Struthers, MAME, SPELLING BEE et al. Set for Gretna Theatre Summer Season

By: Jun. 03, 2010
Enter Your Email to Unlock This Article

Plus, get the best of BroadwayWorld delivered to your inbox, and unlimited access to our editorial content across the globe.




Existing user? Just click login.

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.

Nunsense
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Dan Goggin
June 3rd through June 6th

NUNSENSE begins when the Little Sisters of Hoboken discover that their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God, has accidentally poisoned 52 of the sisters, and they are in dire need of funds for the burials. The sisters decide that the best way to raise the money is to put on a variety show, so they take over the school auditorium, which is currently set up for the eighth grade production of "Grease." Here we meet Reverend Mother Regina, a former circus performer; Sister Mary Hubert, the Mistress of Novices; a streetwise nun from Brooklyn named Sister Robert Anne; Sister Mary Leo, a novice who is a wannabe ballerina; and the delightfully wacky Sister Mary Amnesia, the nun who lost her memory when a crucifix fell on her head. Featuring star turns, tap and ballet dancing, an audience quiz, and comic surprises, this show has become an international phenomenon. With more than 5,000 productions worldwide, it has been translated into 21 languages.

The Marvelous Wonderettes
Created by Roger Bean
June 10th through June 13th

THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES is a cotton-candy colored, non-stop pop musical blast from the past. Featuring favorite songs from the '50s and '60s, THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES takes audiences to the 1958 Springfield High School prom where we meet the Wonderettes - Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy, four girls with hopes and dreams
as big as their crinoline skirts and voices to match. Songs include "Lollipop," "Dream Lover," "Stupid Cupid," "Lipstick on Your Collar," "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me," "It's My Party," "It's In His Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song)" and more.

The Will Rogers Follies
Music by Cy Coleman, Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Book by Peter Stone
June 17th through June 20th

The life and career of America's "favorite son," in this all-singing, all-dancing, Broadway extravaganza. Winner of six Tony awards including Best Musical and Best Score. Set onstage during one of the legendary Ziegfeld Follies, Will's story comes to life with a series of Follies-like productions numbers featuring everything from rope tricks to a bevy of beautiful showgirls. A remarkable tribute to the man who lived by the words "I never met a man I didn't like," and put a smile on the face of America.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Music and Lyrics by William Finn, Book by Rachel Sheinkin
June 24th through June 27th

This hilarious tale of overacheivers' angst chronicles the experience of six adolescent outsiders vying for the championship of a lifetime. This Broadway musical's Tony Award winning creative team built the unlikeliest of hits about the unlikeliest of heroes. And before each performance, four audience members are chosen to appear on stage as "guest spellers."

Peter Pan
Music by Moose Charlap, Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Additional Music by Jule Styne, Additional Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green
July 1st through July 11th

You've gotta believe in PETER PAN, a tale that never ages! Fall again under the spell of Never Land, where children fly and exciting adventures happen every single day. Join Peter, Wendy, John, Michael, the dastardly Captain Hook and his sidekick Smee, Tiger Lily, the Lost Boys, Pirates, Indians, Fairies, Nana the ever-watchful and faithful dog for an experience you'll never forget! And the songs...I Won't Grow Up, Never Never Land, Tender Shepherd, I've Gotta Crow...and more.

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.



Videos