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Nestled in the center of New Hampshire's scenic Tamworth Village, on route 113, is The Barnstormers Theatre, the oldest professional summer theatre in the United States. The Barnstormers are excited to be celebrating their 75th Anniversary this year and what a block buster line-up of plays they have planned for the season. In honor of this three quarter century milestone they will be presenting a fabulous mixture of some of the favorites of years gone by as well as some first timers to their stage.
The week of July 5th through July 9th, they sweep into the season with the dazzling rhythms and luminous characters of Broadwayıs Tony award-winning blockbuster musical, Big River: The Adventurers of Huckleberry Finn. Based on Mark Twainıs ageless story and propelled by the jazzy, gospel tempo of country fave Roger Miller, Big River tells the timeless story of two unlikely runaways, Huck and Jim, and their raucous yet heartwarming journey of self-discovery and adventure set amidst the swirl of the mighty Mississippi. This one is new to the Barnstormers stage and a must see!
Agatha Christieıs Ten Little Indians, the week of July 12th through the 16th, is no stranger to the Barnstormers. How can anyone resist an invitation to a desolate island off the gusty coast of Southern England to visit with an unknown, unseen host who promises untold adventure? Ten little characters come together to unravel the mystery of their party, only to be spooked by something far more sinister the chilling murder of each member of the party as the night fades to black. Agatha Christieıs enduring gem has kept audiences guessing for years will you be the one to figure out who dun it before the night is over?
Week three, July 19th through the 23rd, brings yet another new production: Rounding Third by Richard Dresser. Oneıs never wrong and the otherıs always right, a recipe for fireworks - just what happens when two mismatched coaches with wildly different world views come together to chase an elusive harmony for the sake of a cadre of eager Little Leaguers. Richard Dresserıs riotously funny play about two men and their tumultuous baseball season brings all too close to home the bumpy terrain of fatherhood and begs the age-old question of whatıs really important? Is it whether you win, or is it really how you play the game?
Arsenic and Old Lace has been a long time favorite of Barnstormer patrons and will be presented the 26th though the 30th of July. What do you get when you combine Teddy Roosevelt, a mild-mannered drama critic, two of the sweetest, kindest old ladies that ever walked the earth, some elderberry wine, and two dead gentlemen? A formula for madness, mayhem, and a night of perfect entertainment. Joseph Kesselringıs hilarious, macabre classic still stands as one of theaterıs supreme offerings as outrageous lunacy, whacky characters, and improbable plot twists unfold at breakneck pace. This is the night youıll surely be quoting dear, sweet Aunt Abby as you leave the theater. "How delicious!"
August 2nd through the 6th come enjoy Tartuffe, by Jean Baptiste, Poquelin Molière with translation by Richard Wilbur. From the master of French comedy comes a tale of intrigue, seduction, betrayal, hypocrisy, religious piety, and hilarity all in the form of one shallow, slippery, con-man masquerading as prophet. The title character brings with him what he believes to be the right ingredients to swindle a family from its money and seize the virtue from its women. Tartuffe is the quintessential satire as relevant today as it was when it was first performed 341 years ago to a shocked French audience. And truth be told, chances are youıll see some characters who waft familiar in this play granted by some to be among the greatest plays ever scribed.
Heralded by critics as "...the funniest play you are likely to see in your entire lifetime", The Complete Works of William Shakespear (Abridged) by The Reduced Shakespear Company offers an absolutely irreverent romp through all 37 of the Bardıs plays in, say, oh, about 101 minutes. Sonnets are simmered to eight lines, comedies are condensed to a single scene, and the Bardıs somber tragedies are boiled to the absurd. Hey, life is too short, and the complete works of Shakespeare are too long. You donıt have to know and love the Bard to add this to your list of favorites. Hold on to your seats! You wonıt want to miss this roller coaster of a ride! Mark your calendar for August 9th through the 13th.
How could there be an anniversary Barnstormer season without the haunting shriek of the whistle and the clackety rumble of the tracks as the spectre of Arnold Ripleyıs Ghost Train screeches through town? Written in 1925, eternal in its appeal, this play is a lighthearted thriller that offers a delectable night of edge-of-the-seat action as a party of travelers spends an unexpected night in a haunted train station. Their job is to unscramble the secrets of the phantom train that screams down the valley led by a ghostly driver and his fiery red lamp. Playing August 16th through the 20th, this is The Barnstormers at its consummate best. Be sure to order tickets early for this one!
The Barnstormers wrap up their summer season August 23rd through the 27th with The Fantasticks. It is September and the leaves wax green and a boy and a girl discover what it means to be in love. But much more than that, they discover through the poetic words and lyrical music of Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones, the balance between the beauty and the darkness that is the world. Funny, poignant, pure in its everlasting message, The Fantasticks will leave you humming its familiar tunes and reliving its tender and sometimes prickly moments deep into snowy December and forever after. This play is truly the perfect end to a perfect season!
Plays run from Tuesday through Saturday with curtain at 8PM nightly. Tickets are $25 for orchestra and $ 20 for balcony seats. The theatre is air conditioned and handicap accessible. Credit cards are accepted, group rates are available, and reservations are required. For tickets or more information call the box office at 603-323-8500, or write us at PO Box 434, Tamworth, NH 03886
FMI:Donna Woodward
207 935-3959
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