2024/2025 Season
Concord Floral
October 24-27, 2024
Sklarsky Glass Box Theater
Concord Floral is an ensemble piece that packs a theatrical and emotional punch. It is a topical ghost story; The Decameron meets I Know What You Did Last Summer in this supernatural suburban gothic thriller. Rosa Mundi, Nearly Wild, and their friends spend a lot of time at Concord Floral, a one million-square-foot abandoned greenhouse, and a refuge for neighborhood teens; a place all to themselves where they can throw parties, experiment, dream, and come of age. But hidden there is a secret no one wants to confront, and when Rosa and Nearly stumble upon it they set off a chain of events that include phone calls from the grave. In 2019, CBC Arts named playwright Tannahill as one of sixty-nine LGBTQ Canadians, living or deceased, who has shaped the country's history.
Peter and the Starcatcher
November 15-17, 2024
Panara Theatre
Peter and the Starcatcher is a whimsical and adventurous prequel to the classic story of Peter Pan. Set in Victorian-era England, the play follows a young orphan named Peter as he embarks on a journey aboard the ship Neverland. Alongside a motley crew of sailors, including the witty Molly Aster and the fearsome pirate Black Stache, Peter encounters mermaids, magical creatures, and treacherous villains. As they race to find a mystical substance called Starstuff, they discover the power of friendship, courage, and the importance of embracing one's inner child. With its imaginative storytelling, lively humor, and heartfelt moments, "Peter and the Starcatcher" celebrates the joy of imagination and the timeless spirit of adventure.
Unstageably Fresh Gynt
December 5-8, 2024
Sklarsky Glass Box Theater
Freshwater is the only play Virginia Woolf ever wrote, and it is unlike anything you’d expect from her. It’s a farce, a romp through the Victorian past. It’s an inside joke Woolf wrote for and performed with her friends and family. The play takes aim at the cultural elite of the 19th century, including Woolf’s own great aunt the renowned photographer Julia Margaret Cameron, as well as the celebrated actor Ellen Terry and famed poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson. The Bloomsbury group, Woolf’s artistic circle, has their fun through a send-up of an artistic group very much like theirs, two generations earlier. Both groups were filled with painters, actors, poets, and writers, looking to innovate and prove themselves as artists. Rarely produced, and often imagined to be unstageable, Freshwater is a rollicking good time.
Peer Gynt follows the adventures of its titular character, a charming yet reckless person on a quest for identity and meaning. From the mountains of Norway to the deserts of Africa, Peer embarks on a fantastical odyssey filled with encounters with trolls, princesses, and other mythical creatures. As they navigate through a series of trials and tribulations, Peer grapples with questions of love, morality, and the nature of the self. Bringing a fresh perspective, with an updated script, to Ibsen's timeless tale, infusing the production with innovative staging, mesmerizing visuals, and a talented cast of performers. Audiences can expect a feast for the senses as they are transported into Peer's world, where reality and fantasy collide in breathtaking fashion.
A Chorus Line
March 27-30, 2025
Sklarsky Glass Box Theater
Set on the bare stage of a Broadway theater, A Chorus Line is centered on seventeen Broadway dancers auditioning for spots in the oft overlooked, but essential, chorus. Providing a glimpse into the personalities of the performers and the choreographer, the musical explores the events that have shaped their lives and their decisions to become dancers. The production is based on real-life interviews with Broadway dancers, and it takes audiences behind the scenes into the hearts and minds of the performers themselves. The show features one powerhouse number after another. Memorable musical numbers include "What I Did for Love, "One," and "I Hope I Get It." A brilliantly complex fusion of song, dance, and compellingly authentic drama, A Chorus Line became an instant classic, once holding the title for longest-running musical on Broadway.
The Cracked Nut
April 4-6, 2025
Panara Theatre
Experience a reimagined rendition of the classical ballet Nutcracker, transported to the vibrant setting of 1940s Harlem, New York. In this innovative adaptation, traditional gender roles are transcended, and a culturally diverse mix of dance genres takes center stage, all set to the iconic music of Duke Ellington's Three Suites. Embark on a magical journey through an enchanted forest that leads to an upscale Harlem night club, where Drosselmeyer assumes the role of the suave maître d', guiding a playful troupe of waiters through the evening's festivities. Within the confines of the Confectionary Club, a plethora of characters reminiscent of party-goers come to life, adding depth and intrigue to the narrative. This groundbreaking production promises to offer a fresh perspective on the beloved classic while introducing audiences to the timeless melodies of Duke Ellington. By seamlessly blending various dance styles, it aims to break down barriers and provide a platform for students of all abilities to partake in the exhilarating experience of participating in a full-length, original production.