APPLAUSE >>>

Hot off the news of John Munn's promotion from interim managing artistic director to managing artistic director, Lakewood Playhouse has seen fit to announce its 2012-2013 season.

Sherlock's Last Case by Charles Marowitz

If I recall correctly (and I frequently do), Sherlock's Last Case was the first show I ever saw at Lakewood Playhouse. Don't mistake it for a conventional murder mystery: Last Case is more a parody of Holmes than anything, and is a lot of fun for mystery-lovers and comedy-lovers alike.

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

I don't think I can say it much better than the press release: "Comedy, love, mistaken identities and mustaches ... who could ask for anything more?" One of more than a few mistaken-gender-identity Shakespeare shows. I shouldn't have to sell this. It's Shakespearian comedy, like it or not.

Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

I managed to miss this show when Lakewood put it on for the 2010 holiday season, but I presume it was well-received and successful, or they wouldn't be returning to it so soon. If nothing else, it'll be nice to have a local theatre doing a Christmas show that is not some version of A Christmas Carol.

The Children's Hour by Lillian Hellman

Once you're all comedied out, it'll be time for this still-relevant 1930s tale on the unpleasant consequences of false accusations and blind prejudice.

The Woman In Black by Stephen Malatratt

Having produced The Mousetrap recently, Lakewood has decided it's time to tackle London's next-in-line for longest running production with this English ghost story. Those who didn't catch it at Tacoma Little Theatre a couple years ago may also be familiar with the recent film starring Daniel Radcliffe.

The Rainmaker by N. Richard Nash

Nash's Rainmaker is the first show I clearly remember seeing new Lakewood boss John Munn act in, back at Tacoma Little Theatre. Apparently I've been on the Tacoma theater scene for a while, since all the shows I saw back when I first started seem to be coming around again. The Rainmaker is a funnily dramatic story of hard-luck farmers and a smooth con artist.

The Importance Of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

Wit, wit, wit and more wit. No, it's not another Aaron Sorkin play, it's Oscar Wilde's best-known farce, wherein most everyone seems to be called Ernest at some point, whether they really are or not, and a fitting close to a mostly comedic season.

LINK: Lakewood Playhouse season tickets form