Weathervane Playhouse Announce Its Exciting 2018-19 Season

In the theatre's earliest season announcement in recent memory, Weathervane Playhouse announces an exciting new season of 10 productions including such favorites as Bye Bye Birdie and Noises Off. The new season also includes the regional premiere of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, the return of the beloved holiday favorite Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, as well as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a new adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank, the heartfelt and funny Almost, Maine, the Tony - and Olivier Award-winning Dreamgirls, and our annual 8x10 TheatreFest. All shows will take place in our Founders Theater.

Chief Executive Artistic Director Melanie YC Pepe says of the new season: "Weathervane is the home of a large group of passionate artists. Our productions, classes, and programs connect our community through creativity, empathy, and collaboration. Weathervane's 84th Season invites our community to reminisce, to dream, to laugh, and cry... to see the world from new perspectives through stories old and new. Come share them with us!"

Season subscriptions are now available at greatly reduced, early-bird prices until April 15, 2018. You can get your seats by calling the Weathervane box office at 330-836-2626. Tickets for groups only (12 or more people) for Bye Bye Birdie are on sale now; single tickets for this show go on sale May 1. Single tickets for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time go will go on sale July 3. Single tickets for all other shows will go on sale August 1.

Here is the exciting lineup for our 2018-19 Season!

Bye Bye Birdie
August 2-19, 2018

Book by Michael Stewart, Music by Charles Strouse, Lyrics by Lee Adams

A loving send-up of the 1950s, small-town America, teenagers, and rock & roll. Teen heartthrob Conrad Birdie has been drafted, so he chooses All-American girl Kim MacAfee from Sweet Apple, Ohio, for a very public farewell kiss.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
September 6-23, 2018

Based on the novel by Mark Haddon, adapted by Simon Stephens

15-year-old Christopher has an extraordinary brain: He is exceptional at mathematics but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. Finding himself under suspicion, Christopher is determined to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington, the neighbor's dog. His detective work takes him on a thrilling journey that turns his world upside-down.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame
October 11-28, 2018

Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, Book by Peter Parnell

Based on the Victor Hugo novel with songs from the Disney animated feature, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" showcases the film's Academy Award-nominated score, as well as new songs by Menken and Schwartz.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
November 20-December 22, 2018

Lyrics by Tim Rice, Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

The Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to vibrant life in this delightful musical parable! Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, this show is back by popular demand on the Weathervane Playhouse stage. It is no exaggeration to say that "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" has become an Akron holiday-season tradition! "Sha la la, Joseph, you're doing fine."

Almost, Maine
January 17-February 3, 2019

John Cariani

On a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But bruises heal, and hearts mend-almost-in this delightful midwinter night's dream.

Dreamgirls
February 21-March 17, 2019

Book and Lyrics by Tom Eyen, Music by Henry Krieger

Thirty-five years after the groundbreaking original Broadway production, Weathervane brings to the stage this sensational Tony Award - and Olivier Award-winning musical. Meet The Dreams - Effie, Lorrell and Deena - three talented young singers in the turbulent 1960s, a revolutionary time in American music history.

The Diary of Anne Frank
April 4-20, 2019

Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman

In this transcendently powerful new adaptation by Wendy Kesselman, Anne Frank emerges from history a living, lyrical, intensely gifted young girl, who confronts her rapidly changing life and the increasing horror of her time with astonishing honesty, wit, and determination. This is a new adaptation for a new generation.

Noises Off
May 9-26, 2019

Michael Frayn

Called "the funniest farce ever written," Noises Off presents a manic menagerie of actors rehearsing a flop. Door slamming, on and offstage intrigue, and an errant herring all figure into this hilarious and classically comic play.

Mamma Mia!
June 13-July 7, 2019
We can't say yet, but "Knowing Me, Knowing You" we are going to "Take a Chance" and have applied for the rights and look forward to producing a musical filled with A-B-B-A rhyme schemes. ?

The 9th Annual 8x10 TheatreFest
July 18-21, 2019
Weathervane celebrates the art of the short-format play with the 8x10 TheatreFest. Eight plays, 10 minutes each.

To post a comment, you must register and login.