TriArts Sharon Playhouse

by Mr. Hammertown on Apr 30, 2009

www.triarts.net

Hammertown has been a big supporter of TriArts for almost 20 years. In fact, I even used to house visiting actors (including “Sandy” the dog in Annie who negotiated air conditioned premises in her contract) back when the theatre was located in Pine Plains.

TriArts Sharon Playhouse is a not-for-profit summer theatre, located in Sharon CT at the foot of the Berkshires in Litchfield County. Using a unique blend of professional designers, directors, musicians, Equity actors, non-Equity actors, and dedicated community performers and volunteers, this year TriArts will be mounting 3 main stage productions plus several special concerts.

This year’s season opens on June 24th with The Wedding Singer. Followed by –

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee — July 16 – 25, 2010

Music and Lyrics by William Finn, Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Andrew Volkoff, Director / DJ Gray, Choreographer / Dan Koch, Musical Director

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Is a hilarious tale of overachievers’ angst chronicling the experience of six adolescent outsiders vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. The show’s Tony Award-winning creative team, including composer/lyricist William Finn (Falsettos and Falsettoland) has created the unlikeliest of hit musicals about the unlikeliest of heroes: a quirky yet charming cast of outsiders for whom a spelling bee is the one place where they can stand out and fit in at the same time. These six young people, in the throes of puberty, overseen by grownups, who barely managed to escape childhoods themselves, learn that winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser. Audience members are invited to participate onstage in the bee. Great fun for all!

“Can you spell i-r-r-e-s-i-s-t-i-b-l-e? ‘Spelling Bee’ is riotously funny and remarkably ingenious. Gold stars all around.”— New York Times

“Perfect in every possible way – that rarity of rarities, a super-smart musical that is also a bona fide crowd pleaser.” — Wall Street Journal

Sponsored by: Salisbury Bank & Trust, WKZE 98.1FM, Prindle Insurance Agency

OKLAHOMA! — August 5 – 22, 2010

Music by Richard Rodgers, Book by Oscar Hammerstein II, Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Based on the play “Green Grow the Lilacs” by Lynn Riggs, Original Dances by Agnes de Mille
Mark Robinson, Director / Bethany Elkin, Choreographer / Michael Berkeley, Musical Director

Oklahoma! is more than a musical — it is a landmark of American musical theatre history. With its seamlessly integrated music, lyrics, story, and characters, from the moment we hear Curley sing the opening bars of Oh What A Beautiful Morning, the audience is transported into the world of one of the most loved musical romances of all time. Based on Lynn Riggs’ Green Grow the Lilacs, the Rodgers & Hammerstein score features such musical theatre classics as Oh What A Beautiful Morning, Surrey With The Fringe On Top, People Will Say We’re In Love and, of course, Oklahoma! Oklahoma!, the only American musical to have received a Tony Award, Grammy Award, and the Pulitzer Prize, has delighted audiences since it premiered 67 years ago. This lush musical, celebrating community and family, is a classic not to be missed!

“If ever a show earned its exclamation point, it’s this one!” — Wall Street Journal, 2002

“There’s nothing corny about this wonderful, fresh show. It’s not just a classic American musical but—and this is the real surprise—a truthful, touching and gripping drama about growing up and falling in love, about dreams and nightmares.” — London Daily Mail, 1998

Sponsored by: Elyse Harney Real Estate, Founders Insurance Group, Herrington’s

Divas Do (More) Broadway! — August 27 – 29, 2010

Michael Berkeley, Creator/Director/Musical Director & Arranger

Join the dazzling Divas in TriArts’ 11th annual Diva extravaganza, featuring new show tunes, old show tunes, favorite show tunes, and some of the best show tunes you’ve never heard. Divas Do (More) Broadway is a fast-paced, high energy musical revue, showcasing the most talented women you are likely to find on any stage, most of them from right here in our own backyard!

Sponsored by: Interlaken Inn, AM1020/WHDD

TriArts also offers workshops, readings of new works, and special events throughout the year in our smaller blackbox space located across from our main stage in the Bok Gallery.

We are so lucky to have this kind of live, high-quality theatre so close by so it is with great pleasure that we welcome TriArts Sharon Playhouse to our Hammertown Choices online community!

TriArts Sharon Playhouse
49 Amenia Road
Sharon, CT 06069
(860) 364-7469
www.triarts.net