December 6, 2024 – December 29, 2024

THE WICKHAMS: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY

Written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon
Directed by Elizabeth Tanner

The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley is a delightful and unexpected sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. This uproarious comedy shifts the focus from the grand ballroom to the bustling heart of Pemberley - the servants' quarters. As the Darcy household prepares for a lavish Christmas celebration, chaos erupts with the surprise arrival of the infamous Mr. Wickham.

 

Behind the scenes, the play explores the lives of the staff, their hopes, dreams, and the complexities of their relationships. With wit, charm, and a healthy dose of holiday spirit, The Wickhams offers a fresh perspective on the beloved Austen world, revealing the underbelly of the privileged life and the resilience of the human spirit.

 

Expect laughter, heartwarming moments, and a healthy serving of dramatic irony as these unforgettable characters navigate the complexities of class, love, and survival during the festive season.

 

January 17, 2025 - February 2, 2025

GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES

Written by Rajiv Joseph

Directed by Andrew Shanks

Featuring Alan Garcia and Sarah Rose Nottingham

Gruesome Playground Injuries is a darkly comic, yet deeply poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring bonds of childhood. The play follows Kayleen and Doug, two souls magnetically drawn together through a series of catastrophic accidents. Their relationship is a rollercoaster of intimacy and distance, laughter and pain, as they navigate the complexities of life from the playground to adulthood.

 

With raw honesty and unflinching humor, Rajiv Joseph's play delves into the messy, beautiful, and often brutal reality of human connection. As these characters repeatedly find themselves in the nurse's office, their physical wounds mirror the emotional scars they carry. A delicate balance of comedy and tragedy, Gruesome Playground Injuries is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

 

February 21, 2025 - March 9, 2025

BLITHE SPIRIT

Written by Noel Coward

Directed by Ken Michels

Casting completed by Circle of Fire Theatre

Blithe Spirit is a sparkling comedy of errors where the living and the dead collide with hilarious consequences. When a hapless novelist invites an eccentric medium to his home for a séance, he unwittingly conjures the ghost of his first wife, a vivacious and manipulative spirit. As the spectral ex-spouse wreaks havoc on his current marriage, the ensuing chaos and witty banter create a whirlwind of laughter and confusion. With sharp dialogue, unforgettable characters, and a touch of the supernatural, Noël Coward’s classic play is a timeless and uproarious delight.

 

March 28, 2025 - April 13, 2025

DOUBT, A PARABLE

Written by John Patrick Shanley

Directed by Doug Knoop

Doubt: A Parable is a gripping and morally complex drama set in a Bronx Catholic school in the 1960s. It centers on a power struggle between Sister Aloysius, a stern and uncompromising principal, and Father Flynn, a charismatic young priest. When Sister Aloysius begins to suspect that Father Flynn may have engaged in inappropriate behavior with a young African-American student, a battle of wills ensues, filled with doubt, accusation, and the weight of faith.

 

This Pulitzer Prize-winning play delves into the complexities of human nature, questioning the nature of truth, the limits of faith, and the consequences of accusation. With its ambiguous ending, Doubt leaves audiences pondering the gray areas of morality and the power of suspicion.

 

May 9, 2025 - May 25, 2025

ORDINARY DAYS

Book, Music, and Lyrics by Adam Gwon

Directed by Scoot Charles Anderson

Music Direction by Gabe Mangiante

Ordinary Days is an intimate and relatable musical that captures the magic and chaos of everyday life in New York City. It follows the interconnected stories of four young adults as they navigate love, loss, and the search for meaning in a bustling metropolis.

 

With a fresh and contemporary score, the musical explores the idea that extraordinary moments can be found in the most ordinary of circumstances. Through witty dialogue and heartfelt songs, Ordinary Days celebrates the beauty of human connection and the resilience of the human spirit. It's a show that reminds us that even in the midst of our busy lives, we are all searching for something more.

 

June 20, 2025 - July 13, 2025

BE MORE CHILL

Book, Music, and Lyrics by Joe Iconis, Joe Tracz, and Ned Vizzini

Directed by Doug Fahl

Show sponsor: Beth Moursund

Be More Chill is a high-octane, sci-fi pop musical that dives headfirst into the pressures and anxieties of high school. When awkward outsider Jeremy Heere discovers "The Squip," a tiny supercomputer that promises to transform him into the coolest kid in school, he jumps at the chance. But as the Squip's influence grows, Jeremy begins to question the true cost of popularity. With a catchy pop-rock score and a razor-sharp script, this coming-of-age story explores themes of identity, friendship, and the dangers of conformity. It's a hilarious and thought-provoking ride that will leave you questioning what it really means to fit in.