Under the artistic leadership of Producing Director Alexander Fraser, Executive Producer Robyn Goodman and Producer Josh Fielder, Bucks County Playhouse announced plans for its 2025 season, which includes six productions — including two world-premiere musicals — and features the expansion of its mainstage programming from its traditional season launch in the summer to a new start date in the first quarter of the year. The first production, the debut of the country musical, “Hard Road to Heaven,” will kick off the season on February 28. Founded in 1939 as a summer theatre — and one of the crown jewels in the Straw Hat Circuit — the Playhouse has transitioned to one of the top professional theatres of the East Coast. After closing briefly in 2010, the Playhouse reopened after a top-to-bottom renovation and conversion to a non-profit theatre in 2012. Since its reopening, and the arrival of the current producing team more than a decade ago, the theatre has seen unprecedented growth in both audience and programming. “Last year, more than 40,000 new patrons walked through our doors for the first time,” says Producing Director Alexander Fraser. “And so, we continue to grow. Now with five, self-produced original productions in our subscription series, including two world premieres and three terrific musicals we love, we are proud to finally realize our dream of becoming a year-round producing theater.” Two new musicals, the compelling country musical, “Hard Road to Heaven” and charming and boisterous “The Apple Boys,” will launch the season — continuing the Playhouse’s commitment to developing new works. Last year, the Playhouse produced “Last of the Red Hot Mamas,” which was the 11th world premiere production at the New Hope theatre since 2012. The season will also feature fresh productions of “Leader of the Pack: The Ellie Greenwich Musical,” considered by most to be the first jukebox musical, as well as “She Loves Me” and “Elf: The Musical.” In addition, the Playhouse will revive its popular production of “The Rocky Horror Show,” which, with Frankie Grande as star, once again broke box office records in October 2024. Season tickets are now available at $300 for a five-show package (including fees). Special discounted subscriptions are available for patrons under 40. Single tickets for most shows are currently on sale and prices begin at $39. Discounted rates are available for groups of 10 or more. All play titles, artists, and dates are subject to change. Additional details on casting will be announced soon. For tickets and information, visit www.BucksCountyPlayhouse.org or call 215-862-2121. Bucks County Playhouse’s 2025 Season: HARD ROAD TO HEAVEN Book by Willy Holtzman, Music and Lyrics by David Spangler, Jerry Taylor and Marty DodsonFebruary 28 – March 23Directed by Jackson Gay Experience the heart and soul of country music in “Hard Road to Heaven,” a powerful new musical that takes you on a journey through the highs and lows of fame, family and faith. Jenny Dixon, the reigning queen of country, navigates the ups and downs of a superstar career and the gospel-singing family she left behind. With unforgettable songs and a gripping narrative, “Hard Road to Heaven” is a must-see tale of ambition, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bonds of family. THE APPLE BOYS May 2 – 25Book by Jonothon Lyons, Music and Lyrics by Ben BonnemaChoreographed by Marc KimelmanDirected by David Alpert Step back in time to the early 20th-century Coney Island with a fast-paced new musical comedy, “The Apple Boys.” Jack Chapman III, grandson of Johnny Appleseed, rallies a colorful cast of characters — including the founder of Nathan’s Famous Hotdogs, and the world’s strongest man — to save his family’s struggling apple orchard. “The Apple Boys” is a joyous show that will leaving you cheering for the underdogs and celebrating the bonds of friendship. LEADER OF THE PACK June 20 – July 20Music and Lyrics by Ellie Greenwich and friendsBased on a concept by Melanie MintzDirected and Choreographed by Shea Sullivan Before there was “Beautiful,” there was “Leader of the Pack.” Bob along to the songs you love in this Broadway musical celebrating the life and times of Ellie Greenwich, whose doo-wop sounds skyrocketed to the top of the ‘60s charts. Ellie’s rise to fame is told via a virtual hit parade of her music including “Chapel of Love,” “Da Doo Ron Ron,” “Be My Baby,” “River Deep, Mountain High,” “And Then He Kissed Me,” and, of course, the title song, “Leader of the Pack.” SHE LOVES ME August 15 – September 14Book by Joe MasteroffMusic by Jerry BockLyrics by Sheldon Harnick Amalia and Georg, two clerks in a 1930s perfumery, are constantly at odds. They both find joy, however, in the romantic letters exchanged with anonymous pen pals they discovered through a “lonely hearts ad.” Little do they know they are writing to each other! Based on the classic film, “The Shop Around the Corner,’ and the inspiration for the blockbuster romantic comedy, “You’ve Got Mail,” She Loves Me” is a delightful musical that celebrates one of the most enchanting love stories ever told. ELF: THE MUSICAL November 21– January 4Book by Thomas Meehan & Bob MartinMusic by Matthew SklarLyrics by Chad BeguelinDirected by John Tartaglia Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Additional Off-Subscription Productions: THE ROCKY HORROR SHOWOctober 10 – November 2Book, Music and Lyrics by Richard O’BrienChoreographed by Shannon LewisDirected by Hunter Foster Strap on your corset and roll up your stockings, Richard O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Show” returns to Bucks County Playhouse in an all-new production. The musical that inspired the 1975 classic cult film, “The Rocky Horror Show” follows engaged couple Brad and Janet on the adventure to beat all adventures. As they seek shelter at a mysterious old castle on a dark and stormy night, they encounter transvestite scientist, Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter, as he unveils his perfect male creation, “Rocky.” With an infectious rock n’ roll score, “The Rocky Horror Show” is the most fun you can have in fishnets! Subscription packages and single tickets for the 2025 Season are currently available and may be purchased at BucksCountyPlayhouse.org or by calling the Box Office at 215.862.2121. ABOUT BUCKS COUNTY PLAYHOUSE Steeped in a theatrical history that stems back to its founding in 1939 by a roster of theatrical royalty, Bucks County Playhouse is celebrating the twelfth anniversary of its 2012 re-opening and restoration. With more than 75,000 patrons walking through its doors every year, the Playhouse is leading the economic resurgence of New Hope and the surrounding community. In 2014, Tony Award-winning producers Alexander Fraser, Robyn Goodman and Josh Fiedler took the helm of the Playhouse, and it has reclaimed its reputation of attracting Broadway and Hollywood artists. Playhouse productions of “Company” starring Justin Guarini, and William Finn’s “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” were named by Wall Street Journal to its “Best of Theatre” list for 2015. In 2018, the Wall Street Journal again hailed the Playhouse and Artistic Associate Hunter Foster in its Best of the Year listings for its production of “42nd Street” and in 2019 labeled the Playhouse “one of the best regional theaters on the East coast.” Box office records have been repeatedly broken by signature productions of “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story,” “Steel Magnolias” directed by Marsha Mason, “Million Dollar Quartet,” “42nd Street,” and “Guys & Dolls” (all directed by Hunter Foster) and “Mamma Mia!” directed by John Tartaglia and choreographed by Shannon Lewis. The 2023 season was the brightest yet, featuring hit productions of Jonathan Larsen’s  “Tick, Tick Boom” directed by Eric Rosen, “Bridges of Madison County” directed by Hunter Foster, who also led “The Rocky Horror Show” starring Frankie Grande. “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” became the top-selling show in Playhouse history. In 2024, more than 40% of the audience was new — flocking to record-breaking productions of “Grease!” and “Anastasia: The Musical.” The creative teams who come to create new productions at the Playhouse are among the most talented artists working in the professional theatre today and relish the opportunity to work on the historic stage where Grace Kelly, Robert Redford, and Jessica Walter began their careers. — Courtesy of Bucks County Playhouse