Photo Flash: Venice Theatre Sets 2015-16 Season; Ben Vereen to Helm HAIR!

Venice Theatre proudly announced its 66th season yesterday at a party attended by more than 400 sponsors, donors, advertisers, patrons and volunteers. Minutes before the reception was underway, the theatre's Board of Directors approved the docket of productions presented to them by the theatre's volunteer play selection committee and Artistic/Executive Director Murray Chase. Scroll down for photos from the event!

The event included performances of songs from each of the musicals on the upcoming schedule. The final selection was a medley of "Aquarius" and "Let the Sunshine In" from Hair. Stage and screen star Ben Vereen was on hand to announce that he would be directing the musical. He was in the original Broadway productions of Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar and Pippin for which he won the best actor Tony Award.

Venice Theatre has been designated as the second-largest community theatre in the country by the American Association of Community Theatre. It currently produces four series that give audiences the opportunity to see traditional Broadway-style shows (MainStage), contemporary works (Stage II), light musical revues (Cabaret) and family-friendly fare (Generations). Add to this its annual Summer Stock production, a variety of concerts and special events, classes and outreach projects, and you will rarely find a quiet day or night at Venice Theatre.

Season subscriptions for 2015-2016 are on sale today. A total of six different packages are available. Prices range from $96 for a Stage II subscription to $329 for the Golden Ticket which includes 17 shows and discounts for summer cabarets and the Concert and Special Events Series.

Scheduled 2015-2016 productions are listed below.* More detailed information is included in a separate document or can be found at www.venicestage.com.

VENICE THEATRE'S 2015-2016 PRODUCTIONS:

MainStage - Exit Laughing; Hair; Noises Off; Ragtime; A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Stage II - The Beauty Queen of Leenane; Sweeney Todd; Venus in Fur; Metamorphoses

Cabaret - Summer Cabaret Festival; Church Basement Ladies; The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical; The Rocky Horror Show

Summer Stock - Brigadoon

Generations - I Never Saw Another Butterfly; A Christmas Carol; James and the Giant Peach

Photo Credit: Renee McVety