A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Mainstage – Musical Comedy

Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Originally Produced on Broadway by Harold S. Prince

Based on the plays of Plautus

September 9th – October 1st, 2022
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m.

Broadway’s greatest farce is light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent and one of the funniest musicals ever written. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from time-tested, 2000-year-old comedies of Roman playwright, Plautus, with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a nonstop laughfest in which Pseudolus, a crafty slave, struggles to win the hand of a beautiful, but slow-witted, courtesan named Philia for his young master, Hero, in exchange for freedom. The plot twists and turns with cases of mistaken identity, slamming doors and a showgirl or two.

This unforgettable, hysterical musical has “something for everyone, a comedy tonight!”

Presented with the support of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International. www.mtishows.com

An Inspector Calls

Mainstage – Psychological Thriller

by J.B. Priestley

October 14th – 22nd, 2022
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m.

In this spell-binding mystery, Downton Abbey meets M. Night Shyamalan.

The play is set in an industrial city in England, where a young girl commits suicide. An eminently respectable British family is subject to inquiry in connection with the death.

An inspector calls to interrogate the family and all members of the group are potentially implicated in the girl’s undoing. As the evening unravels, they are revealed to be selfish, self-centered, or cowardly.

A surprising revelation you won’t see coming may turn reality upside-down.

Presented with the support of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners

An Inspector Calls is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

Krazy Karaoke

Black Box – Interactive Musical Cabaret

October 28th and 29th, 2022
Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. 

When our cast of ten singers performs randomly chosen karaoke songs in outrageous costumes, everyone in the room is bound to have a good time! It’s The Masked Singer meets Play It By Ear, live on stage for your entertainment.

Each night will be a different show as our emcee draws song titles from the ‘box o’ krazy’ for our singers to perform. Every ticket includes a vote and you, the audience, will choose the “winners” of the competition each night.

Our “winners” won’t receive a record deal. They won’t get to go on tour. They won’t be invited to appear on Good Morning America. But they might just realize their bunny suit karaoke dreams.

Presented with the support of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.

A Christmas Carol

Mainstage – Holiday Classic

by Charles Dickens

Adapted for the Stage by Jess Glass

December 2nd – 18th, 2022
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m. Special 2 p.m. Saturday matinee on December 17th.

An annual tradition at Carrollwood Players brings Dickens’ classic to life for the holiday season with the beloved, world-famous story of Ebenezer Scrooge and the Christmas ghosts. The perfect holiday event for all ages!

Presented with the support of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.

Moon Over Buffalo

Presented by Chris McDermott

Mainstage – Comedy

by Ken Ludwig

January 13th – 28th, 2023
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m.

Moon Over Buffalo centers on George and Charlotte Hay, fading stars of the 1950s. At the moment, they’re playing Private Lives and Cyrano De Bergerac in rep in Buffalo, New York with five actors.

On the brink of a disastrous split-up caused by George’s dalliance with a young ingénue, they receive word that they might just have one last shot at stardom: Frank Capra is coming to town to see their matinee, and if he likes what he sees, he might cast them in his movie remake of The Scarlet Pimpernel.

Unfortunately for George and Charlotte, everything that could go wrong does go wrong! 

Presented with the support of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.

Moon Over Buffalo is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

Mainstage – Comedy/Drama

by Todd Kreidler

February 10th – 25th, 2023
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m.

A progressive white couple’s proud liberal sensibilities are put to the test when their daughter brings her black fiancé home to meet them in this fresh and relevant stage adaptation of the iconic film Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.

Blindsided by their daughter’s whirlwind romance and fearful for her future, Matt and Christina Drayton quickly come to realize the difference between supporting a mixed-race couple in your newspaper and welcoming one into your family–especially in 1967.

But they’re surprised to find they aren’t the only ones with concerns about the match, and it’s not long before a multi-family clash of racial and generational difference sweeps across the Draytons’ idyllic San Francisco terrace.

At the end of the day, will the love between young Joanna and John prevail? With humor and insight, Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner begins a conversation sure to continue at dinner tables long after the curtain comes down.

Presented with the support of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner is presented by arrangement with Playscripts, Inc.

Medium Well Done

Presented by Debbi Wooten

Black Box – Comedy

by Jim Moss

March 3rd – 12th, 2023
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m.

When a colorful and disparate collection of guests is summoned to the remote Carlisle mansion, things begin to go bump in the night.

The host is missing and a medium brought in to conduct a séance is DEAD. What else could go wrong?

Laughter is one thing you can count on as this mysterious comedy unfolds for your entertainment!

Presented with the support of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.

Fun Home

Mainstage – Musical

Music by Jeanine Tesori
Book and Lyrics by Lisa Kron
Based on the Graphic Novel by Alison Bechdel

March 17th – April 2nd, 2023
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m.

When her father dies unexpectedly, graphic novelist Alison dives deep into her past to tell the story of the volatile, brilliant, one-of-a-kind man whose temperament and secrets defined her family and her life.

Moving between past and present, Alison relives her unique childhood playing at the family’s Bechdel Funeral Home, her growing understanding of her own sexuality, and the looming, unanswerable questions about her father’s hidden desires. 

This refreshingly honest, wholly original musical is about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes. Winner, 2015 Tony Award for Best Musical.

Presented with the support of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners

Fun Home is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com

I Am Jacques Dutronc

Presented by Debbi Wooten

Black Box – Musical

by Jim Russell

April 14th – 23rd, 2023
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m.

Jacques Dutronc is to the French speaking world what Frank Sinatra is to the English. An iconic French superstar of the 60s and beyond, his music, style, and good looks made him a larger-than-life character adored by generations of fans.

In this musical fantasy/comedy based on his life and music, Dutronc becomes a time-traveling rock star when he must atone for his mistakes in order to get into heaven.

A colorful cast of characters, including God, who is a female, help him along his journey, with the dialogue of the play in English and the performances of Dutronc’s musical hits entirely in French.

I am Jacques Dutronc is a love letter to French music and culture, with a sci-fi twist and lots of comedy that audiences will love.

Presented with the support of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.

The Devil’s Staircase

Black Box – Drama/Thriller

by Gabriel Flores

May 5th – 13th, 2023
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m.

A Tampa golf pro has it all, but he wants more. When he enters into a lurid affair, his social standing is suddenly threatened and he will do anything to preserve it. Will the resulting deceit and betrayal lead to someone’s death?

As the battle between morality and lust escalates, a simple question becomes terrifying: How much of what happens to us in life is fate?

Presented with the support of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.

The Sound of Music

Mainstage – Musical

Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse

Suggested by The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp

June 2nd – 24th, 2023
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m.

The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical.

Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do Re Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars.

The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, follows an ebullient postulate who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household.

But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and the entire von Trapp family must make a moral decision.

Presented with the support of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.

The Sound of Music is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark. www.concordtheatricals.com

THE 2023 ONE ACT FESTIVAL

Mainstage Special Event

by Various Playwrights

July 14th – 23rd, 2023

Join us for two weekends featuring original short plays never before seen in Florida!

Audiences will experience an eclectic mix of short plays never-before produced in Florida, featuring comedy, drama, and everything in between!

In addition to thrilling sell-out crowds, this exciting event provides playwrights with an opportunity to see their work produced and provides emerging directors with experience under the guidance of seasoned mentors.

Presented with the support of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners

Twelfth Night

Black Box – Comedy/Shakespeare

by William Shakespeare

August 4th – 13th, 2023
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m.

One of the Bard’s most loved rom-coms, Twelfth Night is a riotous, guffaw-inspiring good time, featuring some of his best work in the mistaken identity department.

The play centers on the twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck. Viola (who is disguised as Cesario) falls in love with the Duke Orsino, who in turn is in love with Countess Olivia. Upon meeting Viola, Countess Olivia falls in love with her thinking she is a man. Is anyone who they seem?

Bold, comedic supporting characters add to the chaos and fun, ensuring an evening of love, laughter, and good old 1600s humor for all to enjoy!

Presented with the support of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.

Whose Life is it Anyway?

Mainstage – Drama

by Brian Clark

Presented by Debbi Wooten

August 18th – 26th, 2023
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m.

A brilliant battle of wits takes place in this extraordinary play.

Claire Harrison, a successful sculptor, is paralyzed in a car accident and kept alive by support systems in a hospital. Outwardly, she’s cheerful and often very funny, but she’s overwhelmed by the fact that she has lost control of her own life.

As the play begins, she is coming to the decision that if she can’t live as a woman, she doesn’t want to exist as a medical achievement. Her physician, however, is utterly determined to preserve Claire’s life, regardless of its quality.

Finally despite the pleas of the doctors and her involved nurse, Claire invokes the law of habeas corpus and a judge joins the battle to determine “Whose Life Is It Anyway?

Presented with the support of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.

Whose Life is it Anyway is presented by special arrangement with Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.