Whitefish Theatre Company celebrates 45 years of community theater

A diverse lineup of 14 inspiring and thought-provoking plays, musical performances and more make up the 2023-24 season lineup for Whitefish Theatre Company.

The company is marking 45 years on the stage.

“Our main stage season is a combination of classics and newer plays that include the masterpiece ‘Lost In Yonkers,’ the holiday spectacular ‘A Christmas Carol The Musical,’” the thrilling adaptation of ‘Misery,’ the historic drama ‘Silent Sky’ and the hilarious who-dunnit ‘Death By Design,’” WTC Artistic Director Kim Krueger said.

“Our music series brings in tremendous ensembles of award-winning, talented artists that include the Inuit-soul ensemble Pamyua, the acclaimed blues guitarist Albert Cummings, the dynamic classical duo Bridge + Wolak, the vibrant fiddling of Eileen Ivers, and the flamenco supergroup Jesús Muñoz Flamenco,” she said. “Add in four thought-provoking Black Curtain [Theater] plays, this season promises something intriguing and entertaining for all.”

Following is the lineup of WTC shows coming to the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish

“Kalamazoo,” Sept. 23-24

When Peg, a 70-something, Irish Catholic bird lover meets Irving, a 70-something Jewish, metal detector-toting East Coaster on an online dating site, it feels like love at first click. But after their crazy margarita-filled first date, complete with body shots and morning-after tattoos, Peg and Irving find that they still have a little aging to do if they want to forget their past and move forward into a future together.

“Lost In Yonkers,” Oct.12-15 and 19-21

This coming-of-age masterpiece by Neil Simon is filled with witty dialogue and heartfelt emotion as the young boys in the play learn lessons about love, responsibility and the importance of family that will carry them into adulthood. Winner of the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for drama.

Pamyua, Oct. 27

This four-piece ensemble showcases Inuit culture and history through music, dance, and masks from many Alaska Native cultures, reinterpreting traditional melodies with contemporary sounds of soul.

“Admissions,” Nov. 11 and 12

Bill and Sherri Rosen-Mason are the white, progressive-and-proud headmaster and dean of admissions at Hillcrest, a New Hampshire boarding school. Over the last 15 years, they have worked to diversify the school’s mostly white population, largely succeeding in bringing a stodgy institution into the 21st century. But when their high-achieving son’s Ivy League dreams are jeopardized, the family's reaction opens a deep rift between their public values and private decisions. “Admissions” is a sharp-witted, devastating and blunt look at privilege, power and the perils of hypocrisy.

Albert Cummings, Nov. 17

Featuring a four-piece band, musician Albert Cummings weds the “chunky, rave-up R&B stylings” of Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan to the “boundary-less blues-rock improvisation” of Eric Clapton and Freddie King, into a distinct style and sound. Cummings has shared the stage with Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, Susan Tedeschi, Sheryl Crow, and B.B. King, playing guitar.

“A Christmas Carol: The Musical,” Dec. 7-10 and 14-17

In this adaptation of Charles Dickens’ enduring story, Ebenezer Scrooge must face his selfish ways when he meets three ghosts who lead him through his past, present and future. Brimming with rousing musical numbers and splendid costumes, this musical celebrates the importance of family, friendship and love.

“Witch,” Jan. 20-21

The fate of the world is at stake in Jen Silverman’s smart modern fable “Witch.” In one of the oldest storylines around, Scratch, a slick young devil dressed as a junior salesman, arrives in search of people’s souls in exchange for their deepest desires. Elizabeth should be his easiest target, having been labeled the Witch of Edmonton and cast out by the town, but her soul is not so readily bought. As the citizens begin to take advantage of the Devil’s deals, outcast Elizabeth stuns the handsome, self-centered Scratch by standing her ground. This sharp, inventive, and fiendishly funny new play debates how much our souls are worth when hope is hard to come by.

Bridge + Wolak, Jan. 24

Michael Bridge, who plays accordion and piano, and Kornel Wolak, who plays clarinet and piano, are an internationally acclaimed music and comedy duo, integrating traditional acoustic instruments with modern digital technology to perform a reimagined repertoire of classical, world and jazz fusion.

“Misery,” Feb. 22-25, 29 and March 1-2

Based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel, romance novelist Paul Sheldon wakes up incapacitated in the secluded home of Annie Wilkes, his “number one fan,” after she rescues him from a car crash. Becoming enraged after learning that Paul has killed off Annie’s favorite character, Misery Chastain, Sheldon begins a game of cat-and-mouse as he tries to outsmart her and plan his escape. Recommended for mature audiences.

Eileen Ivers, March 6

Called the “Jimi Hendrix of the violin,” Grammy-winning and Emmy-nominated Eileen Ivers will change the way people think of the fiddle. With her four-piece band, Ivers connects music, cultures, and stories that tie people together. The nine-time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion’s career, which spans 30 years, includes starring in the Riverdance show.

“The Tin Woman,” March 16-17

Based on a true story, “The Tin Woman” follows the story of Joy, a woman in her mid-30s, who received a heart transplant. However, instead of relishing her new life, she enters a downward spiral, unsure whether she truly deserves a second chance. Meanwhile, Alice and Hank mourn the loss of their son, Jack, whose heart was used to save Joy. When Joy decides to meet Jack’s family to find closure, their grief transforms as they finally have to accept his death. Through laughter and grief, “The Tin Woman” explores loss, family and what it means to be given new life.

“Silent Sky,” April 11-14 and 18-20

In the early 1900s at the Harvard Observatory, Henrietta Leavitt charts the stars for a renowned astronomer who has no time for her probing theories. Blending science, history and fragile relationships, “Silent Sky” follows the true story of a passionate young woman who must map her own passage through a society determined to “keep a woman in her place.”

— May 10, Jesús Muñoz Flamenco

Hailing from New Mexico, Jesús Muñoz Flamenco is an ensemble of international dancers and musicians exploring dynamic movements and sounds inspired by cante flamenco or “flamenco singing.” The ensemble’s performance intersects Flamenco with Latin, jazz and hip-hop, creating an exciting night of Flamenco dance.

“Death By Design,” May 30-31 and June 1-2 and June 8-10

It’s 1932 and Edward Bennett, a playwright, and his actress wife, Sorel, flee London and head to an English country manor after a disastrous opening night. But various guests continue to arrive unexpectedly — a conservative politician, a fiery socialist, a nearsighted ingénue, a zany modern dancer — each with a long-held secret. When one of the guests is murdered, it is left to Bridgit, the feisty Irish maid with a macabre interest in homicide, to solve the crime. “Death by Design” is a hilarious whodunnit with an unforgettable twist.

Adult season passes are currently available for purchase for $270, a 15% discount off ticket prices. Build-you-own season passes, where individuals select a minimum of six shows to attend, are available at a 10% discount. Individual tickets will be available for purchase Aug. 19. Passes may be purchased by calling 862-537, or visiting the WTC office at 1 Central Avenue, Whitefish and whitefishtheatreco.org.