Barn Theatre Announces Their 72nd Blockbuster Season

The Barn Theatre, Michigan's oldest professional summer theatre, under the artistic leadership of Brendan Ragotzy, announced today the 72nd season of plays and musicals to be presented for the 2018 summer season at the landmark theatre. The Barn structure itself is celebrating 75 years in existence and has housed the Barn Theatre for 72 of them!

The Barn Theatre continues to operate under the non-profit entity, The Barn Theatre School for Advanced Theatre Training and will further its mission of bringing professional, high quality theatre to southwest Michigan while expanding its educational youth outreach and training programs. The very popular youth outreach, Backstage Xperience*, will be offered this season, once again, as well as select ASL performances!

Barn Producer Brendan Ragotzy and wife Penelope Alex have been busily preparing for the Barn's 72nd season to bring you even more improvements! Last season dinner was offered on site select nights - this season plans are in the works for nightly dinners on site at the Barn! Our new legroom seats will extend the entire center section of the auditorium, and online ticketing will make your transactions smooth and easy! Barn patrons can still enjoy visiting our box office staff to purchase and receive their tickets however.

SPECIAL EVENT! BENEFIT GALA CONCERT
May 24, 2018 - 8:00 pm
Join us as we kick off the 72nd Season with an unforgettable evening of music and memories! Barnies will take you behind the Barn in song and stories and preview the spectacular 72nd season. This special event is $50 per person. Reception and silent auction follow the performance.

THE CIVIL WAR June 5 - 10 ONE WEEK ONLY
This thrilling and awe-inspiring "dramatic theatrical concert" features an unforgettable score filled with Gospel, Country, Rock and Folk. This epic thematic revue explores the experiences of the soldiers and leaders who fought for their way of life as well as the hopes and fears of the slaves whose freedom was at stake. This musical passionately asks us to consider our beliefs about freedom, honor and faith.
Book by Frank Wildhorn, Gregory Boyd & Jack Murphy
Music by Frank Wildhorn

NOISES OFF June 12 - 17 ONE WEEK ONLY
One of the funniest farces ever written, Noises Off is a roller coaster, hilarious look at theatre - inside and out - as a hapless troupe of actors attempt to mount the dreadful comedy. Door slamming, missed cues, and romantic intrigue will have you roaring with laughter as the casts' collective sanity slowly unravels. Yet, the show must go on; despite the catastrophe being played out on stage and the vicious antics unfolding backstage.
By Michael Frayn

HAIRSPRAY* June 19 - July 1
Broadway's musical-comedy phenomenon that inspired a major motion picture! It's 1962, and pleasantly plump Baltimore teen Tracy Turnblad has only one desire - to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. When her dream comes true, Tracy transforms from social outcast to sudden star, but must use her newfound power to vanquish the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of Link Larkin and integrate a TV network - all without denting her 'do!
Book by Thomas Meehan Mark O'Donnell
Music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Marc Shaiman Scott Wittman
Based on the New Line Cinema film, written and directed by John Waters

BONNIE & CLYDE** July 3 - 15
America's most notorious lovers and bank robbers take the country by storm in this sexy and compelling adventure. A thrilling musical chronicling the lives of the infamous Depression-era outlaws, their forbidden story told with a dynamic score combining blues, gospel and rockabilly music. Fearless, shameless and alluring, the Tony-nominated musical is the electrifying story of the ill-fated lovers who captivated an entire country.

Music by Frank Wildhorn
Lyrics by Don Black
Book by Ivan Menchell

**ADULT Backstage Xperience show. Dates TBA.

RUN FOR YOUR WIFE July 17 - 29
RUN FOR YOUR WIFE is an outrageous comedy about a taxi driver who gets away with having two wives in different areas of town because of his irregular work schedule. Complication is piled upon complication as he tries to keep his double life from exploding. This cabby's predicament will have the audience rolling in the aisles as he runs back and forth from wife to wife in this superb example of a classic farce.
By Ray Cooney

Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST* - July 31 - August 1
A tale as old as time in this Disney classic telling the tale of an enchanted prince in the shape of a hideous beast and the intelligent woman who enters his life and must learn to love him to break the curse. Based on the award-winning family favorite, you'll be swept away into this enchanted musical. This classical musical love story comes to life with unforgettable characters, astonishing sets and costumes, and a stunning score including, "Be Our Guest," "Gaston," "Human Again," and the Tony-winning title song, "Beauty and the Beast."

Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman Tim Rice
Book by Linda Woolverton

BULLETS OVER BROADWAY - August 14 - 26
You'll be taken on a hilarious trip back to the Roaring Twenties in this musical adaptation of Woody Allen and Douglas McGrath's madcap film. Bullets Over Broadway is the side-splitting musical comedy about the making of a Broadway show, filled with tap dancing gangsters, saucy showgirls, big laughs and colorful characters. A young playwright who is in desperate need of financial backing for his show accepts an offer he can't refuse from a gangster looking to please his ditzy, talentless girlfriend.

Written by Woody Allen
Based on the screenplay for the film, Bullets over Broadway by Woody Allen and Douglas McGrath

DISASTER! August 28 - September 2 ONE WEEK ONLY
This campy, laugh-riot musical centers around a group of New Yorkers attending the opening of a floating casino and discotheque that quickly succumbs to multiple disasters. These calamities correlate with plots of various disaster films of the 1970s and include all the best songs from the '70s (pop, rock and disco!) and non-stop comedy for two acts - who could ask for anything more?

By Seth Rudetsky & Jack Plotnick
Concept created by Seth Rudetsky & Drew Geraci
Additional Material by Drew Geraci

*The Backstage Xperience: The Barn Theatre School for Advanced Theatre Training is proud to announce The Backstage Xperience 2018 to be held in conjunction with the Barn Theatre performances of: HAIRSPRAY June 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 and Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST August 2, 3, 8, 9, 10! Form your own group of four youth per every one chaperone, and don't miss this amazingly fun, educational opportunity FREE to kids and chaperones pay just $39! Email: BsX@barntheatreschool.org for more information.

**The Adult Backstage Xperience is back this season! Held in conjunction with the Barn's production of BONNIE & CLYDE, adults will be privy to the backstage secrets to mounting this exciting show, enjoy a delicious dinner and partake in a Q & A talkback with cast members! Dates TBA.

The Barn Theatre is located on Highway M-96 between Augusta and Galesburg. Performance Schedule -- Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00pm and Sunday at 5pm.
NEW THIS SEASON: Tiered seating pricing: $39, $43, $48 any day, any performance. Online Ticketing updated! Save with our Coupon booklets! Group discounts available. Barn Theatre Box Office opens May 14 at 10:00 am. For information call (269) 731-4121.