Text Size

Productions

Fall Mainstage Productions

Juno and the Paycock

By Sean O’Casey

Sept. 29-30, Oct. 1-2 & Oct. 6-9

Set in the working class tenements of Dublin in the early 1920s, Juno and the Paycock is a story of the poverty-stricken Boyle family’s survival during the Irish Civil War period. Their journey takes us to the extremes of a fantasy world and harsh reality with uninvited tragedy that is piqued through comedy. Rays of hope appear, it seems, only to be extinguished by the heaviness of dire circumstances. Captain Boyle’s boisterous outlook has been fueled and clouded by constant trips to the pub, and the children’s desperate plights are punctuated with doom. It’s no wonder that the Paycock bemoans, “Th' whole worl's in a terrible state o' chassis." In a less-than-perfect world, his wife, Juno, shows us through her resilience and determination that life moves on.

Join us for our 3rd Mainstage season in the new state-of-the-art Center for Communication Studies and Theatre.
Godspell

By Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak

Nov. 10-13 & 17-20

Godspell—one of the longest running off-Broadway musicals since May 1971—offers a musical series of well-known parables based on the Gospel of Mathew and depicts the last days of Jesus. What is sure to be an outstanding production in Longwood’s Mainstage Theatre, this rock opera will be interspersed with modern music (pop, folk-rock, gospel and even vaudeville) set primarily to lyrics from traditional hymns along with non-traditional musical instruments. The players portray various philosophers throughout the ages, along with John the Baptist, the Disciples, the Pharisees, Lazarus, the Good Samaritan, God and, of course, Jesus. This life-lesson presentation has been noted as something more —“a religious experience, a demonstration of joy, and a celebration of the family of man.”

Join us for our 3rd Mainstage season in the new state-of-the-art Center for Communication Studies and Theatre.

Spring Mainstage Productions

The Rocky Horror Show

By Richard O’Brien

Feb. 23-26 & March 1-4

Plan to join us for an action-packed adventure that takes place at an Annual Transylvanian Convention that will spin you into a world of very strange and eccentric people (including Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a self-proclaimed “sweet transvestite from Transsexual Transylvania” who brings to life Rocky Horror). On a cold and rainy night, a stranded young couple seeks help at an eerie castle, but is clueless to the chaos they are walking into. This sci-fi production features aptly named characters subjected to torment, jealous rage, mutations, and even murder. Amidst laboratory experiments, including a search for the secret to life itself, the show is weirdly enlivened by tap dancing and a live cabaret show. This play, a comedic portrayal of gay and transgender culture and a review of sexual quirks, is recommended for mature audiences. A midnight showing may be offered.

Join us for our 3rd Mainstage season in the new state-of-the-art Center for Communication Studies and Theatre.
Steel Magnolias

By Robert Harling

April 12-15 & 19-22

Steel Magnolias, an American comedy-drama, opens in rural Louisiana with Truvy, the sassy beauty salon owner, getting her hair done by the eager new assistant, Annelle. The looking-glass view of small-town life, interwoven as it often is, draws us into the day-to-day exchanges of six women who grow, love, laugh, and cry as they share life’s experiences. At Truvy’s Beauty Salon we’ll eavesdrop on beauty shop gossip only shared by the closest of friends, then move with them through the years as they adjust to fulfilled dreams and dashed hopes, new life and end of life, mellowing attitudes and firm resolve. Let’s discover together if it is possible to be as delicate as magnolias, but as tough as steel. This 1987 play by Robert Harling was inspired by the playwright’s experience after the death of his sister.

Join us for our 3rd Mainstage season in the new state-of-the-art Center for Communication Studies and Theatre.