Is He Dead?

Date(s): February 11 - March 8

By: Mark Twain; Adapted By: David Ives;

Directed by: Halo Wines on the Mainstage

Jean-Francois Millet is a brilliant but unrecognized artist who can't sell a painting to save his life. With the help of his madcap bohemian friends, Jean decides to stage his own demise to revive sales. However, in order to keep an eye on his success, he re-emerges as his imaginary twin sister. Authored by Mark Twain in 1897, this play was recently discovered by Shelley Fisher Fishkin and updated by David Ives. Join Olney for a farce that will have you laughing loud enough to wake the dead.

A WASHINGTON-AREA PREMIERE!

King of the Jews

Date(s): March 11 - April 12

By: Leslie Epstein

in the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab

Olney brings you the WORLD PREMIERE of an intense drama that rivals Schindler's List. Adapted from the acclaimed book by the same name, King of the Jews dares to explore to excruciating moral dilemma of the Judenrat, the group of Jewish officials in the ghettos of Europe who were forced to collaborate with the Nazis. It is a compelling story of power, politics, despair, and courage. Newsweek called the book, "Thoroughly engrossing." The Jerusalem Post called it, "Beautiful, powerful, haunting...There can be no finer memorial to the victims." And The San Francisco Chronicle said it was, "The best book yet to be written on the Holocaust."

WORLD PREMIERE

Call of the Wild -The Musical

Date(s): April 8 - May 3
Based on the works of Jack London;

Book and Lyrics by: Jon Lipsky; music by Bill Barclay

Directed by: Clay Hopper on the Mainstage

Welcome to the ruthless world of the frigid Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush. This frozen, unforgiving land is inhabited by two types of beings: dogs and their masters. While they have come for fame and glory, dogs and humans must learn to endure not only the wilderness, but the loneliness too. Full of original songs, this riveting show pits man vs. animal in instinct, survival, loyalty, and humanity.

WORLD PREMIERE

The Glass Menagerie

Date(s): June 3- July 5 EXTENDED TO JULY 12
By: Tennessee Williams

Directed by: Jim Petosa in the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab

Amanda Wingfield hails from a genteel southern family. She was once the most popular girl in town with her pick of eligible bachelors...but she chose poorly. Amanda is desperate to make sure that her two adult children do not replicate her mistakes. As she struggles to create a future for her son, an aspiring poet who is rarely home; and her daughter, a cripplingly shy woman who is home too much, she might just lose the family she is desperate to save. Join Olney for Tennessee Williams' glittering and haunting masterpiece.

The Millionairess

Date(s): June 17 - July 12 EXTENDED TO JULY 19
By: George Bernard Shaw

Directed by: John Going on the Mainstage

The richest woman in the world, Epifania Ognisanti di Parerga, is glamorous, clever, and determined to live life on her own terms. Epifania has honored a rule of her late father: not to marry until she finds a man with money-making expertise. Unfortunately, her professional athlete husband turns out to be less than Prince Charming and she must continue the search for a worthy partner. In a zany comedy about class, sex, and power; Epifania comes to find that money can't buy you love...but it helps.

A Passion for Justice: An Encounter with Clarence Darrow

Date(s): August 12 - September 6
By: Jack Marshall and Paul Morella

Performance Consultant: Jim Petosa on the Mainstage

Olney Theatre Center welcomes to its Mainstage actor Paul Morella in a one-man play based on the famed defense attorney Clarence Darrow. America's first celebrity lawyer invites you into his courtroom. Renowned for moving juries and judges to tears with his eloquence, feel the passion of this man as he tries notorious cases involving murder, evolution, civil rights, and abuse of power. Using many of Darrow's own words and arguments,you the jury bear witness to the lawyer's greatest triumphs, stinging defeats, and greatest crisis.

Night Must Fall

Date(s): September 30 - October 25
By: Emlyn Williams

Directed by: John Going on the Mainstage

Would you take in a stranger? In a small Essex town, a wickedly charming and attractive young man is hired as a live-in companion for an ailing woman residing with her niece. When the news of a local murder is revealed, the alluring stranger becomes increasingly suspicious. In this suspenseful mystery thriller, will they discover the killer before he strikes again? Don't be left in the dark!

Camelot

Date(s): November 18 - January 3
Book and lyrics by: Alan Jay Lerner; Music by: Frederick Loewe; Original production directed and staged by Moss Hart; based on The Once and Future King by T.H. White

Directed by: Stephen Nachamie on the Mainstage

This irresistible musical takes you inside the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Arthur's dream of creating a utopian kingdom is complicated by love for his new Queen, Guinevere, and friendship with his favorite knight, Lancelot. This ravishing story of passion, chivalry, and betrayal has a gorgeous score that includes "If Ever I Would Leave You," "What Do the Simple Folk Do?," and, of course, "Camelot."

National Players' Summer Musical

Ain't Misbehavin'

Date(s): July 8 - August 2
Book by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby, Jr.; Music by Thomas "Fats" Waller; Lyrics by various writers; Based on an idea by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby, Jr.

Directed by Devron Young; Musical directon by Aaron Broderick

on the Historic Stage

Step back in time for a visit to Harlem's Golden Age...The Cotton Club, The Savoy, and the new beat called Swing. Celebrating Thomas "Fats" Waller, this high-energy revue brings together five characters to feature thirty of his rowdy, humorous, clever, and infectious songs. This Tony Award-winning Best Musical includes "Honeysuckle Rose," "This Joint is Jumpin'," "Black and Blue," and "I Can't Give You Anything by Love." Join Olney for this jazzy, zany tribute to an American original.

Rated "PG"

$26; Groups of 15 or more receive additional discounts.

The 2009 Family Entertainment series includes two productions by the popular and critically acclaimed Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia: Janell Cannon's Stellaluna, about an adventurous fruit bat; and Margaret Wise Brown’s Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny, about familiar nighttime rituals. The third selection in the series, Treeboy by Michele Riml, is about 10-year old Avery Adamson's struggle to keep his favorite tree. >Learn More

Olney is proud to announce that is will be bringing four exciting music performances to the stage in Season 2009. Click here for more details.