Playhouse On The Square Announces 2020-2021 Season

The Circuit Playhouse, Inc., parent company to The Circuit Playhouse, TheatreWorks at the Square, and Playhouse on the Square have announced their 2020-2021 Season.

The 52nd season is as follows:

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (RP)

Book by Terrance McNally, music by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman - Playhouse on the Square

Take to the sky with the unbelievable but true story of con man Frank Abagnale, Jr. Watch as Frank navigates a life of forgery and deceit, the FBI agent that vows to catch him, and the broken hearts he leaves along the way. - Running August 7-30, 2020

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (RP)

by Agatha Christie adapted by Ken Ludwig - Playhouse on the Square

A crime has been committed on the legendary train and everyone is a suspect. Trapped together, the great detective Hercule Poirot must solve the mystery before it's too late. Agatha Christie's classic mystery has been adapted to a stage play that will have you guessing until the very end. - Running September 18 - October 4, 2020

MAY WE ALL (WP)

Book by Troy Birtton Johnson and Todd Johnson - The Circuit Playhouse

Playhouse on the Square will produce the country music world premiere. A fledgling country singer from small town America comes home after a rough start in Nashville. While home, she discovers that her roots may take her a lot further than her dreams ever could. - Running October 2-25, 2020

PETER PAN

Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green, Music by Mark Charlap and Julie Styne, Based on the book by J.M. Barrie - Playhouse on the Square

The Playhouse on the Square holiday tradition continues with the JM Barrie classic of the forever-young Peter Pan and his legendary adventures with Wendy, John, Michael, and the nefarious Captain Hook. - Running November 13 - December 30, 2020

JUNIE B.'s ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL GUIDE TO SCHOOL (RP)

Book and Lyrics by Marcy Heisler, Music by Zina Goodrich - The Circuit Playhouse

The Circuit Playhouse's favorite first grader is at it again! Junie's Essential Guide is a hilarious, whole-hearted show about owning up to your mistakes and how nobody is ever done learning. - Running November 20 - December 20, 2020

THE GOODBYE LEVEE (WP)

by Mike Solomonson - TheatreWorks at the Square

A devastating diagnosis compels Celeste Banks to invite the audience into her confidence as she hosts a "Goodbye Party." Due to her erratic memory and hallucinatory interruptions, her party turns into chaotic and sometimes comic events that threaten to upend her family and the control she so desperately desires to retain. - Running January 8-24, 2021

SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE (PV)

Music and Lyrics by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller - Playhouse on the Square

The Broadway sensation celebrating the songs of Leiber and Stoller returns to the Birthplace of Rock and Roll! Featuring hits like "Spanish Harlem," "Yakety Yak," "Love Potion #9," and "Jailhouse Rock." Smokey Joe's Café will have audiences dancing in the aisles. - Running January 15 - February 6, 2021

THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT (RP)

by Jeremy Kareken & David Murrell and Gordon Farrell, Based on the book by Jim Fingal and Jon D'Agata - The Circuit Playhouse

When a demanding magazine editor-in-chief gets the opportunity to publish an essay written by a famous author, fact checking the sources is a routine afterthought. Unless you hire an eager millennial focused on getting the facts right. - Running January 22 - February 14, 2021

TORCH SONG (PV)

Harvey Fierstein - Playhouse on the Square

Hilarious and heart wrenching, Arnold Beckoff is on an odyssey to find happiness in New York. All he wants is a husband, a child, and a pair of bunny slippers that fit. But a visit from his overbearing mother reminds him that he needs one more thing: Respect. - Running March 5-21, 2021

THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (RP)

Book by David Thompson, Music by John Kander and Fred Ebb - The Circuit Playhouse

A vaudeville style variety show is the thrilling final collaboration of Kander and Ebb. The Scottsboro Boys is a retelling of the landmark trial of 9 black teenagers. The case would eventually give rise to the Civil Rights Movement. - Running March 12 - April 3, 2021

A DOLL'S HOUSE

by Henrik Isben (PV)

A DOLL'S HOUSE PART 2 - by Lucas Hnath (RP) - The Circuit Playhouse

At the turn of the nineteenth century Nora Helmer was the most controversial female character on the stage- walking out on her husband and children to find herself. Now she returns to tie up loose ends and she has to deal with what she left behind. The Circuit Playhouse tells the complete story of The Torvalds in repertory. - Running April 16 - May 9, 2021

A CLOSER WALK WITH PATSY CLINE

by Dean Regan (PV)- Playhouse on the Square

A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline is a theatrical tribute to the legendary country and pop icon, Patsy Cline, as seen through the eyes & heart of a local radio disc jockey in Patsy's hometown of Winchester, Virginia. - Running June 18 - July 18, 2021

ROE (RP)

by Lisa Loomer - The Circuit Playhouse

The landmark case of Roe v. Wade is explored with the women who etched their names into the annals of history. The Supreme Court decision, still debated, takes new weight with the real stories of the women involved. - Running June 4-27, 2021

IVANKA vs. REALITY (WP)

by Lucy Wright and William Downs - TheatreWorks at the Square

Sylvia, a divorced Hollywood screenwriter is losing her grip as her career slides into middle-aged female oblivion. Desperate for work she takes a job writing a movie "based on a true story" only to learn that Ivanka Trump was right, "If someone perceives something to be true, it is more important than if it is in fact true." - Running July 9-25, 2021

*(RP) denotes performances that are Regional Premieres, (PV) denotes Playhouse on the Square Revivals, and (WP) denotes World Premiere performances

Since 1985, Playhouse on the Square, with support from ArtsMemphis, AutoZone, First Heritage ArtsFirst, and the Tennessee Arts Commission, has provided Mid South youth an opportunity to enjoy live professional theatre in schools. Tours typically travel within a two hour radius of Memphis, Tennessee.

The 2020-2021 tour schedule is as follows:

Fall 2020 & Winter 2021 Tour

FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY THE MUSICAL

Music and Lyrics by Gary Kupper, Book by Gary Kupper and Rose Caiola, Based on the book written by Julianne Moore

Based on the award-winning book by actress Julianne Moore. Freckleface Strawberry will do anything to get rid of her freckles - from scrubbing them with soap to caking on makeup... and even wearing a ski mask to school! With the help of her lovable schoolmates, Freckleface learns that everyone is different - and that's what makes everyone special.

Spring 2021 Tour

LILLY'S PURPLE PLASTIC PURSE

by Kevin Henkes, adapted by Kevin Kling

Lilly the mouse idolizes her teacher Mr. Slinger, but when she comes to school - flaunting three jingly quarters, movie-star glasses and a purple plastic purse, she interrupts Mr. Slinger's lessons. After one too many disruptions, he confiscates the purse until the day's end. Lilly learns a valuable lesson - Be considerate of others.

In addition to a jam packed season, Playhouse on the Square will host its annual fundraisers: The Great Wine Performances - August 11, 2020 and The 44th Original Art Auction - April 24, 2021.

For more information visit www.playhouseonthesquare.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.