OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY GRINCH IN FIGHT WITH RUDOLPH POLICE CALLED

by Jeff Daniels

September 26 – EXTENDED to December 29, 2024

An office Christmas party goes wrong when two employees dressed as The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer disagree over where to clap along on “Silent Night”. When a video of this non-brawl goes viral, the Internet offers our two non-violent co-workers $100,000 to stage a live stream Winner Take All Rematch between these two beloved Christmas characters.

Contains adult language and subject matter.

DIRECTOR: Jeff Daniels

CAST:

Juliana Berry*
Ryan Carlson*
Ruth Crawford*
Henrí Franklin
Paul Stroili*
For Closing Weekend, Jeff Daniels

*On contract in agreement with Actors’ Equity Association

Set Designer: Bartley H. Bauer
Lighting Designer: Stephen Sakowski
Properties Designer: Danna Segrest
Costume Designer: Shelby Newport
Sound Designer: Robert W. Hubbard
Stage Managers: Bill Carlton*, Dana Gamarra*
Assistant Stage Managers: Sydney Dillen*, Jennifer Lowe*, Mary Toth*
Assistant Director: Lucas Daniels

PRESS QUOTES

“Daniels pulled together a very funny cast that kept the dialogue moving along while allowing the audience in on every joke.”

-Steven Sheldon, The Saline Post

“The audience on Friday night was howling from the first minutes of this almost-musical holiday comedy, spiced with fantasy dance moves and a Christmas carol medley.”

-Nicole M. Robertson, WeLoveAnnArbor

Production photos by Sean Carter Photography.

Rehearsal photos by Michael Bessom Photography.

FOURTEEN FUNERALS

by Eric Pfeffinger

February 6 – March 9, 2025

It’s weird when city girl Sienna gets a cryptic phone call about the untimely deaths of some distant family members in small-town Blissfield, Indiana. Weirder yet is the way they expect her to deliver eulogies for relatives she’s never met. But weirdest of all: Sienna goes there. Maybe she’s hoping for a big inheritance. Maybe she just really needs to get away from her dead-end life in Chicago. But what she never expected was the tumultuous and rewarding relationship that she develops with Millie, the peculiarly sunny employee of the Blissfield funeral home.

Contains adult language and subject matter.

DIRECTOR: Rhiannon Ragland

CAST:

Ashley Wickett*

Shonita Joshi*

*On contract in agreement with Actors’ Equity Association

Set Designer: Sarah Pearline
Lighting Designer: Mario Raymond
Properties Designer: Danna Segrest
Costume Designer: Marley Boone
Sound Designer: Suzi Regan
Stage Manager: Mary Toth*
Assistant Stage Manager: Juliana Berry*

PRESS QUOTES

“It’s smartly written; it’s actually funny; it’s deeply emotional. Set in the small towns we drive through to get there, Fourteen Funerals is everything a contemporary play should be.

If you’re a Midwesterner, you’ll feel — forgive me for saying it — seen. Toledo should be honored to even provisionally call Pfeffinger its own.”

-Lillian King, The Toledo Blade

Production photos by Sean Carter Photography.

MY MOTHER AND THE MICHIGAN/OHIO WAR

by Paul Stroili

April 3 – May 25, 2025

Izzy’s history buff husband Freddy had a dream: a full-scale reenactment of The Michigan-Ohio War.  But when a bizarre papier-mâché accident leaves Izzy a widow, she calls on her Wolverine daughter and Buckeye son to see Freddy’s vision realized. Historical becomes hysterical in this comedy about family, football and the fight for the Toledo strip.

Contains adult language and subject matter.

DIRECTOR: Susan Angelo

CAST:

Teri Clark Linden*

Caitlin Cavannaugh*

Dez Walker

*On contract in agreement with Actors’ Equity Association

Set Designer: Sam Transleau
Lighting Designer: Matt Taylor
Properties Designer: Danna Segrest
Costume Designer: Suzanne Young
Sound Designer: Matt Tibbs
Stage Manager: Ryan Carlson*
Assistant Stage Manager: Caridad Guy*

PRESS QUOTES

“A masterpiece… combines belly-laughing humor with very poignant moments…. Hilarious…. This reviewer gives Stroili two thumbs up. And if I had ten thumbs, I’d give him ten thumbs up. It is 90 minutes of pure fun.”

-Steven Sheldon, The Sun Times News

Production photos by Sean Carter Photography.