Hershey Area Playhouse Announces 2017 Shows

Thought-provoking dramas, inspirational stories, heartwarming tales and comedies are all a part of Hershey Area Playhouse's 2017 season.

"The Playhouse's Artistic Committee and board of directors are enthusiastic to announce the main stage shows for the 2017 season," said Jill Panyard, Artistic Committee chairperson. "With a blend of light-hearted and dramatically rich, these productions will please not only community actors, but eclectic audiences as well."

The Playhouse will kick off its 17th season on Feb. 9-12 and 16-19, 2017, with Company, a musical set in New York City in 1970 about a single guy celebrating his 35th birthday and contemplating his relationships. Throughout the show, he interacts with his married friends and dates single women to determine what he wants for his future. Through a series of vignettes, writer George Furth carries the audience from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other, all swirling with Stephen Sondheim's powerful and poetic songs. The Playhouse welcomes back Jan McCreary to direct this popular musical.

From April 20-23 and 27-30, 2017, The Playhouse will present its spring production, Rabbit Hole, a deep and well-written drama about an upper middle class couple who experience a tragedy that turns them upside down. Both fight to gain back the relationship they once had as they try to move their lives forward. Written by David Lindsay-Abaire and directed by Lewis Silverman, Rabbit Hole deals with a very real and agonizing situation with thoughtful, powerful and sometimes funny language and emotions.

Children of Eden takes the stage as The Playhouse's summer show. This two act musical gives the audience a unique look at the first book of the Bible - Genesis. The show presents beautiful storytelling with Stephen Schwartz's (Pippin, Godspell, Wicked) gorgeous music and lyrics, supporting and furthering the stories of Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel, Noah and his family, and many more familiar Biblical figures. Written by John Caird and directed by Jen Feldser, performances will take place July 20-23 and 27-30, 2017.

October brings The Playhouse's "Director's Choice," The Curious Savage, directed by Larry Sheaf. Author John Patrick wrote a delightful comedic play about Ethel P. Savage, a widow and inheritor of millions of dollars. Her step-children are anxious for their share of the wealth, but cannot seem to convince Ethel they deserve it. Sheaf, a well-renowned director and actor in central Pennsylvania, is excited to direct this funny and poignant show for The Playhouse. Performances will take place Oct. 5-8 and 12-15, 2017.

A Christmas Carol and A Charlie Brown Christmas, round out The Playhouse's 2017 season. Running Nov. 30 - Dec. 3 and Dec. 7-10, 2017, A Christmas Carol will offer a delightful retreat during the hustle and bustle of the holiday reminding us all of Dickens's redeeming message. Directed by Cory Wilkerson, this year's telling will add Rick Farr's light and lovely songs to the classic version, creating a play with incidental music.

Running Dec. 14-17, 2017, A Charlie Brown Christmas, is a repeat of The Playhouse's bonus performance in 2015. Almost an exact replica of the annual television show, the play is funny, sweet and brings to life all your favorite Charles Schulz characters that captivate audiences and remind us all about the true meaning of Christmas. Also directed by Cory Wilkerson, this show will again be cast with all children from The Playhouse's Theatre Academy and the community. A Charlie Brown Christmas will only run for four shows. Patrons are encouraged to get their tickets early as this show sold out in 2015.

All performances will take place at Hershey Area Playhouse, 830 Cherry Drive, Hershey, Pa. Show times are 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Discounted season tickets are available by purchasing at least four shows; individual tickets are also available. For tickets and more information, please visit www.HersheyAreaPlayhouse.com.