Stephen Foster Musical Opens 58th Season at Bardstown's My Old Kentucky Home

BARDSTOWN, Ky. - May 10, 2016 - PRLog -- Kentucky's official outdoor drama, the Broadway musical- style "The Stephen Foster Story," has been twirling across the outdoor stage inside Bardstown's My Old Kentucky Home State Park for nearly 60 years. Opening night for the show that includes such well-known Foster tunes as "Oh Susanna!," "Camptown Races" and "My Old Kentucky Home" is Sat., June 11. Visit www.StephenFoster.com for details and tickets.

Doo dah, doo dah

The Stephen Foster Festival and Downtown Bardstown Presents Doo Dah Days will kick things off beginning at 11:30 a.m. on June 11: You'll find "The Stephen Foster Story" singers, inspired windows, themed food and more downtown, plus HarmonicaMania at the Farmers Market and Dancing Through Time at Wickland. Dance the polka with the cast and learn the history of America's first composer and pop music star.

At 6:30 p.m., a pre-show celebration, featuring bluegrass music and performances by the Stephen Foster cast, will take place under the stars at the J. Dan Talbott Amphitheater with the opening night performance following at 8 p.m. The first 75 people will receive a free harmonica and picnic food (BBQ sandwich, green beans, pasta salad plate or hot dog and chips) will be available for purchase. There will be free beverages and a cash bar.

The musical will run on select dates, June 11 through Aug. 13. An indoor matinee is offered at 2 p.m. on Saturdays (except June 11 and Aug. 13). The drama association's second show is fan favorite "The Wizard of Oz." Presented by Salt River Electric, it will take to the stage on Thursday and Saturday evenings, July 7 through Aug. 6. Follow Dorothy and Toto over the rainbow and down the Yellow Brick Road to the mysterious land of Oz where they will be joined by Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion.

Special ticket pricing is available: Purchase tickets to see "The Stephen Foster Story" and "The Wizard of Oz" in the same transaction and get half-price tickets for the second show. (NOTE: You must call the box office at 800-626-1563 for discounts.)

Also taking place at the amphitheatre is the 2016 Budweiser Live at the Park concert series: Captain Fantastic - The Magic of Elton John - Mon., June 20; The Brothers Osborne - Mon., July 8; The Monarchs - old time rock 'n roll - Mon., Aug. 1; Jumping Jack Flash - a tribute to the Rolling Stones - Fri., Aug. 26; and Rumours - a tribute to Fleetwood Mac - Fri., Sept. 9. Ticket prices vary per concert; call 800-626-1563.

Fourth of July bash

The drama association's Fourth of July Birthday Celebration will take place on Saturday, July 2. Celebrate the birth of the United States and the "Father of American Music" with an evening of fun and fireworks at My Old Kentucky Home State Park. Enjoy old-fashioned games, face painting, a bounce house and more beginning at 6:30 p.m. Then take your seats and enjoy a performance of "The Stephen Foster Story," with a free cupcake at intermission for everyone. After the show, sit back and relax as a spectacular fireworks show lights up the sky above the amphitheater.

Make it a theatre weekend with a stay at one of Bardstown's 18 distinguished bed and breakfast inns, many of them located in the historic downtown area just a short drive away from the amphitheatre. For more information about visiting Bardstown - the Bourbon Capital of the World and the Most Beautiful Small Town in American - click www.VisitBardstown.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Billy Bass (mailto:billyb@stephenfoster.com), Media & Development Coordinator, 502-348-5971; 800-626-1563

Stephen Foster Drama Association (http://www.stephenfoster.com/)

Dawn Przystal (mailto:dawn@bardstowntourism.com), Vice President-Bardstown-Nelson County TCC, 800-638-4877 x 114

Bardstown-Nelson County Tourist & Convention Commission (http://www.visitbardstown.com/)

HI- and LOW-RES photos available.

ABOUT BARDSTOWN (http://www.visitbardstown.com/), KY | Located in the heart of Kentucky Bourbon Country and situated at the trailhead of the famed Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, Bardstown is more familiarly known as the "Bourbon Capital of the World." It is home to six distilleries, including Barton 1792 and Willett Distillery, and these four Kentucky Bourbon Trail® distilleries: Heaven Hill, Maker's Mark, Jim Beam and Four Roses' second campus. Major attractions include the outdoor musical, "The Stephen Foster Story," My Old Kentucky Home State Park, the highly regarded Civil War Museum of the Western Theatre, My Old Kentucky Dinner Train, The Kentucky Railway Museum and Whisky Magazine's Visitor Attraction of the Year - the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History. Additionally, Bardstown has four 18-hole golf courses, three wineries, two haunted tours and numerous religious attractions. Expedia selected Bardstown as one of the "18 Most Interesting U.S. Destinations"; Fodor picked it as one of "America's Best Small Towns"; and AARP named it one of its "10 best small towns." It led TheCultureTrip.com's list of the "10 Most Beautiful Towns in Kentucky" and was named the "Most Beautiful Small Town in America" in the Rand McNally/USA Today 2012 "Best of the Road" contest. Bardstown landed in the top 20 of "America's Favorite Towns" by Travel + Leisure - which also recognized it as having one of "America's Most Beautiful Town Squares." In 2013, Bardstown was designated a certified Kentucky Cultural District, one of only six Kentucky cities to achieve this honor. www.facebook.com/BardstownKY