Jonathan Hadary, Candy Buckley and More to Lead BAREFOOT IN THE PARK at Bucks County Playhouse, 8/7-26

Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) (Jed Bernstein, Producing Director) has announced the casting for Barefoot in the Park by Neil Simon, its second production of the 2012 summer season. The cast will feature veteran performers Jonathan Hadary (Spamalot, Gypsy), Candy Buckley (Cabaret), Lee Aaron Rosen (The Normal Heart), and Robert John Biedermann (Wizard of Oz), who will be joined by the recipient of Julliard’s 2011 John Houseman Prize, Virginia Veale. Performances begin Tuesday, August 7th and run through Sunday, August 26th (70 South Main Street).

Each performance will also feature a distinguished member of the local community in the role of the “Delivery Person”. Scheduled to appear to date are: New Hope Mayor Laurence D. Keller, New Hope Borough Council President Dr. Claire Shaw, New Hope Borough Councilwoman Geri Delevich, Chairman of the Board of the Heritage Conservancy Marvin L. Woodall, artist/photographer and former CEO of the James A. Michener Art Museum Bruce Katsiff, Executive Director of the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce Dr. Vail P. Garvin, and beloved cabaret entertainer and owner of Bob Egan Entertainment Bob Egan.

In addition, everyone is invited to visit the Bucks County Playhouse box office (70 South Main Street) to sign up for a chance to join this distinguished cast on stage as the “Delivery Person” for one performance.

First seen on the BCP stage nearly 50 years ago prior to its original 1963 Broadway run, this iconic and beloved play about the trials and tribulations of two newlyweds on the top floor of a New York brownstone has been leaving audiences breathless with laughter for generations. Directed by Tony® Award nominee Sheryl Kaller (2010’s Tony® Award-nominated new play, Next Fall) this timeless comedy provides a breath of fresh air for the dog days of summer.

“I am so delighted that the Bucks County Playhouse, such an important place in my creative life, will be up and running again. For it to feature in its renaissance season, one of my own plays is icing on the cake,” commented Neil Simon.

Barefoot in the Park will play the following schedule: Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m., Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m., Thursdays at 4:00 and 8:30 p.m., Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 4:00 and 8:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m

Barefoot in the Park is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

The Bucks County Playhouse 2012 Season is generously supported by Flemington Car and Truck Country, Princeton Automobile Company and Vincent DiBianca & Patty Oceanak. Barefoot in the Park is graciously sponsored in part by Stoller Family Partners.

The first production of the Bucks County Playhouse 2012 summer season, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s A Grand Night for Singing, is currently in performances and runs through Sunday, July 29th (70 South Main Street).

Directed by Tony® Award nominee and Emmy Award® winner Lonny Price, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s A Grand Night for Singing features over 30 of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s greatest hits, from “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” to “Some Enchanted Evening.” This 1994 Tony® Award-nominated musical revue is “something wonderful” for all lovers of classic musical theater.

The cast features a line-up of some of Broadway’s most seasoned performers including Courtney Balan (Broadway: [title of show], Cry-Baby), Ron Bohmer (Broadway: Phantom of the Opera, Ragtime), Greg Bosworth (Atlanta: Xanadu, Clyde and Bonnie: A Folktale), Erin Davie (Broadway: A Little Night Music, Grey Gardens), and Kenita R. Miller (Broadway: Xanadu, The Color Purple). These top Broadway performers have appeared in critically acclaimed New York productions and have collectively played over 4,000 Broadway performances, underlining The Playhouse’s commitment to featuring the best performers available.

In addition to the summer and holiday productions, Bucks County Playhouse will present a cabaret series Thursday, July 19 – Saturday, July 21 at 11:00 p.m., and Thursday, August 16 – Saturday, August 18 at 11:00 p.m. at Havana Restaurant & Bar (105 South Main Street). December dates will be announced soon. The series will invite Playhouse cast members, etc. to step outside their traditional roles to perform in a 45 minute cabaret style show. The July edition will be hosted by award winning playwright Christopher Durang, a long time Bucks County resident.

Durang will be joined by actors Sherry Anderson and John Augustine for a performance of his hit variety act, “Chris Durang and Dawne”. The act Chris Durang and Dawne was a 10:30 p.m. show at the Criterion Center Nightclub in New York City in 1989 and became a surprise hit, extending several times. It was featured as part of “Varieties,” a weekly variety show at the Rainbow Room in 1990. In 1991 it was performed at the Bay Street Theatre and the Williamstown Theatre Festival Cabaret. In 1994 the act hosted its own variety show at Caroline’s Comedy Club. Among the guests were Sigourney Weaver, Al Franken Jr., Julie Hagerty, Savion Glover, Reno, and Julie Halston. And in 1995 an updated version of the act was presented at the Triad Club in Manhattan, winning a Bistro Award shared by all three performers. Their most recent performance was on January 30, 2012 at Town Hall when they received a Special Nightlife Award for their “legendary nightclub act.” The Nightlife Awards honor the best in cabaret, comedy and jazz, and differs from other award shows in that it features no acceptance speeches. Instead of speeches, the winners perform.

A little over one week after what would have been Oscar Hammerstein II’s 117th birthday, on Sunday, July 22nd , The Playhouse will present “Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music”, a full-screen Technicolor showing of the classic Julie Andrews film, based on the beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, that comes complete with subtitles so that the whole audience can sing along. After more than 10,000 performances in 9 countries, the fun-filled show finally comes to Bucks County. “Bucks County was such an important place in the life of Oscar Hammerstein II, and at Highland Farm he had a retreat where he did much of his creative work,” commented Ted Chapin, President and Executive Director of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization.

The presentation at the Bucks County Playhouse will be preceded by a special outdoor BBQ Style dinner hosted by Hamilton’s Grill Room. Other local establishments including, The Logan Inn, Giant, Pineville Tavern, and Walker’s Wine & Spirits will also be supporting the festivities. The show will start with a vocal warm-up led by the evening’s host, who will also take the audience through their complimentary ‘magic moments pack’, containing various props to be used at strategic points throughout the film. Then of course there is the famous fancy-dress competition in which everyone who has come in costume is invited onto the stage to show off their fantastic tailoring skills.

Tickets are on sale now. Tickets to the event (movie and dinner) are $30 for adults and $15 for children under 12 years of age. To purchase tickets, visit bcptheater.org or call 215-862-2121. The BBQ dinner will begin at 5pm and the film screening will commence at 6:30pm.

 

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