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2024/25 Season Audience Guide
While we always welcome theatergoers to do their own research, we've also taken the liberty to create a handy guide for each one of our shows in the 2024/2025 Mainstage Season. Our goal is to provide you with more information and guidance to help you make informed choices you're comfortable with for yourself and/or your group, and prepare you for what to expect when you come through our doors. Because education is central to our mission, we have also provided some questions that can be discussed after the performance. While these questions are intended for parents/guardians and their children, they are great for any theatergoer!
We encourage you to check back periodically as opening day approaches for updates on possible staging choices that could change the content of these guides. We hope this guide will enrich the learning experience of all our patrons both young and seasoned.
—Melissa Rivera Simpson, Producing Director
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
(15-minute intermission)
February 21 - March 30, 2025
At a Glance:
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. It was first introduced in the 1970s, but younger audiences may recognize it best from the 2018 live televised version starring John Legend and Sara Bareilles on NBC. Jesus Christ Superstar narrates the events of the last seven days in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, primarily through the perspective of Judas Iscariot, loosely using biblical accounts as the plot's foundation. ‘Superstar’ is a timeless musical that can be enjoyed by all theatergoers regardless of faith or belief.
This show focuses on visceral complex human emotions, delving into the personal conflicts between Jesus, his disciples, and various political and religious figures of the time, and offers insights into the characters' motivations and psychologies. This leads to the exploration of themes of betrayal, love, and social identity.
It is important to note that despite the original subject matter, there will be no physical violence displayed in this production. All violent scenes, including a suicide, will be abstract and symbolic, and expressed with the use of light, sound, and motion. Hanging, lashes, and overt acts of violence will NOT be shown.
The musical is completely sung through, which could make comprehension difficult for some audience members, especially younger kids. However, the high-energy dance numbers coupled with the vast array of musical genres utilized in the orchestration (such as rock, gospel, folk, and funk), are appealing enough to keep audiences engaged. Overall, Jesus Christ Superstar is an artistically thrilling non-conventional retelling of a familiar story that continues to stand the test of time.
Discussion Questions:
1. Why do you think the writers chose to tell this story from Judas' perspective?
2. Is there a villain in this story? If so, who do you think it is and why?
3. What does the show teach us about stardom? Can you think of any parallels to today's celebrity culture?
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
(15-minute intermission)
May 23 - June 29, 2025
At a Glance:
Enjoyed by audiences of all ages spanning decades, The Sound of Music continues to be one of the most beloved musicals of all time. Composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, the musical hit Broadway in 1959 and was adapted for film in 1965, starring Julie Andrews as Maria.
Set in Salzburg, Austria, in 1938, the musical follows Fräulein Maria as she struggles to reconcile her effervescent nature with her desire to take vows as a nun. She cannot stop herself from singing wherever she goes! Maria becomes a governess to the Von Trapp children and falls in love with their father. Together, the family must face impending danger when the Nazis gain power as World War II approaches.
Due to the historical plot, there is some imagery of swastikas and mentions of “heil,” as well as prejudice and terror that the Von Trapps face against the Nazis. There are also many heartfelt and humorous moments between the various characters, as well as a bevy of beloved songs like “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” and “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” and entertaining group numbers featuring the Von Trapp children. Themes in The Sound of Music include: family dynamics, coming of age, sacrifice, loyalty, faith and religion, and the brutality of the Nazi regime. The second act can feel a bit darker and intense for some theatergoers, but ends with the song “So Long, Farewell” and implies hope for the Von Trapps’ future.
Discussion Questions:
1. There are seven children in the Von Trapp family. Do you relate to any of them based on what they experience? In what ways did Maria feel like a mother figure to the family?
2. Do you remember a trying time in your life when music played a significant role in helping you get through?
3. Can you think of another musical like this one that is loosely based on true events? How are they different or alike?
4. In the stage version, Elsa (the Baroness) and Max have two songs, but they were removed from the movie adaptation for appearing too political and pessimistic. Do you feel these songs are important to the story? If you’ve seen the movie, how would their songs have changed the ending?
Plus! Our Summer YouthStage Spotlight Show:
SOMETHING ROTTEN
(15-minute intermission)
July 12-20, 2025
At a Glance:
In this comical mash-up of 16th century Shakespeare and 21st century Broadway, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom set out to write the world’s first musical and reach stardom before The Bard announces his next hit. Something Rotten takes place during the time of Elizabethan England (somewhere around 1590), but makes reference to a plethora of Broadway musicals, which will be easily recognizable to and enjoyed by theater-lovers.
Themes include: Creativity and invention, envy, competition, relationships (sibling rivalry, spousal disagreements), and the praises and pitfalls of being a celebrity. There are a few off-color jokes made at the expense of other characters, as well as some colorful language that may go over little ones’ heads. The musical is very flashy, chock-full of exciting dancing (including some fun tap numbers!), catchy musical numbers, and hilarious and loveable characters.
Discussion Questions:
1. What does this story have to say about envy? Does Nick use the word “hate” incorrectly when he says he hates Shakespeare?
2. “To Thine own Self be true” is from William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet - advice given from father to son. Why do you think this line is so often quoted?
3. Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and has had a lasting impact in theater due to his numerous beloved plays. Can you imagine a current artist whose words are so brilliant they might be remembered many years after they have died? What do they and Shakespeare have in common?
THE PROM - Closed
(15-minute intermission)
September 6 - October 13, 2024
At a Glance:
The Prom is a celebratory musical about love, courage, and equality that premiered on Broadway in 2018 and was also adapted into a movie musical on Netflix in 2020. When four eccentric Broadway stars seek good PR to get back into the limelight, they make it their mission to help a high school student and her girlfriend attend their prom in Indiana.
The musical observes long-held traditional values of small towns vs. progressive big-city views. Several of the characters are out-and-proud members of the queer community, but conflict ensues when they visit a small strong-willed homophobic community. Although the four Broadway protagonists attempt to do good in earnest, they are unfortunately vastly out-of-touch individuals and laughably ignorant about their means to accomplish their goals. This show utilizes high-energy dance numbers and silly humor to propel the storyline in an upbeat and entertaining manner for all ages despite some uncomfortable subject matter. The script contains double entendres that will likely go over young audience members' heads, but can be enjoyed by adults. Additionally, explicit language is used intermittently throughout the show, but is rarely used in a weaponizing manner.
This story tackles important themes of unconscious biases, bigotry, bullying, and manipulation, yet also explores the significance of bravery, humility, and acceptance. Ultimately, all characters are made better and more open-minded by the experience, and the message "love is love" prevails overall!
Discussion Questions:
1. Should parent-run committees like the PTA have power over school events, such as the Prom? Why or why not? Whose responsibility is it?
2. Which character do you think experienced the biggest change, and how so?
3. What comes to mind when you think of 'allyship'? What does it mean and why is it important?
SEUSSICAL
(15-minute intermission)
November 8 - December 22, 2024
At a Glance:
Seussical the musical is based on many of the children's stories of Dr. Seuss, with most of its plot coming from Horton Hears a Who!, Gertrude McFuzz, and Horton Hatches the Egg, while weaving in many other popular tales. Although the stories are based on Dr. Seuss' original books, the musical's script and music were written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty of Ragtime and Anastasia fame.
Familiar characters, such as The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, and Mayzie La Bird, come together to tell a fantastical story grounded in human nature. Seussical is the result of what happens when the real world collides with a child's imagination. This musical explores deep human issues such as abandonment, exploitation, and peer-pressure, as well as important themes of compassion, pacifism, loyalty, and community. There is no foul language or overt violence depicted in the production. Audiences of all ages will enjoy this comedic and magical tale that teaches us that "a person's a person no matter how small."
Discussion Questions:
1. Why do you think Ahrens and Flaherty chose to mash up different stories rather than just sticking to one? How do the different stories fit together? Was it effective in telling a new story?
2. Many of the characters in Seussical go to great lengths to be noticed. Can you think of a time where you weren't feeling acknowledged? How did you make your voice heard? Did someone help you?
3. In your opinion, why is it important for everyone's human rights to be protected? What are some ways in which we can protect people within and outside our community?
