MEDIA RELEASE
London Community Players’ 2023/24 Season
Mysterious, profoundly moving and gloriously funny!
Hamish by award-winning Canadian playwright Michael Grant
Sep 21-Oct 1, 2023
Directed by Heather Meadows and Mark Mooney
A Canadian man finds himself “haunted” by a Scottish past he never knew he had! Hamish, by award-winning Canadian playwright Michael Grant, is the hilarious story about discovering the spirit of family… in more ways than one.
When his wife takes him to Scotland to visit his ancestral home, Gordon believes himself to be an orphan, bereft of any family traditions or obligations. An ambitious corporate lawyer, he has no interest in delving into the long-dead past, never mind donning a kilt. Or does he? When the old clan property is suddenly threatened by developers, he must decide whether to stake his claim as a descendent or abandon his birthright altogether.
Hamish is a prankish, playful comedy that introduces a host of memorable characters. In addition to the workaholic Gordon, we meet Tomas, the classic Scottish caretaker better at spinning yarns than paying the bills; Kelli, Gordon’s wife who arranged the trip and is counting on making a family connection for reasons of her own; Shelby the banker, and his investor, Annette, both intending to acquire the property, history bedamned. And finally, there is Hamish, the play’s namesake with his own unique connection, and a strong presence felt throughout the story.
Dracula by Hamilton Deane, John L. Balderston
Oct 26-Nov 5, 2023
Directed by Chris Smalley and Scott Smalley
A Co-Production of the London Community Players and Odesa Company
Lucy Seward, whose father is the doctor in charge of an English sanitorium, has been attacked by some mysterious illness. Dr. Van Helsing, a specialist, believes that the girl is the victim of a vampire, a sort of ghost that goes about at night sucking blood from its victims. The vampire is at last found to be a certain Count Dracula, whose ghost is finally laid to rest in a striking and novel manner. The play is intended for all who love thrills in the theatre, and is appropriate for all groups.
Ken Ludwig’s The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays
Nov 23-Dec 3, 2023
Directed by Mariann Sawyer
It is December 1936, and Broadway star William Gillette, admired the world over for his leading role in the play sherlock Holmes, has invited his fellow cast members to his Connecticut castle for a weekend of revelry. But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, the festivities in this isolated house of tricks and mirrors quickly turn dangerous.
Winner of the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award for Best play 2012.
www.concordtheatricals.com
Exit Laughing by Paul Elliott
Jan 18-28, 2024
Directed by Cindi Armer-Almeida
When the biggest highlight in your life for the past 30 years has been your weekly bridge night out with the “girls,” what do you do when one of your foursome inconveniently dies? If you’re Connie, Leona and Millie, three southern ladies from Birmingham, you do the most daring thing you’ve ever done. You “borrow” the ashes from the funeral home for one last card game, and the wildest, most exciting night of your lives involves a police raid, a stripper and a whole new way of looking at all the fun you can have when you’re truly living. A winner of the AACTNewPlayFest, Exit Laughing broke all records for a nonmusical in Springfield Little Theatre’s 50-year history at its premiere.
Produced by Special Arrangement with the Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
based on the novel by Mark Haddon adapted by Simon Stephen
Feb 15-25, 2024
Directed by John Gerry
15-year-old Christopher has an extraordinary brain. He is exceptional at mathematics but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched, and he distrusts strangers. Now it is 7 minutes after midnight, and Christopher stands beside his neighbour’s dead dog, Wellington, who has been speared with a garden fork. Finding himself under suspicion, Christopher is determined to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington, and he carefully records each fact of the crime. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a thrilling journey that upturns his world.
Winner of the 2015 Tony Award for Best Play. “This adaptation by the acclaimed playwright Simon Stephens is intensely, innately theatrical; it is also funny and extremely moving…resonates with quality.” —Telegraph (London). “…just terrific…a profoundly moving play about adolescence, fractured families, mathematics, colours and lights…dazzling.” —Independent (London). “A beautiful, eloquent, dazzlingly inventive show about the wonders of life.” —Evening Standard (London).
Kinky Boots Music and Lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, Book by Harvey Fierstein
May 2–12, 2024
Directed by Susan McKone and Rick Smith
Musical Director: Marque Smith
This Tony-winning hit will lift your spirits to high-heeled heights!
Kinky Boots is the big-hearted musical extravaganza that won six Tonys including Best Musical, the Grammy for Best Musical Theatre album and London’s Olivier Award for Best Musical. Kinky Boots features a joyous, Tony-winning score by pop icon Cyndi Lauper, and a hilarious, uplifting book by four-time Tony winner, Harvey Fierstein. Billy Porter won a Best Actor Tony Award for his portrayal of Lola.
Charlie Price has reluctantly inherited his father’s shoe factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. As they work to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair find that they have more in common than they realized… and discover that when you change your mind, you can change your whole world.
Kinky Boots is full of opportunities for a theatre to flex its artistic muscles with elaborate costumes, exhilarating choreography and a heartfelt story. Kinky Boots will have your audiences dancing in the aisles and discovering why, sometimes, the best way to fit in… is to stand out!
Kinky Boots is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International(MTI). All authorized and performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
