The season at the New Hope, Pennsylvania venue will launch May 2 with the Foster-directed Clue: On Stage, adapted by Jonathan Lynn from his screenplay. The production, presented by special arrangement with The Araca Group, Work Light Productions, Michael Barra Productions, and Aged in Wood Productions, is described as such: “On a dark and stormy night, six unique guests, plus a butler and a maid, assemble for a dinner party at the home of Mr. Boddy. When their host turns up dead, it is clear that no one is safe! Soon the guests are racing to find the killer and keep the body count from stacking up.” Performances continue through May 20.
Guys and Dolls, also directed by Foster, will be presented July 21–August 12. Choreographed by Jeremy Dumont, the classic Frank Loesser musical features such tunes as “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat,” “If I Were a Bell,” “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” “Luck Be A Lady,” and more.
Jon Robin Baitz's Tony-nominated Other Desert Cities, about family secrets and a tell-all memoir, will play Bucks County beginning August 18. Directed by Sheryl Kaller, the Palm Springs-set drama will continue through September 2.
The season will conclude November 7–26 with the world premiere of the new musical The New World, which features a book by Regina DeCicco and L.F. Turner, music by Gary Adler, and lyrics by Phoebe Kreutz. Stafford Arima will direct with choreography by Lorin Latarro. The Playhouse describes the musical thusly: “It’s 1620 and, much to the Wampanoag Indians’ chagrin, the Pilgrims are moving in — ready to rock the ’new’ world. From the producers and co-creator of Altar Boyz, this outrageously funny big new musical is everything you never learned in history class!”
The return of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, directed by Foster with choreography by Lorin Latarro, will be presented May 27–June 17 as a non-subscription event, prior to moving to Philadelphia's Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
“We are very excited to launch our 2017 season with the world premiere of Clue: On Stage, directed by Hunter Foster, whose work will be showcased in three Playhouse productions this summer,” said executive producer Robyn Goodman in a statement. “Based on an iconic Paramount film and the beloved Hasbro game, Clue not only has broad appeal, but will feature our biggest, most complicated physical production yet, with the kind of tricks and stagecraft that only scenic designer Anna Louizos can deliver.”
“It is fitting that our other world premiere this season, The New World, grew out of our 2014 Oscar Hammerstein Festival,” added Producer Josh Fiedler. “This musical, which is both hilarious and timely, explores a world turned upside down when the Native Americans are forced to welcome an unruly group of Puritanical immigrants who come crashing onto their shore.”
