Huron Playhouse Announces 2016 Season

A Pulitzer Prize award-winning classic musical, a suspenseful stage adaptation from the story that inspired a legendary Hitchcock film, the hysterical recipient of the 2013 Tony award for Best Play, and one of the most popular musical comedies ever written make up the 2016 Huron Playhouse season.

Under the Artistic Direction of Nick Hrutkay, Ohio's oldest continuing summer theatre will open its 68th season on July 5th with A Chorus Line. A stunning musical-vérité about a chorus audition for a Broadway musical, it tells of the achingly poignant ambitions of professional Broadway gypsies to land a job in the show, and is a powerful metaphor for all human aspiration. Lisa Wiley directs this brilliantly complex fusion of dance, song, and compellingly authentic drama that is considered one of the greatest American musicals ever written. Recipient of the 1976 Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, A Chorus Line runs July 5-8.

The season continues with the stage version of Daphne du Maurier's enthralling short story, the basis for Alfred Hitchcock's legendary film, The Birds. This suspenseful adaptation by acclaimed Irish playwright Conor McPherson is a chilling psychological experience directed by Nick Hrutkay. In an isolated, abandoned house, three strangers take refuge from the unnerving masses of birds that attack everyone around them. They find relative sanctuary but not comfort or peace: there's no electricity, little food, and the birds always return. Their uncertain survival becomes even more doubtful when paranoia creeps into their little refuge, adding an internal threat to match the external threat of the birds. Performances begin July 12 and close on July 15.

Next up is Christopher Durang's hilarious winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Middle-aged siblings Vanya and Sonia share a home in Bucks County, PA, where they bicker and complain about the circumstances of their lives. Suddenly, their movie-star sister, Masha, swoops in with her new boy toy, Spike. Old resentments flare up, eventually leading to threats to sell the house in this laugh out loud comedy directed by Jennifer Wertz. Performances are from July 19-22.

The season draws to a close with the deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, Little Shop of Horrors which has devoured the hearts of theatre goers for over 30 years. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney's Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid) are the creative geniuses behind what has become one of the most popular shows ever. Seymour is a nerdy floral clerk with a knack for plants, but not much else. However, one peculiar plant he's tending might just be his ticket to fame, fortune - and the girl of his dreams. There's only one teeny - but 'growing' - problem: This plant has an unquenchable thirst for blood. Mixing Motown, B-movies, and The American Dream, Little Shop of Horrors is the screamingly funny, gleefully twisted, out-of-this-world hit musical directed by Nick Hrutkay. Opens July 26 and concludes July 29.

As The Huron Playhouse explores its mission "to educate and enlighten youth and adults about all aspects of theater performance and operations, and to entertain the residents of and visitors to our surrounding communities," several premiere events and community outreach programs will be launched this season, including a new play staged reading series, Huron Public Library script discussions, an evening performance of monologues written by community members, opening night pre-show talkbacks with artists, workshops taught by industry professionals, and more. Further details about the new programming will be announced in the near future. The Huron Playhouse's 2015 season production of Footloose was also recently the recipient of 7 Broadway World Cleveland Awards, including Best Production of a Musical.

Season subscriptions are on sale now for $80 and individual tickets will go on sale to the general public at a later date for $22 (adult tickets), $20 (senior tickets), and $15 (student tickets). Group rates are also available.

Performances take place at the McCormick School, 325 Ohio St. in Huron. Curtain time for each show is 8 p.m. For tickets, more information, or how you can support The Huron Playhouse, please call 419.433.4744 or visitwww.huronplayhouse.org.

About The Huron Playhouse

The Huron Playhouse is the oldest continuing summer theatre in the state of Ohio, now in its 68th season.

The mission of The Huron Playhouse is to educate and enlighten youth and adults about all aspects of theater performance and operations, and to entertain the residents of and visitors to our surrounding communities.

The Huron Playhouse is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating under a local Board of Directors and management. The encouragement and support of our patrons and the Huron community has been the driving force behind our determination and efforts toward the continuation of the Playhouse.

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