‘Tis the season… for local theater season announcements

The tale of “never more woe” sweeps in for Chanticleer’s third outing. (Dates TBA).  

Heather’s Take

I like this option for Chanticleer as a strategic choice. It is probably Shakespeare’s most broadly recognized title and a mainstay of the 9th grade curriculum, so it could help with audience development and educational outreach in their third year.

Chanticleer Shakes on the web. 

Fresno City College Department of Theater

1984 

A live radio play, adapted from the novel by George Orwell. A chilling dystopian thriller that follows one man’s struggle to resist a regime built on surveillance, censorship, and the manipulation of truth. (October 9 & 10, 2026)

The Trail to Oregon! 

By Jeff Blim, Nick Lang, and Matt Lang. A zany musical comedy that sends a pioneer family on a chaotic journey west, packed with outrageous humor, audience participation, and catchy songs. Parodies the “Oregon Trail” video game. (Dates TBA)

Speech & Debate 

By Stephen Karam. Three misfit high school students form a debate club as they wade through their adolescent drama, a local sex scandal involving a teacher and hypocritical politicians, and a musical version of “The Crucible.” (Dates TBA)

The Crucible 

by Arthur Miller. A natural follow-up to “Speech and Debate,” Miller’s gripping classic explores fear, suspicion, and the devastating consequences of mass hysteria and false accusations. (Dates TBA)

FCC Theater Department on the web. 

Heather’s Take

FCC’s upcoming season combines their knack for the contemporary with some classics, and I find this lineup pretty satisfying. “The Crucible” is one of my favorite plays of all time, but pairing it right after “Speech and Debate” and on the same bill as “1984” is a nice touch. Those plays share some DNA, and I like it when a season is in conversation with itself. Throwing in the wildly off-kilter “Trail to Oregon!” for dessert is so satisfying. As usual, FCC is up-to-the-minute on the hot new titles out there. 

Fresno State University Theatre

Is This a Room

A mind-bending interrogation thriller asks the question, “What is it to have honor in this American moment?” Concept and original direction by Tina Satter. Directed by Michelle Bellaver. (October 2 – 10, 2026)

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

When a selfish toy rabbit is separated from the little girl who loves him, an extraordinary adventure teaches him compassion, resilience, and the transformative power of love. Adapted by Dwayne Hartford from the book by Kate DiCamillo. Directed by J. Daniel Herring. (November 13 – 21, 2026)

Yo Te Esperaba: An Abolition Story

Developed by Donkeysaddle Projects in partnership with “A,” an ICE detainee survivor. A staged reading of a play in development about an ICE detainee fighting deportation for twelve years and the cost of that fight to their family and community. Directed by Gina Sandí-Díaz. (March 11 – 14, 2027)

The Shawshank Redemption

Adapted for the stage by Owen O’Neil and Dave Johns, based on the novella by Stephen King. “The Shawshank Redemption” brings the story of resilience made famous by the acclaimed film to the stage. Directed by Thomas-Whit Ellis. (April 30 – May 8, 2027)

University Theatre on the web. 

Heather’s Take

First, I had no idea that there was a stage adaptation of “Shawshank.” It is one of my favorite films, and I think its familiar title provides the broad appeal to this season. Although the “Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” sounds very sweet and a refreshing option for families at the beginning of the holiday season. Fresno State has been balancing concept-driven academic theater with more familiar fare lately, and this season is no different. So, what’s different? Their shortened season features neither a musical nor a Shakespeare, and one title is a staged reading presented for a single weekend only. But for those interested in digging into new work or theater activism, “Is this a Room” and “Yo te Esperaba” sound like they fit the bill. 

Good Company Players

Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theatre 

Les Misérables

The now-classic Boublil and Schönberg musical is adapted from the 19th-century novel by Victor Hugo. (January 22 – April 4, 2027)

Little Shop of Horrors

The iconic Ashman and Menken musical adaptation of the 1960 B-rate Roger Corman horror film. (April 9 – May 23, 2027)

Clue

The musical … oops! … PLAY adapted from the film based on the board game. (May 28 – July 18, 2027)

Disney’s The Little Mermaid

Another Ashman and Menkin musical with book by Doug Wright. Based on the Disney animated adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen tale. (July 23 – September 19, 2027)

She Loves Me

A musical version of the oft-adapted 1937 play “Parfumerie” by Miklós László. Other iterations include the films “The Shop Around the Corner” and “You’ve Got Mail.” (September 24 – November 14, 2027)

The Addams Family

By Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, this crowd-pleaser is based on the beloved characters created by Charles Addams. (November 19, 2027 – January 16, 2028)

Roger Rocka’s the web.

Heather’s Take

I don’t think I’ve typed the word “adapted” as many times in quick succession as I did when compiling this list! Every show at Roger Rocka’s is drawn from previous intellectual property,  which is par for the course in theater (particularly musicals). It is increasingly rare to find major titles from an original story these days. This isn’t a criticism, just an observation. In terms of the selection, this is a pretty balanced season with something for almost everyone on it. 

2nd Space Theatre

Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Fallen Soufflé 

By David MacGregor.  Sherlock Holmes tackles a delightfully absurd culinary mystery where murder, mayhem, and haute cuisine collide. (January 2 – February 21)

Private Lives 

by Noël Coward. Coward’s sparkling comedy follows a divorced couple whose rekindled romance proves as volatile as ever. (February 26 – April 18)

Ripcord 

By David Lindsay-Abaire. A cantankerous retirement-home resident wages an escalating prank war with her relentlessly cheerful new roommate. (April 30 – June 20)

Eleanor 

By Mark St. Germain. A poignant portrait of Eleanor Roosevelt reflecting on her extraordinary life, legacy, and enduring influence. Written as a one-woman show, it has the option of expanding the cast. (June 25 – August 15)

An Old-Fashioned Family Murder 

By Joe DiPietro. A witty, twist-filled whodunit serves up eccentric relatives, hidden motives, and deadly family secrets. From the writer of “Over the River and Through the Woods.” (August 27 – October 17) 

It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

Adapted by Joe Landry. The beloved holiday film classic comes to life as a 1940s radio broadcast, complete with live sound effects and timeless heart. (November 5 – December 19) 

Good Company Players on the web.

Heather’s Take

Good Company seems to be keeping the risk-taking on the 2nd Space stage, but I’m glad to see it. “Ripcord,” “Eleanor,” and “An Old Fashioned Family Murder” are all original plays and not immediately recognizable titles or intellectual property. I am encouraged by the fact that all three of those titles are from well-established playwrights with excellent track records for quality writing. I hope audiences take a chance on them. Throwing in “Private Lives” as the classic is a solid choice. Though the chatter around the theater scene is asking, “Who do they have in mind to play Eleanor Roosevelt?” 

Recently added:

Children’s Musical Theaterworks

Matilda, The Musical 

A young girl with extraordinary imaginative powers finds the courage to stand up to cruel adults and change her own story. (December 4–13, 2026)

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee 

Six quirky middle school students compete in a spelling bee while navigating the awkwardness of growing up. (February 12–21, 2027 in their Black box space)

13 

A New York teenager’s move to small-town Indiana turns his bar mitzvah into a lesson about friendship, popularity, and finding where he belongs. (April 30–May 9, 2027 in their Black Box space)

Phantom of the Opera 

A masked genius haunts the Paris Opera House, obsessively guiding a young singer, spiraling into tragedy. (July 9–18, 2027)

How to Train Your Dragon Jr. 

A young Viking befriends the dragon he was raised to fear, showing that compassion can change the fate of two worlds. (July 30–August 8, 2027)

CMT on the web

Heather’s Take

For Children’s Musical Theaterworks, another ambitious season built around young performers at every stage of development. The lineup balances audience favorites with shows that offer meaningful performance challenges at every age while remaining highly appealing to family audiences. Their blackbox space is getting excellent use in the springrtime, as well. 

The Munro Review is keeping its eyes peeled for more season announcements throughout the summer and fall. If other local theater producers have new information, be sure to send it our way so we can update this story. 

An earlier version of this story described "Clue" as a musical. The announced version is a play.