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JANUARY
Little Women
by Kate Hamill
Director: Amy Fabick
Comedic Drama: January 9-25
Description: Jo March isn’t your typical Victorian lady. She’s indecorous and headstrong, and one day she’s going to be a great American novelist. As she and her sisters grow up in the middle of the Civil War, they strive to be brave, intelligent, and imaginative young women. But as adulthood approaches, each sister must negotiate her private ambitions with society’s expectations. In a war-torn world defined by gender, class, and personal tragedy, Jo March gives us her greatest story: that of the March sisters, four dreamers destined to be imperfect little women.
Little Women
by Kate Hamill
Director: Amy Fabick
Comedic Drama: January 9-25
Description: Jo March isn’t your typical Victorian lady. She’s indecorous and headstrong, and one day she’s going to be a great American novelist. As she and her sisters grow up in the middle of the Civil War, they strive to be brave, intelligent, and imaginative young women. But as adulthood approaches, each sister must negotiate her private ambitions with society’s expectations. In a war-torn world defined by gender, class, and personal tragedy, Jo March gives us her greatest story: that of the March sisters, four dreamers destined to be imperfect little women.
FEBRUARY
Misery
by William Goldman
Director: Scott Joseph
Horror: February 6-22
Description: Misery follows successful romance novelist Paul Sheldon, who is rescued from a car crash by his “number one fan,” Annie Wilkes, and wakes up captive in her secluded home. While Paul is convalescing, Annie reads his latest book and becomes enraged when she discovers the author has killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain. Annie forces Paul to write a new Misery novel, and he quickly realizes Annie has no intention of letting him go anywhere. The irate Annie has Paul writing as if his life depends on it, and it does.
Misery
by William Goldman
Director: Scott Joseph
Horror: February 6-22
Description: Misery follows successful romance novelist Paul Sheldon, who is rescued from a car crash by his “number one fan,” Annie Wilkes, and wakes up captive in her secluded home. While Paul is convalescing, Annie reads his latest book and becomes enraged when she discovers the author has killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain. Annie forces Paul to write a new Misery novel, and he quickly realizes Annie has no intention of letting him go anywhere. The irate Annie has Paul writing as if his life depends on it, and it does.
MARCH
The Hobbit
by Patricia Gray
Director: Regina Spain
Fantasy: March 13-29
Description: It's unusual for a modern work to become a classic so quickly, but Tolkien's "ring" stories, which began with The Hobbit, clearly are in this very special category. They stir the imagination and intellect of everyone they touch. Bilbo, one of the most conservative of all Hobbits, is asked to leave his large, roomy and very dry home in the ground in order to set off as chief robber in an attempt to recover an important treasure. It's the last thing that any sensitive Hobbit would want to do, but great benefit eventually results—not only for Bilbo but for all of the Hobbits who inhabit Middle Earth—and the hearts of those children and adults who continue to enjoy this kind of magic.
The Hobbit
by Patricia Gray
Director: Regina Spain
Fantasy: March 13-29
Description: It's unusual for a modern work to become a classic so quickly, but Tolkien's "ring" stories, which began with The Hobbit, clearly are in this very special category. They stir the imagination and intellect of everyone they touch. Bilbo, one of the most conservative of all Hobbits, is asked to leave his large, roomy and very dry home in the ground in order to set off as chief robber in an attempt to recover an important treasure. It's the last thing that any sensitive Hobbit would want to do, but great benefit eventually results—not only for Bilbo but for all of the Hobbits who inhabit Middle Earth—and the hearts of those children and adults who continue to enjoy this kind of magic.
APRIL
Gunpowder Treason
by Kimberly Armistead
Director: Leah Tyrell
The Vase
by Jessica Gotschalk
Director: Regina Spain
Drama: April 10-26
- Gunpowder Treason by Kimberly Armistead Historical Drama; Local Playwright; Description: In a time of Catholics being persecuted, one group of men dare to stand against King James and his evil advisors. Follow this infamous plot from beginning to the bitter end and enjoy a trip to 1600's England.
- The Vase by Jessica Gottschalk Interactive Drama; Local Playwright from our Playwright Workshop;
Description: A therapist and a bickering couple need the audience to assist with a question... If an ugly, but vintage vase falls in the living room, and no one is around to see it... Who done it?
Gunpowder Treason
by Kimberly Armistead
Director: Leah Tyrell
The Vase
by Jessica Gotschalk
Director: Regina Spain
Drama: April 10-26
- Gunpowder Treason by Kimberly Armistead Historical Drama; Local Playwright; Description: In a time of Catholics being persecuted, one group of men dare to stand against King James and his evil advisors. Follow this infamous plot from beginning to the bitter end and enjoy a trip to 1600's England.
- The Vase by Jessica Gottschalk Interactive Drama; Local Playwright from our Playwright Workshop;
Description: A therapist and a bickering couple need the audience to assist with a question... If an ugly, but vintage vase falls in the living room, and no one is around to see it... Who done it?
MAY
Antigone
by Sophocles ;translated by Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald
Director: Kaylee Loxton
Tragedie: May 8-24
Description: Thebes' civil war has ended. Creon, the ascending king, proclaims, "Regarding the bodies of the sons of Oedipus: Eteocles, a hero who fought for Thebes…will be given a hero's burial…But for Polyneices who recruited foreign troops to attack our home—let his corpse rot under the sweltering sun, food for the birds and the dogs…Anyone who dares to bury the enemy will be publicly executed." So begins this adaptation of Antigone, who battles Creon, her uncle, for the right in God's name to bury her dead brother, Polyneices, but loses that fight in a horrifying conclusion to this story. Antigone is usually seen as the righteous heroine while Creon is the hated villain. However, in this version, we take a fresh look at Antigone's own rigidity as an equal contributor to this story's devastating ending. Viewed as a contest between equally determined and fierce competitors, both right and both wrong, the play is an intense examination of the questions: "How can one penetrate the absolute certainty and righteousness of political or religious leaders who refuse to listen?" "What happens when neither side in a conflict agrees to yield?" "What happens when one sees the catastrophic consequences of one's actions too late?" The path taken here—vengeance will breed vengeance—is a shattering lesson for our times.
Antigone
by Sophocles ;translated by Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald
Director: Kaylee Loxton
Tragedie: May 8-24
Description: Thebes' civil war has ended. Creon, the ascending king, proclaims, "Regarding the bodies of the sons of Oedipus: Eteocles, a hero who fought for Thebes…will be given a hero's burial…But for Polyneices who recruited foreign troops to attack our home—let his corpse rot under the sweltering sun, food for the birds and the dogs…Anyone who dares to bury the enemy will be publicly executed." So begins this adaptation of Antigone, who battles Creon, her uncle, for the right in God's name to bury her dead brother, Polyneices, but loses that fight in a horrifying conclusion to this story. Antigone is usually seen as the righteous heroine while Creon is the hated villain. However, in this version, we take a fresh look at Antigone's own rigidity as an equal contributor to this story's devastating ending. Viewed as a contest between equally determined and fierce competitors, both right and both wrong, the play is an intense examination of the questions: "How can one penetrate the absolute certainty and righteousness of political or religious leaders who refuse to listen?" "What happens when neither side in a conflict agrees to yield?" "What happens when one sees the catastrophic consequences of one's actions too late?" The path taken here—vengeance will breed vengeance—is a shattering lesson for our times.
JULY
The Trail to Oregon
Director: Samantha Jex
July 10-26
Description: Join our All-American family as they journey down the The Trail to Oregon! The Trail to Oregon! is an original musical produced by Starkid Productions and was performed in Chicago in the summer of 2014. It is also the most historically accurate musical portraying the Oregon Trail to date; featuring 12 educational songs, a set precisely replicating the trail’s landscape, and appearances from famous historical figures, such as: Henry McDoon, Cletus Jones, and Cornwallis.
The Trail to Oregon
Director: Samantha Jex
July 10-26
Description: Join our All-American family as they journey down the The Trail to Oregon! The Trail to Oregon! is an original musical produced by Starkid Productions and was performed in Chicago in the summer of 2014. It is also the most historically accurate musical portraying the Oregon Trail to date; featuring 12 educational songs, a set precisely replicating the trail’s landscape, and appearances from famous historical figures, such as: Henry McDoon, Cletus Jones, and Cornwallis.
AUGUST
Will On the Water: As You Like It
by William Shakespeare
Director: Regina Spain;
Comedy: August 6-23
Description: As You Like It follows its heroine Rosalind as she flees persecution in her uncle's court, accompanied by her cousin Celia to find safety and, eventually, love, in the Forest of Arden. In the forest, they encounter a variety of memorable characters, notably the melancholy traveller Jaques, who speaks one of Shakespeare's most famous speeches ("All the world's a stage") and provides a sharp contrast to the other characters in the play, always observing and disputing the hardships of life in the country.
Will On the Water: As You Like It
by William Shakespeare
Director: Regina Spain;
Comedy: August 6-23
Description: As You Like It follows its heroine Rosalind as she flees persecution in her uncle's court, accompanied by her cousin Celia to find safety and, eventually, love, in the Forest of Arden. In the forest, they encounter a variety of memorable characters, notably the melancholy traveller Jaques, who speaks one of Shakespeare's most famous speeches ("All the world's a stage") and provides a sharp contrast to the other characters in the play, always observing and disputing the hardships of life in the country.
SEPTEMBER
Puffs
by Matt Cox
Director: Kaylee Loxton
Comedy: September 11-27
Description: For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain Wizard School and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs... who just happened to be there too. A tale for anyone who has never been destined to save the world. Puffs is not authorized, sanctioned, licensed or endorsed by J.K Rowling, Warner Bros. or any person or company associated with the Harry Potter books, films or play.
Puffs
by Matt Cox
Director: Kaylee Loxton
Comedy: September 11-27
Description: For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain Wizard School and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs... who just happened to be there too. A tale for anyone who has never been destined to save the world. Puffs is not authorized, sanctioned, licensed or endorsed by J.K Rowling, Warner Bros. or any person or company associated with the Harry Potter books, films or play.
OCTOBER
The Woman in Black
by Stephen Mallatratt
Director: Regina Spain
Thriller: October 9-25
Description: The framework of this spine tingler is unusual: a lawyer hires an actor to tutor him in recounting to family and friends a story that has long troubled him concerning events that transpired when he attended the funeral of an elderly recluse. There he caught sight of the woman in black, the mere mention of whom terrifies the locals, for she is a specter who haunts the neighborhood where her illegitimate child was accidentally killed. Anyone who sees her dies! The lawyer has invited some friends to watch as he and the actor recreate the events of that dark and stormy night. A classic of the genre.
The Woman in Black
by Stephen Mallatratt
Director: Regina Spain
Thriller: October 9-25
Description: The framework of this spine tingler is unusual: a lawyer hires an actor to tutor him in recounting to family and friends a story that has long troubled him concerning events that transpired when he attended the funeral of an elderly recluse. There he caught sight of the woman in black, the mere mention of whom terrifies the locals, for she is a specter who haunts the neighborhood where her illegitimate child was accidentally killed. Anyone who sees her dies! The lawyer has invited some friends to watch as he and the actor recreate the events of that dark and stormy night. A classic of the genre.
NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
Frozen the Broadway Musical
by Jennifer Lee, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, and Robert Lopez
Director: Regina Spain
Musical: November 13-22 and December 4-20
Description: : For the first time in forever, experience the musical phenomenon that has taken the world by storm! Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, Disney’s Frozen includes all the film’s beloved songs by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, along with new music written exclusively for the stage.
In the beautiful mountainous kingdom of Arendelle, Princesses Anna and Elsa grow up sheltered inside their castle, isolated from the world and increasingly distant from each other. When Elsa is crowned queen, the magical powers she’s desperately tried to conceal from her sister take control, and she flees into the mountains. As a ferocious winter descends on Arendelle, Anna sets off on an epic journey to find Elsa and bring her home – with the help of hardworking ice harvester Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, and a happy-go-lucky snowman named Olaf. Full of magic, humor, and a stunning musical score, Frozen is a powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance, and finding the real meaning of true love.
Frozen the Broadway Musical
by Jennifer Lee, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, and Robert Lopez
Director: Regina Spain
Musical: November 13-22 and December 4-20
Description: : For the first time in forever, experience the musical phenomenon that has taken the world by storm! Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, Disney’s Frozen includes all the film’s beloved songs by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, along with new music written exclusively for the stage.
In the beautiful mountainous kingdom of Arendelle, Princesses Anna and Elsa grow up sheltered inside their castle, isolated from the world and increasingly distant from each other. When Elsa is crowned queen, the magical powers she’s desperately tried to conceal from her sister take control, and she flees into the mountains. As a ferocious winter descends on Arendelle, Anna sets off on an epic journey to find Elsa and bring her home – with the help of hardworking ice harvester Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, and a happy-go-lucky snowman named Olaf. Full of magic, humor, and a stunning musical score, Frozen is a powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance, and finding the real meaning of true love.