Church Hill TheatreProductions

In a summer cottage on Chesapeake Bay, Gunner has hatched an unorthodox plan to secure his family's future but meets with resistance from his wife and son, who have plans of their own. As winter approaches, the three must quickly find common ground and come to an understanding—before the tide goes out. This drama hums with dark humor and powerful emotion.

The story follows a Baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King's Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch's curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone's wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results.

The wealthy and well-established Lord family of Philadelphia is about to welcome the cream of society into their home for the second wedding of Tracy Lord, vibrant daughter of the house, to George Kittredge, a proudly priggish up-and-coming self made coal mine manager -- much to the annoyance of little sister Dinah, big brother Sandy, and ex-husband C.K. Dexter Haven, none of whom believe that George is good enough for her.

Unfortunately, father Seth’s philandering with a Broadway dancer causes a scandal which an unscrupulous media tycoon threatens to break -- unless he can send a reporter to cover this high society wedding from the inside. Enter Macaulay “Mike” Connor, a writer of quality unwillingly slumming it on the society beat, who holds strong views against the old money-wielding upper class, and his faithful photographer Liz, whose romantic connection is not enough to stop the fascinated dance which ensues when Tracy and Mike meet and spar over class boundaries and champagne-addled declarations. Torn between three men, Tracy must determine whether or not she belongs on a pedestal.

Philip Barry’s sparkling comedy The Philadelphia Story is witty, sophisticated romp, a breezy and romantic story which explores family dynamics, class prejudice, and human frailty.

Brooke Wyeth returns home to Palm Springs after a six-year absence to celebrate Christmas with her parents, her brother, and her aunt. Brooke announces that she is about to publish a memoir dredging up a pivotal and tragic event in the family's history—a wound they don't want reopened. In effect, she draws a line in the sand and dares them all to cross it.

Test

This 1970 rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice started as a rock concept album before it made its Broadway debut in 1971. The musical tells the biblical story of Jesus and the last several days of his life. Loosely based on the Gospels, the musical focuses on the personal conflicts between Jesus, his disciples, the people of Israel, and the leadership of Rome. The story is told from the point of view of disciple Judas, and it focuses on Judas’ struggle making the decision to betray Jesus and Jesus’ human psychology, fear, and anger in understanding and accepting his role as both leader and martyr.

A classic French farce by Georges Feydeau adapted by David Ives has a laugh a minute. The premise is simple, Madame Chandebise suspects her husband of cheating, and with the help of her best friend sets out to entrap and catch him. Of course, the plan goes awry, with a host of characters running around and confusing everything and everyone. Mistaken identities, a jealous Spaniard, the crazy family doctor and more will put the audience in stitches, but of course everyone will wind up in the right place in the end – this is a comedy after all!

After 20 years of marriage, American born Sara Muller brings her German husband Kurt and their three children to visit her mother and brother just outside Washington D.C. in the late spring of 1940. Kurt has been deeply involved in anti-fascist activities, and the family has been moving around for many years. The visit to the home of the wealthy Farellys should be a restful vacation, but the family idyll is threatened by the presence of Fanny Farelly’s other houseguests, the impoverished Romanian count, Teck de Brancovis and his wife. This classic play by Lillian Hellman brings intrigue, drama and an exploration of the insidious ease with which fascism can infect people’s hearts and minds.