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Footloose: Youth Edition
Penguin Players Programming
January 24th - February 2nd
Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie
Directed by Julie Phillips
One of the most explosive movie musicals in recent memory bursts onto the live stage with exhilarating results. When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, he is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn't prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, determined to exercise the control over the town's youth that he cannot command in his own home. When the reverend's rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren's reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. To the rockin' rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated Top 40 score (the soundtrack album reached number one on the Billboard charts and has sold over 17 million copies!) and augmented with dynamic new songs for the stage musical, Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind.
26 Pebbles
February 28th - March 2nd
Written by Eric Ulloa
Directed by Karla Haij
On December 14, 2012, Adam Lanza walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School and killed 26 innocent souls before taking his own life. These 26 innocent deaths, like pebbles thrown into a pond, created ripples and vibrations that were felt far beyond the initial rings. This is the story of those vibrations.
Similar in style to The Laramie Project, 26 Pebbles is a heartbreaking and riveting docudrama. Playwright Eric Ulloa conducted interviews with members of the community in Newtown and crafted them into an exploration of gun violence and a small town shaken by a horrific event.
The Odd Couple
March 21st - 30th
By Neil Simon
Directed by Matthew Kraft
This classic comedy opens on a friendly card game in the untidy apartment of divorced Oscar Madison. And if the mess is any indication, it’s no wonder that his wife left him. Late to arrive is Felix Ungar, who has just been separated from his wife. Fastidious, depressed, and none too tense, Felix seems suicidal, but as the action unfolds, Oscar becomes the one with murder on his mind when the clean freak and the slob ultimately decide to room together. The action unfolds with hilarious results as The Odd Couple is born.
Out of the Pond
Conservatory Programming
May 8th - 17th
Directed by Kolie Shaw
Devised by the cast and crew
In this whimsical, original devised fairytale musical, the Ugly Duckling embarks on a heartwarming and adventurous quest to find their true family. Along the way, they "fall" into reimagined versions of classic fairytales, encountering new friends, discovering hidden strengths, and uncovering the true meaning of belonging. From the towering heights of Rapunzel’s magical tower to the enchanted woods with Little Red Riding Hood, the Ugly Duckling’s journey is filled with surprising twists, delightful songs, and a powerful message of self-acceptance.
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This 5-month program at Northern Starz Center for the Performing Arts invites 6th-12th grade students to dive into the world of theater by creating this exciting new story from scratch. Students will have the opportunity to develop their own characters, contribute to writing and composing original songs, and design costumes that bring their creations to life. With hands-on experience in playwriting, musical composition, lighting, and sound design, students will play a key role in shaping the production while gaining valuable skills in all aspects of theater-making.
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The best part? The entire process is designed to be fun! Through collaboration and creativity, students will explore their imagination, learn the art of storytelling, and experience the joy of seeing their hard work come to life on stage. Whether you're a budding playwright, aspiring musician, or future lighting designer, this program offers a unique chance to discover new talents and make unforgettable memories along the way.
Join us for a thrilling adventure where you help create the magic, and let's tell a fairytale that’s as fun to create as it is to watch!
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Dark Road
June 19th, 2025
Directed by Karla Haij
When Greta, a young girl living in Nazi Germany, reads that the nearby women's concentration camp is hiring guards, she sees it as a chance to find her place in the world and provide for her sister Lise. But soon she learns the reality of her duties, and so too does she learn how to justify her crimes, heading further and further down the dark road laid by the Third Reich. Kind-hearted Lise is shocked at what her sister becomes, and though the two drift apart, their fates remain inextricably and dangerously linked. A powerful drama about the choices that allow evil to become ordinary.
The Lion King Jr.
Penguin Project Programming
July 31st - August 3rd
Music by Tim Rice and Elton John
Directed by Paula Anderson
Based on the 1994 Disney animated feature film of the same name and William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, The Lion King is the story of Simba, an adventurous and energetic lion cub who is next in line to be king of the Pride Lands, a thriving and beautiful region in the African savanna. When Simba’s father Mufasa is killed by his uncle Scar, though, Simba is led to believe that his father’s death is his fault, and he is encouraged to run away forever. Scar seizes power and with his already unstable mind deteriorating, the Pride Lands experiences a darkness and desolation from which only Simba can save the animals of the kingdom. Featuring classic songs from the film such as “Circle of Life,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “Hakuna Matata,” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” The Lion King is a story and a spectacle about identity, family, and responsibility that is enjoyed worldwide by people of all ages.
Pied Piper: The Musical
3rd-5th Grade Programming
October 23rd - 26th
Book & Lyrics by Robert Thomas Noll
Music by Peter J. Wilson
Directed by Marissa and Jarod
The Rat Commander leads his troops into Hamelin. Their mission: to scare the people witless and eat every scrap of food there is! The invasion is so terrifically successful that the citizens are soon desperate. Suddenly, a Pied Piper arrives, promising a solution. The Mayor agrees to his price, but when the time comes to pay the Piper, he refuses. The children of the town follow the Piper's tune, but thanks to the bravery of Anna, the Mayor's daughter, and her friend Conrad, there's a new and charmingly upbeat ending to this enchanting play!
A Seussified Christmas Carol
December 5th - 20th
Directed by Don Hart
A whimsical reinvention of Dickens' most beloved Christmas story in wacky rhymed couplets. With zoot fruited juices and binka bird geese, from Bed-Headed Fred to Timmy Loo Hoo, this tale of glorious holiday cheer is similar to something Dr. Seuss might have come up with -- if he ever had his way with the story...
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