Apple Hill Playhouse 2020 Season (As Announced)
This is the 2020 season as it was announced. In July 2020 the playhouse announced it would close permanently, citing its producer's age and the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on live theatre, so these shows should be read as the planned season, not a record of performances. Over the River and Through the Woods was later staged by OPAC as the Apple Hill Players at the Trafford Performing Arts Centre in 2022.
2020 mainstage season
Clue: On Stage
- Dates
- 7:30 PM May 14, 15, 16; 21, 22, 23
2:00 PM May 17, 24 - Credits
- Adapted from the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn
Additional Materials by Hunter Foster, Eric Price, & Sandy Rustin - Direction
- Directed by Brandon Farneth
Based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie which was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is a hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery. The tale begins at a remote mansion, where six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects. Led by Wadsworth the butler, Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock and Colonel Mustard race to find the killer as the body count stacks up.
Bermuda Avenue Triangle
- Dates
- 7:30 PM June 4, 5, 6; 11, 12, 13
2:00 PM June 7, 14 - Credits
- Written by Joseph Bologna, Renee Taylor
- Direction
- Directed by Ron Ferrara
The adventures of a Jewish widow and an Irish widow whose successful daughters move them to Las Vegas, where they share a retirement village condo. On an excursion, they are saved from a mugger by a charming if not quite sober gambler who is short on cash. They allow him to curl up on the living room floor and he manages to sweet talk his way into both ladies’ beds.
Camping with Henry and Tom
- Dates
- 7:30 PM July 9, 10, 11; 16, 17, 18
2:00 PM July 12, 19 - Credits
- Written by Mark St. Germain
- Direction
- Directed by Wayne Brinda
In 1921, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and President Warren G. Harding took a camping trip together into the Maryland woods to escape civilization; what they couldn’t escape was each other. Inspired by an actual event, it explores friendship, politics and leadership.
Don't Dress for Dinner
- Dates
- 7:30 PM Aug 6, 7, 8; 13, 14, 15
2:00 PM Aug 9, 16 - Credits
- Written by Marc Camoletti, Robin Hawdon
- Direction
- Directed by Pam Farneth
Bernard is planning a romantic weekend with his Parisian mistress in his charming converted French farmhouse, whilst his wife, Jacqueline, is away. He has arranged for a cordon bleu cook to prepare gourmet delights, and has invited his best friend, Robert, along too to provide the alibi. It’s foolproof; what could possibly go wrong?
Over the River and Through the Woods
- Dates
- 7:30 PM Aug 27, 28, 29; Sept 3, 4, 5
2:00 PM Aug 30, Sept 6 - Credits
- Written by Joe DiPietro
- Direction
- Directed by Michael Rozell
Nick is a single, Italian-American guy from New Jersey. He sees both sets of his grandparents every Sunday for dinner. He’s been offered a dream job that would take him away from his beloved, but annoying, grandparents. They do their best to keep Nick around, and that includes bringing to dinner the lovely, and single, Caitlin O’Hare as bait...
Night Watch
- Dates
- 7:30 PM Sept 17, 18, 19; 24, 25, 26
2:00 PM Sept 20, 27 - Credits
- Written by Lucille Fletcher
- Direction
- Directed by Rick Dutrow
Sleepless, Elaine Wheeler paces the living room of her townhouse, troubled by unsettling memories and vague fears. Her husband tries to comfort her, but when he steps away for a moment Elaine screams as she sees the body of a dead man in the window across the way. The police are called, but find nothing except an empty chair.
Little Shop of Horrors
- Dates
- 7:30 PM Oct 8, 9, 10; 15, 16, 17
2:00 PM Oct 11, 18 - Credits
- MUSIC - Alan Menken
LYRICS - Howard Ashman - Direction
- Directed by Matt Mlynarski
Seymour Krelborn is a meek and dejected assistant at a floral shop who happens upon a strange plant, which he affectionately names “Audrey II” after his crush at the shop. Little does he know that this strange and unusual plant will develop a soulful R&B voice, a potty mouth, and an unquenchable thirst for HUMAN BLOOD.
2020 Johnny Appleseed Children's Theatre
Beauty and the Lonely Beast
- Dates
- 11:00 am June 24-27
- Credits
- Book, Music, and Lyrics by Eleanor Harder
- Direction
- Directed by Olivia Wohar
This version of the old classic tale rollicks with seven songs and dances and a fairy godmother named Isadore Plum who brings a bit of fairy tale sparkle to the story. She seems to be the only one who understand the Beast, and explain that it’s his bad manners and not his looks that frighten people away. With her encouragement, he vows to change his ways. Love triumphs in the end, and Beauty and the Beast, now a handsome prince, prepare to live happily ever after.
Cool Suit
- Dates
- 11:00 am July 22-25
- Credits
- Written by Lauren Mayer
In this new twist on the familiar tale of The Emperor’s New Clothes, Cool Suit presents the same story as the Hans Christian Andersen tale about the pompous monarch who was promised a new suit of clothes that was better than any other. Unfortunately, he was dealing with an unreliable tailor, and the apparel turns out to be much less than the emperor expects. With its fun and modern score of pop and rap music, Cool Suit is sure to please children and adults of all ages.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
- Dates
- 11:00 am August 5-8
- Credits
- Written by Tim Kelly
Music and Lyrics by Bill Francoeur
All our old friends are here in this marvelous musical adaptation. We’ll meet the captivating Snow White, the prince, the evil queen, and, of course, the seven mischievous dwarfs — Sarge, Gabby, Gloomy Gus, Ticklish, Spritely, Snore, and Slowpoke. There’s also a hilarious palace cat and an enchanted vixen — a fox, you could say! Following the storyline, the fairy tale is brought to life with an eclectic score of toe-tapping tunes.