CUSTER STATE PARK - The Black Hills Playhouse has announced its 2008 summer season.

The season will kick off with the world premiere of Ric Averill's original show, "Dreams Carved in Stone," a biographical play with music based on the life and times of world-renowned Crazy Horse Memorial sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski and the subject of his monumental work, Oglala Lakota Chief Crazy Horse, according to a news release.

Also included in the season will be two other musical favorites new to Playhouse audiences: "Big River, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "Urinetown." Rounding out the season will be the comedy favorite "The Boys Next Door" and a new mystery, "Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure."

The Playhouse board of directors also announced new officers. Newly elected officers include Ken Bauman of Rapid City, president; Jerry Wheeler of Custer, president-elect; Janet Boyer of Custer, first vice president; Janet Serino of Custer, secretary; Ruth Brennan of Rapid City, second vice president; and Lynn Powell of Rapid City, treasurer.

According to Bauman, a nationwide search has begun for a replacement for Bruce Halverson, who resigned as executive director. Halverson accepted a leadership position with a South Carolina arts institution.

A new cooling system will be installed in the theater before the 2008 season begins, according to Bauman. In addition, plans for an improved septic system are under way, with installation is planned within the next two to three years.

Fundraising is under way for both projects, as well as for further improvements to the facilities.

Over the past year, several 1930s-era buildings have been condemned, demolished and replaced with newly constructed shops and rehearsal space.