Cuyahoga Falls, OH - Porthouse Theatre, Kent State University’s outdoor, summer theatre located on the grounds of Blossom Music Center, will celebrate its 50th Anniversary Season with "Anything Goes," "Next to Normal," and "Oklahoma!".
Directed by Porthouse producing artistic director Terri Kent, "Anything Goes" opens June 15 and runs through June 30. A preview performance will take place on June 14. With music and lyrics by Cole Porter, original book by P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton and Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse, and new book by Timothy Crouse & John Weidman, "Anything Goes" is a a hilarious shipboard romp that showcases Cole Porter's music at its very best. With a timeless tale of boy meets girl an a ship full of singing and dancing sailors, gangsters and showgirls, "Anything Goes" is De-Lovely! Performances are June 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30 at 8 p.m and June 17 and 24 at 2 p.m.
Directed by Jim Weaver, "Next to Normal" opens July 6 and runs through July 21. A preview performance will take place on July 5. Winner of multiple 2009 Tony Awards and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize, "Next to Normal" is a powerful exploration of a family's struggles with the effects of mental illness. With music by Tom Kitt and book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, "Next to Normal" is a rock musical powerhouse that transports audiences into the minds and hearts of the Goodman family as they navigate the ins and outs of bipolar disorder, depression, grief, marriage, and adolescence. Performances are July 5, 6, 7, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 at 8pm and July 8 and 15 at 2 p.m.
Directed by producing artistic director Terri Kent, "Oklahoma!" opens July 27 and runs through August 12. A preview performance will take place on July 26. With music by Richard Rogers, book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, original dances by Agnes de Mille, and based on the play "Green Grow the Lilacs" by Lynn Riggs, "Oklahoma!" is the classic musical theatre love story between cowboy Curly and farm girl Laurey. Performances are July 26, 27, 28, 31 and Aug. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 at 8pm and July 29 and Aug. 5, 11, and 12 at 2 p.m.
Subscriptions go on sale Nov. 27 by phone at 330-672-3884. Single and group tickets go on sale May 29, 2018. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Porthouse Box Office, located in the Roe Green Center lobby of Kent State’s Center for the Performing Arts, 1325 Theatre Drive, Kent, OH 44242, online at porthousetheatre.com, or by phone at 330-672-3884.
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Media Contact:
Joni Koneval, 330-672-0116, jkoneval@kent.edu