Sharon Playhouse, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Simpkins and Managing Director Justin Ball, has announced initial casting and creative teams for its 2015 Season with the musicals My Fair Lady, Merrily We Roll Along, and Little Shop of Horrors on the Mainstage; Ed Dixon's new play Georgie: The Life and Death of George Rose and True Love on Stage 2 in the Bok Gallery. The Youth Theatre will present the Tony-winning Peter and the Starcatcher.
The 2015 Season opens with the Tony Award-winning musical My Fair Lady from June 18 - July 5. Based on George
Bernard Shaw's comedy, Pygmalion, My Fair Lady features book and lyrics by
Alan Jay Lerner, with music by
Frederick Loewe.
Richard Stafford (In My Life) directs and choreographs with music direction by
Fiona Santos. Making their Sharon debuts are
Rufus Collins (The Royal Family) as Henry Higgins,
Lee Harrington (Roundabout's Into the Woods) as Eliza Doolittle and PLeter Cormican (The Phantom of the Opera - Toronto) as Alfred P. Doolittle. Professor Henry Higgins loves language. Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle yearns to speak like a lady. His curiosity and her determination launch a daring social experiment designed to turn a lower-class ugly duckling into a high-society swan -- with unexpected results for both of them.
Merrily We Roll Along (July 15-19) stars
Jason Tam (If/Then; A Chorus Line) as Franklin,
A.J. Shively (La Cage aux Folles) as Charley and
Lauren Marcus (Sharon Playhouse's They're Playing Our Song) as Mary.
John Simpkins directs, with music direction by Eric Kang. Featuring a book by
George Furth and score by
Stephen Sondheim, the authors of the landmark musical Company reunited to turn the traditional showbiz musical on its head in this thrilling and compelling Broadway fable about friendship, compromise and the high price of success. Inspired by the 1934 play by
George S. Kaufman and
Moss Hart, Merrily We Roll Along is a powerful and moving story featuring some of Sondheim's best known songs including "Good Thing Going," "Not a Day Goes By" and '"Old Friends."
Little Shop of Horrors (August 13-30) stars
Rob Morrison (Avenue Q/ Nerds) as Seymour and
Kelly D. Felthous (Wicked national tour) as Audrey.
Casey Hushion (Nerds) directs and choreographs, with music direction by Eric Kang. A deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, Little Shop of Horrors has devoured the hearts of audiences for over 30 years.
Howard Ashman and
Alan Menken (Disney's The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin) are the creative geniuses behind what has become one of the most popular shows in the world. This affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi movies centers on a down-and out skid row floral shop employee who becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving.
From May 14-17 and May 28-31 on Stage 2 in the Bok Gallery, Sharon Playhouse will present a developmental workshop of
Ed Dixon's new play Georgie: The Life and Death of
George Rose. Directed by
John Simpkins. The one-man play will star
Ed Dixon and centers around his mentor, Tony Award-winner
George Rose, the well-known Broadway character actor. During their quarter of a century friendship, Mr. Rose gave Ed impersonations of
Laurence Olivier,
John Gielgud,
Ralph Richardson,
Edith Evans and a host of theater luminaries. Mr. Dixon becomes Mr. Rose and at least fifty other fabulous characters. The New York Times said, "Mr. Dixon morphed from one character to another, delivering incisive impersonations and well-timed punch lines." The denouement is harrowing and includes Dixon's first-hand knowledge of the events which led to Mr. Rose's demise in the Dominican Republic. A very complete portrait of a very complicated life.
On Stage 2 at the Bok Gallery from August 6-9, Sharon Playhouse will present True Love, with book by
Sarah Schlesinger and
David Evans, music by
David Evans and lyrics by
Sarah Schlesinger.
John Simpkins directs with music direction by
Joshua Zecher-Ross. The cast features
Lael Van Keuren (Sister Act),
Nick Gaswirth (A Christmas Story),
Jane Bruce (Elf), and Max Sheldon. A new look at the legendary romance comics of the 1940's and 1950's, True Love is a musical valentine to a long lost but never to be forgotten era.
On the Mainstage from July 31 through August 2, Sharon Playhouse Youth Theatre will present Peter and the Starcatcher, the grownup prequel to Peter Pan. In this 5-time Tony Award winning play by
Rick Elice, an ensemble cast of actors play more than 100 unforgettable characters using their ingenious stagecraft and the limitless possibilities of imagination.
Jason Brantman and
Fiona Santos direct with music direction by
Fiona Santos.
Additional artists in residence for 2015 are Scenic Designers
Brian Prather, Lauren Mills and
Josh Smith; Lighting Designers
Chris Dallos,
Clifton Taylor,
Jamie Roderick and
Craig Stelzenmuller; Costume Designer Michelle Humphrey; and
Sound Designer Brad Berridge.
Geoff Josselson is the Casting Director.
Sharon Playhouse also continues its unique partnership with NYU Steinhardt, enabling college students from Universities around the country to earn college credit for their participation in the 2015 Collegiate Company.
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