WTC season showcases first-class entertainment

Whitefish Theatre Company, celebrating 44 years of quality community theater, world music and more, introduces its 2022-2023 season. With 15 shows, WTC’s season is diverse, inspiring, and for everyone to enjoy.

“We are so excited to announce our new season,” Executive Director Jennifer Asebrook said. “After a wonderful return to the stage this past year, we can’t wait to thrill, surprise and delight you with a broad array of live theatre and music at the O’Shaughnessy Center.”

“WTC’s upcoming season has been so fun to put together,” Artistic Director Kim Krueger added. “Our main stage season is a combination of classics and newer plays that include a thrilling musical, beloved holiday show, dramatic comedy, comedy, and a family-friendly double feature.”

“Our music series brings in tremendous ensembles of award-winning, talented artists … Add in four thought-provoking Black Curtain plays, this season promises something intriguing and entertaining for all.”

Whitefish Theatre Company’s 2022-2023 season

• Sept. 10 and 11: “Making God Laugh” (Black Curtain theater) — As Woody Allen famously quipped, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” Such is the inspiration for the comedy ‘Making God Laugh” that follows a family over 30 years’ worth of holidays.

• Sept. 24: Shayna Steele (music) — After spending nearly a decade on Broadway and as a background vocalist for artists such as Bette Midler, Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, Moby and Steely Dan, Steele released three of her own critically-acclaimed albums that showcase her supremely soulful energy and knockout vocals backed by a five-piece band performing R&B, and jazz and blues.

• Oct. 20-23 and Oct. 27-30: “Sweeney Todd” (musical theater) — The eight-time Tony Award-winning musical with lyrics and score by Stephen Sondheim has captivated audiences around the world with its murderous melodies and a haunting tale of love, revenge and hilarious mayhem. “Sweeney Todd” tells the story of the masterful barber as he returns to London to take his revenge against the corrupt judge who destroyed his life.

• Nov. 10: WÖR (music) — With their finely textured arrangements, WÖR injects new energy into 18th-century melodies, shining an inventive spotlight - with a modern twist - on Belgian classics with their saxophones, violin, bagpipes, accordion and guitar.

• Nov. 19 and 20: “Church and State” (Black Curtain theater) — Three days before his bid for re-election – and in the wake of another school shooting - U.S. Sen. Charles Whitmore has a life-altering crisis of faith, triggering an off-the-cuff comment to a Twitter-savvy blogger that sends his entire campaign into a tailspin. A timely and fast-paced story, “Church and State” is simultaneously funny, heartbreaking, and uplifting.

• Dec. 8-11 and Dec.16-18: “Little Women” (mainstage theater) — In Kate Hamill’s sparkling adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel “Little Women,” Jo March is ambitious, headstrong and yearns for the day when she will be a great American novelist, as the nation is torn apart by civil war. Written with a contemporary flair, this holiday story is about the March sisters, four dreamers destined to be imperfect little women.

• Jan. 21 and 22: "Collected Stories"(Black Curtain theater) — Student Lisa Morrison is thrilled to be under the tutelage of her literary idol, Ruth Steiner. But as Lisa’s career begins to flourish and Ruth’s to fade, can the tenuous relationship between mentor and mentee survive ambition, rivalry, and eventual betrayal and what, if anything, is off-limits in art.

• Feb. 3: Seffarine (music) — Soulful singer Lamiae Naki, who sings in Arabic, Farsi, Spanish and French, and musician Nat Hulskamp, who plays the flamenco guitar and oud, are joined by acclaimed bassist Damian Erskine, Persian master percussionist Bobak Salehi, and flamenco dancer Manuel Gutierrez. The result is a lively and enriching musical journey throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East.

• Feb. 23-26 and March 3-5: “The Velveteen Rabbit and Bedtime Stories (As Told By Our Dad) (Who Messed Them Up)” mainstage theater) — Two family-friendly plays shown together. “The Velveteen Rabbit” is a heartwarming story about the transformative power of love. “Bedtime Stories (As Told By Our Dad) (Who Messed Them Up)” is Dad's turn to tell his three rambunctious kids their bedtime stories, but when he gets fuzzy on the details, the classics get creative.

• March 9: Accent (music) — In the increasingly popular world of a cappella singing groups, Accent has carved out its own niche. The group began in 2011 and has since released four albums, toured the globe, and created a huge fan base.

• April 6-8 and 12-15: “Evelyn In Purgatory” (mainstage theater) — When a complaint is filed against teachers in New York’s public schools, they are sent to a Reassignment Center where they must wait for their case to be reviewed — usually for months, sometimes for over a year. Evelyn Reid ends up in “the rubber room,” where she encounters a group of teachers, some guilty, some not, who have long since lost any hope of returning to a classroom. A poignant and funny drama, “Evelyn In Purgatory” is “the Breakfast Club for teachers.”

• April 22: The Black Market Trust (music) — Hailing from Los Angeles, this charismatic pop/vocal jazz band combines the sounds of legendary American crooners and vocal groups with energy of gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. These five world-class musicians feature material from the Great American Songbook — ranging from Sinatra to the Beach Boys to the Beatles. Add a dash of Rat Pack-style comedy and a reputation as one of the premier live acts.

• May 6 and 7: “The Harry and Sam Dialogues” (Black Curtain theater) — Two blue-collar friends like to pass the time posing outlandish questions to one another: Why is life like a Ding Dong? Where do sandwiches come from? Why is reincarnation named after a flower? Their dialogue initially sounds like a Monty Python skit, but soon deepens as the men try to make sense of what everything means. A clever comedy about life and big questions.

• May 26-29 and June 2 — “Suite Surrender” (mainstage theater) — It's 1942 and two of Hollywood's biggest divas have descended upon the luxurious Palm Beach Royale Hotel to perform at a USO benefit. Complication one: The two ladies have a legendary ongoing feud that turns violent if they come near each other. Complication two: The performers both wind up booked into the same Presidential Suite. A hilarious romp and a true love note to the classic farces of the 30s and 40s.

All shows are at the WTC’s O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish. Currently, season passes and build-your-own-season passes, offering 10% to 15% discounts off regular ticket prices, are available by calling the box office at 406-862-5371, ordering through the brochure order form on the website, or visiting the office at 1 Central Ave. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Individual tickets for all shows can also be purchased beginning Aug. 13 at www.whitefishtheatreco.org.