2018: Vim, vigor, variety at Playhouse

SHARON — Like a phoenix rising from the ashes of a disastrous 2017 season, Sharon Playhouse entered 2018 with new leaders — Alan M-L Wager, artistic director; Robert Levenstein, managing director — who declared two goals: to make the playhouse an all-year entertainment venue and to capitalize on the talented community members they found here by including them in productions.

The two men began the year with a new series in the Bok Gallery they christened Cocktails and Cabaret. For a reasonable price, people were invited to come for two hours of drinks and Broadway-caliber talent. 

One couple attracted a capacity crowd for an Astaire-Rogers song and dance evening; a group of young New York performers delighted a full house with show songs; one evening was even devoted to a man trying to make wine knowledge fun —  with wine samples.

The main stage summer season featured “Anything Goes,” “Barefoot in the Park,” “Always, Patsy Cline” and “Footloose.” 

The fall began with a collaboration with the Salisbury Sinfonietta on a concert version of “The Pirates of Penzance.” A string quartet performed before a sold out house in the Bok in November; and a  Holiday Show sold out the mainstage in December.

In the late winter and spring of 2019, Wager and Levenstein plan to present the movie “Tommy,” in collaboration with Boondocks Film Society and other events including perhaps a concert, a serious play, a dance event and a series of play readings. 

Best of all for longtime Playhouse audiences, Michael Berkley will bring his “Divas” back to the main stage in the summer.

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