KISS ME, KATE Kicks Off Merry-Go-Round Playhouse's 2012 Season Tonight, 5/30

Merry-Go-Round Playhouse has announced this year's show line-up with six productions filled with strong and saucy characters.

The 2012 season opens tonight, May 30th with a Cole Porter classic, Kiss Me, Kate. This first ever winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical puts a raucous twist on Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. Audiences will instantly recognize songs "Wunderbar", "So in Love," "Too Darn Hot", and "Brush Up Your Shakespeare", running through to June 20th.

The sounds of Dolly Parton's music will echo at The Playhouse from June 27th to July 18th during 9 to 5: The Musical, based on the hit movie, which features three women who turn the tables on their tyrannical boss. You don't want to miss this regional professional premiere.

Next, a timeless musical theatre masterpiece, My Fair Lady, tells the story of an unforgettable cockney girl and her transformation from poor flower girl to elegant lady. Complete with some of the most beloved songs of all time, this musical will run from July 25th to August 15th.

From August 22nd to September 8th, The Playhouse will be taken over by the exciting, but dangerous world of Cabaret, complete with beautiful girls and an unforgettable orchestra. Set against the backdrop of 1930's Germany, this Kander & Ebb classic is sure to thrill.

For the first time on the Merry-Go-Round stage, two-time Tony Award winner The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee runs from September 12th to 29th. Learn how to spell ‘fun' as you're taken into the lives of six young contestants participating in one of the most uproarious spelling bees ever.

Finishing up the season from October 3rd to 20th, Producing Director Ed Sayles has selected the much requested Nunsense. Five sisters from Hoboken rally for their convent by putting on a talent show. Audiences will be rolling on the floor with laughter.

For a complete listing of 2012 shows along with show descriptions, visit www.merry-go-round.com.

The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, widely known as "Broadway in the Finger Lakes", is located in Emerson Park in Auburn, NY. The not-for-profit professional theatre company produces six musical productions annually. The 2011 Season, sponsored by M&T Bank, includes:

Anything Goes, Hairspray, Cooking with the Calamari Sisters, 42nd Street, Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, and The Marvelous Wonderettes.