Gloucester Stage's 35th Anniversary Season Kicks Off with JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS Tonight

Artistic Director Eric C. Engel

Gloucester Stage Artistic Director Eric C. Engel recently announced that Gloucester Stage Company's 35th Anniversary Season of professional theatre in Gloucester Massachusetts is set to begin tonight, June 12 with the hit musical Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris directed by Engel.

According to Engel, "Our 35th season line up celebrates the best of who we are-great artists convening with great audiences to share stories that really matter: an audience-commanded revival of Jacques Brel, the area premiere of Amy Herzog's nationally celebrated 4000 Miles, Jack Neary's hysterical new comedy Auld Lang Syne, and a new look at August Wilson's great play, Fences."

The 35th Anniversary season welcomes back many GSC favorites including Jennifer Ellis and Drew Pulver from 2011's Most Happy Fella and Daniel Robert Sullivan from 2013's Dueling Divas. The familiar faces of actors Richard Snee, Lynn native Paula Plum and Rockport's Nancy E. Carroll return this summer.

All three award-winning actors are known for some many memorable GSC performances over the past 34 seasons in Gloucester. For information about the 35th season or to purchase a Membership and to save $5.00 per ticket call the Box Office at 978-281-4433 or visit www.gloucesterstage.com.

Laughter Redemption

June 12 - July 6

JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS

Music by Jacques Brel

Based on Jacques Brel's Lyrics and Commentary

Production Conception, English Lyrics, Additional Material by Eric Blau and Mort Shuman

Directed by Eric C. Engel

Featuring Jennifer Ellis, Drew Pulver & Daniel Robert Sullivan

Gloucester Stage kicks off the 35th Anniversary Season with Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, the internationally acclaimed musical revue of satirical and poignant songs by the late Belgian genius, Jacques Brel. Often haunting, always vividly dramatic, sometimes funny, heart-rending and poetic, the songs of Jacques Brel have been recorded by countless artists throughout the world. Encompassing themes of joy and sorrow, love and loss, life and death, this compilation of Brel's finest work celebrates the diverse complexity of the human heart. Directed by Gloucester Stage Artistic Director Eric C. Engel, the production features Jennifer Ellis and Drew Pulver from 2011's Most Happy Fella and Daniel Robert Sullivan from 2013's Dueling Divas. Performance schedule: Thursday, June 12 through Saturday, June 14 at 8 pm; Wednesday, June 18 through Saturday, June 21 at 8 pm; Wednesday, June 25 through Saturday, June 28 at 8 pm; Wednesday, July 2 at 8 pm; Thursday, July 3 at 7pm; Saturday, July 5 at 8 pm; Saturday matinees at 3 pm on June 14, June 21, June 28 & July 5 and Sunday matinees at 4 pm on June 15, June 22, June 29 & July 6. No performance on Friday, July 4.

July 10 - July 27

4000 MILES

By Amy Herzog

Directed by Eric C. Engel

Featuring Nancy E. Carroll

Winner of the 2012 Obie Award for Best New Play and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama Finalist, Amy Herzog's 4000 Miles looks at how two outsiders find their way in today's world. After suffering a major loss while he was on a

cross-country bike trip, 21 year-old Leo seeks solace from his feisty 91year-old grandmother Vera in her West Village apartment in New York City. Over the course of a single month, these unlikely roommates infuriate, bewilder, and ultimately reach each other. Directed by Gloucester Stage Artistic Director Eric C. Engel, the production features GSC favorite and Rockport resident Nancy E. Carroll. Performance schedule: Thursday, July 10 through Saturday, July 12 at 8 pm; Wednesday, July 16 through Saturday, July 19 at 8 pm; Wednesday, July 23 through Saturday, July 26 at 8 pm, Saturday matinees on July 12, July 19 and July 26 at 3 pm & Sunday performances on July 13, July 20 and July 27 at 4 pm.

July 31 - August 17

AULD LANG SYNE

By Jack Neary

Directed by Douglas Lockwood

Featuring Paula Plum & Richard Snee

Part mystery, part drama, part comedy, New England playwright Jack Neary's Auld Lang Syne is the winner of 7 New Hampshire Theatre Awards. Set in South Boston, Auld Lang Syne is the story of a New Year's Eve "business" encounter between a two-bit thug and a good Irish widow played by Richard Snee and Lynn native Paula Plum. The production is directed by Douglas Lockwood in his GSC debut. The play contains some strong language. Performance schedule: Thursday, July 31 through Saturday, August 2 at 8 pm; Wednesday, August 6 through Saturday, August 9 at 8 pm Wednesday, August 13 through Saturday, August 16 at 8 pm; Saturday matinees on August 2, August 9 and August 16 at 3 pm and Sunday matinees on August 3, August 10 and August17 at 4 pm.

August 21 - September 7

FENCES

By August Wilson

Directed by Eric C. Engel

The 1987 Winner for Pulitzer Prize in Drama, this moving drama tells the story of Troy Maxson, a former star of the Negro baseball leagues who now works as a garbage man in 1957 Pittsburgh. Excluded from the major leagues during his prime, Troy's bitterness takes its toll on his relationships with his wife and his son. Gloucester Stage Artistic Director Eric C. Engel directs this powerful American drama. Performance schedule: Thursday, August 21 through Saturday, August 23 at 8 pm; Wednesday, August 27 through Saturday, August 30 at 8 pm; Wednesday, September 3 through Saturday, September 6 at 8 pm; Saturday matinees on August 23, August 30 and September 6 at 3 pm and Sunday matinees on August 24, August 31 and September 7 at 4 pm.

Gloucester Stage Company is located at 267 East Main Street; Gloucester, MA.

GLOUCESTER STAGE COMPANY MEMBERSHIPS ON SALE NOW

4-Ticket Adult: $140 (Saves $20) 8-Ticket Dual Adult: $260(Saves $60)

4-Ticket Senior: $120 (Saves $20) 8-Ticket Dual Senior: $220(Saves $60)

A Membership provides savings of $5.00 per ticket, flexibility, priority seating, easy exchanges and 2 for 1 ticket offers at Boston area theatres. With a Membership, enjoy four or eight admissions to be used anytime during the 35th Anniversary Season, plus savings of $5 per ticket.

SINGLE TICKETS GO ON SALE ON MARCH 1st, 2014!

Adult: $40.00 Seniors: $35.00 Students: $35.00

PAY WHAT YOU CAN: The ticket price for the first 3 pm Saturday matinee of each production is Pay What You Can.

CAPE ANN NIGHTS: The Wednesday and Thursday 8 pm performances are $20 for residents of Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester. Proof of residency required. Limited amount of tickets available per performance.

For more information and to purchase tickets, call the Gloucester Stage Box Office at 978-281-4433 or at www.gloucesterstage.com.