Season

By Thomas Gibbons
Directed by Carla Childs
September 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 2017
Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

The Liberty Bell receives a new pavilion, and the people lining up to see it will walk on the spot where our first President housed his human chattels. Philadelphia civil rights leaders staunchly protest, demanding that the adjacent “President’s House” monument tell the story of the enslaved people who lived there. But a young, conservative African-American professor counters that true equality will only happen if blacks move beyond a narrative of “victimhood.” The play juxtaposes this modern drama against the struggles of Oney Judge, Martha Washington’s enslaved maid, as she decides whether to risk everything and escape. It asks the question: How do we decide what to remember — and what to ignore — about our history?

By Diana Amsterdam
Directed by Sarah Labov
November 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 2017
Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Meet Lucy: an independent young woman loving her freedom, her options, and men — many men! But as advice pours in from her desperate neighbor and oh-so-helpful mother Mitzi, she finds that free love in the late ’80’s is sporting a price tag.  Can this “Fast Girl” choose between her wild lifestyle and her ex-boyfriend, who may be the one true love she seeks? A special Autumn Open House performance of Fast Girls will be held on Sunday, November 5 at 4 pm. This event is perfect for first-time attendees to the theater and friends. Members of Old Academy Players will share a brief history of the theatre and its famous members Grace Kelly and Robert Prosky. The event is $20 per person and includes light refreshments pre-show beginning at 3 pm and a post-show 10-minute question and answer session with the actors.

By Annie Baker
Directed by Loretta Lucy Miller
January 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 2018
Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

In a community center in a small Vermont town, five strangers gather to attend a basic acting class. Over the course of their time together, art blends with the reality of life, and nearly unwittingly, the private, inner worlds of these people are slowly revealed. Pulitzer Prize and Obie award winner Annie Baker gives us a look into the extraordinary through the seemingly ordinary with her play Circle Mirror Transformation.

By Rob Rosiello
Directed by Rob Rosiello
March 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 2018
Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Venice, 1951. Pieces of an abstract painting have been sent to strangers around the world with a few simple words scrawled on the back. American actress Dora Chadwick, a recipient of one of the pieces, is obsessed with finding the source and solving the riddle. Her search, assisted by her companion, Emma, eventually leads her to Venice and to Annabella, a mysterious blind Italian tour guide. The elusive Annabella provides more questions than answers. As the truth is slowly revealed, it becomes apparent that in order to reassemble the painting, each of the three women must put herself back together by facing her own demons and finding a way to heal.

By William Finn
Directed by Annie Hnatko
April 20, 21, 27, 28, 29, May 4, 5, 6 2018
Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

This 2005 Tony Award winning musical is the hilarious and compelling tale of socially awkward youngsters who find joy, heartache and purpose while competing at a regional spelling bee. Audience members will have the chance to participate in the (spelling) E-X-C-I-T-E-M-E-N-T! Matinée performances will be family-friendly, but evening shows are not recommended for children.

By Bernard Pomerance
Directed by Jane Jennings
June 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 2018
Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

In 1884, John Merrick, grossly disfigured by a rare disease, is rescued from a carnival where he had been exploited as an object of curiosity and horror. Discovered by a young doctor, he is taken to the London Hospital where his condition is studied, and where he is given refuge. Though initially repulsed by his appearance, his doctor and other visitors become his first friends, discovering the intelligent and sensitive soul within. He begins to see himself as fully human, deserving of love and respect. This moving play is based on a true story. Winner of several Tony awards, it premiered on Broadway in 1979, and was revived in both 2002 and 2014.

Directed by friends of Old Academy
July 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 2018
Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

It’s another summer of one-act hilarity! This year we are featuring more new comedies, new directors and original scripts from our talented members. Join us for a fast-paced evening of short plays designed to put a smile on your face.

By Lorraine Hansberry
Directed by Carla Childs
September 14^th, 15^th, 21^st, 22^nd, 23^rd, 28^th, 29^th, 30^th, 2018
Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Box office: 215–843-1109
Tickets $20.00

Set in the 1950’s on Chicago’s South Side, this groundbreaking play revolves around the divergent dreams and conflicts within three generations of the Younger family: son Walter Lee, his wife Ruth, his sister Beneatha, his son Travis and Mama, the matriarch Lena. When her deceased husband’s insurance money comes through, Lena dreams of moving to a better neighborhood. Walter Lee has other plans – buying a liquor store and being his own man. Beneatha dreams of medical school. The struggles of this poor, striving black family to maintain dignity, love and trust in a harsh and changing world make this one of the most important and inspiring works in American drama.

By Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Jane Jennings
November 2^nd, 3^rd, 9^th, 10^th, 11^th, 16^th, 17^th, 18^th, 2018
Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Box office: 215–843-1109
Tickets $20.00

Eurydice is a modern and poignant retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. When his new bride dies tragically, Orpheus sets out to find her in the Underworld, and bring her back. However, in the Underworld she has been reunited with her dead father, and is torn between leaving him and returning to life with Orpheus. The play is a meditation on love and grief, told with playwright Sarah Ruhl’s distinctive quirkiness and heart.

By Tom Firth
Directed by Loretta Lucy Miller
January 11^th, 12^th, 18^th, 19^th, 20^th, 25^th, 26^th, 27^th, 2019
Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Box office: 215–843-1109
Tickets $20.00

When Annie’s husband, John dies of leukemia, she and best friend Chris resolve to raise money for a new settee for the local hospital. They manage to persuade fellow Women’s Club members to pose nude with them for an “alternative” calendar. The news of the women’s charitable venture spreads like wildfire, and hordes of press soon descend on the small English village of Knapeley, where hilarity ensues. Based on the true story of eleven women who posed nude to raise money for the Leukemia Research Fund, Calendar Girls has become the fastest selling play in British theatre history.

By Terrence McNally
Directed by Rob Rosiello
March 8^th, 9^th, 15^th, 16^th, 17^th, 22^nd, 23^rd, 24^th, 2019
Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Box office: 215–843-1109
Tickets $20.00

Two couples retreat to Fire Island for an explosive July 4^th weekend, fueled by unspoken fears, festering resentments and forbidden longings. Despite the tension and heat, no one will go into the house’s immaculate pool nor confront the truth surrounding the life and untimely death of its previous owner.

By Adam Gwon
Directed by Annie Hnatko
April 26^th, 27^th; May 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, 10^th, 11^th, 12^th, 2019
Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Box office: 215–843-1109
Tickets $25.00

Ordinary Days is an Off Broadway musical by Adam Gwon (2011 Kleban Prize recipient). It delves into the hectic lives of four New Yorkers. Audiences join Claire, Jason, Deb and Warren as they search a post 9/11 New York City for love, happiness and meaning in life. Through poignant music we learn that one person can change everything, even in a city of 8 million.

By David Lindsay-Abaire
Directed by Terri Bateman
June 14^th, 15^th, 21^st, 22^nd, 23^rd, 28^th, 29^th, 30^th, 2019
Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Box office: 215–843-1109
Tickets $20.00

Come join in the fun as Abby and Marilyn try to outdo one another to gain the coveted window spot in their assisted living facility. All gloves come off and the bets are made. Watch as the two seniors, family members and staff choose sides and contribute to the chaos to see who will win this hilarious battle of wits.

Directed by friends of Old Academy
July 12^th, 13^th, 14^th, 19^th, 20^th, 21^st, 2019
Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Box office: 215–843-1109
Tickets $20.00

It’s another summer of one-act hilarity! This year we are featuring more new comedies, new directors and original scripts from our talented members. Join us for a fast-paced evening of short plays designed to put a smile on your face.