press kit - Ogunquit Playhouse

PRESS KIT
2016 SEASON PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
THE OGUNQUIT PLAYHOUSE ANNOUNCES ITS 2016 SEASON
LINEUP INCLUDING TWO REGIONAL PREMIERES AND THE
RETURN OF THE MEGA-HIT MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET!
The Ogunquit Playhouse is thrilled to announce its 2016 lineup that includes two regional premieres,
two beloved classics, one international sensation and the return of the smash hit Million Dollar Quartet.
The season once again extends longer than ever, opening one week earlier on May 18 and running
to November 6, also a week longer than ever, bringing the season to a record 25 weeks of non-stop
entertainment with Let it Be – A Celebration of the Music of The Beatles, Anything Goes, Priscilla Queen of
the Desert, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers on stage at the Playhouse.
The season will stretch to the holidays once again with a show in collaboration with The Music Hall in
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to be announced at a later date.
“As we continue to push our season out farther each year, we are also very proud to continue to mount
some of the newest titles and freshest shows from Broadway and London, as well as creating all new
productions of two of the most beloved stage classics. We are particularly proud to have been selected as
one of the first regional theatres in the country to produce the brand-new musical The Hunchback of Notre
Dame. We will be mounting this epic musical that our audiences will be among the first in the nation to
see,” explains Executive Artistic Director Bradford Kenney.
Opening the Ogunquit Playhouse season is the international musical sensation LET IT BE – A CELEBRATION
OF THE MUSIC OF THE BEATLES rocking the stage from May 18 to June 11. This exciting tribute show
follows the Fab Four’s meteoric rise from their humble beginnings in Liverpool’s Cavern Club, through the
heights of Beatlemania, to their later studio masterpieces. Let It Be is jam-packed with over forty of The
Beatles’ greatest hits including “Twist and Shout,” “She Loves You” and “Drive My Car,’ as well as global
mega-hits “Yesterday,” “Hey Jude,” “Come Together” and, of course, “Let It Be.”
Next on stage is the delightful ANYTHING GOES, June 15 to July 9. This splendid and saucy musical
comedy is one of the most enjoyable stage musicals ever created, as well as the winner of three 2011
Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival. When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette and
convention get tossed out the portholes as three unlikely pairs set off on the course to true love… proving
that sometimes destiny needs a little help from a tap-dancing crew of singing sailors, an exotic disguise
and some good old-fashioned blackmail. Topping off the fun is Cole Porter’s delightful, delicious, “DeLovely” first-class score that includes some of musical theatre’s most memorable standards, including “I
Get A Kick Out Of You,” “You’re The Top,” and of course, “Anything Goes.”
The Ogunquit Playhouse is proud to be the New England premiere and one of the first regional theatres
in the U.S. to produce the brand-new musical THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME for its stage July
13 to August 6. This epic and emotionally charged retelling of the famous Victor Hugo love story of the
beautiful gypsy girl Esmeralda, the scorned bell-ringer Quasimodo and the dashing Captain Phoebus set
in 15th century Paris, has been created by two masters of stage and screen, composer Alan Menken (The
Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Aladdin) and lyricist Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell,
Pippin). Hunchback marks the first time the two Broadway veterans join forces to adapt a story for the
musical stage. The music's orchestral power and choral beauty along with bold and dramatic theatrics
create a powerful rendition of this timeless tale that is sure to leave audiences breathless.
2016 SEASON PRESS RELEASE
The Ogunquit Playhouse is also proud to produce the regional premiere of PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE
DESERT on stage from August 10 to September 3. Get ready to put your glitter on and take the ride
of your life with the hilarious and heartwarming Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, based on the
Oscar winning film, that follows the fabulous journey of three performers who hop on board a battered
old bus and take their show to the Australian Outback. Amidst the non-stop dazzling array of over
500 imaginative and outrageous costumes, 200 headdresses and the non-stop hit parade of hit dance
numbers from the 70s and 80s, this triumphant trio finds love, friendship and more than they ever hoped
for along the way. Hit songs from Tina Turner, Cyndi Lauper and many other pop-stars include “I Will
Survive,” “Hot Stuff,” “Like a Prayer,” “Material Girl,” “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” “True Colors,” and “I
Love The Nightlife.” This wildly fresh and fun musical is a journey to the heart of fabulous!
Pull up your boots and hold onto your hats when SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS hits the stage
September 7 to October 1. This all-dancing, all-singing, all-new production of the rip-roarin' musical
comedy classic bursts onto the stage with rambunctious energy. This big, brawling, rollicking show is set
in 1850s Oregon Territory and tells the story of Adam Pontipee and his backwoods brothers' unusual
pursuit of brides. When Adam goes to town to get a wife, he miraculously convinces Milly to marry him
that same day, and she immediately starts reforming her six rowdy brothers-in-law. When her plan to
marry off the boys backfires, this exuberant, rousing musical kicks into high gear with a combination of
daredevil dancing and wonderful songs like "Goin' Courtin" and "Wonderful Wonderful Day."
Elvis, Jerry Lee, Perkins and Cash return by popular demand! MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, the bestselling show in the history of the Playhouse, hits the stage October 5 to November 6 with the 2015
cast to once again rock out the season with one mega-hit song after the next. Audiences were jumping
to their feet and dancing in the aisles for Million Dollar Quartet, the Tony Award-winning Broadway
musical inspired by the electrifying true story of the famed recording session that brought together rock
'n' roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time. On
December 4, 1956, these four young musicians were gathered together by Sam Phillips, the "Father of
Rock 'n' Roll," at Sun Records in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions of all time.
Million Dollar Quartet brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises,
secrets, friendships and celebrations, featuring timeless hits such as "Blue Suede Shoes," "Great Balls
of Fire," "I Walk the Line," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "Fever," "Folsom Prison Blues," "Hound Dog"
and more. This thrilling musical brings you inside the recording studio with four major talents who came
together as a red-hot rock ‘n’ roll band for one unforgettable night. It was rock ‘n’ roll's best kept secret...
until now!
Mark your calendars now and get ready to see every show this year. Season tickets are on sale now and
are the best way to guarantee the best seats for the lowest price, starting at only $215 for a five-show
or $129 for a three-show Super Saver package. Individual tickets are on sale and prices start at $47
each. To learn more about becoming a Playhouse member, or to purchase tickets and gift cards, visit
OgunquitPlayhouse.org or call the Ogunquit Playhouse Box Office at 207-646-5511.
AVAILABLE ONLINE | OgunquitPlayhouse.org/2016-press/season
ABOUT THE
OGUNQUIT PLAYHOUSE
The Ogunquit Playhouse is one of Maine’s cultural jewels and a cornerstone of America’s theatrical
heritage. It has produced professional theatre since 1933 and continues to produce large scale
Broadway musicals on its stage today.
The list of show business legends that have graced its historic stage reads like a who’s who of Broadway
and Hollywood, including Bette Davis, Myrna Loy, William Powell and Van Johnson from the early days
and, more recently, Sally Struthers, Stefanie Powers, Carson Kressley, Valerie Harper and Charles
Shaughnessy.
The Ogunquit Playhouse remains unparalleled in its commitment to create the highest quality theatre,
with the best talent from Broadway, television and film on its stage. Each show is produced, rehearsed
and uniquely cast for its stage and audiences. Come see the shows at the Ogunquit Playhouse and
experience as-big-as Broadway productions in a unique National Historic Register building in a
beautiful pastoral setting. Don’t miss your opportunity to see every spectacular show – you are sure to
have a great time!
LEARN MORE | ONLINE: OgunquitPlayhouse.org/about
OGUNQUIT PLAYHOUSE
10 Main Street (US Rte 1), Ogunquit, ME. The Ogunquit Playhouse is a 501c3 not-for-profit
organization, producing the finest Broadway shows each season, with performances Tuesday
through Sunday, from late-May through October. Follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/
OgunquitPlayhouse) and Twitter (@OgunquitPH) for behind-the-scenes info, photos and fun all year.
For a complete list of show times, pricing and more information visit OgunquitPlayhouse.org or call the
Box Office at 207-646-5511.
Million Dollar Quartet, 2015. Nice Work if You Can Get It, 2015. Mary Poppins, 2014. West Side Story, 2013 (Natalie Caruncho, Ashley Marinelli, Gabrielle Ruiz, Chloe Campbell).
PLAYHOUSE
HISTORY
Broadway showman Walter Hartwig and his wife Maude established the Playhouse in a small renovated
garage in the center of Ogunquit in 1933 and four years later built the state of the art theatre in its
present day location. In 1950, a young actor, John Lane, became General Manager and eventually
took ownership of the Ogunquit Playhouse bringing in business partner Henry Weller to oversee
the operations. Through their dedicated direction, professional integrity and impeccable taste, the
Ogunquit Playhouse legacy of excellence continued through the twentieth century. John Lane retired
in 1997 after transferring ownership to the not-for-profit foundation that oversees the Ogunquit
Playhouse today.
The Ogunquit Playhouse transitioned to an all musical format when the newly appointed Executive
Artistic Director Bradford Kenney assumed the reigns. Under Mr. Kenney’s leadership, the Playhouse
continues to push the boundaries of a summer theatre by extending the season further into the fall year
and year, making it a true regional theatre. He continues to negotiate the brightest Broadway titles for
the Ogunquit stage and attract top creative team members and talent direct from Broadway, television
and film, ensuring that the Playhouse will continue to thrive for future generations. The past few years
have seen recording-breaking crowds and shows, a flourishing partnership with The Music Hall in
Portsmouth, NH, and many accolades and awards. For the 2016 season, the Ogunquit Playhouse will
extend the season into November for the first time.
LEARN MORE | in the PLAYBILL and ONLINE: OgunquitPlayhouse.org/about/history
Original home in downtown Ogunquit. 1933-1936 • New home at the old Weare Farm on Rte 1 circa 1937 • Walter Hartwig • John Lane.
Billy Elliot, 2014 with Noah Parets • Nice Work..., 2016 with Sally Struthers • Bradford T. Kenney, Executive Artistic Director, 2006-Present
SOME OF THE MANY STARS
WHO HAVE GRACED OUR STAGE!
Maude Adams
Edie Adams
Clay Aiken
Steve Allen
Eve Arden
John Astin
Mary Astor
Daisy Atherton
Conrad Bain
Fay Bainter
Tallulah Bankhead
James Barbour
Ethel Barrymore
Orson Bean
Ed Begley
Barbara Bel Geddes
Karen Black
Joan Blondell
Shirley Booth
Billie Burke
Spring Byington
Kitty Carlisle
Art Carney
Leo G. Carroll
Pat Carroll
Shaun Caassidy
Ruth Chatterton
Imogene Coca
Francis Compton
Hume Cronyn
Ann B. Davis
Bette Davis
Dolores Del Rio
Gabriel Dell
Bob Denver
Patty Duke
Buddy Ebsen
Cass Elliot
Georgia Engel
Leif Erickson
Tom Ewell
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
Jamie Farr
Joan Fontaine
Hunter Foster
Kay Francis
Arlene Francis
Larry Gates
John Gavin
Will Geer
Hermione Gingold
Dorothy Gish
Lillian Gish
Ruth Gordon
Farley Granger
Merv Griffin
Stephen Hanna
Valerie Harper
Helen Hayes
Celeste Holm
Libby Holman
Edward Everett Horton
Glynis Johns
Van Johnson
Howard Keel
Larry Kert
Charles Kimbrough
Richard Kind
Carson Kressley
Lorenzo Lamas
John Lane
Michele Lee
Robert Sean Leonard
Beatrice Lillie
Myrna Loy
Allen Ludden
James MacArthur
Gavin MacLeod
Jefferson Mays
Andrea McArdle
Rue McClanahan
Eddie Mekka
Paolo Montalban
Douglass Montgomery
Gary Moore
Edward Mulhare
Maureen O'Sullivan
Jerry Orbach
Betsy Palmer
Tony Perkins
Christopher Plummer
Stefanie Powers
Anthony Quinn
John Raitt
Basil Rathbone
Eugenia Rawls
Lynn Redgrave
Carl Benton Reid
Elliot Reid
Cesar Romero
Ivan Rutherford
Eva Marie Saint
Peter Scolari
William Shatner
Charles Shaughnessy
Carole Shelley
Cybill Shepherd
Cornelia Otis Skinner
Alexis Smith
Rex Smith
Joey Sorge
Ruth St. Denis
Robert Stack
Jean Stapleton
Frances Sternhagen
Michael Strange
Elaine Stritch
Sally Struthers
Jessica Tandy
Laurette Taylor
Renee Taylor
Phyllis Thaxter
Arthur Treacher
Leslie Uggams
Vivian Vance
Ethel Waters
Dennis Weaver
Clifton Webb
Betty White
Fay Wray
Rachel York
MORE STARS ONLINE
OgunquitPlayhouse.org/
2016-press
under Cast Archives
Bette Davis, Tallulah Bankhead, Anthony Quinn, Steve McQueen, Betty White, Walter Matthau, Cybill Shepherd, Stefanie Powers, Valerie Harper, Sally Struthers
PAST SHOWS
Executive Artistic Director Bradford T. Kenney
2006
Beehive, The 60s Musical
Cabaret
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Hello, Dolly!
Menopause, The Musical
2007
Menopause The Musical (Revival)
The Full Monty
Crazy for You
La Cage aux Folles
The King and I
Hairspray
The Full Monty (Revival)
2008
Fiddler on the Roof
The Producers
Breaking Up is Hard to Do
My Fair Lady
Les Misérables
Disney High School Musical
2009
A Chorus Line
SHOUT! The Mod Musical
Guys and Dolls
Singin’ in the Rain
All Shook Up
Disney High School Musical
2010
The Drowsy Chaperone
The Sound of Music
Sunset Blvd.
Monty Python’s SPAMALOT
Chicago
2011
Avenue Q
Summer of Love
The Music Man
Legally Blonde the Musical
Miss Saigon
Pinkalicious
2012
Always, Patsy Cline
South Pacific
Damn Yankees
9 to 5 the Musical
Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story
2013
The Rat Pack Is Back
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Young Frankenstein
Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat
West Side Story
Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story
2014
Grease
Mary Poppins
Billy Elliot The Musical
The Witches of Eastwick: A Musical
Comedy
The Addams Family The Musical
2015
Sister Act
Victor/Victoria
Nice Work If You Can Get It
Million Dollar Quartet
Saturday Night Fever
White Christmas (at The Music Hall)
MORE ONLINE | COMPLETE LIST: OgunquitPlayhouse.org/2016-press under Show Archives
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CHILD
FUN FOR ALL AGES:
CHILDREN’S THEATRE LIVE ON STAGE!
JULY 2 AT 10AM & 1PM | JULY 3 AT 10AM
The jungle is jumpin' with a jazzy beat in Disney's The Jungle Book Kids. The exciting Disney
classic brings to life the familiar characters and adventures of the movie. Join Mowgli,
Baloo, King Louie and the gang as they swing their way through madcap adventures
and thwart the ferocious tiger, Shere Kahn. This musical was specially adapted from the
beloved film and includes all your favorite Disney tunes like “The Bare Necessities” and “I
Wan’na Be Like You.” This production is ideal for kids of all ages, so be sure to bring the
whole family out to experience this exciting adventure in the jungle!
JULY 23 AT 10AM & 1PM | JULY 24 AT 10AM
Journey "under the sea" with Ariel and her aquatic friends in Disney's The Little Mermaid
JR., based on one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved stories and adapted from
Disney's Broadway production and the motion picture featuring the enormously popular
songs that include, "Part of Your World" and the Oscar-winning "Under the Sea," and
delightfully charming book and lyrics. In a magical underwater kingdom, the beautiful
young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home - and her fins - behind and live in
the world above. But first she'll have to defy her father King Triton, make a deal with the
evil sea witch Ursula, and convince the handsome Prince Eric that she's the girl whose
enchanting voice he's been seeking.
JULY 30 AT 10AM & 1PM | JULY 31 AT 10AM
Pirates, treasure maps, and mutiny on the high seas set the stage for this thrilling musical
based on the Robert Louis Stevenson classic story about Jim Hawkins, an ordinary boy
drawn into a dangerous race for buried treasure against the treacherous Long John Silver.
As the author himself wrote, "If this don't fetch the kids, why, they have gone rotten since
my day." Excitement runs high in this musical adaptation of a favorite childhood adventure
story.
AUG 20 AT 10AM & 2PM | AUG 21 AT 10AM
The spirit of rock ‘n’ roll is alive and well in this electrifying brand new musical based on
the popular Paramount film written by Mike White and starring Jack Black, and the current
Broadway musical produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock
star decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious
prep school, however instead of teaching he turns his class into a guitar-shredding, bassslapping, mind-blowing rock band. Featuring a sensational live all-kid rock band playing
fourteen new songs composed by Webber, along with all the original songs from the hit
movie, it is a loving testimony to the transforming power of music.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DIRECT FROM LONDON'S WEST END AND BROADWAY THE INTERNATIONAL SMASH HIT
LET IT BE – A CELEBRATION OF THE MUSIC OF THE BEATLES
KICKS OFF THE OGUNQUIT PLAYHOUSE 2016 SEASON
The Ogunquit Playhouse kicks off its 84th season with the international smash hit direct from London's
West End and Broadway, Let It Be – A Celebration of the Music of The Beatles, rocking the stage from May
18 to June 11. This exciting tribute show follows the Fab Four’s meteoric rise from their humble beginnings
in Liverpool’s Cavern Club, through the heights of Beatlemania, to their later studio masterpieces. Let
It Be is jam-packed with over forty of The Beatles’ greatest hits including “Twist and Shout,” “She Loves
You” and “Drive My Car,” as well as global mega-hits “Yesterday,” “Hey Jude,” “Come Together,” and, of
course, “Let It Be.” This entertaining show has been seen by over two million people worldwide and touted
by the New York Times as “Outstanding! By far the best Beatles show yet!”
The cast of Let It Be includes Michael Gagliano, who has is spent the last 15 years perfecting his
performances of the Beatle’s music on some of the world’s biggest stages from Liverpool’s Cavern Club
to the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan, as well as on television all over the world; Neil Candelora, who as a six
year old he saw a recording of The Beatles performing on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and decided to learn
to play guitar left handed; JT Curtis, who made his Broadway debut in Let It Be and has performed with
several Beatles tribute acts from Los Angeles to New York; Chris McBurney, who also reprises his role
from the Broadway production of Let It Be and has toured as a drummer and multi-instrumentalist all
over North America, Europe and Japan with numerous acts, while continuing to perform and record in
New York.
The Music Director for Let It Be is Daniel A. Weiss, a New York City based musician who was most recently
seen music directing and arranging for a sold out performance of West End Recast in London, a concert
featuring many of the West End's finest singers. Mr. Weiss was the assistant musical director and associate
conductor for the original Broadway company of Rent. He has a multitude of Broadway credits for both
conducting and/or performing, including Let It Be, Motown the Musical, Godspell, Hair, Taboo, Hairspray
and Brooklyn.
Mark your calendars now and get ready to see every show this year. Season tickets are on sale now and
are the best way to guarantee the best seats for the lowest price, starting at only $215 for a five-show
or $129 for a three-show Super Saver package. Individual tickets are on sale and prices start at $47
each. To learn more about becoming a Playhouse member, or to purchase tickets and gift cards, visit
OgunquitPlayhouse.org or call the Ogunquit Playhouse Box Office at 207-646-5511.
SHOW PHOTOS & INFO
PRESS PHOTOS (HI-RES) | ONLINE: OgunquitPlayhouse.org/2016-press/Let-It-Be
ADDITIONAL SHOW PHOTOS (WEB) | ONLINE: OgunquitPlayhouse.org/2016/Let-It-Be
CAST & CREATIVE BIOS | in the PLAYBILL and ONLINE: OgunquitPlayhouse.org/2016/Let-It-Be
DIRECTOR'S NOTES | in the PLAYBILL
BRAD KENNEY'S LETTER | in the PLAYBILL
ABOUT THE SHOW | in the PLAYBILL and ONLINE: OgunquitPlayhouse.org/2016/Let-It-Be
THANKS FOR JOINING US!
207.646.5511
OgunquitPlayhouse.org
Rte 1 Ogunquit, ME