Jason Kravits Hosts Sing-a-Long at BUCKS COUNTY PLAYHOUSE Tonight, 7/22

Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) (Jed Bernstein, Producing Director) will present their July Cabaret Series and "Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music" this weekend. Broadway and television actor Jason Kravits (Relatively Speaking, "The Practice") will host "Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music", a little over one week after what would have been Oscar Hammerstein II's 117th birthday, tonight, July 22nd at 6:30 p.m. at the Bucks County Playhouse (70 South Main Street). The presentation will be preceded by a special outdoor BBQ Style dinner hosted by Hamilton's Grill Room beginning at 5:00 p.m.

A full-screen Technicolor showing of the classic Julie Andrews film, based on the beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, "Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music" comes complete with subtitles so that the whole audience can sing along. After more than 10,000 performances in 9 countries, the fun-filled show finally comes to Bucks County. "Bucks County was such an important place in the life of Oscar Hammerstein II, and at Highland Farm he had a retreat where he did much of his creative work," commented Ted Chapin, President and Executive Director of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization.

Other local establishments including, The Logan Inn, Giant, Pineville Tavern, and Walker's Wine & Spirits will also be supporting the festivities. The show will start with a vocal warm-up led by the evening's host, who will also take the audience through their complimentary 'magic moments pack', containing various props to be used at strategic points throughout the film. Then of course there is the famous fancy-dress competition in which everyone who has come in costume is invited onto the stage to show off their fantastic tailoring skills.

Tickets are on sale now. Tickets to the event (movie and dinner) are $30 for adults and $15 for children under 12 years of age. To purchase tickets, visit bcptheater.org or call 215-862-2121.

The cabaret series will invite Playhouse cast members and other special guests to step outside their traditional roles to perform in a 45 minute cabaret style show.

In addition to hosting, Durang will be joined by actors Sherry Anderson and John Augustine to perform selections from his hit variety act, "Chris Durang and Dawne". "Chris Durang and Dawne" was a 10:30 p.m. show at the Criterion Center Nightclub in New York City in 1989 and became a surprise hit, extending several times. It was featured as part of "Varieties," a weekly variety show at the Rainbow Room in 1990. In 1991 it was performed at the Bay Street Theatre and the Williamstown Theatre Festival Cabaret. In 1994 the act hosted its own variety show at Caroline's Comedy Club. Among the guests were Sigourney Weaver, Al Franken Jr., Julie Hagerty, Savion Glover, Reno, and Julie Halston. And in 1995 an updated version of the act was presented at the Triad Club in Manhattan, winning a Bistro Award shared by all three performers. Their most recent performance was on January 30, 2012 at Town Hall when they received a Special Nightlife Award for their "legendary nightclub act." The Nightlife Awards honor the best in cabaret, comedy and jazz, and differs from other award shows in that it features no acceptance speeches. Instead of speeches, the winners perform.

Advanced tickets are $25 for members and $30 for non members. Tickets at the door are $30 for members and $35 for non-members. To purchase tickets, visit bcptheater.org, call 215-862-2121 or visit The Playhouse box office. Host of the August series, Thursday, August 16 – Saturday, August 18 at 11:00 p.m., and dates of the December series will be announced shortly.

More Articles by This Author...