93RD SUMMER SEASON
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, 2024
BARN PLAYHOUSE!
In the summer of 2024, there was laughter with friends and families gathering on the porch once again! We met a fresh-faced group of young artists who graced our stage and shared their skills in our technical shops. To you, our Barn community, we want to express our sincere gratitude for joining us once again and for continuing to support the Barn Playhouse in so many ways. It is through your ongoing loyalty and generosity that we can look to the future. The New London Barn Playhouse is alive and active, but we wouldn’t be here without you.
The year has continued to be a unique and rewarding one at the Barn Playhouse. Our Fleming Center for Artistic Development has been flourishing with educational programming and performances. If you have not yet joined us in this wonderful facility, we hope you will visit in the future.
While we establish new ways of providing the arts to our region year-round, it is now time to think about the summer! I am thrilled to share that planning is underway for the Barn Playhouse’s 93rd Summer Season. The winter has been jam -packed with auditions and interviews. From over 1,500 applicants from all over the country, we are filling more than 120 positions for talented artists to join us this summer. The Barn Playhouse continues to offer a unique opportunity to see young, Broadway- caliber talent right here on Main Street in New London.
summer at the Barn Playhouse, as you see a side-splitting romp in an English countryside cottage that will leave you in stitches and a hair raising, toe-tapping musical straight from the 60’s that will have you dancing in the aisles. Join us and take in the celebrated songs of a classic Disney tale filled with magic, joy, and family or a new musical about love, romance and the way our lives are forever changed by the people who enter it. You will find delight in a glorious musical that helps us find our voice and a slew of exciting events to entertain you all summer long. It promises to be a season filled with laughter, empathy, perseverance, and joy.
I want to take this moment to thank you for making the Barn Playhouse a part of your story. We are proud to embark on our 93rd year of producing high-quality theater in this community. Whether you have enjoyed performances at the Barn since you were a child, tread the boards yourself, or have only recently discovered us, we are honored that you include us in your summer.
We look forward to updating you about the exciting offerings we will be able to extend this summer and beyond. I hope we’ll “See You On The Porch” in 2025!
Wishing you all the best,
Keith Coughlin Executive Artistic Director
Photo: Couper Gunn
June 11th to June 22nd
Based on the best-selling novel, and developed by Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years, Parade, Songs for a New World) and Pulitzer Prize winner Marsha Norman, The Bridges of Madison County captures the lyrical expanse of America's heartland along with the yearning entangled in the eternal question, "What if...?" In its first time on the Barn Playhouse stage, this sweeping romance about the roads we travel, the doors we open and the bridges we dare to cross will leave audiences breathless.
June 25th to July 13th
Based on the movie starring Whoopi Goldberg, this musical follows disco diva Deloris' life when it takes a surprising turn after she witnesses a murder. Placed under protective custody, she is hidden in the one place she shouldn't be found – a convent! Encouraged to help the struggling choir, she helps her fellow sisters find their true voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.
July 16th to Aug. 3rd
Classic Disney Hit
Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney Film, Mary Poppins will capture your hearts in a practically perfect way . Young Jane and Michael Banks have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family how to value each other again. Mary Poppins is an enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, and breathtaking dance numbers.
Aug. 6th to Aug. 17th
It's 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable plus-size teen, Tracy Turnblad, has only one desire – to dance on the popular "Corny Collins Show." When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She becomes a celebrity overnight and leads the way to social change as Tracy campaigns for the show's integration.“You Can’t Stop The Beat” as Hairspray returns to the Barn Playhouse for the first time since 2010.
by Sandy Rustin
Aug. 20th to Aug. 31st
Comedy/Farce
Direct from Broadway! Set in the English countryside in 1923, this tale of betrayal and love unfolds when Sylvia decides to expose her affair to both her husband and to her lover’s wife. The true meaning of fate, identity and marriage are called into question as a surprising and hilarious web of secrets unravels in this ridiculous –potentially murderous – romantic comedy.
SUPPORTING NEW WORK AT THE NEW LONDON BARN
Sept. 4th to Sept. 7th
New Play
After a successful premiere of the Barn Playhouse is thrilled to continue its collaboration with Transport Group with Sea & The Stars. terrified of water. Both are adrift, with broken hearts, returning to the tiny beach town of Jupiter and to families who need them. A story about love, karaoke, and the sea, Stars Rivers that examines the universal need for connection and closeness.
PLAYHOUSE
Creating Summer Memories, One Show at a Time! 2025 Season Subscriptions
Explore the benefits of Season Tickets!
Same Seat, Same Night
The five-show package will provide you with one ticket to each performance in the regular season. As a season ticket holder, you get the same seats for each show, on the same night during the run!
New This Season! Pick Your 6th Option!
You pick your 6th option of your subscription! Including performances and ticket vouchers. More information online.
Early Choice of Straw Hat Revue and Additional Performances
Get first access to extra shows, including the 66th Annual Straw Hat Revue and other special events.
Free Exchanges to Another Performance
Things come up, we get it! All season ticket holders have no exchange fees when they need to move tickets around.
10% off Single Tickets
Bring friends and family to the Barn Playhouse by locking in discounted pricing for any additional single tickets (subject to availability).
CHILDREN’S THEATER SERIES
This timeless story follows Dorothy Gale, a young girl from Kansas, who is swept away by a cyclone to the magical Land of Oz. Along the way, she befriends the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion, all of whom join her on an adventurous journey to find the Wizard, who they believe can grant their deepest wishes.
Thursday, July 3rd @ 10:30AM | Saturday, July 5th @ 11AM & 2PM
Barn Playhouse MainStage
Triplet sisters are left in the forest by their woodcutter father, and each must choose their own path. From this fairytale beginning, three resolutions are made – one sister will walk one way, one the other, and the third will stay right where she is. Twenty years later, the three meet again, as women.
Thursday, July 24th @ 2PM | Saturday, July 26th @ 11AM & 2PM
Barn Playhouse MainStage
Into the Woods weaves together classic fairy tales, including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel, with an original story about a Baker and his Wife on a quest to break a witch’s curse. Set in a whimsical and mysterious forest, the characters' wishes come true but lead to unexpected consequences.
Thursday, Aug. 14th @ 11AM & 2PM | Saturday, Aug. 16th @ 11AM & 2PM
Barn Playhouse MainStage
ENCORE SERIES
Enjoy the vocal talents of the Junior Intern Company as they perform solos, duets, and group numbers of their choice! This cabaret will feature a variety of styles, from classic golden age musicals to contemporary pop and rock.
Saturday, June 28th @ 5PM
Experience the complex characters and brilliant language in the Bard’s finest works! This year, many JIs will have the chance to shine as Shakespearean leads as they perform scenes from classical plays like Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet, The Winter’s Tale, and more!
Saturday, July 19th @ 5PM
Our newest addition to the Junior Intern season is a staged reading of a musical for teens. Beetlejuice Jr. tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager, still grieving the loss of her mother and obsessed with the whole “being dead thing.”
Saturday, August 2nd @ 5PM
Join Us For A Summer of Fun!
Using the framework of themed weeks, our camps are designed to be an introduction to various theatrical talents including acting, musical theater, technical theater, playwriting, improvisation, dance, Shakespeare, and more! Our camps are taught by Barn staff members and professional guest artists. We look forward to having your family join us this summer!
Full Week Camps: $350
BARNIE BUDDIES (for 6-8 year olds), and MAINSTREET PLAYERS (for 9-11 year olds). Both groups participate in each of the themed camp weeks which culminate in a final performance. TIME 9AM-4PM LOCATION
World Building: $280 Barn Academy: $380
New London Historical Society TUITION AND ENROLLMENT
Tuition assistance is available thanks to a generous donation from Bar Harbor Bank & Trust with a shared commitment to make theater education accessible to all. Please email a completed Tuition Assistance Form (available on all education pages of our website) to the Education Director at education@nlbarn.org before registering to apply for full or partial tuition assistance option.
Producing a full season of professional theater is costly. Ticket sales cover only about 60% of our annual operating expenses. The balance comes from the contributions of our patrons and friends – and it is those contributions that enable us to produce extraordinary work.
Please consider a gift in support of the music, laughter, and fantastic performances that you’ve come to know and expect at the Barn Playhouse.
NEW LONDON BARN PLAYHOUSE BRIGHT LIGHTS SOCIETY
The Bright Lights Society is an opportunity to make your generosity permanent by leaving a legacy gift to the New London Barn Playhouse. Your legacy gift to this new endowment will assure the Barn Playhouse’s long-term sustainability, guaranteeing the best
ANNUAL FUND 2025 CAMPAIGN
Supporting the Annual Campaign helps to make the 2025 Season possible and supports all facets and operations for the Barn Playhouse. Make a donation today and see your generous gift come to life onstage at the Barn Playhouse and within the Fleming Center.
South Pacific in Concert, 2024
It All Started at the Barn | Alumni Spotlight
AMARA BERHAN
What was your favorite show you performed in at the Barn Playhouse?
I loved every show and role I performed at the Barn Playhouse, but my favorite would have to be playing Sarah Brown in Guys & . I cherish so many memories from that production, especially the surprise concert performances and the improv session Izzy Baker and I shared when we had to hold the show on opening night. I will always look back on that show and my summer at the Barn Playhouse with so much fondness.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently on the North American Tour of Moulin Rouge! The Musical as Arabia (one of the Lady Marmalade’s) and understudying Satine! This is a dream show for me and I’m so honored to be a part of it.
What makes the Barn Playhouse so special?
The Barn Playhouse is so special because it allows for young collegiate performers to get professional experience and learn from/work with actors and creatives that we otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to work with so early on in our careers. I learned so much during my summer at the Barn Playhouse, and I’m so proud to be a Barnie!
ALEXANDER ROBERTSON
What was your favorite show you performed in at the Barn Playhouse?
Newsies was the highlight of my time at the Barn Playhouse! To this day, it remains one of my favorite shows I’ve ever performed in. The entire creative team brought out the best in every aspect of the production. Our show was full of high energy, heart, and community—three themes that I associate dearly with my experience at NLBP in 2018.
What are you currently working on?
I was most recently seen on stage overseas as Prince Eric in a new stage adaptation of Disney’s The Little Mermaid aboard Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wish. Offstage, as a Broadway co-producer, I recently opened the Broadway revival of GYPSY starring six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald.
What advice do you have for the 2025 acting intern company? Give yourself grace and enjoy every moment. You will meet some of the most amazing people who will stick with you throughout your artistic journey. Remember, each day is an opportunity to learn and grow. Small steps lead to big change!
June 11th to June 22nd
June 25th to July 13th
July 16th to Aug. 3rd
Aug. 6th to Aug. 17th
Aug. 20th to Aug. 31st
Sept. 4th to Sept. 7th
