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SEASON 70
CELEBRATION!!!
A Musical Revue
Conceived by Randolph Smith​
Directed By Donald Owens
September 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24,, 29, 30, 2023
October 1, 2023
This is a musical revue of many of our favorite songs. Everyone from Teddy Pendergrass to Anita Baker to Donnie Hathaway and many more recording artists will be represented by a very talented cast. Just relax and let the music take you away.
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Studio 801 presents
GOD IS GOING TO TROUBLE THE WATERS
(An Urban Drama/Comedy)
By DCarter
Adapted and Directed by Steven Maurice
"God Is Going to Trouble the Waters" is a delightful awaking into the lives of imperfect people. The play shows a dark side of faith but allows for redemption to be found were you would least likely find it. The world wind dance of faith flows through out this comedy.
This is a Studio 801 production. This a taking a play to the stage: A Readers' Theatre Production. This is the experience of how a play makes it to the stage.. You will see actors with scripts (they may not need them). This brand new work by DCarter is still being developed. This is part of the mission of Arena Players in developing new talent. At the end we hope you will give some feedback. We hope that you enjoy this experience.
October 20, 21, 22, 2023
CHRISTMAS MUSICALE
(A Christmas Music Revue)
December 8, 9, 10,2023
An evening of the story of the birth of Jesus followed by joyous Christmas music and sing - along. A time for families to celebrate the holidays together.
YOUTHEATRE CHRISTMAS PRODUCTION
GODSPELL
Composed by Stephen Schwartz
Book by John-Michael Tebelak
December 15, 16, 17, 2023
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TICKETS
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The musical Godspell presents a unique and contemporary view of Jesus. His followers and disciples reenact parables and scenes from Jesus' life through music and energetic choreography. The show's music won a Grammy award . Come and enjoy this energetic Youtheatre production
MAHALIA
(A Musical About Mahalia Jackson)
By Tom Stolz
Directed by Tevin Brown
February 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, March 1, 2, 3, 2024
Featuring music by various gospel composers, as well as hymns and spirituals made famous by Mahalia Jackson. MAHALIA is a joyous celebration of the life and music of the world's greatest gospel singer. This humble, deeply religious woman whose expressive, full-throated voice carried her from a three-room shanty in New Orleans to appearances before presidents and royalty. The Joy and inspiration of Mahalia's heartfelt songs provide a counterpoint to the urgent messages delivered by her friend, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mahalia Jackson became the musical voice of tthe civil rights movement
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AUGUST WILSON'S
GEM OF THE OCEAN
(A Drama)
By August Wilson
Directed by Donald Owens
April 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, 2024
August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean , set in Pittsburgh, in 1904, is the production that tells the story of that first generation of African Americans to emerge after the end of the Civil War and the death knell of slavery. This play suggests that belonging to a strong community adds meaning and worth to a person's life. For Solly, community seems more important than his own existence. After he escapes enslavement, he returns to the South to help free the people he cares about. Aunt Ester's character appears in this play as "the embodiment of African wisdom and tradition". It is said that she arrived in America in 1619 and carries the history of Black people.
SOULMATES: The Music of Ashford & Simpson
(A Lovingly Soulful Stage Musical)
Conceived and Directed by Troy Burton
May 10, 11,12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 2024
IT'S SHOWDOWN TIME
(comedy)
By Don Evans
Directed by Tyrone Requer
June 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 2024
A musical celebration that focuses on the compositions of Nicholas Ashford and Valerie Simpson through a series of love letters. It is a flashback in sound of how this coupole shared a life together as songwriters, world-renowed performance vocal duo and husband and wife. From the days of Motown, to Warner Brothers, to Capitol Records, many of their hits that placed them in the Songwriters Hall of Fame will be performed. Nick and Val wrote music that was recorded by Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, and many others. Conceived and directed by longtime Arena Player, Troy Burton, with musical direction by Tevin Brown. This soul stirring production will transform you to a time and place as if you're at the historical music venue, Painters Mills Music Fair. This musical will make you want to sing and dance, from "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" to "Solid" as a rock.
A high-spirited and hilarious comedy of contemporary black life, drawn from Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew". Transferring the action from Shakespeare's Padua to a black neighborhood in Philadelphia, the author retains the main theme of a good but simple man out to tame - and marry - the sharpest - tongued woman in town.