The Barn Theatre, Michigan’s oldest professional summer theatre, under the artistic leadership of Brendan Ragotzy, announced today the 69th season of plays and musicals to be presented for the 2015 summer season at the landmark theatre.

The Barn Theatre, Michigan’s oldest resident summer stock theatre company, is pleased to announce that it continues to operate under the non-profit entity, The Barn Theatre School for Advanced Theatre Training and will further its mission of bringing professional, high quality theatre to southwest Michigan while expanding its educational youth outreach and training programs. The very popular youth outreach, Backstage Xperience*, will be offered this season, once again, as well!

“Escanaba In Da Moonlight:” June 2-7, featuring Roy Brown as “Da Jimmer!” Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the woods, the Michigan classic, Escanaba In Da Moonlight, returns to the Barn! As the Soady clan gathers at the family deer camp, Reuben Soady is hoping to get his shot and shed the mantle of “the buckless yooper.” But as opening day of deer season approaches, a series of weird occurrences and crazy locals seem to prevent him from bagging his buck. With Roy Brown is back as the Jimmer, one thing is sure, this hilarious hunting trip will be one for the Barn history books!

“Love Letters:” June 9-14, and starring Robert Newman and Penelope Alex. A.R. Gurney’s Broadway hit and Pulitzer Prize nominated play is an enticing play that tells the story of Andrew and Melissa, who meet in the second grade and communicate through letters and postcards over more than 50 years. The story carries the characters through grade school, college and middle age, marriage and divorce, dreams and disappointments, success and failure. It is ultimately, an exhilarating and funny tale of unrequited love between two soul mates.

“Mary Poppins:” June 16-28; Disney’s magical high-flying family-musical. The practically perfect nanny helps us learn to take our medicine with spoonful of sugar, find the silver lining in every situation, and realize that sometimes we should just use the winds of change to go fly a kite! The score features your favorite Poppins tunes including “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” “Jolly Holiday,” “Let’s Go Fly a Kite,” “Step in Time,” and “Chim Chiminey.”

“Ghost the Musical:” June 30–July 12; a fantasy about the power of love in which Sam is trapped as a ghost between this world and the next trying to communicate with girlfriend Molly through a phony psychic, in the hope of saving her from his murderer. A rollercoaster ride of romance, drama and excitement, for which Bruce Joel Rubin adapted his Oscar-winning screenplay.

“American Idiot:” July 14 – 26; nominated for three Tony Awards, it features the music of Green Day and centers around three boyhood friends, each searching for meaning in a post 9-11 world. The musical features the hits: “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “21 Guns,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” “Holiday” and the title track “American Idiot” from Green Day’s 2004 multi-platinum album. Also included in the score are several songs from Green Day’s 2009 release “21st Century Breakdown,” and an unreleased love song, “When It’s Time.”

“Rock of Ages:” July 28–August 9; in 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small-town girl met a big-city dreamer, and in L.A.’s most legendary rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the ‘80’s. A hilarious, feel-good love story told through the hit songs of iconic rockers Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Foreigner, Pat Benatar, Whitesnake, and many more.

“Hands on a Hardbody:” August 11-23; ten contestants compete for a new truck at a Texas dealership and the last person with their hand on it wins. The drama and antics that come with these characters make for one wild ride! Come see who wins the brand new truck in this Broadway hit musical! This All-American musical has an addictive score with country rock, gospel, and pop music.

“The Will Rogers Follies:” August 25–September 6. Tom Wopat is slated to join the Barn company to play the famed humorist Will Rogers in this spectacular, glitzy musical. The musical follows the life of Rogers, through his journey to fame and stardom after leaving home to be a young cowboy performer in the early 1920s.

The Backstage Xperience
The Backstage Xperience 2015 to be held in conjunction with the Barn Theatre performances of: “Mary Poppins” June 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 and “Ghost the Musical” July 2, 3, 8, 9, 10! Form your own group of four youth per every one chaperone, and don’t miss this fun, free educational opportunity! Please email: contactmibarntheatre@gmail.com for more information.

The Barn Theatre is located on Highway M-96 between Augusta and Galesburg. Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 5pm and 8:30pm, and Sunday at 5pm. Single tickets are $37. Group discounts available. Barn Theatre Box Office is open now. For information call (269) 731-4121

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