Sharon Playhouse to Present TRUE LOVE, 8/6-9

Sharon Playhouse, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Simpkins and Managing Director Justin Ball, will present the new musical comedy, True Love from August 6-9 in their Stage 2.

An affectionate tribute to the legendary romance comics of the 1940's and 1950's, True Love is a valentine to a long lost era when eternally perfect love was every girl's dream. Journey with us through a love comic whose characters go from honeymoon to heartbreak and all the stops in between as they take a whirlwind course in the hard won lessons of getting love right. Ads for Sea Monkeys, bust enhancers and elevator shoes...confessional letters from readers...tips on choosing the right man...and oh so much more. Agonizing love - Is there any other kind?

Formerly titled Love Comics, the show features a book by Sarah Schlesinger and David Evans, music by David Evans and lyrics by Sarah Schlesinger. The Sharon Playhouse production is directed by John Simpkins, with choreography by Simpkins and Abbey O'Brien, and music direction by Joshua Zecher-Ross.

Sarah Schlesinger is chair of Graduate Musical Theatre Writing at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. She is a lyricist and librettist who has written the musicals In This House, Ballad of Little Jo, Casanova Returns, and A Wind in the Willows Christmas. She is the recipient of the Ed Kleban award, the Richard Rodgers Award, and a Chicago Jeff Award for best original musical.

David Evans received a Drama Desk nomination for his score to Off-Broadway's Birds of Paradise. He has written nine musicals for Theatreworks USA and his show, Children's Letters to God can be seen in venues around the country and abroad. An accomplished musical director and pianist, his Broadway credits include Wicked, Flower Drum Song, and Bells Are Ringing.

The cast features Lael Van Keuren (Sister Act), Jason SweetTooth Williams (Bloodsong of Love), Jane Bruce (Elf), Reid Coe (West Side Story) and David Fanning.

The creative team includes Lauren Mills (scenic design), Michelle Eden Humphrey (costume design), and Jamie Roderick(lighting design). Kelbi-Caitlin H. Carrig is production stage manager. Geoff Josselson is casting director.

Performances of True Love are Thursday, August 6 at 7pm; Friday, August 7 at 8pm; Saturday, August 8 at 8pm; Sunday, August 9 at 1pm and 5:30pm. Tickets are $35 and are available by calling (860) 364-SHOW (7469) or visiting www.sharonplayhouse.org.