Huron Playhouse celebrates 60th season

HURON, O.—Huron Playhouse, Ohio’s oldest continuing summer theatre, will soon open the doors for its 60th season.

Five productions are scheduled in celebration of the playhouse’s diamond anniversary. Shows run Tuesday through Saturday evenings, July 1-Aug 2. Curtain time is 8 p.m. in the McCormick School at 325 Ohio St. in Huron.

The summer playhouse is operated by the Bowling Green State University Department of Theatre and Film. Over its 60-year history, the playhouse has staged some 360 productions of more than 275 different shows. It became the oldest continuing summer theatre in Ohio in 1964 and received a historic marker from the Ohio Historical Society in 2001. About 600,000 theatre patrons have attended performances, and there are more than 1,500 alumni.

The playhouse is made up of roughly 60 members who audition for the company each year. These include acting, technical and administrative staff. The 2008 company represents dozens of universities and 14 states.

Season starts July 1 with musical

The season will open July 1 with the hauntingly beautiful musical “Brigadoon,” with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, music by Frederick Lowe and original dances by Agnes DeMille, playing through July 5.

Agatha Christie’s most famous work and the longest-running play in history, “The Mousetrap,” will take the stage July 8-12.

“HONK!”, the award-winning musical celebration of being different, with music by George Stiles and book and lyrics by Anthony Drew, runs July 15-19.

Neil Simon’s laughter-filled romp, “Rumors,” will be performed July 22-26.

The 60th anniversary season will end with the high-spirited, Tony Award-winning musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” with book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan, new music by Jeanni Tesori and new lyrics by Dick Scanlan. The show will be staged July 29-Aug. 2.

Tickets for all Huron Playhouse productions are $14 for adults, $12 for students and seniors, and $9 for children under 12. Season passes and group ticket discounts are available. For reservations and more information, contact the playhouse at 419-433-4744. Phone lines open June 18. Starting June 23, the ticket counter at the McCormick School will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

To mark its 60th anniversary, the Huron Playhouse will be hosting returning alumni throughout the season. Alumni celebration events coincide with performances of “Rumors,” selected as a tribute to playhouse alumnus Ron Leibman, who starred in the original Broadway production. Alumni may contact Frank Glann at fwglann@bgsu.edu for more information.

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(Posted June 18, 2008 )