It’s July and one season ends and another begins at the Old Town Playhouse. As the curtain rises on the 2024-2025 theater season, audiences are in for a treat with a lineup of diverse and captivating shows that promise to entertain and delight. From heartfelt musicals to side-splitting comedies, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Kicking off the season is the Michigan premiere of “Waitress,” opening in September, a hit musical by Sara Bareilles and Jessie Nelson that follows the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a better life. Audiences will be swept away by Bareilles’s emotionally charged music and Nelson’s poignant storytelling as Jenna navigates love, friendship, and the pursuit of happiness.
Next up is “Lend Me A Soprano” by Ken Ludwig, a riotous comedy filled with mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and operatic chaos. Set in 1930s Cleveland, this madcap farce follows the hilarious antics that ensue when a famous Italian opera singer goes missing, leading to a series of mishaps that will have audiences laughing in their seats. The roles are reversed and the ladies take the lead in this madcap screwball comedy based on Ludwig’s Tony Award-winning Lend Me A Tenor, guaranteed to leave audiences teary-eyed with laughter.
Just in time for the holiday season, the Old Town Playhouse presents “The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon” by Don Zolidis. This heartwarming comedy takes a behind-the-scenes look at a struggling television network as they scramble to produce a marathon of cheesy Christmas movies. Filled with holiday cheer and plenty of laughs, this show is sure to put audiences in the festive spirit.
In December the Young Company takes center stage with their annual “Holiday Cabaret” and in the new year they will present the classic fantasy “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” In early spring they will feature the Civil War story of “The Man She Was.” The Young Company fills out their season with “The Wizard of Oz” in the late spring.
Young Company has grown tremendously over the years. Last year alone we exceeded 250 young students, and this summer, we expanded to the Grand Traverse Mall to enhance our programming. They are the next generation of theater masters!
For a macabre twist, the Old Town Playhouse presents “The Addams Family” by Andrew Lippa, Marshall Brickman, and Rick Elice. Join Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, and the rest of this famous spooky clan as they navigate love, secrets, and one unforgettable dinner party. With catchy songs and dark humor, this musical is perfect for those who prefer their entertainment on the slightly eerie side.
Rounding out the season is “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” with music and lyrics by Steven Lutvak and book and lyrics by Robert L. Freedman. a wickedly clever musical comedy that tells the tale of Monty Navarro, an ambitious man who sets out to eliminate his distant relatives in order to secure his spot in high society. Unforgettable music and characters, full of twists and turns. With 10 Tony nominations and four wins, including Best Musical, this award-winning show is a delightful romp through Edwardian England.
Tickets for the new season are going on sale next month. Whether you’re a fan of musicals, comedies, or dark comedies with a twist, there is something for everyone to enjoy at the Old Town Playhouse. So, mark your calendars, gather your friends and family, and prepare to be entertained at the Old Town Playhouse — always bringing it and making live theater magic happen in Traverse City.
I’ll be seeing you soon, I hope!