Pictured: Paul Stancato

Mount Carroll’s Timber Lake Playhouse, a popular summer home for Chicago theater artists, has announced the appointment of director and choreographer Paul Stancato as Artistic Director.

Stancato is currently directing the Off-Broadway production of “FRIENDS! The Musical Parody,” now in previews. He directed and choreographed the 2015-16 national tour of “Flashdance the Musical” and the 2014-15 national tour of “Jekyll and Hyde.” From 2012-2014, he was the Artistic Director for Franco Dragone’s The House of Dancing Water in Macau, China. He was the Resident Director for the national tour of “The Lion King” from 2006-2010, and after serving as Assistant Choreographer for the Broadway production of The Wedding Singer, he went on to direct the show’s first national tour.

“I am honored to join the Timber Lake Playhouse,” said Stancato. “Being a native of Chicago, I am honored to join this wonderful organization that has a long and rich history. I am excited to work with [Executive Director] Dan Danielowski in ushering in a new chapter of the theater’s life. One that will allow the theater to grow to the next level.”

Stancato has plans to unveil two new programs: a series featuring Broadway stars singing American standards, and a new work series that will invite writing teams to develop their new musicals.