Barnstormers announces summer lineup

Barnstormers Theatre in Tamworth kicks off its summer season on Tuesday, July 6, under the leadership of artistic director Richard G. Poole. The season begins July 6 to 10 with "Sherlock Holmes" by Arthur Conan Doyle and William Gillette. Dark doings in Victorian London Holmes, Dr. Watson and Professor Moriarty! Need we say more? Fun for the whole family.Teenagers and adults will enjoy the week of July 13 to 17 with the showing of "The Gin Game," a bittersweet comedy by D. L. Coburn where two seniors discover that a card game is a metaphor for life. It was the 1978 Pulitzer Prize winner.The third production, a sophisticated, wacky, british comedy running July 20 to 24 called "Absurd Person Singular" by Alan Ayckbourn, is about three couples who meet at Christmas parties in three successive years. This show features some of Ayckbourn's looniest characters. Children will enjoy it, but they might not understand it.July 27 to 31, Barnstormers bring the all-time favorite, "The Mousetrap," England's longest-running play, by Agatha Christie to the stage. In this murder mystery a group of strangers are trapped in a house by a snowstorm. One is a murderer and it's filled with Christie's signature twists and turns on the way to an unexpected conclusion. Children will be confused, but will like it anyway.Aug. 3 to 7, "Morning's at Seven" by Paul Osborne is a charming look at small town America, many years ago. Two of the Gibb sisters have lived next door to each other all their lives and each of the four sisters know intimately the lives of the others. This is great for the whole family.In the play "6 Rms Riv Vu," Aug. 10 to 14,Bob Randall brings magic to the stage. A romantic comedy breaks out as a group of New Yorkers seek to acquire a rent-controlled apartment. Great play for the older children and apartment hunters of all ages.Aug. 17 to 21, "Luv" by Murray Schisgal, high comedy breaks out. Two men, one woman she's been married to both. A wildly funny spoof of the nagging indignities which flesh is heir to. Not for the little ones.The final play of the season is "Little Mary Sunshine" with book, music and lyrics by Rick Besoyan and runs Aug. 24 to 28. Remember the movies of Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy? Even if you don't, this gentle musical spoof will delight the entire family.Ticket prices are $25 for orchestra, $20 for balcony seats. Regular theatergoers can enjoy savings on their season with scrip or season tickets, eight for the price of seven. For ticket information prior to the box office's May 24 opening, call 323-8661 or visit www.barnstormerstheatre.com.