Ogunquit Playhouse's The Music Man Receives the Moss Hart Award

The Ogunquit Playhouse has announced that it is the recipient of the prestigious Moss Hart Award for Best Professional Production in New England for the 2011 production of The Music Man. This award is given by the New England Theatre Conference at their Annual Convention, held this year in Natick, Massachusetts. The Award is granted to theatres to honor the memory of Moss Hart and to recognize and encourage outstanding theatrical productions throughout New England. To qualify, the play or musical must present affirmative views of human courage and dignity, have strong literary and artistic merit and exemplify fresh, imaginative and creative treatment of the material. Through the annuAl Moss Hart Memorial Award, the New England Theatre Conference seeks to encourage artistic growth and the highest standards of excellence in theatre.

Executive Artistic Director, Bradford Kenney accepted the Moss Hart Award from Catherine Hart, the daughter of Moss Hart and Kitty Carlisle. “It was a great honor to accept this award from Catherine Hart as the Ogunquit Playhouse enters its 80th Anniversary Season. It is doubly wonderful due to Kitty Carlisle’s close association and friendship with the Ogunquit Playhouse. She not only performed on the Ogunquit stage, but was a dear and close friend to our predecessor, John Lane. Secondly, our beautiful production of The Music Man staring Peter Scolari was in culmination of a developing Education program at the Ogunquit Playhouse. Under the direction of Ray Roderick and choreographed by Jeffry Denman, 60 children in rotating casts performed alongside Broadway and Regional theatre veterans. We are truly honored to have been recognized as the Moss Hart winner in the Professional Theatre category in 2011.”

The New England Theatre Conference, Inc. is a non-profit Corporation, composed of individuals and organizations in the six-State region of New England, who are active or interested in the performing arts. It is committed to develop, expand and assist theatre activity in New England on the educational, community and professional levels. The New England Theatre Conference promotes excellence in theatre for our region, and supports quality theatre and performance in all of its diversity. They believe that theatre is essential to the quality of life for everyone!

The Ogunquit Playhouse is America’s Foremost Summer Theatre, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, producing the finest Broadway musicals each season, with performances Tuesday through Sunday, from May through October. Main Stage tickets go on sale in March. Gift Certificates and Season Subscriptions are on sale now! The 2012 titles under consideration include: Always Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 the Musical, Damn Yankees (the new Red Sox version) and Buddy, the Buddy Holly Story. For a complete list of show times, pricing and more information about the season, visit our website www.ogunquitplayhouse.org. Tickets on-line or through the box office at 207-646-5511.