What do Charlie Brown, Troy and Gabriella from "Disney's High School Musical" and a musical/movie that features an iconic song from the fabulous Dolly Parton have in common?
They are all part of productions taking place during CenterStage 's 2024-25 season at the Trager Family JCC , 3600 Dutchmans Lane.
The 2024-25 season at CenterStage includes "Classics in Concert: The Music Man," "BENT," " You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," "Disney's High School Musical," and "9 to 5, The Musical." CenterStage, Kentucky’s oldest continuing community theatre company, is celebrating its 111th year in 2024.
The season begins with "The Music Man," which opens Aug. 15 and features 17 musicians performing in a live orchestra and 26 actors in the cast. This is the second "Classics in Concert" production that CenterStage has done ― a new series that promises to bring at least one classic Broadway production to the stage each year.
“Our Classics in Concert series is a way for CenterStage to produce shows that aren’t often staged because of the many production demands including set design needs, intricate costuming, and musical ensembles. It’s also a way for us to feature the gorgeous scores of these classics," said Erin Silliman, CenterStage producing director. "We are getting to feature both local musicians and local actors in these productions. As the longest-running community theatre company in Kentucky, presenting these ‘classics’ that stir nostalgia and showcase the roots of musical theatre canon gives us a way to celebrate our long history of serving our community through the arts."
General admission tickets are $28, with VIP tickets (which include complimentary beer, wine, and snacks, and seat selection), are $38.
Also this season, "BENT," a collaboration with Drag Daddy Productions and Louisville Pride Foundation , hits the stage in September and follows the journey of Max, a gay man in 1930s Berlin, through the vibrant gay and drag scene of Germany to the devastating horrors of the Dachau concentration camp.
Children will be delighted by the family-friendly "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," which opens Nov. 7, and "Disney's High School Musical," which runs over two weeks in late February, and early March 2025.
Finally, in May 2025, "9 to 5, The Musical," tells the story of three coworkers who live out their wildest fantasy of giving their sexist, egotistical boss the boot. This musical ― and movie, which starred the one-and-only Dolly Parton ― also features the iconic song "9 to 5."
Here's what else to know about the 2024-25 season at CenterStage:
All performances take place at the Trager Family JCC , 3600 Dutchmans Lane. Tickets can be purchased at jewishlouisville.org/the-j/j-arts-ideas/centerstage/
Classics in concert series: 'The Music Man'
WHAT : "The Music Man" follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize – this, despite the fact that he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by the curtain’s fall. Note : This production of "The Music Man" is the full musical and features a live orchestra throughout the performance.
CREDITS : Director: Erin Silliman, Music Director: John Austin Clark, Choreographer: Molly Kays, and Stage Manager: Logan McNeeley
WHEN : Aug. 15, 17-18, 22, 24 and 25
'BENT'
WHAT : A collaboration with Drag Daddy Productions and Louisville Pride Foundation, "BENT" follows the journey of Max, a gay man in 1930s Berlin, through the vibrant gay and drag scene of Germany to the devastating horrors of the Dachau concentration camp. Along the way, we encounter many of Max’s former lovers and his family’s desperate attempts to lead him out of Germany and into safety. Max, concealing his true identity under a yellow star of David, ultimately finds solace in his love for Horst, a fellow prisoner marked with a pink triangle for his homosexuality. Despite their bond in the darkness of the camp, both Max and Horst face tragic fates as victims of hatred, violence, and persecution.
CREDITS : Director: Tony Lewis, Assistant Director: Alex Roby, Producer: Erin Silliman, Dramaturg: Ben Gierhart and Stage Manager: Logan McNeeley
WHEN : Sept. 11-12, 15, 19, 21-22
'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown'
WHAT : Charlie Brown and the entire Peanuts gang explore life’s great questions as they play baseball, struggle with homework, sing songs, swoon over their crushes, and celebrate the joy of friendship.
CREDITS : Guest Director: Jason Cooper, Choreographer: Frank Goodloe, and Stage Manager: Logan McNeeley
WHEN : Nov. 7, 9-10, 14, 16-17
'Disney's High School Musical'
WHAT : It’s the first day after winter break at East High. The Jocks, Brainiacs, Thespians and Skater Dudes find their cliques, recount their vacations and look forward to the new year. Basketball team captain and resident jock, Troy, discovers that the brainy Gabriella, a girl he met singing karaoke on his ski trip, has just enrolled at East High. They cause an upheaval when they decide to audition for the high school musical that is being led by Ms. Darbus. Although many students resent the threat posed to the “status quo,” Troy and Gabriella’s alliance might just open the door for others to shine as well.
CREDITS : Director: Erin Silliman, Music Director: Benji Simmons, Choreographer: Sandra Rivera, and Stage Manager: Logan McNeeley
WHEN : Feb. 20, 22-23 and 27, March 1-2, 6, 8-9, 2025
'9 to 5, The Musical'
WHAT : Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy – giving their boss the boot! While their boss remains “otherwise engaged,” the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down. Hey, a girl can scheme, can’t she?
CREDITS : Director: Erin Silliman, Music Director: Rob Leffler, Choreographer: Molly Kays, and Stage Manager: Logan McNeeley
WHEN : May 8, 10-11, 15, 17-18, 2025
Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: CenterStage 2024-25 season to include 'Music Man,' '9 to 5' and more. Get tickets now.
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