Category Archives: Season Announcements

The Drama Workshop is pleased to announce its Main Stage shows for the 2014-2015 season.

September 2014 will usher in the comedy classic, “Arsenic and Old Lace”, by Joseph Kesselring, directed by Lynne Aronson. This farcical comedy revolves around Mortimer Brewster, a drama critic who must deal with his crazy, homicidal family and local police in Brooklyn, NY, as he debates whether to go through with his recent promise to marry the woman he loves. His family includes two spinster aunts who have taken to murdering lonely old men by poisoning them with a glass of home-made elderberry wine laced with arsenic, strychnine, and “just a pinch” of cyanide; a brother who believes he is Theodore Roosevelt and digs locks for the Panama Canal in the cellar of the Brewster home (which then serve as graves for the aunts’ victims); and a murderous brother who has received plastic surgery performed by an alcoholic accomplice, Dr. Einstein, to conceal his identity – he now looks like horror-film actor Boris Karloff. This classic, laugh-a-minute comedy is a must for all audiences. It will run from September 12 through September 28, 2014.

Following will be Ken Kesey’s masterpiece, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”, directed by Joe Penno. With an insane asylum standing in for everyday society, this play is a comically sharp indictment of the Establishment urge to conform. Playing crazy to avoid prison work detail, manic free spirit Randle P. McMurphy is sent to the state mental hospital for evaluation. There he encounters a motley crew of mostly voluntary inmates, including cowed mama’s boy Billy and silent Native American Chief Bromden. The ward is presided over by the icy Nurse Ratched, and Ratched and McMurphy quickly recognize that each is the other’s worst enemy: an authority figure who equates sanity with correct behavior, and a misfit who is charismatic enough to dismantle the system simply by living as he pleases. Also a classic movie starring Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” runs the range from hysterical to poignant. Show dates are November 7 through November 23, 2014.

In December 2014, TDW is proud to present “Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings”, by Stuart Ross, directed by Adam Drake, with music direction by Jay Myers and choreography by Pam Blessing. 

This deliciously goofy revue centers on four young, eager male singers killed in a car crash in the 1950’s on the way to their first big concert, and now miraculously revived for the posthumous chance to fulfill their dreams and perform the show that never was. At first Francis, Jinx, Smudge, and Sparky aren’t sure why they’ve returned to Earth, but a phone call from the heavenly Rosemary Clooney lets them know that they’re needed to put a little harmony into a discordant world. Sprinkled among the Christmas offerings are audience favorites like their riotous three minute and eleven second version of “The Ed Sullivan Show” – this time featuring the Rockettes, the Chipmunks and The Vienna Boys Choir, and a Plaid Caribbean Christmas which puts the “Day-O” in Excelsis! This truly “heaven-sent” holiday treat will lift audiences’ spirits and remind youngsters that not all good music has to be auto-tuned. “Plaid Tidings” will run December 5-21, 2014.

TDW’s Winter 2015 offering will be Neil Simon’s “Rumors”, directed by Julie Jordan. “Rumors” is a farce which takes place in the upscale home of New York City’s deputy mayor, Charley Brock. Charley and his wife, Myra, have invited friends to a party there to celebrate their 10th anniversary, but before the party begins, Charley has suffered a gunshot wound to the earlobe which may or may not have been self-inflicted. Myra is nowhere to be found. As guests arrive, each learns of the situation but tries to keep it hidden from the next guest to arrive. As the play progresses, the guests share rumors about the party’s hosts and about each other. What will happen when the police arrive? Come see this comedic tour-de-force and find out! Show dates are February 27 through March 15, 2015.

Finally, May 2015 will see the return of the classic P.G. Wodehouse character, the lovable butler Jeeves, in “Jeeves in Bloom”, adapted by Margaret Raether and directed by Dennis Murphy. Bertie Wooster has been summoned to the country house of his aunt and uncle, and is accompanied by his trusted butler, Jeeves. Thank goodness for that, as Jeeves is called upon to rescue Bertie and his upper-class friends and relations from the ridiculous situations they create for themselves. All too quickly, Jeeves’ many talents are called into service as nefarious plots, bizarre escapades and romantic interludes play out in the quiet English countryside. We dare you not to laugh! “Jeeves in Bloom” will run from May 1 through May 17, 2015.

It is possible that additional ‘special project’ shows will be added to our 2014-2015 season. If this happens, the additional shows will be announced as they are approved for production.

Season tickets will go on sale in May, 2014. If you would like to be added to the TDW mailing list and receive a season brochure, please leave your contact information at the TDW ticket line at 513.598.8303, or by contacting us through our website at www.thedramaworkshop.org.

Auditions typically are held 12 weeks in advance of opening night. Please refer to the TDW website and Facebook page for detailed information on auditions.

TDW extends its congratulations to our 2014-2015 directors, and thank everybody who interviewed to direct this year! We’re looking forward to a great season next year!

Ray Persing
President, The Drama Workshop