2026-2027
The Lion in Winter by James Goldman
Directed by Stephen Cox
September 4-19, 2026
Join the Rude Mechanicals for A Very Special Plantagenet Christmas – hosted by that premier dysfunctional family of the 12th century. Henry II of England has reprieved his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine from prison to join their scheming sons to decide who will succeed him. Joining them is Phillip II, the young King of France, to discuss whether his sister will marry one of the sons or remain Henry’s mistress. Alliances shift, betrayals abound, and no one leaves unscathed in this wickedly funny and fiercely intelligent battle for love, power, and the English crown.
Semiquincentennial
Directed by Peter Reppert
November 21, 2026
Semiquincentennial is a concert of traditional and original music, telling the story of the “American experiment’ (our form of government) touching on some major historical trends leading up to the present day in celebration of our 250th year. There will be at least one selection from Songs Of ’76 (Brand).
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Directed by Peter Orvetti
December 4-19, 2026
This stage adaptation of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens follows the classic journey of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly businessman who is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. Through these supernatural encounters, Scrooge confronts the consequences of his actions and ultimately discovers the power of compassion, generosity, and community.
The Chromatics: A Holiday Concert
December 12, 2026 at 2 PM
The Chromatics, a high-energy vocal band, present their annual holiday show for our listening pleasure.
Richard II by William Shakespeare
Directed by Ethan Clarkewallis
January 29 – February 6, 2027
Presented by the Rude Mechanicals and set in a 1970s mafia front, Richard II becomes an exploration of the status quo. The current kingpin, Richard II is a frivolous man who abuses his power. The lower ranks of Richard’s family have little recourse, but the recently banished Bolingbroke, Richard’s cousin, has the means to replace the corrupt king. Can Bolingbroke break this cycle of violence, or is the crown forever stained by blood?
Frost/Nixon by Peter Morgan
Directed by Rocky Nunzio
February 26 – March 13, 2027
British talk-show host David Frost has become a lowbrow laughingstock. Richard M. Nixon has just resigned the United States presidency in total disgrace over Vietnam and the Watergate scandal. Determined to resurrect his career, Frost risks everything on a series of in-depth interviews in order to extract an apology from Nixon. The cagey Nixon, however, is equally bent on redeeming himself in his nation’s eyes. In the television age, image is king, and both men are desperate to out-talk and upstage each other as the cameras roll. The result is the interview that sealed a president’s legacy.
The Cemetery Club by Ivan Menchell
Directed by Vanessa Markowitz
April 2-17, 2027
In this comedy/drama, three widows – Ida, Doris, and Lucille – meet once a month at Ida’s home to catch up and to visit their husbands’ graves at the nearby cemetery. The play explores the friendship and humor between the three women as well as how they cope with loss and how all three respond when a potential new suitor for Ida enters the picture.
Falstaff
Directed by Peter Orvetti
May 7-15, 2027
The Rude Mechanicals tell the tale of Sir John Falstaff, sweet creature of bombast and huge bombard of sack, as told across four Shakespeare plays, here combined into one.
Fifth Planet by David Auburn
directed by Grass Harness
May 28 – June 5, 2027
Fifth Planet, a one-act play, charts the friendship between two observatory workers as it waxes and wanes over the course of a year.