SHIPSHEWANA – The Blue Gate Theatre announced its 2016 performance and concert schedule. The 2016 lineup continues the Blue Gate’s efforts to welcome some of the country’s best-known and loved performers across a variety of musical and entertainment genres, according to a press release from the theater. Notable names on the list include: Comedian Jeff Foxworthy, Loretta Lynn, Air Supply, Ray Stevens, Tanya Tucker, the Gaither Vocal Band, Lori Morgan and Pam Tillis and many more. Along with the over 80 concerts, the Blue Gate will continue to produce its hit musicals and add one more to their musicals catalog. “We are constantly asking our current guests what performers they’d like us to invite to Shipshewana, many of those requests and suggestions are reflected on this year's line-up,” said Andrew Rohrer, director of marketing. “We also like to surprise people with an artist they’d never expect to see in Shipshewana. This year we’ve invited one of the best known comedians in the country, Jeff Foxworthy, he’s a huge name and we feel he’s someone that our guests will really be excited to come see.” Some of names that were highly requested and made it on the schedule this year include Loretta Lynn, Ray Stevens, the Texas Tenors, Sidewalk Prophets and Tenth Avenue North. New to the Blue Gate stage next year will be the musical “The Home Game.” This inspiring and fun new musical will follow the journey of a young Amish baseball prodigy named Levi Troyer, according to the press release. Troyer has loved playing baseball and dreamed of the major leagues. When a sports talent scout happens into town and catches sight of his amazing fast ball, he offers Troyer a deal he can’t refuse. Troyer must choose between his father’s expectation of an Amish life and his own deepest dreams. Filled with laughter and drama, Blue Gate’s newest musical, “The Home Game – A Son’s Journey, A Father’s Hope” is sure to hit it out of the park, according to the press release. It was written and produced by the same award-winning team that brought “Josiah,” “Half-Stitched” and the “Confession” to the stage. The musicals line-up next year will also include “Josiah for President” and it will be on the stage right in the hottest part of the presidential election. The story follows an Amish farmer by the name of Josiah who becomes a write-in candidate for the presidency of the United States – without his consent or knowledge. It should provide a fun contrast to the real-life election, the release states. According to Rohrer, “The Blue Gate Theatre will be entering its 20th year and was originally established out of the Riegsecker Marketplace ‘Meeting House’ as a means to provide tourists and locals who are visiting Shipshewana with outstanding evening entertainment, while staying true to the cultural roots of the community.” The original shows proved so successful, that when the new Blue Gate Restaurant was built, it was expanded to accommodate a new professional theatre space. The 2016 Season Signature Concerts include: Jan. 22, Tenth Avenue North; Jan. 23, Phil Vassar; Jan. 29, Tanya Tucker; Jan. 30, Air Supply; Feb. 6, Collin Raye; April 16, Loretta Lynn; May 21, Ray Stevens; May 28, Sidewalk Prophets; June 10, Gaither Vocal Band; June 11, Jeff Foxworthy; Sept. 24, Shoji Tabuchi; and Oct. 29, Lori Morgan, Pam Tillis – Grits and Glam Tour. The full schedule, times and prices can be found online at http://www.riegsecker.com/shipshewana/bluegatetheatre/schedule/ Tickets for the 2015 season go on sale Wednesday at 6 a.m. via the Blue Gate Theatre Website and 8 a.m. by phone. For more details and contact information, visit http://www.BlueGateTheatre.com
