Bucks County Playhouse’s leaders Alexander Fraser, Robyn Goodman, Josh Fiedler and Adele Adkins are happy to share the lineup of shows for the Playhouse’s 2024 subscription season. The season will kick off in May with a new production of Michael Frayn’s comedy “Noises Off,” and will also include a brand new musical, “Last of the Red Hot Mamas.”
The season will also include new productions of “Grease,” and “Anastasia: The Musical.” Additionally, the Playhouse will bring back its production of “The Rocky Horror Show,” which was a big success last October.
“For 2024, we’re taking a fresh look at three big shows: “Noises Off,” “Grease,” and for the holidays, ‘Anastasia,’ says Alexander Fraser, producing director. “In between, we are proud to produce another world premiere, the new musical ‘Last of the Red Hot Mamas.’ We hope these shows will honor the Playhouse’s history in presenting top-notch revivals while also supporting new works that reflect the diversity of the modern American theater.”
The 2024 season follows a 2023 season when two productions broke box office records. “The Rocky Horror Show” starring Frankie Grande as Dr. Frank ‘n’ Further kicked off the first string of sold-out houses, culminating in a holiday engagement of “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas,” which became the top-selling title in the Playhouse’s storied history.
“The success of ‘Rocky Horror’ and ‘White Christmas’ last season was overwhelming but also encouraging. In 2024, we look to continue the growth and momentum we experienced last year,” says Adkins. “There is genuine excitement surrounding the audiences that continue to return to the theatre. We are happy to offer a starting ticket price of $39 with the hopes that it will make theater accessible to as many people as possible.”
The 2024 season will start on May 17 with a new production of Michael Frayn’s “Noises Off!” directed by Bucks County Playhouse Artistic Associate Hunter Foster.
“Noises Off” brings back performers who have left a strong impact on Playhouse audiences. Jennifer Cody, who will play Dottie, and John Bolton, who plays Freddy, both appeared in Playhouse productions of “Company” and “The Rocky Horror Show.” They will be joined by Marilu Henner, who is revisiting her performance of Belinda, a role she played 32 years ago in Peter Bogdanovich’s star-studded film adaptation.
“We’re excited to present an original musical, ‘Last of the Red Hot Mamas,’ about the pioneering comedienne, Sophie Tucker. This is a passion project for the writing team of Susan and Lloyd Ecker and Harrison David Rivers, and with director/choreographer Shea Sullivan, they are excited to introduce to audiences this woman who was a trailblazing figure on stage and off,” says Producer Josh Fiedler.
A star in Vaudeville, on Broadway and in the Ziegfeld Follies, the full-figured Tucker was known for her risqué songs, including “Red Hot Mama”, “The Right Church But The Wrong Pew” and her theme song, “Some of These Days.” The musical will feature these songs, along with other classics of their time.
Ending the summer at the Playhouse is a new version of one of the most popular musicals in the world, "Grease!" Foster will come back to direct the show that he was in on Broadway during the 1994 revival. The 2024 season will finish with a new production of the Broadway musical, "Anastasia." Casting for the 2024 season is done by Paul Hardt, Hardt Casting LLC.
Passes for the season are now on sale at $240 for a package of four shows (including fees). Special discounted subscriptions are available for patrons under 40. A special pre-sale for single tickets starts Friday, March 15, with prices starting at $39. Discounted rates are available for groups of 10 or more. All play titles, artists, and dates are subject to change. More details on casting will be announced soon. For tickets and information, visit www.BucksCountyPlayhouse.org or call 215-862-2121.
Season details:
NOISES OFF
By Michael Frayn
May 17 – June 16
Directed by Hunter Foster
A director and a group of mediocre actors make mistakes from a bad dress rehearsal to a very disastrous performance. But, no mess-up of lines, missed cues, slamming doors, falling trousers or flying sardines can stop the show from (hilariously) continuing. Starring Jennifer Cody (Broadway’s “Urinetown,” “Grease,” “Shrek” and BCP’s “The Rocky Horror Show”) as Dotty, John Bolton (Broadway’s “Dames at Sea” and BCP’s “Company”) as Frederick, and Marilu Henner as Belinda, repeating the role she first played in the 1992 film version of “Noises Off.”
LAST OF THE RED HOT MAMAS
June 28 – July 27
Book by Susan Ecker, Harrison David Rivers and Lloyd Ecker
Directed and Choreographed by Shea Sullivan
Before Mae West, Bette Midler or Queen Latifah, there was Sophie Tucker. A fabulously full-figured teenager, Sophie was determined to conquer vaudeville – whatever the cost. With the help of two former Harlem headliners, Sophie’s rise from a deli to international fame is told with song, dance, and a big dose of Sophie’s groundbreakingly sassy humor.
GREASE
August 9 – September 8
Book, Music and Lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey
Choreographed by Shannon Lewis
Directed by Hunter Foster
It’s Rydell High in 1959 and the duck-tailed, hot-rodding “Burger Palace Boys” and the gum-snapping, hip-shaking “Pink Ladies” rule the roost. After a summer romance, Danny and Sandy are unexpectedly reunited for their senior year, but can they survive the good and bad times at Rydell High?
ANASTASIA: The Musical
November 22 – January 5
Book by Terrence McNally
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Featuring the popular songs from the original animated feature and more, “Anastasia” is a sweeping musical adventure that transports its audience from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s. A brave young woman named Anya sets out to discover the mystery of her past but is pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her.
Additional Off-Subscription Productions:
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
October 11 – November 3
Book, Music and Lyrics by Richard O’Brien
Choreographed by Shannon Lewis
Directed by Hunter Foster
Get ready for a wild ride with Richard O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Show” returning to Bucks County Playhouse in a brand-new production. The musical that inspired the 1975 classic cult film, “The Rocky Horror Show” follows engaged couple Brad and Janet on the adventure to beat all adventures. As they seek shelter at a mysterious old castle on a dark and stormy night, they encounter transvestite scientist, Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter, as he unveils his perfect male creation, “Rocky.” With an infectious rock n’ roll score, “The Rocky Horror Show” is the most fun you can have in fishnets!
You can currently get subscription packages and single tickets for the 2024 Season at BucksCountyPlayhouse.org or by calling the Box Office at 215.862.2121.
ABOUT BUCKS COUNTY PLAYHOUSE
Having a long history in theater since its establishment in 1939 by a lineup of theater royalty, Bucks County Playhouse is now observing the twelfth anniversary of its 2012 re-opening and restoration. With over 75,000 visitors each year, the Playhouse is leading the economic revival of New Hope and the surrounding community. In 2014, Tony Award-winning producers Alexander Fraser and Robyn Goodman took over the Playhouse, and it has regained its reputation for drawing Broadway and Hollywood artists. Productions of “Company” with Justin Guarini, and William Finn’s “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” were recognized by Wall Street Journal as part of its “Best of Theatre” for 2015. In 2018, the Wall Street Journal once again praised the Playhouse and Artistic Associate Hunter Foster in its Best of the Year listings for its staging of “42nd Street” and in 2019 labeled the Playhouse “one of the best regional theaters on the East coast.” Box office records have been repeatedly broken by notable productions like “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story,” “Steel Magnolias” directed by Marsha Mason, “Million Dollar Quartet,” “42nd Street,” and “Guys & Dolls” (all directed by Hunter Foster) and “Mamma Mia!” directed by John Tartaglia and choreographed by Shannon Lewis. The 2023 season was the most successful yet, featuring popular productions of Jonathan Larsen’s “Tick, Tick Boom” directed by Eric Rosen, “Bridges of Madison County” directed by Hunter Foster, who also led “The Rocky Horror Show” starring Frankie Grande. “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” became the top-selling show in Playhouse history. The teams creating new productions at the Playhouse are among the most talented artists in professional theater today and appreciate the opportunity to work on the historic stage where Grace Kelly, Robert Redford, and Jessica Walter began their careers.
