2021-2022 Season

MAINSTAGE PLAYS AND MUSICALS


TWO JEWS WALK
INTO A WAR…

By SETH ROZIN



September 22-October 10, 2021
Previews September 22-23, 2021

Ishaq and Zeblyan are the last remaining Jews in Afghanistan. They share the only remaining synagogue that has not been destroyed by the Taliban. They share a mission to repopulate the Jewish community in Kabul. But they also hate each other. Can this Middle Eastern odd couple commit to one incredible act of faith to keep the diaspora alive without killing one other? A modern vaudeville full of schtick, sorrow, and survival.

MISS BENNET:
CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY

By LAUREN GUNDERSON and MARGOT MELCON



December 1-19, 2021
Previews December 1-2, 2021

A sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice set two years after the novel ends, MISS BENNET continues the story, only this time with bookish middle-sister Mary as its unlikely heroine. Mary is growing tired of her role as dutiful middle sister in the face of her siblings’ romantic escapades. When the family gathers for Christmas at Pemberley, an unexpected guest sparks Mary’s hopes for independence, an intellectual match, and possibly even love.

FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE

Book by CLARKE PETERS
Music & Lyrics by LOUIS JORDAN

Directed & Choreographed by Brittney Griffin
Associate Choreographer Darius Barnes
Music Direction by Dexter Pettaway


January 26-February 27, 2022
Previews January 26-27, 2022

His woman left him, he’s broke, and it’s almost five a.m. But don’t worry about our hero. All he needs is the right music—and the right guys—to get him through. Enter five guys named Moe, stepping out through his radio to cajole, comfort and jazz him with dozens of whimsical hit songs from the extraordinary Louis Jordan. FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE is an international sensation. Initially produced in London's West End by the legendary Cameron Mackintosh, this exhilarating, all-embracing theatrical experience moved to Broadway in 1992 and was nominated for two Tony Awards.


stop/time dance theater
DIVAS: DOUBLE OR NOTHING

Conceived, Directed & Choreographed by DARLENE ZOLLER


March 16-27, 2022
Previews March 16-17, 2022

Ever wish you could see all of your favorite DIVAS on one stage? Well, thanks to award-winning choreographer/director, Darlene Zoller, West Hartford is getting the DIVA treatment! When our resident dance company, stop/time dance theater, takes the stage you will realize it was worth the wait. DIVAS: DOUBLE OR NOTHING is an original show featuring 17 outstanding company members who will sing, lip sync, and dance their way into your heart while paying homage to all of your favorites: Cher, Tina, Gloria, Shania, Dolly, Whitney and more with a mix of tap, jazz, swing and funk. This will be a non-stop, high-energy production certain to send you home with a smile on your face.

THE AGITATORS

THE STORY OF SUSAN B. ANTHONY AND FREDERICK DOUGLASS

By MAT SMART


May 25-June 12, 2022
Previews May 25-26, 2022

The Agitators tells of the enduring but tempestuous friendship of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. Great allies? Yes. And at times, great adversaries. Young abolitionists when they met in Rochester in the 1840s, they were full of hopes, dreams, and a common purpose. As they grew to become the cultural icons we know today, their movements collided and their friendship was severely tested. This is the story of that forty-five-year friendship – from its beginning in Rochester, through a civil war, and to the highest halls of government. They agitated the nation, they agitated each other, and, in doing so, they helped shape the Constitution and the course of American history.

PIPPIN

Book by ROGER O. HIRSON
Music and Lyrics by STEPHEN SCHWARTZ
Directed and choreographed by
DARLENE ZOLLER
Music Direction by
COLIN BRITT


July 6-August 21, 2022
Previews July 6-7, 2022

Heir to the Frankish throne, the young prince Pippin is in search of the secret to true happiness and fulfillment. He seeks it in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh and the intrigues of political power (after disposing of his father, King Charlemagne the Great). In the end, though, Pippin finds that happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors, but rather in the unextraordinary moments that happen every day.


THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES


THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF DR. WONDERFUL (AND HER DOG!)

A MYSTERY SCIENCE MUSICAL

Book & Lyrics by LAUREN GUNDERSON
Music by BREE LOWDERMILK
Directed & Choreographed by MOIRA O'SULLIVAN
Music Direction by MELANIE GUERIN

April 23-May 1, 2022
-Ask about our Literature Alive field trip program-

A mystery science musical for young audiences! Fly through the solar system with Dr. Wonderful and her amazing adventure team of Newton (the dog), Ben (the human), and Mom (the Mom)! Girl-detective-noir meets science-geek-chic in this super cool astronomical musical theatre event that will take you across the universe with fun, flair, and science. Written by Lauren Gunderson (Playhouse’s critically acclaimed Season 10 play THE REVOLUTIONISTS).

DANDELION


ADAPTED FROM THE CHILDREN’S BOOK BY DON FREEMAN

Book & Lyrics by JOAN ROSS SORKIN
Music by MARY LIZ MCNAMARA
World Premier!


Rescheduled to Fall, 2022
-Ask about our Literature Alive field trip program-

This musical tells the story of Dandelion, a shy, awkward lion. He is filled with middle school angst when he is invited to Jennifer Giraffe’s impromptu party. Dandelion decides to reinvent himself, but ultimately discovers it is better just to be yourself! In addition to the theme of being yourself, the musical raises issues of bullying and social exclusion.

COMEDY NIGHTS

October 30th, 2021 | January 8th, 2022 | April 2nd, 2022 | April 30th, 2022 | June 18th, 2022