2008-2009 Season

August 15 – September 6
Mrs. Warren’s Profession
Written by George Bernard Shaw
Directed by Jacy D’Aiutolo
Produced by Whitney Moore.
During a brief visit from her oft-absent mother, Vivie Warren learns the truth about her mother’s profession. The shocking news sets the stage for George Bernard Shaw’s tale about hypocrisy, sex, money and morality. Originally banned from public performance, Shaw said about the play: “Ah, when I wrote that, I had some nerve.”

August 23 – 31 Shakespeare on the Green
Measure for Measure:
directed by Bill Jones
Romance, blackmail, deceit, immorality, justice, prison, repentance, marriage – all in one hour! (Contains mature themes not suitable for children under 13. Performances are:

  • Saturday August 23 at 4pm and Sunday August 24 at 5:30pm on the green behind Roosevelt Center
  • Saturday and Sunday August 30 – 31 at 2:30pm and 5:30pm in the Arts Center

Comedy of Errors:
Directed by Anna Bonnet.
Slapstick and farce. Mistaken identities with two sets of twins. Twenty-five minutes of fun for people of all ages! Performances are:

  • Saturday August 30 at 11:30am and 1:30pm in the Arts Center
  • Sunday August 31 at 1:30pm and 4:30pm in the Arts Center

September 19 – October 11
Crossing Delancey
Written by Susan Sandler
Directed by Norma Ozur
Produced by Beatriz Mayoral
A delightful romantic comedy about family, friendship and fun that takes place on New York City’s lower East side. Meet Izzy, a young bookish woman with ideals and her Bubbie (grandmother) whose old world traditions collide with Izzy’s contemporary ones. Who will win this struggle of the wills? And what of Sam, the pickle man? And Hannah, the matchmaker? And Tyler, the author whom Izzy reveres? Come see the bubbles brew in the pickle barrel!

October 31 – November 22
The Rocky Horror Show
Written by Richard O’Brien
Directed by Jeffery Lesniak
This is the story of two clean cut kids who run into car trouble and seek help at the site of a light down the road. Little do they know that it’s coming from the place where Dr. Frank N Furter is in the midst of his maniacal experiments. The play is a rock musical, a spoof of science fiction films and a bizarre story of seduction and sexual confusion (for some).
Halloween opening night performance begins at Midnight.

January 23 – February 7
Children of Eden
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Book by John Caird
Directed by Darnell Morris.
This two-act musical is loosely based on the Book of Genesis. The show deals with many themes and issues told through an age old story. It focuses on relationships and how the choices we make can affect more than we had considered. The production presents a refreshing and creative retelling of the narrative of Adam and Eve in Act I and Noah and of the flood in Act II.

February 13 – 21
Youth Musical: Homeward Bound
Directed by Christopher Cherry.
The Greenbelt Arts Center and the Greenbelt Recreation Department present Homeward Bound, an original musical by Chris Cherry, based on Homer’s The Odyssey. The story features a heroic quest, a besieged heroine, assorted monsters, enchantresses, cannibals, and ghosts, as well as magic food, minor divinities, scheming suitors, a whirlpool, and a shipwreck! Homeward Bound is performed by a talented cast of young actors ages 13 to 17, with piano accompaniment by Steve Brodd.
Starting January 2, advance tickets for Homeward Bound are on sale Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 4:30, pm at the Greenbelt Community Center business office at 15 Crescent Road. Tickets are $6. You can charge your tickets by phone by calling 301-397-2208.

February 26 – 28
Slanted Lines: Five One-Act Plays by Jacy D’Aiutolo
Thunderous Productions presents a weekend of one-act plays: “Duet,” “Thieves,” “Cruelty to Wheat,” “Remarks” and “The Barrow Boy” – each from a viewpoint that is slightly off-center. (Strong Language and Violence – Not recommended for children.)

March 13 – April 4
Amadeus
Written by Peter Shaffer
Directed by Curt Somers.
The Tony Award play and Academy Award winning film takes the stage with live music! Everyone knows Mozart’s music, but what of the mystery involved in his murder? That’s what portends for all who enter the theater and the realm of intrigue, Mozart’s most famous works and the drama of his bitter enemy, Antonio Salieri as he confronts him on the musical battlefield, where only one can survive. Experience the challenge in a show worthy of your consideration.

April 24 – May 16
The Comic Genius Connection: The Real Inspector Hound and For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls
In The Real Inspector Hound:, two theater critics watch a ludicrous country house “Murder Who-Done-It Mystery” and somehow get involved in its action. As their actions parallel those of the actors on stage in the play they are watching everyone is –more and more. Wonderfully funny! Written by Tom Stoppard, Directed by Sheilah Crossley-Cox, Produced by Stephen E. Cox.
In For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls, a charming parody of the Tennessee Williams classic, The Glass Menagerie, with a gay gentleman caller and a male, rather than female Laura. Although obviously based on Williams’ work, this play stands on it’s own as an outstanding example of very serious characters whose neurotic self absorption makes them irresistibly absurd but endearingly human. Written by Christopher Durang, Directed by Sheilah Crossley-Cox, Produced by Stephen E. Cox.

May 22 – 24
According to Us (Remember Me)
Written and directed by Charles Butler
Music composed by Rosanna Tufts and Charles Butler
Performed by guest artists A Company of Strangers.
The Rector of an urban church dies suddenly, leaving the parish garden to three homeless people. Through memory and retelling the three become others and yet themselves. This musical shows what happens when one person makes a difference.

June 5 – 20
Catch 22
Directed by Bill Jones
A guest production from OutOfTheBlackBox Theatre Company.
A comedy by Joseph Heller on the mal-adaptations human beings make to being at war. A satirical historical fiction, the play is set during the latter stages of WWII. Events in the story are repeatedly described from differing points of view. Its pacing is frenetic, its tenor intellectual and its humor largely absurd, interspersed with moments of grisly realism.
Not recommended for children

July 10 – August 1
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Music, Lyrics and Book by Clark Gesner.
Directed and produced by Jeffery Lesniak.
Choreographed by Denise A. Levien.
Co-Musical Directed by Jennifer DeLong.
Based on Charles Schultz’s comic strip, this delightful musical depicts an average day in Charlie’s life. It is made up of small moments picked from all the days of Charlie Brown: Valentine’s Day to baseball season, from wild optimism to utter despair, all mixed in with the lives of his friends (both human and non-human) and strung together into a single day, from bright uncertain morning to hopeful starlit evening.