Weathervane Playhouse celebrates 90 years of theatrical art and entertainment with the announcement of its 2024-2025 season of shows – a lineup filled with timeless treasures and sensational productions.
The 90th season – which runs from August 2024 to July 2025 – will consist of five musicals, two classic dramas, and the return of the Playhouse’s annual new-play festival, 8x10: The Eileen Moushey TheatreFest.
Weathervane Playhouse’s milestone season also coincides with an exciting digital archiving project that is now in process. In association with the University of Akron’s University Libraries and the Institute for Human Science and Culture, thousands of Weathervane photos, programs, and other documents will eventually be available and searchable via the theater’s website-detailing 90 years of Weathervane’s role as a pillar of Akron’s arts-and-culture sector.
Tickets for the first production of the season go on sale March 19; all other shows will go on sale June 4. Subscription packages are now on sale. Tickets will be available by phone (330-836-2626), in person during box office hours (Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or online at weathervaneplayhouse.com
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
Musical
August 8-September 1
Music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Marc Shaiman and David Greig
Book by David Greig
Songs from the motion picture by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
Directed & Choreographed by Marissa Leenarts
*Ohio Community Theatre Premiere*
Based on the famous novel by Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory features an original score composed by Marc Shaiman with lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray) and a book by David Greig. The score also pays homage to the Leslie Bricusse/Anthony Newley score from the 1971 film with songs from the motion picture including "Candy Man," "I've Got a Golden Ticket," "Oompa Loompa Song," and "Pure Imagination." Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI (www.mtishows.com). Tickets for this production go on sale March 19, 2024.
CABARET
Musical
October 3-20
Book by Joe Masteroff
Based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Directed by Fred Gloor
Choreographed by Kathleen Faubel
In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920's draw to a close, a garish Master of Ceremonies welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the Cabaret. With the Emcee's bawdy songs as wry commentary, Cabaret explores the dark, heady, and tumultuous life of Berlin's natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich. Cliff, a young American writer newly arrived in Berlin, is immediately taken with English singer Sally Bowles. Meanwhile, Fräulein Schneider, proprietor of Cliff and Sally's boarding house, tentatively begins a romance with Herr Schultz, a mild-mannered fruit seller who happens to be Jewish. Musical numbers include "Willkommen," "Cabaret," "Don't Tell Mama" and "Two Ladies."
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
Musical
November 21- December 22
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
“Sha la la, Joseph, you’re doing fine! You and your dreamcoat, ahead of your time!” One of the most enduring shows of all time, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a reimagining of the Biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, eleven brothers, and the coat of many colors. For our 90th Season, we celebrate the 20th time we have performed Joseph as our holiday production. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
THE AMEN CORNER
Play
January 9 – 26, 2025
By James Baldwin
Directed by Terrence Spivey
Music Directed by Glenn Brackens
After giving a fiery Sunday morning sermon, Harlem pastor Margaret Alexander is confronted by the unexpected arrival of her long-estranged husband, Luke. Luke tells their son David and several elders of the congregation that he had not abandoned his family years ago; it was Margaret who left Luke to pursue a religious life. Margaret, Luke, David, and the congregation clash over the perceived hypocritical nature of Margaret's religious convictions and the breakup of her family. The Amen Corner is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
JERSEY BOYS
Musical
February 27 – March 30, 2025
Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice
Music by Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe
Directed by Melanie YC Pepe
Choreographed by Marissa Leenarts
With phenomenal music, memorable characters, and great storytelling, Jersey Boys follows the fascinating evolution of four blue-collar kids who became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. Winner of Best Musical at both the Tony Awards® and Olivier Awards®, Jersey Boys takes you behind the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons to discover the secret of a 40-year friendship as the foursome work their way from the streets of New Jersey to the heights of stardom. Thrill your audiences with electrifying performances of chart-topping hits including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Dawn,” and “My Eyes Adored You,” which brought The Four Seasons the highest honor: induction into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. Jersey Boys is presented through special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide.
DIAL M FOR MURDER
Play
By Frederick Knott
April 24 – May 18, 2025
Directed by Fred Gloor
Frederick Knott's midcentury melodrama had a highly successful run on Broadway and later gained popularity as a major motion picture directed by Alfred Hitchcock. This psychological thriller unravels an elegant mystery about an ex-tennis star who plots to kill his wealthy wife. Dial M for Murder is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals
TBA
Musical
June 19 – July 13, 2025
We have secured the rights and can announce this musical in early June of 2024.
8X10: THE EILEEN MOUSHEY THEATREFEST
New 10-minute play festival
July 17- July 20, 2025
Directed by Melanie YC Pepe
Weathervane's 8x10 TheatreFest is a new-play festival in which we select and present eight ten-minute plays culled from several hundred submissions sent in from around the world. Following the performances, our audiences vote for their favorite plays, with the winners receiving cash awards for their efforts. In the past, we have asked each playwright to include a specific item in their work. This year, we are asking playwrights to use a designated location: a subway car.
All shows will go on sale June 4, 2024.
