2018-2019 Season

A Raisin in the Sun

Our 515th Production

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

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.


Eurydice

Our 516th Production

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

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.


Calendar Girls

Our 517th Production

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

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.


Lips Together, Teeth Apart

Our 518th Production

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

Two couples retreat to Fire Island for an explosive July 4th 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.


Ordinary Days

Our 519th Production

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

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.


Ripcord

Our 520th Production

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

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.


2019 Summer One-Act Bonanza

Directed by friends of Old Academy
July 12th, 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 2019
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.