Artistic director Michael Taylor, in conjunction with the Board of Directors of On-Stage Foundation, today announced the line-up for the 52nd season of Frankfort’s own Red Barn Summer Theatre. Taylor says, “With the help of the company of the Barn, the Board and countless volunteers, our goal is to present three shows that are wildly different, equally entertaining and appealing to a wide audience.”
Among the many exciting changes coming for the 2020 season, one big change has been made to the schedule for the convenience of the audience–the Barn is moving its show time to a half-hour earlier—so now all evening shows will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Opening the season on June 10 will be the very funny, engaging and family-friendly comedy, DECEIVING GRANNY, written by that very same Michael Taylor. As the lights come up, newlyweds Sam and Margaret Howard discover they are in line to inherit 3.5 million dollars from Sam’s great-grandmother–a great-grandmother that Sam has never met. But before she will make the will official, the great-grandmother wants to meet Sam and his new bride in order to make certain that they live up to her standards.
The second show of the season is MURDER AMONG FRIENDS by Bob Berry. Take an aging actor, his wealthy wife and a backstabbing agent—plunk them down in an elegant New York City apartment—add dialogue crackling with wit and what do you have but an evening of sophisticated hilarity. MURDER AMONG FRIENDS will kick off on June 24 and run for two weeks.
This year’s musical BRIGHT STAR begins on July 9. Inspired by a true story and featuring a Tony-nominated score by comedian/writer/actor Steve Martin and singer Edie Brickell, BRIGHT STAR tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South from the 1920’s to the 1940’s. With beautiful melodies and powerfully moving characters, the musical is an uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tightly in its grasp.
SPECIAL PERFORMANCES FOR 2020:
– Family Night production of DECEIVING GRANNY on Saturday, June 13.
– First Responder’s Night will feature MURDER AMONG FRIENDS, on June 27.
– Student Day performance of BRIGHT STAR will take place on July 11.
Bethany Sheets–Financial, Community and Box Office Manager–says she is excited to reach out to groups—both small and large–on behalf of the Barn this winter. Sheets says “Our newly announced group rates give even more reason for groups and clubs to not only see a great show but to come out early, enjoy our lovely grounds and picnic before a show.” Sheets says that she can be contacted for community partnerships, special nights, group planning or youth theatre outreach at [email protected].
Director Taylor concluded by saying “At the Red Barn we try to offer something for everyone—whether it’s large groups, families, students or community heroes. We’d like to thank everyone that has supported the Barn throughout the years and we are always excited to see new faces each summer.”
The Red Barn Summer Theatre was founded by Martin and Carol Ann Henderson. The 2020 season will mark the Red Barn’s 52nd season of professional summer theatre.