by Lanie Robertson

A powerful one-woman show about the last days of jazz great Billie Holiday.  Starring Michelle Allison, with popular songs 'Foolin' Myself," "Crazy He Calls Me," and "God Bless the Child," it's a rich and intimate theater experience

(In the Black Box Theater)

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Disney's Beauty and the Beast
September 4 - September 20. 2009

Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice
Book by Linda Woolverton

Step into the enchanted world fo one of Broadway's biggest smash hits!  Based on Disney's Academy-Award winning animated feature, we invite you to 'Be Our Guest" for this tale as old as time, one that will delight audiences of all ages.

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Little Shop of Horrors
October 16 - November 1, 2009

Book by Howard Ashman
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman
Based on the film by Roger Corman screenplay by Charles Griffin

Seymour, a down-and-out floral assistant, finds a little plant that grows into an ill-tempered, R&B-singing carnivore.  Little Shop is features an energetic, rock-n-roll score, and a cast of wacky characters.

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The Bible: The Complete Word of God (Abridged)
November 13 - November 29, 2009

By Adam Long, Reed Martin and Austin Tichenour

From the same team that brought you Greater Tuna and Shakespeare (Abridged), comes an affectionate, irreverent look at one of the greatest works of all time: The Bible.  Outlandish ad silly, be sure to bring your sense of humor.

(In the Black Box Theater)

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Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka
December 4 - December 20, 2009

Lyrics and Music by Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley
Adapted for the Stage by Tim McDonald
Based on the Book 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' by Roald Dahl

It's the timeless story of the world famous candy man, five lucky children and the quest to find an heir to the Wonka chocolate factory.  Featuring hit songs like "Pure Imagination," "Candy Man," and "I've Got a Golden Ticket," it's a Scrumdiddlyumptious, candy-coated, family-friendly production.

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Always...Patsy Cline
January 15 - January 31, 2010

Created by Ted Swindley

One of Playhouse Merced's most requested shows is back, featuring the incomparable Nancy O'Bryan as Patsy Cline.  It's an evening to share in the life of one of country music's most enduring stars.  With hits like "Crazy," I Fall to Pieces," and "How Great Thou Art," we invite you to relive Always...Patsy Cline.

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Company
February 12 - February 28, 2010

Book by George Furth
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

On his 35th birthday, Bobby contemplates bachelorhoosd with those "good and crazy people" his married friends.  With the clashing sounds and pulsing rhythms of Stephen Sondheim, it's an unblinking and mature look at marriage, relationships and love.
(In the Black Box Theater)

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Big River
March 5 - March 21, 2010

Music and Lyrics by Roger Miller
Book by William Hauptman
Adapted from the novel by Mark Twain

Mark Twain's timeless classic sweeps us down the mighty Mississippi as the irrepressible Huckleberry Finn helps his friend Jim, a slave, escape to freedom.  Propelled by a Tony-award winning score by Roger Miller ('King of the Road"), this jaunty journey provides a brilliantly theatrical celebration of pure Americana for the whole family.

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Macbeth
April 2 - April 18, 2010

by William Shakespeare

One of the Bard's best and certainly most brutal tragedies, Macbeth fellows the journey of a man whose ambitions and deeds lead to his inevitable downfall.  "The Scottish Play" receives an all-new interpretation for our audiences.  Not suitable for young children.
(In the Blackbox Theater)

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The Secret Garden
April 16 - May 2, 2010

Book and Lyrics by Marsha Norman
Music by Lucy Simon
Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The enchanting children's literature classic is now a Tony-Award winning musical.  Set in the early years of the 20th Century, Mary Lennox is suddenly orphaned and is sent to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle and his invalid son.  What follows is a compelling and heart-warming tale of regeneration.  It's a treasure for children and adults alike.

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Rumors
May 7 - May 23, 2010

By Neil Simon

Several couples gather for a posh dinner party.  But wait!  The servants and hostess are missing, and the host has shot himself -- through the earlobe!  To hide the events from the local media and the police, hilarity ensues in this comic gem from Neil Simon.  ("The Odd Couple," "Barefoot in the Park," and "Biloxi Blues")
(In the Black Box Theater)

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Bye Bye Birdie
May 28 - June 15, 2010

Book by Michael Stewart
Music by Charles Strouse
Lyrics by Lee Adams

In 1957, rock and roll superstar Conrad Birdie is being drafted into the Army.  Before he goes, he'll appear on the Ed Sullivan Show to kiss one lucky girl from Sweet Apple, Ohio.  Hit songs "Put on a Happy Face," and "A Lot of Livin' to Do" make Bye Bye Birdie as humorous and relevant today as it when it first appeared on Broadway more than 40 years ago.

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Special Events

'Cirque du Jardin' Evening Gala - August 15, 2009
Celebrate our 16th Season of Pure Imagination for a nighttime fundraiser featuring drinks, and outdoor meal, dancing and live entertainment.  Held outdoors at Morning Glory Gardens, this beautiful and unique event kicks off our 2009-2010 season.