Saturday, July 08, 2017

The Winnipesaukee Playhouse Presents Cole Porter's "High Society"


It is always a treat to discover a theater venue I had not previously visited. This week marked my first visit to the lovely Winnipesaukee Playhouse in Meredith, New Hampshire. I can report that Summer Stock is alive and well on the shores of picturesque Lake Winnipesaukee. This modern 200-seat theater has the feel of an old barn, but with very comfortable seats and modern conveniences. The property even boasts its own covered bridge. New England charm at it finest!

The theater makes its mission clear in the blurb printed on the front of the Playbill: "Favorites from the big and small screen - gloriously brought to life on stage." The current production is Cole Porter's "High Society," based on the film starring Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Grace Kelly. This movie musical was inspired by the play, "The Philadelphia Story," starring Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, and Katherine Hepburn. This production, directed by Clayton Phillips, features several well know Cole Porter tunes, including "Let's Misbehave," "Just One of Those Things," "It's All Right With Me." A highlight was the Finale of Act One, was the lovely "True Love," made popular by Frank Sinatra. In this production, the duet is song beautifully by Tracy Lord (Haley Jones) and Dexter C.K. Haven (Jay Wilkinson). Other highlights included Mike Connor (TJ Lamando) singing "You're Sensational," and Liz Imbrie (Rebecca Tucker) singing "He's A Right Guy."

Other cast members include Sophie Pankhurst, Sebastian Ryder, Richard Brundage, Mark Stephen Woods, Wayne Shuker, John-Michael Breen, Thomas Doelger, Chris Hendricks, Sandia Ahlers, Kelley Davies, and Candice Shedd-Thompson. Musical Direction is by Clayton Phillips, Choreography by Bryan Knowlton, Set by Melissa Shakun, Costumes by Lori McGinley, Lighting by Matthew Guminski, and Sound by Thom Beaulieu.

"High Society" will run through July 15. Next up at the Playhouse will be a stage adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes mystery "The Hound of the Baskervilles," running from July 19-29.

Winnipesaukee Playhouse Website

Enjoy!

Al



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