You and I are the lucky ones. We survived the last couple of years – some of us with scars and lingering nightmares but, nevertheless, we are still here. How grateful are we for that! On a global scale, we shared moments of sorrow and gratitude, banging pots and pans in our yards or watching on our TVs. And, in our little theatre, we share gratitude for all of our patrons who supported us through the last couple of years – kept our lights on, and our spirits lifted. We learned a valuable lesson on the importance of community and shared experiences. Please know that the applause you hear at the end of every show is filled with our gratitude for you.
Our 2021 Season has been a year of readjustment and acceptance of a new way of doing things. We have tried hard this year to keep the theatre safe for all of us – staff, volunteers and patrons – with socially-distanced seating and an upgraded HVAC system, but next year we will need to increase our safety protocols to stay in line with the rest of the industry. We will be returning to full capacity seating and, unless there is a radical change in the world, we will be asking for proof of vaccination from all of our patrons. Masks will also be required unless we receive word from safety officials that this will not be necessary.
Our 2022 season will be an opportunity for us all to step outside our homes and come together once again with deep gratitude to celebrate our community and the love and joy we find here. I hope you will delight in the shows that we have chosen. As always, we try to find shows that bring us music and laughter, sometimes a few tears but always leaving you a little lighter, with spirits lifted and hearts warmed.
Our season will look a little different next year. We will be offering two types of subscriptions: a 3 play and a 6 play and we will open each production with a Thursday matinee. The cost of the 3-play subscription will remain the same as it was in 2019 at $145. The cost of the new 6-play subscription will be $295 per person.
We are looking forward to welcoming you back to the Playhouse in 2022.
Jacqueline Hubbard
Executive/Artistic Director
To download a form for a 6-play subscription, please follow this link.
To download a form for a 3-play subscription, please follow this link.
To view the subscription series date and time information, please follow this link.
Questions? Please call the box office 860.767.7318 or email Sue McCann at susanmc@ivorytonplayhouse.org
STAR OF FREEDOM
World premiere of a new musical
Based on the concept album “Exodus” by Jeff Blaney – Music by Jeff Blaney; Book by Lawrence Thelen
Thursday, April 7 – Sunday, May 1, 2022
Combining the lilting melodies of Irish folk and the soulful music of the African American community in the 1800s, Jeff Blaney, a Connecticut native, has conjured up a new vision of America from two very different immigrant experiences. Travel with Sean and Chloe as they cross this great, new land in search of a home.
NATIVE GARDENS
By Karen Zacarias
Thursday, May 19 – Sunday, June 12, 2022
What divides us and what do we share? A love of gardening, maybe? It is said that fences make for good neighbors but in this case, it just makes things worse. Frank Butley’s symmetrical rows of pruned shrubs or Tania Del Valle’s unruly, organic native garden? Which will win when gardens and cultures clash, turning friendly neighbors into feuding enemies in this hilarious new comedy of good intentions and bad manners.
SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ
The Songs of Leiber and Stoller
Words and Music by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Thursday, June 30 – Sunday, July 31, 2022
This Grammy® Award-winning and Tony Award®-nominated smash, made history as Broadway’s longest-running musical revue. Featuring 40 of the greatest songs of the past century, including show-stopping classics like “On Broadway,” “Stand by Me,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Hound Dog,” “Love Potion No. 9,” “Spanish Harlem,” “Yakety Yak” and “Charlie Brown,” it celebrates the music of the legendary songwriting duo, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Their generation-defining songs provided hit after hit for icons like Elvis Presley, Ben E. King, The Coasters, and The Drifters.
RING OF FIRE
The Music of Johnny Cash
Created by Richard Maltby, Jr. — Conceived by William Meade
Thursday, August 11 – Sunday, September 11, 2022
The Man in Black is Back! From the songbook of Johnny Cash comes this unique musical about love and faith, struggle and success, rowdiness and redemption, and the healing power of home and family. More than two dozen classic hits—including “I Walk The Line,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” and the title tune—performed by a multi-talented cast, paint a musical portrait that is a foot-stompin’, crowd-pleasin’ salute to a unique musical legend!
THE GREAT GATSBY
adapted for the stage by Simon Levy
Thursday, September 29 – Sunday, October 23, 2022
Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, passionately pursues the elusive Daisy Buchanan. Nick Carraway, a young newcomer to Long Island, is drawn into their world of obsession, greed and danger. A beautifully crafted interpretation of the 1925 novel which defined the Jazz Age, Simon Levy’s play captures the breathtaking glamor and decadent excess of the 1920s.
WINTER WONDERETTES
Created by Roger Bean
Thursday, November 17 – Sunday, December 18, 2022
The Wonderettes are back! This seasonal celebration finds the girls entertaining at the annual Harper’s Hardware Holiday Party. When Santa turns up missing, the girls use their talent and ingenuity to save the holiday party! Featuring ’60s versions of holiday classics such as “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” and “Winter Wonderland,” the result is, of course, marvelous! This energetic and glittering holiday package is guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages.
Subscriptions are available now. Ivoryton Playhouse, PO Box 458, Ivoryton, CT 06442
Tickets go on sale March 1, 2022 – www.ivorytonplayhouse.org – 860.767.7318