Season 2009-2010

Social Security
By Andrew Bergman
September 11th – 27th, 2009

The domestic tranquility of a married couple, art dealers, is shattered upon the arrival of the wife’s nerdy sister, her uptight husband and the sisters’ demanding elderly mother. They are there to try and save their college student daughter from the horrors of living only for sex. The comic sparks fly when this mother hits it off with the elderly minimalist artist who is the art dealer’s best client.

Angel Street
By Patrick Hamilton
October 9th, 10th & 16th-25th, 2009

This Broadway hit tells the story of the Mannigham’s who live on Angel Street during the 19th century. Manningham, a suavely sinister man, is slowly torturing his gentle, lovely wife into insanity under the guise of kindness. While he is out, Mrs. Manningham has an unexpected caller – from Scotland Yard – who is convinced that Manningham is a maniacal criminal wanted for an earlier murder. This play was the basis for the George Cukor movie Gaslight.

Children of Eden
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Book by John Caird
November 13th – 22nd, 2009

A joyous and inspirational musical about parents, children and faith layered by centuries of unresolved family business from the composer of Godspell, Pippin and Wicked, and the playwright for Les Misérables, Children of Eden is loosely based on the story of Genesis. It is a frank, heartfelt, humorous and human examination of the age-old conflict between parents and children. Adam, Eve, Noah, and “Father” who created them, deal with the headstrong actions of their respective children. The show sends the message that “The hardest part of love…is letting go.” The energetic score is a mix of musical styles and choral elements.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
By Barbara Robinson
December 18th – 20th, 2009

Join us for the Fifth Annual benefit production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Playing for one weekend only. In this hilarious Christmas tale, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids– probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won’t believe the mayhem– and the fun– when the Herdmans collide with the Christmas story head on!

The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife
By Charles Busch
January 8th – 24th, 2010

Marjorie Taub is the wife of a philanthropic allergist who is engulfed in a life crisis of Medea-like proportions. She tries to lose herself in a world of art galleries, foreign films and avant-garde theatre but is barely able to rouse herself from her sofa. Her spirits soar when a fascinating friend out of her childhood appears. Lee, the savior who arouses Marjorie from her stupor, becomes an unwelcome and sinister guest in short order. How to get rid of her?

An Ideal Husband
By Oscar Wilde
February 19th – March 7th, 2010

This late-19th century play, a wry commentary on the ethical “purity” of politicians, revolves around a blackmail scheme forcing a married couple to reexamine their moral standards. As relevant today as in Wilde’s day, the playwright’s scintillating wit in this drawing room comedy makes for a deeply satisfying theatrical experience. A supporting cast of lovers, society matron, an overbearing father, and a formidable femme fatale continually exchange sparkling repartee at lightning pace in this classic play.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
By William Shakespeare
April 16th – May 2nd, 2010

Lysander loves Hermia, and Hermia loves Lysander. Helena loves Demetrius; Demetrius used to love Helena but now loves Hermia., Hermia is given four days, by her father, to choose between Demetrius, life in a nunnery, or a death sentence. Hermia, ever defiant, chooses to escape with Lysander into the surrounding forest. Meanwhile in the forest – Oberon and Titania, King and Queen of Fairies, are locked in a dispute over a child whom Titania has adopted. Meanwhile, AGAIN, in the midst of this chaos, a group of craftsmen are rehearsing for a production of “Pyramus and Thisbe,” to be played for the Duke at his wedding. Oh, and did we mention it all takes place in High School? Shakespeare romantic fantasy gets a shiny new look in MP’s Spring production. You won’t want to miss it!

One Act Festival – 2010
July 23rd – August 1st, 2010

Group A (Friday, July 23rd, Sunday, July 25th, Saturday, July 31)
WASP by Steve Martin
directed by Karen Fleming
Trash Talk by Ben Kingsland
directed by Brian Dettling
Woody Allen’s Mr. Big adapted by William Adams
directed by Jennifer Georgia
Duet by Jacy D’Aiutolo
directed by Pat Miller

Group B (Saturday, July 24th, Friday, July 30th, Sunday, August 1st )
Personal Effects by John McNamara
directed by Felicity Brown
Conversations with the Spanish Lady by Robert Schenkkan
directed by J. McAndrew Breen
Life Support by Donald Steele
directed by Bruce Hirsch