If you believe that the idea of preserving a body instead of embalming and burying or cremating it is preposterous and absurd, then you haven't seen Life Goes On, a hilarious play by North Carolina judge James E. Ragan III. George Smith, the pivotal character in the story, dies after the first scene. George's wife, Harriet, is becoming increasingly forgetful, even forgets that George is dead and insists on keeping his body at home at night. The whole scheme evolves from a discovery that George's friend Roger Norris, a local undertaker, makes which he calls a "Preservation System."
Auditions: August 6, 7
Performances: September 21, 22, 23, 29, 30
Based on the game-changing 1980 film starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and, of course, Dolly Parton, the Tony-nominated musical adaptation of 9 to 5 premiered on Broadway in 2009. At its heart, 9 to 5 tells the story of three strong, determined women looking to make a difference in their workplace and their lives. Down, depressed and under the thumb of their sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical boss, these unlikely friends set out to teach him a lesson, but learn a lot about themselves along the way! The show milks every last drop of the dry humour that made the movie such a well-loved classic.
Auditions: August 27, 28
Performances: November 15, 16, 17
On a simple stage, with the clock ticking in front of everyone's eyes, the cast speeds through all of Greek Mythology. It Is funny, updated and made easy to understand. The Gods walk the Red Carpet. The Creation of Mankind is a botched subcontractors job. Man and Pandora try settling down despite an ominous wedding gift. Love stories are a dating show and the Greek Tragedies are sports highlights! And don't forget the two greatest stories ever told, The Iliad and The Odyssey. All the silly decisions, the absurd destinies, and the goofy characters are presented lightning-bolt fast with hysterical results as the clock is stopped with only seconds to spare.
Auditions: January 14, 15
Performances: March 15, 16, 17, 22, 23
A comedic romp into the world of fantasy role-playing games, She Kills Monsters tells the story of Agnes Evans as she leaves her childhood home in Ohio following the death of her teenage sister, Tilly. When Agnes finds Tilly's Dungeons & Dragons notebook, however, she stumbles into a journey of discovery and action-packed adventure in the imaginary world that was Tilly's refuge. In this high-octane dramatic comedy laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres, and 90s pop culture, acclaimed young playwright Qui Nguyen offers a heart-pounding homage to the geek and warrior within us all.
Auditions: April 8-9
Performances: June 8, 9, 14, 15, 16
Singing hits by dearly departed artists. The Return of the Singing Dead is a music revue paying tribute to artists that have passed on. Appropriate for all ages.
Performances: October 26, 27
(A Feghoot is a short story ending in a pun!) Ted Remington is a raconteur who has been telling stories, mainly puns, for over 50 years. An FCT veteran, none of his stories would be rated more than PG, but his humor probably won't be understood by kids under 16.
Performances: January 25, 26
Delight to a big band revue with some swing dancing too. This is a music revue celebrating the Big Band Era and The Great American Songbook.
Performances: February 22, 23, 24
World Premier Event: Selkie and the Witchboy is an original folk opera based on the Celtic legend of the selkie, and is set on the Irish coast in the late 1500’s. A witch boy, who is the offspring of a witch and the wild wind, meets and falls in love with Fiona, a selkie. It is a story of star-crossed lovers who battle impossible odds to be together. With the help of the sea, the mountain, the wild wind and a young William Shakespeare, can the witch boy find his way home to the selkie who must face her own trials?
Performances: April 19, 20, 27, 28