New Lebanon, NY (January 18, 2020) — The Theater Barn is pleased to announce that their 37th Anniversary Season will open on Friday, June 26, 2020 at 8pm with playwright and comedic genius Alan Aychbourn’s Tony Award® winning comedy Living Together.  This hysterical show is the first part of his trilogy called The Norman Conquests, which earned him best revival of a play in 2009.  The audience is invited to join the cast and crew for wine and hors d’oeuvres after the show opening night.

The annual tradition continues at the ‘Barn with a Berkshire premier by Dame Agatha Christie.  Based on her short story, Philomel Cottage, The Stranger is a haunting psychological affair and offers an early look at Christie as a young and vibrant writer of murder and mayhem.  The first of three musicals Night and Day: Love Lost and Found Through the Eyes of Cole Porter is an originally conceived romantic comedy featuring the music and lyrics of Cole Porter, and spins a romantic story of a love affair gone awry that is just ‘Too Darn Hot’ to miss!  Composers and lyricists Pasek & Paul (Dear Evan Hanson, A Christmas Story) bring their first big success in the award winning Off-Broadway musical, Dogfight, telling a poignant story in a life changing evening between two friends. An audience favorite, Urinetown, returns to the New Lebanon stage to complete their summer season.  Last produced at the ‘Barn in 2006 to sold out audiences, this hilarious musical satire has hauntingly familiar themes decades later.

The fall season encore at the ‘Barn is David Lyndsay-Abaire’s 2016 Tony Award® winning comedic play, Good People, straight out of Boston’s infamous ‘Irish Southie’ neighborhood.  Poignant and brave, the humor abounds in Abaire’s focus on what it means to be down on your luck in our world today.

Since 1984, The Theater Barn has a tradition of producing high quality, family friendly plays, comedies, mysteries and musicals from Broadway and beyond at an affordable price.  Located just 20 minutes from Pittsfield, it is an easy drive from the Berkshires, Capital District and Springfield areas.  New this year are 2pm Thursday matinees on select summer dates and Saturday 4pm matinees continue throughout the fall.  Tickets are $30 – $33 with a 6-show discounted season ticket for $165.  The theater is air-conditioned with accessible seating.  For a complete list of performance times and to order tickets, visit www.thetheaterbarn.org or call the box office at (518) 794-8989.  MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover accepted.

2020 SUMMER SEASON

Living Together
by Alan Ayckbourn

June 26 — July 5, 2020

Annie lives in the shabby Victorian vicarage type house where the family was brought up.  Reg, her brother, and his wife Sarah come to stay for a weekend so that she may go away for a “rest.”  The general idea is that Annie ought to pair off with Tom. But for this weekend it is Norman, the raffish assistant librarian husband of Annie’s sister Ruth, with whom she planned to go.  They were to meet secretly but Norman turns up early.  When Annie calls the whole thing off Norman decides to stay on at the house and gets roaring drunk.  2009 Tony Award® for Best Revival of a Play.

Agatha Christie’s The Stranger

July 9 — 26, 2020

Christie’s murderous psychological thriller is based on her short story, Philomel Cottage, and is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.  Her heroine, Enid, has accepted what she believes is her last, best chance at marriage, but she can’t help but feel a little trapped.  Then a handsome stranger steps into her life and opens the door to new possibilities.  Enid rejects her fiancé for newcomer Gerald and moves to a remote country cottage with him – where a dark and terrible climax takes place.  Don’t miss this Berkshire premiere!

Night and Day
Love Lost and Found Through the Eyes of Cole Porter
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
based on an idea by Robert Cacioppo
conceived and written by Robert Cacioppo with Arthur D’Alessio
Musical Arrangements by Victoria Casella

July 30 — August 9, 2020

This show is much more than a musical revue as it tells an original story entirely through the lyrics of Cole Porter.  His beloved songs are arranged into a romantic musical that will have you tapping your toes as you sing along.  Taking place in a Berkshire’s mansion, circa 1930, we see how the love our couples feel at night creates an intricacy of relationship struggles for them the next day.  Only the second production ever produced, this regional premiere is going to be ‘Too Darn Hot’ to miss.

Dogfight
Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Book by Peter Duchan

August 13 — 23, 2020

On the eve of their deployment, three young Marines set out for one final boys’ night of partying and maybe a little trouble.  But, when Corporal Eddie Birdlace meets Rose, an awkward and idealistic waitress whom he enlists to win a cruel bet with his fellow recruits, she rewrites the rules of the game and teaches him the power of love and compassion.

Urinetown
Music by Mark Hollmann, Lyrics by Hollmann and Greg Kotis, and Book by Kotis

August 27 — September 6, 2020

Winner of three Tony Awards® Urinetown is a hilarious musical satire of the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, municipal politics and musical theatre itself!  A hauntingly familiar theme unfolds with outrageous perspective, wickedly modern wit and sustained ability to produce gales of unbridled laughter.

FALL SEASON

Good People
by David Lindsay-Abaire

September 11 — 27, 2020

This 2016 Tony Award® winner for Best Play, is a tough and tender story about the class divide in Boston’s south end.  Margie Walsh has just lost another job, so she seeks help by calling an old flame who made it out of Southie to find out if he can offer her a job.  With a humorous glow and many laughs, this comedy explores the struggles and unsinkable hopes that come with having next to nothing in America.

Season Tickets let you see all six shows for the price of 5 ($165).  Choose your seats and performance dates today, or enjoy the flexibility of making your reservations throughout the summer for the dates and times of your choice.

More information on Season Tickets is available on our website