MR HOBBS' VACATION Closes at Gretna Theatre 7/18, MAME Up Next

The Gretna Theatre has announced their 2010 summer season. Productions will include Nunsense starring Sally Struthers, The Marvelous Wonderettes, The Will Rogers Follies, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Peter Pan, Mr. Hobbs' Vacation, and Mame. The season will begin with Nunsense, opening June 3rd.

Mr. Hobbs' Vacation
Adapted for the Stage by F. Andrew Leslie, Novel by Edward Streeter
July 15th through July 18th

From the moment their vacation plans are first discussed, Roger Hobbs evinces misgivings about trekking off to an unfamiliar island off the New England coast, but The Combined enthusiasm of his wife Peggy and daughter Kate soon overwhelm his feeble opposition. Away they go to Rock Harbor, but they no sooner reach their destination than things begin to go wrong: their house is a mess, the plumbing is a nightmare, his daughter Jane and son-in-law Byron appear, as well as not-so-old friends from last year's vacation - and Roger Hobbs is turned into cook, bartender, dishwasher and general provisioner. Needless to say, they are all ready to head home - if only to rest up from their "vacation."

Mame
Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman, Book by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee
July 22nd through July 31st

Who is Mame? Some of Mame's wild adventurous spirit bubbles in every person who truly believes that "Life is a banquet." Auntie Mame is well-to-do, lives in New York at the height of the Twenties, and is surprised by a "wonderful present" - an orphan nephew named Patrick. Ten-year-old Patrick needs his aunt, and to be needed is something new for Mame. Wonderful and exhilirating musical numbers include It's Today, Open a New Window, If He Walked into My Life, We Need a Little Christmas, Mame, Bosom Buddies and That's How Young I Feel. You'll feel young too when you let our MAME into your life - enjoy the banquet then get out and "Live."

Tickets for all productions can be purchased by calling the box office at 717-964-3627.

Gretna Theatre has been presenting professional summer theatre since 1927 - but the original Playhouse dates back to 1892 when it was built as the centerpiece of the newly-creatEd Pennsylvania Chautauqua.

The Chautauqua Movement was founded in the late 1800's by Lewis Miller and John Vincent, two men from New York State who shared a vision of providing life-long education to people of all ages and backgrounds. They started a summer camp for teachers at Lake Chautauqua, New York, offering recreation; classes on religion and music; plays, operas and other entertainment and visits by dignitaries, including President Ulysses S. Grant.

By the summer of 1995, a new Playhouse - similar in size and design to the original and located on the same site - was complete. Gretna Theatre, which produces the seasons of summer stock theatrical shows, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which rents the Mt. Gretna Playhouse for its productions. The Playhouse is wholly owned by the Mt. Gretna Arts Council, itself also a non-profit..

For more information, visit www.gretnatheatre.com.