never to be forgotten era when the concept of eternally perfect love was every girl's dream. Set to a melodic original score, True Love is a whirlwind course in the hard won lessons of getting love right. Journey with us through a love comic whose characters go from honeymoon to heartbreak and all the stops in between. Enjoy ads for Sea Monkeys, bust enhancers and elevator shoes that assure popularity. Hear confessional letters from readers, get tips on choosing the right man and oh so much more. Agonizing love - Is there any other kind?"
Additionally, the theatre has changed its name from TriArts Sharon Playhouse to Sharon Playhouse.
The Sharon Playhouse is located at 49 Amenia Road at the foot of the Berkshires in Sharon, CT. For more information, visit SharonPlayhouse.org or call (860) 364-7469.
