Serenbe Playhouse to Celebrate 5th Anniversary with THE EMERALD BALL, 'OZ', TEN MILE LAKE, and OKLAHOMA!

To celebrate Serenbe Playhouse's fifth anniversary, titled a Season of Journeys, three unique and groundbreaking productions will take audiences on three unforgettable excursions into the imagination. But even before the shows start to fill the skies and hearts of Serenbe, on May 17th The Playhouse will host their annual gala, and this year patrons will get to take a trip over the rainbow to help support The Playhouse.

The Emerald Ball will take place on Saturday May 17th, in the heart of the Serenbe community. Fans will take a trip far over the rainbow and land in a glistening world of green. Rare gems will be far from the most beautiful things on display as Ozians parade in all shades of green to celebrate the kick off to The Playhouse's Season of Journeys. Exquisite food and delicious drinks will be enjoyed as one of a kind Silent and Live Auction items are highlighted, then dance the night away as one of Atlanta's hottest DJ send you beyond the stars. The "crown jewel" of the evening will be a live musical performance preview of the Playhouse's sensational summer season! Three levels of tickets are available" Individual General Admission ($125), VIP ($150) and VIP Luxury suite ($2500 - includes 10 VIP tickets.) For those who want the full Oz experience - and chance to see behind the curtain and maybe meet The Wizard himself be sure to get your VIP tickets before they sell out!

Before the green glitter settles from the party of the year, The Playhouse will kick off their Season of Journeys with a new take on one of the most beloved children's stories of all time!

Brian Clowdus, Artistic Director Serenbe Playhouse sums up the upcoming season this way; ""For our 5th Anniversary Season, expect our biggest and boldest yet! Journey with us down the yellow brick road to re-discover OZ, sit on the bank of a lake to experience a world premiere set on a boat dock, and saddle up for Oklahoma in a sexy and dark re-telling unlike any you have seen... this is truly going to be the season where we reflect on how far we have come, but look over the horizon to where we are going!"

On May 30th a world premiere adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Rachel Teagle, directed by Brian Clowdus and presented with original puppets from The Center for Puppetry Arts will touch the hearts of young and old alike. Dorothy, Toto and all of their friends will be in Serenbe until August 2nd.

On June 12th, Tira Palmquist's Ten Mile Lake will take up residence in Serenbe. This world premiere, which is directed by Alexander Greenfield, tells the story of father and daughter, and the joys and strains that they share. Taking place on the planks of a dock, each step along the road to reconciliation is as fragile as the waters that splash around them. Ten Mile Lake runs through June 29th and stars Atlanta theatre luminaries Mark Kincaid, Veronika Duerr and Bryan Brendle.

Wrapping up the summer will be the classic American musical, OKLAHOMA! Rodgers and Hammerstein's masterpiece will begin July 24th and features direction by Brian Clowdus, choreography by Bubba Carr and musical direction by Nicholas Silvestri. The classic love triangle comes to vivid life under the Serenbe sky as audiences are transported back in time to a Western Indian Territory just after the turn of the century. Rodgers & Hammerstein's first collaboration, which runs through August 10th, remains, in many ways, their most innovative, having set the standards and established the rules of musical theatre still being followed today. This classic story will receive a fresh and bold new treatment, and will feature Atlanta's brightest talent (both human and equestrian!)

Complete show dates and ticket information are as follows:

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: May 30 - August 2 (Friday and Saturday mornings only) at 11 am. Tickets are $15 General Admission - Adults and $10 Children. This production will take place at the Animal Farm at the Inn at Serenbe.

Ten Mile Lake: June 12 - June 29 (Thursday through Sundays evenings only) at 8:30 pm. Tickets are $25 General Admission - Adults and $20 Students. This production will take place at The Grange Lake Dock in Serenbe.

OKLAHOMA!: July 24 - August 10 (Thursday through Sundays evenings only) at 8:30 pm. Tickets are $30 General Admission - Adults, $25 Students and $15 Children. This production will take place at the Hay Barn at the Inn at Serenbe.

For more information about Serenbe Playhouse and to purchase tickets, visit www.serenbeplayhouse.com, call 770.463.1110. You can follow "Serenbe Playhouse" on Facebook and OnstageSerenbe on Twitter.

ABOUT SERENBE PLAYHOUSE: Serenbe Playhouse believes that theatre is an art form with a unique power to illuminate the human experience, and does so by producing artistically rich, open-air theatrical performances for audiences throughout Greater Metro Atlanta. A pioneer in modeling Green Theatre Practices, Serenbe Playhouse produces plays with a commitment to social responsibility and environmental stewardship. Founded in 2009 under the executive and artistic direction of Brian Clowdus, an accomplished actor, educator, director, and producer, and established under the umbrella of its parent organization, The Serenbe Institute for Art, Culture, and the Environment, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Serenbe Playhouse operates with the support of a diverse working board of directors and community volunteers.

Photo Credit: BreeAnne Clowdus