Theater

Our theater program consists of 6 or 7 large productions per year in the main theater building seating between 150 and 200 patrons depending on the configuration of the room.  Smaller, often edgier productions take place year round in our 25 seat Black Box theater in the Annex.  Our main stage productions are presented as Community Theater where we invite all members of the public to audition or to participate as volunteers and crew.  We strive each season to present a balanced program of theater including popular musicals, classic plays, new works, works in which children and families may participate together, and works that stretch our audiences and ourselves.

 

Monty Python’s Spamalot

Opens June 6

Book & Lyrics by Eric Idle, Music by John Du Prez & Eric Idle

The 2005 Tony Award winning musical comedy “lovingly ripped off from” the 1975 film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”  SPAMALOT retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and features a bevy of beautiful show girls, not to mention cows, killer rabbits, and French people. Did we mention the bevy of beautiful show girls?

** Please note:  The run of Spamalot is sold out.  We do have a limited number of balcony seats available on a walk-up, first come, first served basis the day of performances (except June 21).  Balcony seats are cushioned high top stools with some partially obscured views.

And Then What Happened or Come to Mama

Opens June 7
In the Black Box Theater

“And Then What Happened or Come to Mama” is a brand new one-woman show featuring sexygenarian Melinda Gallant and written by her husband Joe.

AUDITIONS: Boston Marriage

Come audition for Boston Marriage, David Mamet's only all female play!

The piece explores two women of high society, Anna and Claire, and their Scottish maid, Catherine, in a complex relationship at the turn of the century in Boston. With frightfully imaginative humor and rigorous nuanced language, these ladies of fashion leaving nothing unexplored.  An appalling, hilarious, and beguiling journey through the inner workings of an unusual companionship.

84, Charing Cross Road

Opens July 5

This wonderful show is a dramatization of business letters between a young struggling writer in New York and an antiquarian book store in London. In a sense, these are also love letters. They are about the love of good literature. The play takes place over a twenty year period, beginning in 1949 when Helene Hanff (played on Broadway by Ellen Burstyn) first writes Marks & Co. and ends in 1969 with the death of Frank Doel, the delightfully dusty supplier of so many old volumes to Helen who has shown her gratitude through the years by sending "care packages" to the staff of Marks & Co.

The Fat Ass Cancer Bitch Outside the Box

Opens July 5
In the Art Studio

Christine Rathbun Ernst returns to the Center, bringing new material to a new space, the Art Studio. Yes, the FACB has busted the box.

Second Wednesday Theater: Two Plays by Jim Dalglish

Wednesday, Juy 10

A staged reading of 2 one-act plays by Jim Dalglish, featuring Tony Travostino and Ian Ryan

Second Wednesday Theater is a monthly play-reading series of rarely-performed classic, undiscovered gems, old chestnuts, and exciting new works.
2nd Wednesdays at 7:30pm in the Studio
FREE admission and $5.00 wine
Ongoing: 2nd Wednesday of each month
No advance registration required.

Company

Opens August 1

Book by  George Furth
Music and Lyrics by  Stephen Sondheim

A musical comedy with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The original production was nominated for a record-setting fourteen Tony Awards and won six.  An honest, witty, sophisticated look at relationships, COMPANY is as contemporary and relevant as ever.

Lulu’s Lemonade Stand

Opens August 5

An original play for children and families
Presented by Theater Under the Stairs

Entrepreneur-turned-adventurer, Lulu Leominster, embarks on a thrilling odyssey in Theater Under the Stairs' original family production, Lulu's Lemonade Stand.  Join Lulu and her business associates as they navigate through "the weird part of town," encountering silly pirates, delicious biscuits, and confusing bus schedules.

The Make-out Queen

Back by popular demand!
Opens August 9
In the Black Box Theater

A solo show written & performed by Bronwen Prosser

A young woman's feverish quest for magic, one kiss at a time.

An Iliad

Opens September 5
In the Black Box Theater

By Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare

AN ILIAD is a modern-day retelling of Homer's classic.

Poetry and humor, the ancient tale of the Trojan War and the modern world collide in this captivating theatrical experience. Kevin Quill plays the lone figure onstage, fated to tell this story throughout history.

September 5-22, Thurs, Fri & Sat 8pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 3pm

Tickets $15, $12 for Members

Boston Marriage

Opens October 3

a comedy by David Mamet

A 1999 comedy by David Mamet concerning two women at the turn of the 20th century who are in a Boston marriage, a relationship between two females that may involve both physical and emotional intimacy.

Dracula for Dummies

Opens October 3

A new production from Tristan DiVincenzo. A ghoulishly fun evening of theater!

Christmas in Cotuit

Opens December 5

Theater Under the Stairs writes and directs a brand new show, incorporating the same sense of wit, wonder and fun they bring to their Summer Family Shows.  A celebration of the Holiday Season, sure to bring joy to everyone on your list.

The Santaland Diaries

Opens December 5

A humorous account of author David Sedaris’ stint working as a Christmas elf in “SantaLand” at Macy’s department store.