TOOTSIE
January 26 & 27; February 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10 & 11, 2024
Mainstage
Based on the 1982 hit comedy film starring Dustin Hoffman and ranked as one of the best comedies of all time on American Film Institute’s list of “100 Years…100 Laughs,” TOOTSIE is the New York Times Critic’s Pick that has audiences rolling in the aisles in what was hailed as “Broadway’s funniest new musical!” (The New York Post). With music and lyrics by Tony Award-winner David Yazbek (The Band’s Visit, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) and a laugh-out-loud book by Tony Award-winner Robert Horn (13 the Musical, Shucked), it comes as no surprise that TOOTSIE won Best Book of a Musical and received a staggering 11 Tony Award Nominations, including Best Musical and Best Score.
LYLE THE CROCODILE
March 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 & 10, 2024
Youtheatre
The Lyle series of books has been charming audiences since the mute-but-charismatic crocodile was first introduced in The House on East 88th Street in 1962. Commissioned by the award-winning Seattle Children’s theatre, LYLE THE CROCODILE follows the adventure of Lyle and Hector P. Valenti. You see times are tough all over, even in New York City, and it’s time for Hector P. Valenti to hang up his tap shoes. But he’s found the perfect home for Lyle, the Crocodile, just in time for the holidays. As the Primm family moves into a new apartment, they’re surprised to find Lyle sleeping in the
bathtub. Lyle wins them over with his juggling, dancing, winning ways. Though not everyone is a fan, at first, Lyle manages to save the day and make new friends.
INHERIT THE WIND
April 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20 & 21, 2024
Mainstage
Feel the heat of the courtroom in the sizzling American classic INHERIT THE WIND, an explosive drama inspired by the most important trial of the 20th Century. As a media circus descends upon a small American town, two of the largest figures of their time engage in a battle of wits and wills to ensure that justice is served and in the process chart the course of education for generations. Originally written as a response to the threat to intellectual freedom presented by the anti-communist hysteria of the McCarthy era, the themes of INHERIT THE WIND are as relevant today as they were 73 years ago.
An international phenomenon that became an Oscar®-nominated film, INHERIT THE WIND will get your pulse racing as you relive a defining moment of American history, brought to life on the Playhouse stage.
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, THE MUSICAL
May 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 & 19, 2024
Youtheatre
Middle school, ugh. It’s the worst. But Greg is determined NOT to be at the bottom of the popularity chart. He’ll leave that to his weird neighbor, Fregley. Or maybe Greg’s best friend, Rowley Jefferson. But it’s not going to be Greg… no way.
Jeff Kinney’s popular characters take center stage in the hilarious and heartfelt musical. Will Greg’s plans lead him to sacrifice his one true friend? Can anyone avoid the dreaded Cheese Touch? You and your family will be delighted by DIARY OF A WIMPY KID.
GUYS AND DOLLS
June 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29 & 30, 2024
Mainstage
Considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy, GUYS AND DOLLS ran for 1,200 performances when it opened on Broadway in 1950. It received nearly unanimous positive reviews from critics and won a bevy of awards, including Tony Awards, Drama Desks and Oliviers.
Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City, GUYS AND DOLLS is an oddball romantic comedy. Gambler Nathan Detroit tries to find the cash to set up the biggest craps game in town while the authorities breathe down his neck; meanwhile, his girlfriend and nightclub performer, Adelaide, laments that they’ve been engaged for fourteen years. Nathan turns to fellow gambler Sky Masterson for the dough, and Sky ends up chasing the straight-laced missionary, Sarah Brown, as a result. GUYS AND DOLLS takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of New York City, but eventually everyone ends up right where they belong.
NEWSIES
July 26 & 27; August 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10 & 11, 2024
Mainstage
Stop The Presses! The Tony award-winning NEWSIES is finally coming to the Erie Playhouse. Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right!
Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, NEWSIES can be counted one of the most critically-praised shows of recent seasons. NEWSIES features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein. NEWSIES is a dance-packed musical with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, perfect for the whole family and every audience.
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION
September 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28 & 29, 2024
Mainstage
Based on Stephen King’s 1982 novella “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption,” this thrilling stage production examines desperation, injustice, friendship and hope behind the claustrophobic bars of a maximum security facility. The 1994 feature film starred Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman and was nominated for seven Academy Awards.
Despite protests of his innocence, Andy Dufresne is handed a double life sentence for the brutal murder of his wife and her lover. Incarcerated at the notorious Shawshank facility, he quickly learns that no one can survive alone. Andy strikes up an unlikely friendship with the prison fixer Red, and things take a slight turn for the better. However, when Warden Stammas decides to bully Andy into subservience and exploit his talents for accountancy, a desperate plan is quietly hatched.
SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET
October 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26 & 27, 2024
Mainstage
SWEENEY TODD has become a bloody, worldwide success since being awarded eight Tonys, (including Best Musical), for its Broadway premiere. Stephen Sondheim’s and Hugh Wheeler’s (A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures) tasty, thrilling, theatrical treat has simultaneously shocked, awed and delighted audiences across the world.
Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to nineteenth century London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett’s wit and Sweeney Todd’s thirst for revenge leads to a devious plot that has the people of London lining up for seconds! This masterpiece is sure both to thrill and delight audiences.
TUCK EVERLASTING (TYA)
November 15, 16, 17, 22, 23 & 24, 2024
Youtheatre
TUCK EVERLASTING asks the question, “If you could live forever, would you?” When Winnie Foster discovers the magical secret of the Tuck family, she embarks on an extraordinary adventure that will change her life forever.
Based on the best-selling, award-winning novel by Natalie Babbitt, this Theatre for Young Audiences version of TUCK EVERLASTING will be brought to life with world-class artistry and powerful storytelling in a sweeping production. Take a journey you’ll never forget in this daring new musical about love, family and living life to the fullest.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
December 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21 & 22, 2024
Mainstage
After 20 years, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST returns to the Playhouse stage! Nominated for 9 Tony awards, including Best Musical, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is considered one the most successful Broadway shows of all time. Since its Broadway debut, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST has gone on to be an international sensation that has been produced in over 40 countries worldwide.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2024, and we are thrilled to join the celebration and bring this classic back to life. The timeless story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved in return, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out! If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
