Production History
Live Arts has a rich performance history.
Take a trip down memory lane and remember those shows that have had lasting impressions on our hearts and our stage. If a link is available, click to see the cast/crew information.
In May 2020, we embarked on a month-long Live Arts theater retrospective called 30in30. Each episode covers one year’s worth of productions in Live Arts’ 30 year history!
2018-2019 Season (Season 28)
RAGTIME
October 5-27, 2018
- Based on the Novel by E.L. Doctorow
- Directed by Ike Anderson
- Musical Direction by Kristin Baltes
- Choreography by Heather Powell
- Sponsored by Alexander Nicholson
- Book by Terrence McNally
- Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
- Music by Stephen Flaherty
SPECIAL EVENT: THE RAGTIME AFFAIR
Join us on October 4th and support the new season as we kick off our 28th year of Forging Theater and Community with an exclusive black-tie dinner and preview performance of RAGTIME!
SEVEN HOMELESS MAMMOTHS WANDER NEW ENGLAND
November 16-December 15, 2018
- Sponsored by Penny & Tom Howard and Tim McNamara
- Written by Madeleine George
- Directed by Larry Goldstein
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
February 1-17, 2019
- Sponsored by Scarpa
- A Play by Simon Stephens
- Based on the Novel by Mark Haddon
- Directed by Bryan Close
THE WOLVES
March 8-30, 2019
- By Sarah DeLappe
- Directed by Kelli Shermeyer
- Sponsored by McGuireWoods and Pamela Friedman & Ronald Bailey
THE BOOK OF WILL
April 12-28, 2019
- Sponsored by Bankers Insurance and Auto-Owners Insurance
- By Lauren Gunderson
- Directed by Boomie Pedersen
THE ROYALE
May 17-June 8, 2019
- Sponsored by The Frazier Foundation and George Worthington & Cameron Mowat
- By Marco Ramirez
- Directed by Leslie Scott-Jones
RENT
July 12-28, 2019
- Book, Lyrics, and Music by Jonathan Larson
- Directed by Ti Ames
2017-2018 Season
A Delicate Balance
by Edward Albee
October 13–Nov 11
Founders Theater.
“Be prepared for a surprise: an evening of theatrical fireworks that prompt astonished oohs and ahs, genuine laughter and a certain amount of delicious unease.”
– New York Times
Sweet Charity
Music by Cy Coleman, Lyrics by Dorothy Fields, Book by Neil Simon
December 1–January 6
Gibson Theater
“It’s slick, it’s funny, but it is also… nudging us towards a question: how to be good, in a world such as this?”
– The Guardian
Top Girls
By Caryl Churchill
February 2–24
Founders Theater
“A once-daring play has matured over 30 years into a genuine classic, as pertinent and piercing as ever.”
– The Hollywood Reporter
Fun Home
Music by Jeanine Tesori, Book and Lyrics by Lisa Kron
March 9–25
Gibson Theater
“Heart-gripping and cathartic, FUN HOME occupies the place where we all grew up.”
– New York Times
Hand to God
By Robert Askins
April 13–May 5
Founders Theater
“Darkly delightful.”
– New York Times
The Liar
By David Ives, Adapted from the play Le Menteur by Pierre Corneille
May 18–June 3
Gibson Theater
“Ives’s Liar is a treat—and that’s the truth.”
– Entertainment Weekly
2016-2017 Season
THE ELECTRIC BABY
by Stefanie Zadravec
October 14 to November 5, 2016
Presented by Silverchair
Six characters, three stories, and only the mysterious moon floating through her magical phases sees them all. One life-changing coincidence later, their journeys begin that curious braiding that can connect each of us to all of us, and make every strand stronger. Together and separately they search—for their destiny, for forgiveness, for acceptance, and finally, perhaps, just for a moment’s peace together. While they search, old tales are told, folk remedies are shared, and always, the Baby glows.
GUYS AND DOLLS
Music and lyrics by Frank Loesser; Book by Jo Swerling & Abe Burrows; Based on story & characters by Damon Runyon
December 9, 2016 to January 15, 2017
Presented by Old Dominion Bank
Sit Down, Live Arts will be Rockin’ the Boat all night long with our own, no-holds-barred take on this treasured musical, as Sarah and Sky, Nathan and Adelaide navigate their way into safe harbors against odds high enough to scare away even Big Julie. Whether you’d rather Follow the Fold or sit in on the Oldest, Established, Permanent Floating Crap Game in New York, there’s a place for you in Damon Runyon’s Manhattan love story. Join us for a high octane evening full of the music you love and the story with the happy ending only Broadway could provide.
WELL
by Lisa Kron
February 3 to February 25, 2017
Presented by Lisa Grant and Tim McNamara
I want to figure some things out, that’s all. I love you, so I need to understand. Why do some get well and others, not? Is it a chance, or a choice? And that patient who became the healer for her world—how did she do that? What is the connection between treatment and getting better? And Mother, will you please, for one minute, just shut up! Sorry, I do love you, but they don’t need a drink, they don’t need a snack, they just need to help me. I’m trying to figure this out and you’re so distracting. I know I can do this, I know how to do it, and as soon as I figure it out, I’ll be able to…
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
written by Rick Elise, composed by Wayne Barker, based on the novel by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson
March 10 to March 26, 2017
Presented by Woodard Properties and Sponsored by Alexander Nicholson
The Boy had no home, no friends. He even got his name by accident. All the grownups he knew lied (no wonder he won’t grow up!). The Girl is an apprentice Starcatcher who tells great bedtime stories. They share the starstuff adventure with pirates, mermaids, islanders who hate the English but love gourmet pasta, and Queen Victoria (God Save Her!). Come along while we turn the story you’ve known all your life into a whole new-yet-familiar adventure.
THE REALISTIC JONESES
by Will Eno
April 21 to May 13, 2017
Presented by Susan Jacobson and Norm Oliver
Simple conversations, complex communication; minor irritations, major confrontations; everyday affection, transcendent love. Winner of two Drama Desk Special Awards and nominated for three Drama League Awards in 2014, Will Eno’s poignant look at everyday people is full of gentle humor and wry commentary on how we deal with our own mortality. The Joneses (both couples) are doing their very best to navigate modern life in all its glorious everyday chaos, while fighting for the quiet time and inner space to make sense of it all. This play will warm your heart and break your heart, showing that there is somebody’s hero in each of us, even though none of us can be heroic all the time. And as long as we stick by each other, we don’t have to be.
DEATH OF A SALESMAN
by Arthur Miller
May 19 to June 4, 2017
Willy Loman is just an ordinary, hardworking American man, trying to hold it all together. His grown sons, Biff and Happy, are up for anything, it seems, except working hard. Meanwhile, their mother, Willy’s wife Linda, strives to keep the family from falling apart.
In Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, the family-man who fought for everything is on the edge of losing it all, and now more than ever “attention must be paid.”
2015-2016 Season
2014-2015 Season
VANYA AND MASHA AND SONIA AND SPIKE
THE MOUNTAINTOP and GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES
2013-2014 Season
2012-2013 Season
Playwrights’ Lab: Summer Shorts
Melanin
That Night Follows Day
New Works on Fire
Late Night!
IN THE NEXT ROOM or THE VIBRATOR PLAY
2011-2012 Season
Melanin
Playwrights’ Lab: Summer Shorts
2010-2011 Season
The Live Arts Shorts Festival
2009-2010 Season
Our American Ann Sisters
13
2008-2009 Season
THE GARDEN
2007-2008 Season
IN THE BLOOD
A Comic Ballad of Misfortune, LATTE
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
2006-2007 Season
A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS IN WALES
THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS
OLD TIMES
2005-2006 Season
The Tale of Pearl & Edmond, LATTE
Summer Theater Festival
2004-2005 Season
CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE
Summer Theater Festival
2003-2004 Season
ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD
2002-2003 Season
2001-2002 Season
THE COMMON GOOD
2000-2001 Season
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST & TRAVESTIES
1999-2000 Season
1998-1999 Season
1997-1998 Season
COFFEEHOUSE 11: MONSTER THERAPY
THE JOURNALS OF LEWIS AND CLARK
THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE
1996-1997 Season
GRANDPAS BIRTHDAY & NO REDEEMING VALUE
1995-1996 Season
CONFESSIONS OF A NIGHTINGALE and GERTRUDE STEIN GERTRUDE STEIN
WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?
1994-1995 Season
COFFEEHOUSE 10 FIRESIGN THEATRE
1993-1994 Season
WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LOVE
The First Annual Theater Playoffs
1992-1993 Season
THE MAIDS
THREEPENNY OPERA
1991-1992 Season
SOME THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE THE WORLD ENDS ( A FINAL EVENING WITH THE ILLUMINATI)
THE FANTASTICS
1990-1991 Season
- NO EXIT
- TALLEY’S FOLLEY
- COFFEEHOUSE 1
- COFFEEHOUSE 2
- COFFEEHOUSE 3
- THE WOOLGATHERERS
- THE BELLE OF AMHERST
THE BALLAD OF THE SAD CAFE
By Carson McCullers – adapted by Edward Albee
October 15 – 19, 1991
Producer – Thane Kerner
Director – Dan Scott
Stage Manager – Jane Berkley Ingram
Lighting Design – Mark Schuyler, Row Halpin, Greg Newman
Lighting Technician – Chris Javor
Sound Technician – Lois Tucker
Set Design – Gate Pratt, Don Taylor, John Owen
Costume Designer – Lois Scott
Miss Amelia’s Wardrobe – Row of Rhodesville
Props – Ed Horseley
Special Effects – Alley Antiques
Wrestling Consultant – John Boyd
Publicity – Will Kerner, Cate Andrews
Poster Design – Fran Sackett
SOUND
Natural Night Noises – Through the Woods
Chain Gang – Mississippi State Penitentiary
Improvised Banjo – Fred Boyce
“Been All Around This World” – J.S. Bach
Recorded Music – Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys
CAST
NARRATOR – Fred Boyce
RAINEY 1 – Gate Pratt
RAINEY 2 – Chip King
STUMPY MACPHAIL/ROSSER CLINE – Jeff Snyder
HENRY MACY – Joel Jones
MISS AMELIA EVANS – Francine Sackett
COUSIN LYMON – Ron Heller
EMMA HALE – Lee Miller
MRS. PETERSON – Jennifer L. Nesbit
MERLIE RYAN – John Henderson
MARVIN MACY – T.J. Ciaffone
HORACE WELLS – Champe Ransom
ROSSER CLINE/STUMPY MACPHAIL – Leo Arico
LUCY WILLINS – Brooke Plotnick
BILLY FORD – Dan Jewusiak
MRS. HASTY MALONE – Jane Berkley Ingram
In this Section
- Production History
- 1990-1991 Season
- 1991-1992 Season
- 1992-1993 Season
- 1993-1994 Season
- 1994-1995 Season
- 1995-1996 Season
- 1996-1997 Season
- 1997-1998 Season
- 1998-1999 Season
- 1999-2000 Season
- 2000-2001 Season
- 2001-2002 Season
- 2002-2003 Season
- 2003-2004 Season
- 2004-2005 Season
- 2005-2006 Season
- 2006-2007 Season
- 2007-2008 Season
- 2008-2009 Season
- 2009-2010 Season
- 2010-2011 Season
- 2011-2012 Season
- 2012-2013 Season
- 2013-2014 Season
- 2014-2015 Season
- 2015-2016 Season
- 2016-2017 Season
- 2017-2018 Season
- 2018-2019 Season
- 30 IN 30: A Live Arts Retrospective
- Production History