Newton Summer Stage Expands Season

Festival Productions Added To Schedule

Created as a collaboration between the Drama Training Institute and The Huntington Theatre Company of Boston, Newton Summer Stage is set to return for its eighth season this July and August, presenting one main stage musical and three intimate festival productions. The company is committed to the finest training and presentation of student talent in the Greater Boston Area.

The season will include a main stage production of "Jekyll & Hyde," based on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story of a brilliant doctor whose experiments with human personality create a murderous counterpart. With music by Frank Wildhorn ("The Scarlet Pimpernel " and "Civil War") this show had a long run on Broadway, introducing Linda Eder to theater audiences. Directed by Artistic Director David Bloom, "Jekyll & Hyde" will run from July 30-August 2.

This season's new Festival productions will include:

"A Few Good Men," running July 9-12. Written by Aaron Sorkin, creator of "The West Wing" and "The American President," this Broadway hit follows the trial of two Marines accused of complicity in the death of a fellow Marine at Guantanamo Bay.

"The Spitfire Grill," running from July 10-13. Based on the popular 1996 film of the same name, this tender musical is about finding joy, family and love in unexpected places as a woman is released from prison and searches for a new life. In 2001, the New York production received an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination as Best Off-Broadway Musical.

"Violet," running July 18 - 19. With music by Jeanine Tesori ("Thoroughly Modern Millie" and "Caroline, or Change"), "Violet" tells the story of a young disfigured woman who sets off on a journey to find a television evangelist who might be able to heal her scars. Along the way, she meets a black soldier who teaches her about beauty, love, courage and what it means to be an outsider. "Violet" was nominated for a Drama Desk Award as Best Musical in 1998.

Performances take place in the Lasker Theater at Newton North High School, located at 360 Lowell Ave in Newtonville. For information, call 617-559-6443 or visit www.newtonsummerstage.com.

-- OnStage Boston