2024–25 PSCS Season Productions
Tickets on sale July 16, 2024
Special Event: Sneak Preview
Friday, September 13, 2024
Playhouse Theatre
Your $49 admission includes hors d’oeuvres, libations, and performance. Meet the directors, designers, and students who will be producing the 2024-25 season; catch a glimpse of the upcoming productions; and purchase tickets to the shows!
We have several surprises in store for the evening, and we look forward to seeing you!
John Proctor is the Villain
By Kimberly Belflower
Directed by Steve H. Broadnax III
October 8–19, Pavilion Theatre
Previews: Oct. 8, 10
Opening Night: Oct. 11
Evenings: Oct. 12, 16, 17, 18, 19
Matinee: Oct. 19
Evenings $23; Preview/Matinee $20; Student $15
At a rural high school in Georgia, a group of lively teens are studying The Crucible while navigating young love, sex ed, and a few school scandals. Holding a contemporary lens to the American classic, they begin to question who is really the hero and what is the truth, discovering their own power in the process. Alternately touching and bitingly funny, this new comedy captures a generation in mid-transformation, running on pop music, optimism, and fury, writing their own coming of age story.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Hugh Wheeler
Directed by Zack Steele
Music Directed by Ann Van Steenwinkel
November 12–22, Playhouse Theatre
Previews: Nov. 12, 14
Opening Night: Nov. 15
Evenings: Nov. 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
Matinee: N/A
Evenings $28; Preview/Matinee $23; Student $15
A MUSICAL THRILLER! Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd—Stephen Sondheim’s twisted story of love, revenge, and infamous meat pies!
With a razor-sharp thirst for vengeance, Todd’s path converges with the cunning pie shop owner Mrs. Lovett. Together, they form a macabre partnership, crafting meat pies that satiate more than just hunger. But the relentless pursuit of justice takes a turn as Todd’s razor weaves a chilling narrative.
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How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Musical by Frank Loesser
Book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, Willie Gilbert
Directed and Choreographed by Christopher Campbell
Music Directed by Joseph Ivan
February 25–March 7, Playhouse Theatre
Previews: Feb. 25, 27
Opening Night: Feb. 28
Evenings: March 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Matinee: N/A
Evenings $28; Preview/Matinee $23; Student $15
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying centers on a young window-cleaner, J. Pierrepont Finch, who begins a meteoric rise from the mail room to Vice President of Advertising at the World-Wide Wicket Company. Finch's unorthodox and morally questionable business practices jeopardize not only his career but also his romance with Secretary Rosemary Pilkington.
Love's Labour's Lost: The Musical
Musical based on play by William Shakespeare
Songs and Book adapted by Michael Friedman, Alex Timbers
Directed and Choreographed by Christine O’Grady
Music Directed by Ben Kiley
April 1–12, Pavilion Theatre
Previews: April 1, 3
Opening Night: April 4
Evenings: April 5, 9, 10, 11, 12
Matinee: April 12
Evenings $28; Preview/Matinee $23; Student $15
This musical adaptation of Shakespeare's comedy—filled with romance, revelry and enchanting music—brings together the language of the bard with a fresh contemporary pop-rock score. The King and his best buds decide at their five-year college reunion to swear off the joys of women. But when four cute, clever girls from their past show up, they’re forced to reconsider all of that nonsense! Smart, sexy, outrageous, and irreverent, Love's Labour's Lost is a madcap celebration of true love and coming of age.
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Alice in Wonderland
Based on the classic by Lewis Carroll
Adapted and Directed by Jenny Lamb
April 15–26, Playhouse Theatre
Previews: April 15, 17
Opening Night: April 18
Evenings: April 19, 23, 24, 25 ,26
Matinee: April 26
Evenings $23; Preview/Matinee $20; Student $15
A combination of the well known stories of Lewis Carroll–Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-glass and What Alice Found There–this production looks at the indelible themes of change, growth, desire, status, societal rules, and loss of innocence, as we unravel the mystery of the human psyche through a highly physical and metaphoric trip down the rabbit hole. PG-13
Special School of Theatre Production: Much Ado About Nothing
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Steve Snyder
November 16–22, Pavilion Theatre
Evenings at 7:30pm: November 16, 19, 20, 21, 22
Matinee at 2pm: November 17
General admission: $15
Count Claudio falls in love with Hero, the daughter of his host. Hero's cousin Beatrice (a confirmed spinster) and Benedict (an eternal bachelor) are each duped into believing the other is in love with them. Claudio is deceived by a malicious plot and denounces Hero as unchaste before they marry.
Special School of Theatre and Centre Stage Event: Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol
Original Stage Adaptation and Direction by Rick Lombardo
Original Music, Arrangements of Tradition Music by Anna Lackaff
Co-Directed by Rick Lombardo and David Kersnar
December 17–20, Schwab Auditorium
Evenings: Dec. 17, 18, 19
Matinees: Dec. 18, 20
School matinee at 10:30am: Dec. 19
Evenings $28; Preview/Matinee $23; Student $15
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.
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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.
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.
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Patron Levels and 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