Electric City Playhouse Announces 2020 Shows

Electric City Playhouse (ECP) in Anderson is delighted to announce its 2020 productions. With an exciting mix of drama, comedy, and musicals, ECP is looking forward to its 36th year of engaging community theatre productions.

Opening with a limited run "Plus" show, ECP kicks off 2020 with a return to the 1920s in Mark St. Germain's "Camping With Henry and Tom". Inspired by actual camping trips taken by these historic notables, this play humorously and dramatically explores a Maryland outdoor adventure taken by Thomas Alva Edison, Henry Ford, and President Warren G. Harding. With the men's big personalities and even bigger agendas, what was intended to be a respite soon becomes a series of interpersonal dramas. This show is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company. Performances are at 7:30pm on Friday, January 10 and Saturday, January 11, and at 3pm on Sunday, January 12, 2020. "Camping With Henry and Tom" contains some adult language and reflects social beliefs common to the 1920s. Tickets are $10 each. The show is directed by Jennifer Ouellette and features Edwin C. Divine, Jonathan Houston, Stephen Moses, and Maurice Reed.

As the first main season production of 2020, "The Tin Woman" by Sean Grennan also finds its inspiration in a true story. Meet Joy, a young woman recovering from heart transplant surgery. While she knows that she should be thrilled to be alive, she is adrift and struggling to find purpose. Meanwhile, her donor's bereaved family are struggling with the loss of their son. Can a meeting help them all to find peace? With sensitivity, wit, and unforgettable characters, "The Tin Woman" explores life and loss and the complexity of second chances. "The Tin Woman" will run February 21 - March 1, 2020; Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm; Sundays at 3pm. This dramatic comedy is presented by arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. Tickets are $12 each. The show is directed by Scott Gibson and features Harriet G. Boatwright, Arielle Coulter, Lynne Gibson, Austin Kueper, Sela Kueper, Deborah Ponder, and Thomas B. Pounds, III.

For the second main season production, ECP presents the full-length musical revue, "Jerry's Girls."* With music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and concepts by Larry Alford, Wayne Cilento, and Jerry Herman, "Jerry's Girls" features songs from Mr. Herman's beloved musicals. A lively cast will perform favorites from "Hello, Dolly!", "Mame", "La Cage aux Folles", "Parade", and more. Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc./Concord Theatricals, "Jerry's Girls" will be performed May 8-May 17, 2020. Tickets are $15 each. Please visit https://ecplayhouse.com for additional information.

Following "Jerry's Girls" is another musical, this time "Is There Life After High School?" with music and lyrics by Craig Camelia and book by Jeffrey Kindley. Suggested by Ralph Keyes' book of the same title, "Is There Life After High School?" is an intimate revue-style musical with actors playing multiple roles as adults reminiscing at a high school reunion. Common high school experiences are explored through music and monologue, including memories and growing up ("The Kid Inside"); handling the pinnacle of personal achievement ("Diary of a Homecoming Queen"); the travails of marching band ("Thousands of Trumpets"); and brotherhood and brews ("Beer"). "Is There Life After High School?" is a fun, poignant, and relatable look at a formative time. Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, the show is performed July 24-August 2, 2020. Tickets are $15 each. The show is directed by Dr. David Sollish. Auditions: February 23 and 24, 2020. Details at https://ecplayhouse.com.

Closing the main season is Paul Rudnick's comedy-drama, "I Hate Hamlet". Life is sweet for television actor Andrew Rally, but of course, it won't last. Things begin to unravel in spectacular fashion when the ghost of a legendary actor is summoned to Andrew's apartment. The uninvited visitor begins badgering Andrew to take on the role he dreads the most: Hamlet. This clever show is a hat-tip to the joys of acting and the timeless challenges of the Bard. Produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., "I Hate Hamlet" is performed October 9-October 18, 2020. Tickets are $12 each. The show is directed by Chuck W. Chapman. Auditions: July 26 and July 27, 2020. Details at https://ecplayhouse.com.

To close 2020, ECP will also perform a second Plus show, this time presenting the winning script from the theatre's writing contest. Submission are due March 1, 2020. Contest details are available at https://ecplayhouse.com.

Electric City Playhouse is a 501(c)3 volunteer community theatre. All performances are at Electric City Playhouse, 514 N. Murray Avenue in downtown Anderson. Unless noted (usually the Plus shows), productions are cast by open audition. For tickets and information, visit https://ecplayhouse.com or call 864.224.4248. Find ECP on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

*Updated March 5, 2020 to reflect show change.