By Ike Holter
Directed by Robert W. Schneider
"Hit the Wall is that special show that you will never stop thinking about. It's raw, visceral, passionate, and a truly devastating and life-affirming revolution." ~Robert W. Schneider
Announcing: the 2023–24 PSCS Season Productions
HIT THE WALL
October 3–12
Pavilion Theatre
Tickets
By Ike Holter
Directed by Robert W. Schneider
Hit the Wall tells the story of the historic Stonewall Riots with a spirit of rebellion and self-affirmation.
NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812
October 17–29
Playhouse Theatre
Tickets
Musical by David Malloy
Directed and Choreographed by Christine O’Grady
A fanciful retelling of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace, this electropop opera gives musical flair to this classic work of literature.
BONNETS: HOW LADIES OF GOOD BREEDING ARE INDUCED TO MURDER
November 14–17, 28–30; December 1–2
Pavilion Theatre
Tickets
By Jen Silverman
Directed by Jenny Lamb
A Rock ‘n Roll Story of Unrequited Love, one about Lust, and another about Jealousy, that fall into each other across Space and Time, ending in a total blood bath, narrated by God.
Special School of Theatre and Centre Stage Event
CHARLES DICKENS’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL
December 18–21
Playhouse Theatre
Tickets
Original Stage Adaptation and Direction by Rick Lombardo
Original Music, Arrangements of Tradition Music by Anna Lackaff
Join for this classic holiday story! This will be a unique series of performances to benefit the School of Theatre and Centre Stage, performed by the professional artists on the School’s faculty, along with students and members of the community in a truly unique Town and Gown event for the holiday season.
URINETOWN
February 20–March 1, 2024
Playhouse Theatre
Tickets
Musical by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis
A musical satire of the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, municipal politics and musical theatre itself.
TARTUFFE
March 19–30, 2024
Pavilion Theatre
Tickets
By Molière, translated into English verse by Richard Wilbur
Directed by Sam Osheroff
Tartuffe is a sanctimonious scoundrel who, professing extreme piety, is taken into the household of Orgon, a wealthy man. Under the guise of ministering to the family’s spiritual and moral needs, he almost destroys Orgon’s family.
BERNARDA ALBA
April 11–14, 2024
Penn State Downtown Theatre
Tickets
Words and Music by Michael John LaChiusa
Directed and Choreographed by Christopher Campbell
LaChiusa brings a musical voice to Federico García Lorca’s final 1936 masterpiece, The House of Bernarda Alba, through pulsing castanets, trilling Spanish guitars and resounding rhythmic stomps.
FALSETTOS
April 18–21, 2024
Penn State Downtown Theatre
Tickets
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Book by William Finn and James Lapine
Directed by Zack Steele
Falsettos revolves around the life of a charming, intelligent, neurotic gay man named Marvin, his wife, lover, about-to-be-Bar-Mitzvahed son, their psychiatrist, and the lesbians next door. It’s a hilarious and achingly poignant look at the infinite possibilities that make up a modern family… and a beautiful reminder that love can tell a million stories.
Give the gift of theatre: Gift certificates are available in increments of $25 to $250 and can be redeemed by phone or in person for entry to any event for which the Arts Ticket Center sells tickets. Gift certificates do not expire and are nonrefundable. Tickets are transferrable.
Connect with Us
2022–23 Productions
Current season productions.
Into the Woods
February 28; March 2–3, 14–18
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by James Lapine
Directed by Rick Lombardo
Music Directed by Harry Collins
Choreographed by Chris Campbell
Venue: Playhouse Theatre
View production website
Everybody
February 14–25, 2023
By Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins
Directed by Sebastian Trainor, Jeanmarie Higgins, Erik Raymond Johnson, Michele Dunleavy, David Kersnar, Jenny Lamb, and Steve Snyder
Venue: Pavilion Theatre
View online playbill
Metamorphoses
October 4–15, 2022
By Mary Zimmerman
Directed by Sam Osheroff
Venue: Pavilion Theatre
View online playbill
Cabaret
October 25–November 5, 2022
Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, and Book by Joe Masteroff
Directed and Choreographed by Chaz Wolcott
Music Directed by Emily Orr
Note: PG-13 (Much of Cabaret takes place in a Berlin nightclub known for suggestive and sexually charged entertainments. This production will include choreographed and simulated sexual activity and partial nudity.)
Venue: Playhouse Theatre
View online playbill
Rent
November 15–18, 29–30; December 1–3, 2022
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Directed and Choreographed by Christine O’Grady Roberts
Music Directed by David Wolfson
Venue: Pavilion Theatre
View online playbill
2021–22 Productions
What a season!
2021–22 marked the return of live theatre at Penn State and we are so glad that you could join us!
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
September 28–October 9, 2021
Novel by Mark Haddon
Adapted by Simon Stephens
Directed by Rick Lombardo
View online playbill
The Wild Party
November 2–14, 2021
Book, lyrics, and music by Andrew Lippa
Music directed by Harry Collins
Directed by Alison Morooney
View online playbill
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
December 2–9, 2021
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Sam Osheroff
View online playbill
Nostalgia Night
February 10–19, 2022
Book by Sofya Levitsky-Weitz
Music and Lyrics by Matthew McCollum
Directed by John Simpkins
View online playbill
Blood at the Root
March 22–April 2, 2022
By Dominique Morisseau
Directed by Steve H.Broadnax III
Blood at the Root premiered at the Penn State School of Theatre in March 2014
View online playbill
Brigadoon
April 12–23, 2022
Book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner
Music by Frederick Loewe
Revised by Brian Hill
Music directed by Emily Orr
Directed/Choreographed by Jennifer Delac
View online playbill
Become a Patron
Penn State School of Theatre is home to one of the finest theatre training programs in the country. We invite you to have a richer theatre experience by becoming a patron of Penn State Centre Stage. With your gift, the show can go on. Let our students know that you love the theatre and care about ensuring opportunity for artists.
We are able to do what we do because you believe in us.
Our students, faculty, and visiting professionals bring tremendous talent to the stage—and you give them a stage to stand on. Our choreographers, costume and scenic designers, lighting technicians, and entire artistic team envision new worlds—and you give them the resources to realize those worlds. While Penn State provides a foundation for our theatrical productions, we rely on the generosity of our community to provide the additional resources needed to perform at the highest level. Your gifts provide financial assistance with show rights, costumes, technical equipment, set materials, music, marketing, and supporting visiting artists and educators who come to share their craft.
Your patronage will also provide assistance for students with financial need to take advantage of extra-curricular opportunities such as master classes, regional theatre productions, and conference participation. We’re thankful for your partnership and philanthropy, and we applaud every person who joins us in our mission to make our theatre training program one of the top ranked in the country. We can’t wait to show you what’s next.
You can make a tax-deductible donation to Penn State Centre Stage by phoning 888-800-9163, or by visiting raise.psu.edu/PSCentreStage. Specify “Centre Stage–XAFPS” when you make a credit card gift by phone or online. You can also mail a check to: PSCS/Penn State, 116 Theatre Building, University Park, PA 16802-1506.
Patron Levels + Benefits
Friend $5 to $99
Pre-sale season notification
Benefactor $100 to $499
Above, plus:
Playbill recognition
Supporter $500 to $999
Above, plus:
Name recognition in lobby
Invitation to pre-season event
Tour behind the scenes
Performer $1,000 to $2,499
Above, plus:
Invitation to preshow meet/greet
Invitation to meet Artistic Director
Director $2,500 to $4,999
Above, plus:
Membership in Ralph D. Hetzel Circle of the Penn State President’s Club
Playbill program highlight
Producer $5,000+
Above, plus:
Membership in Edwin E. Sparks Circle of the Penn State President’s Club
Playbill program highlight
Unique personalized production experience, with recognition as a show sponsor