New season set at Danville's Pioneer Playhouse

The 2011 season at Pioneer Playhouse will include a work by a master of suspense, an adaption of a French writer’s work and a local history play in its offerings. Here’s a rundown of the season:
** June 10–25, “The 39 Steps,” adapted by Patrick Barlow: This play was the winner of two 2008 Tony and Drama Desk awards. Mix an Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python, some handcuffs and a good old-fashioned romance, and what you get is this gleeful send-up of a classic Hitchcock film.
** June 28–July 9, “Tartuffe: The Southern Version,” adapted from Moliere: Literature’s most pernicious preacher is back in this spirited adaptation set in antebellum-era Kentucky. Full of hoopla, hoopskirts and hallelujahs, theater-goers won’t believe how the spirit moves Reverend Tartuffe — or how often.  
** July 12–23, “That Madcap Moon,” by Janet Henson Dow: Celebrate the World War II war years in Danville, as seen through the eyes of a girl on the verge of womanhood, who feels a change coming to family, community and an entire world. A gently funny coming-of-age story, set on Danville’s Main Street — with special “War Years” events, TBA.
** July 25–Aug. 7, “Don’t Cry For Me, Margaret Mitchell,” by V. Cate and Duke Ernsberger: “Gone With the Wind” producer David O. Selznick has locked two men in his office for an emergency writing session, to “improve” the script. As time goes by, they become increasingly delirious, acting out every major character, from Scarlett to Mammy, in howlingly funny parodies of filmdom’s greatest moments.
** Aug. 9-20, “Kosher Lutherans,” by William Missouri Downs: Fate has directed a God-fearing Iowa girl to let a Jewish couple adopt her baby.  The only problem is, she doesn’t realize they’re Jewish — and her farmer father has taught her “Jews control Hollywood and killed Jesus.” So in an attempt not to blow the deal, the  potential parents pose as Lutherans, in this delightful comedy with message and heart.  
Curtains go up at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; dinner begins at 7:30 p.m. Dinner and theater is $28; theater only is $16. A patron’s pass is $80, which is good for six shows; a super pass is $140 and is good for 10 shows.
For tickets, call (859) 236-2747. The website is www.pioneerplayhouse.com.