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MILL HALL -- The Millbrook Playhouse is gearing up for an exciting, fun-filled 61st Season at the barn.
David Leidholt is returning as the playhouse's artistic director and said he and the board of directors are bringing in a variety of shows with something for everyone.
Although this season is a bit shorter, it's sprinkled with some summer shows for local kids and much more!
Leidholt explained he and the board elected to decrease the number of shows this year while they continued to find permanent housing for its actors. Recently, the board purchased a home along Fairview Street in Lock Haven to help alleviate that.
"We usually do seven to eight shows. But because of the question of housing for our actors we tried to program a season that is as normal as possible," he said.
Many of the shows feature small casts with big storylines, something Leidholt said is a lot of fun especially for the actors.
"We can pick something like 'Godspell' that has 10 people but really feels like a bigger show," he explained.
Millbrook's season kicks off in the Poorman Cabaret on June 7 with "Tuesdays with Morrie" written by Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom. The play, rated PG, is based on the book by Albom and focuses on a series of visits Albom made to his former Brandeis University sociology professor, Morrie Schwartz, as Schwartz was dying from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
"I wanted to try some uplifting, fun stuff. The world feels a little heavy lately," Leidholt said. "Sometimes we like to tap into things in the theater and arts, but I thought -- coming back we have a smaller season, let's try to find things that are joyful and fun and touching."
"Tuesdays with Morrie" will run from June 7 to June 15.
Next up will be "Don't Dress for Dinner" beginning June 21 and running to July 6. The play was written by Marc Camoletti and adapted by Robin Hawdon. The performance is rated PG-13 and follows Bernard, who is planning a romantic weekend with his chic Parisian mistress in his charming converted French farmhouse, whilst his wife, Jacqueline, is away. He has arranged for a cordon bleu cook to prepare gourmet delights, and has invited his best friend, Robert, along too to provide the alibi.
The Ryan Main Stage performances kick off on July 12 with "God Spell." The musical was written by John Michael Tebelak with music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The musical is structured as a series of parables, primarily based on the Gospel of Matthew, interspersed with music mostly set to lyrics from traditional hymns, with the passion of Christ appearing briefly near the end.
Leidholt noted "Godspell" is a perfect show for all ages, noting Schwartz has written large musicals such as "Wicked" or "Pippin."
"It's got a really nice crossover and has lots of improv. It'll bring in families, an audience who likes theater and anyone in between," he said.
Back in the Poorman Cabaret on Aug. 2, Millbrook will be showcasing "Stones in His Pockets." The play, rated PG-13 for strong language, was written by Marie Jones. The play is a tragicomedy about a small rural town in Ireland where many of the townspeople are extras in a Hollywood film. "Stones in His Pockets will run until Aug. 11.
Back to the Ryan Main Stage, "8-Track: The Sounds of the 70s" will make it's Millbrook debut beginning Aug. 9. This musical is rated PG and will take the audience back in time to the era of The Bee Gees, Doobie Brothers, KC and the Sunshine Band, Labelle and much more.
Also happening this summer will be the Millbrook Youth Ensembles performance of "Mean Girls the Musical, Jr."
Leidholt said, with the recent release of the musical movie "Mean Girls" early this year, he thought it was the perfect time to bring the popular show to the Ryan Main Stage.
"I thought let's put (Mean Girls) in -- It's a fun show and popular right since the musical movie came out," Leidholt said.
Other Youth Ensemble shows to take place over the summer include "Into the Woods, Jr." and "Finding Nemo, Jr."
Overall, Leidholt -- who is in his tenth year at the playhouse -- is excited to bring these shows and more to the public.
"We have a fun, full season with our camps. We'll have the Stage Right Bar open during certain shows and we're looking to expand out event," he said.
The Millbrook Playhouse recently announced it will be bringing Williamsport-based Uptown Music Collective to the barn for a special performance of "A Decade of Grunge" on Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m.
The Uptown Music Collective will present special encore concerts of their highly acclaimed performance, The Decade of Grunge! These concerts will feature iconic sounds from grunge legends like Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and Pearl Jam, as well as '90s mainstays like The Smashing Pumpkins, Bush, Alanis Morissette, Hole, and more, brought to life by the talented students of the Uptown Music Collective.
Leidholt is encouraging everyone to enjoy one of the barn's summer shows.
"It's going to be lots of fun. There's something for everyone, which is how I like to program... trying to find comedies, traditional shows and something new," he said.
To learn more about the upcoming season, or purchase advance tickets, visit https://millbrookplayhouse.org/