Sharon Playhouse Welcomes New Artistic Producing Team for 2018 Season

Sharon Playhouse, the not-for-profit summer theatre, located at the foot of the Berkshires in Litchfield County, CT, has announced today the appointment of Robert Levinstein and Alan M-L Wager of 22Q Entertainment as Co-Producers of the Playhouse, responsible for the management and artistic direction for the 2018 season and beyond.

"Robert and Alan are the ideal team for the Playhouse," says Emily Soell, Board Chair. "Their knowledge of and love for classical and contemporary musical theater is impressive, no question. Their enthusiasm for all things "theater" is exhilarating. But, at the end of the day it was their understanding of our culture and the embrace of our mission and vision for our future that sold our Board and me."

"Robert and I look forward to bringing back mainstage shows and specialty events that will excite and engage this thriving theatrical community," Mr. Wager said.

Mr. Levinstein's (Managing Director) knowledge of technical theater and finance, coupled with a creative eye offers a unique blend of business and art. As Associate Producer/Casting Director for the Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine, he managed all aspects of theatrical production, served as a conduit between various diverse departments, controlled and supervised a multi-million dollar annual budget and cast of such luminaries as Stefanie Powers, Sally Struthers, Jefferson Mays, Carson Kressley, to name just a few. As a Producer/General Manager 22Q Entertainment productions included the Off-Broadway play Would You Still Love Me If... starring Kathleen Turner at New World Stages, the critically acclaimed Kick!, directed by Lynn Taylor-Corbett, It Is Done, a thriller set and performed in a bar (a critical success in New York...and award-winning in the Los Angeles transfer) along with the New York City premiere of The Spoon River Project, which played under the stars at the historic Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. As a Production Stage Manager, he has worked on Broadway (Waiting in The Wings with Lauren Bacall), National Tours (Camelot with Michael York), The Actor's Fund, and television...including shows for NBC, TBS and network award shows.

Wager (Artistic Director) brings over 30 years of experience working in theater, television and film to the Sharon Playhouse. As a director, he has steered successful productions of Beauty and the Beast, Oklahoma!, Guys & Dolls, among others. As an actor, he's appeared in leading roles ranging from Broadway, National Tours and regional theaters all over the United States. He is a sought-after vocal coach who has worked with performers such as Patrick Cassidy, Amy Peitz and Veanne Cox. Alan is also a musical theater composer. Concept recordings of his shows feature such gifted artists as Brent Barrett, Andrea Burns, Diana Canova, Meg Bussert, Elizabeth Loyacano and Glory Crampton. In 2011 Wager and Levinstein formed 22Q Entertainment which was represented in North Hollywood with an award-winning production of Always...Patsy Cline starring Sally Struthers, while back in New York City, the company produced the My Big Italian trilogy.

Sharon Playhouse is a not-for-profit summer theatre that uses a unique blend of professional designers, directors, musicians, Equity actors, non-Equity actors, and dedicated community performers and volunteers.

Pictured: Robert Levinstein and Alan M-L Wager