3/31/25 ISSUE – NORTH ALABAMA THEATRE HAPPENINGS

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  • A LITTLE ABOUT ME
  • GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED
  • PRODUCTIONS
EVENTGROUPLOCATIONDATE
A Streetcar Named DesireTheatre HuntsvilleVon Braun Center Playhouse4/2-4/5
Prince of EgyptShoals Community Theater123 North Seminary St , Florence , AL 356304/9-4/12
Dreams in FlightHuntsville Symphony OrchestraMark C. Smith Concert Hall4/11
42nd StreetBob Jones High School Patriot PlayersBob Jones High School Auditorium4/16-4/25
Cat on a Hot Tin RoofThe Whole BackstageThe Whole Backstage, Guntersville, AL4/17-4/26
Gloria Timeless Worlds and New SoundsHCCATrinity United Methodist Church4/23
Linguine, Loneliness, and LoveFront Row Theatre TroupeMain Street Café, Madison, AL4/23-4/26
Give Me JusticeValley ConsortMessiah Lutheran Church, Madison & Faith Presbyterian Church, Huntsville4/24-4/25
Video Games LiveHuntsville Symphony OrchestraMark C. Smith Concert Hall4/25
BoleroHuntsville Symphony OrchestraMark C. Smith Concert Hall5/2
Water for ElephantsBroadway Theatre LeagueMark C. Smith Concert Hall5/5-5/10
1776 – The MusicalTheatre HuntsvilleVon Braun Center Playhouse6/12-6/28
OklahomaThe Whole BackstageThe Whole Backstage, Guntersville, AL6/19-6/28
Anastasia the MusicalCollege Street PlayersHartselle High School Auditorium6/18-6/20
The ButtonFront Row Theatre TroupeMain Street Café, Madison, AL6/25-6/28
The Prince of Egypt The MusicalIMPMainstage Theatre at Lee High School7/16-7/19
Come From AwayShoals Community Theater123 North Seminary St , Florence , AL 356308/27-8/30
Dear Evan HansenIMPSandra Moon Performing Arts Center10/16-10/18
Sordid LivesShoals Community Theater123 North Seminary St , Florence , AL 3563010/15-10/18
Come From AwayIMPSandra Moon Performing Arts Center11/19-11/22
  • OTHER THEATRE-RELATED EVENTS / ARTS-RELATED INFORMATION
DETAILSGROUP/ETCLOCATIONDATE
ACTORS WANTEDNEW THEATRE TROUPEMadison, ALOngoing
PLAYWRIGHTS WANTEDNEW THEATRE TROUPEMadison, ALOngoing
  • SUBMISSION REQUESTS
  • MONTHLY GIVEAWAY DETAILS

ABOUT ME:

Tech Week Madness

Ah, tech week — the long nights, the endless cues, the coffee-fueled rehearsals. Exhausting? Absolutely. But when the curtain finally rises, every bit of effort pays off.

Selling a home can feel the same way. A lot is happening behind the scenes — inspections, photos, negotiations — but once that “For Sale” sign goes up and the offers roll in, the show is ready for its big debut.

Nina Soden (Associate Broker/Realtor, The Soden Team at LEGEND REALTY)

📧 ninasodenbooks@gmail.com  | 📞 256-520-9640


GIVEAWAY WINNER:

You’ve won two tickets to Theatre Huntsville’s performance of A Streetcar Named Desire. A representative of Theatre Huntsville will be in touch with you shortly to reserve your seats.

Check out the upcoming giveaways below. The next winner will be announced on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. It could be you!

UPCOMING GIVEAWAYS:

Sponsor: Shoals Community Theatre Production: Prince of Egypt Ticket Dates: April 9-12, 2026 WINNER ANNOUNCED: APRIL 7, 2026
Sponsor: Broadway Theatre League Production: Water for Elephants                  Ticket Date/Time: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM – Orchestra 3 WINNER ANNOUNCED: APRIL 21, 2026
Sponsor: Theatre Huntsville Production: 1776 – The Musical      Ticket Date/Time: Any Performance – Arranged after the winner is announced WINNER ANNOUNCED: JUNE 9, 2026
Sponsor: College Street Players Production: Anastasia the Musical Ticket Date/Time: Any Performance – General Admission Tickets WINNER ANNOUNCED: JUNE 16, 2026
Sponsor: Shoals Community Theatre Production: Come From Away         Ticket Dates: August 27-30, 2026 WINNER ANNOUNCED: August 18, 2026
Sponsor: Shoals Community Theatre Production: Sordid Lives      Ticket Dates: October 15-18, 2026 WINNER ANNOUNCED: October 6, 2026

Click here to be entered for your chance to win two tickets to an upcoming production.


PRODUCTIONS:

Theatre Huntsville

A Streetcar Named Desire

Dates:

  • April 2nd at 7:30 pm
  • April 3rd at 7:30 pm
  • April 4th at 2:00 pm
  • April 4th at 7:30 pm
  • April 5th at 2:00 pm

Synopsis: Passion, power, and madness collide in Tennessee Williams’ masterpiece, A Streetcar Named Desire. When the fragile and elegant Blanche DuBois arrives in New Orleans to stay with her sister Stella, she clashes with Stella’s brutish husband, Stanley Kowalski, in a battle of secrets, survival, and shattered illusions.

Performed at: Von Braun Center Playhouse (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Tickets: Adults $28 | Students, Seniors, Active Military $26 – https://www.theatrehsv.org/buy-tickets             

Added 3/2/2026


Shoals Community Theater

Prince of Egypt

Dates:

  • April 9th – 12th

Synopsis: Journey through the wonders of Ancient Egypt as Ramses and Moses, two young men raised together as brothers in a kingdom of privilege, find themselves suddenly divided by a secret past. One must rule as Pharaoh, the other must rise up and free his true people; both face a destiny that will change history forever in this inspiring musical.

Performed at: 123 North Seminary St , Florence, AL 35630

Tickets: $12 – $15 Go to theshoalstheatre.org or call 256-764-1700

Added 3/30/2026


Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

Dreams in Flight

Date: Saturday, April 11th at 7:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Tickets: (Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Huntsville)

Added 12/23/2025    

A brick house with a garage door

AI-generated content may be incorrect.8800 Belle Mor Drive Madison, AL 35757   NEWLY PAINTED NEW CARPET   Seller offering a 1-1 temporary interest-rate buydown with FHA financing through the seller’s preferred lender!Custom-built, all-brick home in Belle Mor Lakes w/ 3B/2B & features an in-home office, formal dining room, breakfast nook, galley kitchen, bonus/flex room, & large backyard concrete patio on .33 acres. The secluded master suite is situated at the back of the home for extra privacy. Master BR has double-insulated interior walls to reduce noise. Beautiful marble kitchen countertops, GE stainless steel appliances. LVP flooring (teak) throughout the home (2018). NEW carpeting in front BRs. Quiet belted garage door opener (2019). Generac Whole House Generator w/3 125 Gallon Tanks. Leaf Guard Gutter System – Guaranteed for life. *TDI – Insect/Termite Biological System.
600 Lewis Mountain Rd. New Market, ALExperience serenity & convenience in this one-of-a-kind rancher. Rustic charm & modern comfort on 2 private acres backed up to forest—no neighbors in sight. This 3-bedroom, 2-bath ranch features a covered porch, raised Trex deck, sunroom, & 10×20 storage shed. Enjoy an oversized family room w/vaulted tongue-&-groove ceiling, an expansive eat-in kitchen features Corian counters, custom cabinets, w/breakfast area and is ideal for entertaining, & a master suite w/jetted tub, a separate shower, & large closet. Whole-house generator still under warranty included. Plenty of wildlife. Just 7 min to Buckhorn High, 12 min to shopping & dining, & 30 min to major employers like RSA & Research Park.
7011 Oakleigh Rose Drive, Huntsville, AL 35806Move-in ready and better than new, this one-level home sits on a desirable corner lot with a spacious open-concept layout perfect for everyday living and entertaining. The kitchen features quartz countertops, a large island, and walk-in pantry, flowing seamlessly into the dining and living areas. The isolated primary suite offers a double vanity and generous space. Enjoy a covered front porch and extended rear patio, ideal for relaxing or hosting guests. Located in a private 52-acre community with walking trails, pool, cabana, and outdoor grill, just minutes from Huntsville, Madison, Toyota, and Redstone Arsenal, with easy access to major roads and nearby conveniences.

Bob Jones High School Patriot Players

42nd Street

Date: April 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th @ 7PM  & April 18th, 25th @ 2PM & 7PM

Performed at: Bob Jones High School Auditorium

Synopsis: Set in the Great Depression-era New York City, 42nd Street is a musical in the golden-age style that follows the “American Dream” journey of Peggy Sawyer, a talented but naive young dancer from Allentown, Pennsylvania. After she arrives in the city, Peggy lands a spot in the chorus of a new Broadway production called “Pretty Lady,” directed by the legendary Jullian Marsh. The show’s future is thrown into jeopardy when the temperamental leading lady, Dorothy Brock, breaks her ankle just before opening night. In a desperate move to save the production, Peggy is plucked from the ensemble and given exactly 36 hours to learn the lead role in “Pretty Lady.” She eventually becomes an overnight sensation.

Tickets: Student $12  Adults – $20  Military – $18

Added 3/10/2026


The Whole Backstage

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Date: April 17-26, 2026

Performed at: The Whole Backstage Theatre (1120 Rayburn Ave/Dot Moore Way, Guntersville, AL 35976)

Synopsis: In Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, the dysfunctional but wealthy Pollitt family gathers to celebrate aging patriarch Big Daddy’s birthday. But there is more to this gathering than a family reunion– Big Daddy, unbeknown to him, is dying of cancer. He is still to decide which of his sons will inherit the estate. His options include favorite son Brick, who drinks himself into oblivion in order to bear the desires of his determined wife, Maggie, or his less-favored son Gooper, his fertile wife Mae, and their “no-neck monster” children. While sensuous Maggie “the cat” tries to work her wiles to secure a future for them, Brick spirals deeper into despair, crippled by both physical pain and emotional loss. Lurking under every practiced interaction between the Pollitts is an ulterior motive, under every smile, a challenge, and under every statement, the spectre of mendacity. For the Pollitts, the truth is as hazy as the late summer sun in Mississippi, and sometimes the only way to find it is to journey through the lies.

Tickets: Call 256-582-7469

Added 10/21/2025


The Chorus – Huntsville Community Chorus Association

Gloria – Timeless Worlds and New Sounds

Date: April 23, 2026, at 7:00 PM

Performed at: Trinity United Methodist Church (607 Airport Road, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: Celebrate The Chorus – 80 Years in Huntsville!

HCCA’s Symphonic Chorus and Chamber Chorale present a concert of Timeless Worlds & New Sounds featuring John Rutter’s ‘Gloria’ and other great works with special guests Aaron Tan (organist), brass ensemble, and percussion. You don’t want to miss this joyous tribute to the HCCA’s 80th anniversary.

Tickets: Adults: $20 | Seniors: $18 | Military: $18 | Kids (PreK – 12th Grade): FREE (BUY TICKETS HERE)

Added 3/26/2026


Front Row Theatre Troupe

Linguini, Loneliness, and Love (Dinner and a show!)

Date: April 23-26, 2026

Performed at: Main Street Café (101 Main St, Madison, AL 35758)

Synopsis: Linguini, Loneliness, and Love is a comedic yet heartfelt play set in the closing hours of a small restaurant in Huntsville, Alabama. As the staff winds down after a long shift, three restaurant workers—an overworked waitress, a quietly devoted dishwasher, and a chef drowning her regrets in vodka—find themselves reflecting on life, dreams, lost opportunities, and unexpected connections.

With two mischievous commentators observing and riffing on the action from the sidelines, the evening unfolds through stories of rude customers, broken hearts, abandoned ambitions, and the fragile hope that love and purpose might still be waiting somewhere beyond the dining room doors.

Tickets: DETAILS TO COME

Added 3/25/2026


Valley Consort

Give Me Justice

Dates:

April 24th & 25th at 7:30 PM

Performed at: Messiah Lutheran Church, Madison (Fri.)/Faith Presbyterian Church Huntsville (Sat.)

Synopsis: Come and hear (mostly) a cappella choral group Valley Consort in this concert of music on the theme of Mercy & Justice. Composers include Poulenc, Schutz, Bruckner, Barnwell, Byrd, and more.

Tickets: FREE – Donations Accepted

Added 1/25/2026


Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

Video Games Live

Date: Saturday, April 125th at 7:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Tickets: (Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Huntsville)

Added 12/23/2025


Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

Bolero

Date: Saturday, May 2nd at 7:30PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Tickets: (Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Huntsville)

Added 12/23/2025


Broadway Theatre League

Water for Elephants

Date:

  • May 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM
  • May 6, 2026 at 7:00 PM
  • May 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM
  • May 8, 2026 at 7:30 PM
  • May 9, 2026 at 1:00 PM
  • May 9, 2026 at 7:30 PM
  • May 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM
  • May 10, 2026 at 6:30 PM

Performed at: Mark C. Smith Concert Hall (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Synopsis: Water for Elephants

The critically acclaimed bestselling novel comes to “thrilling, dazzling” life (Time Out New York) in a unique, spectacle-filled new musical, Water for Elephants! Hailed as a Critic’s Pick, The New York Times calls it “stunning, emotional, heart-filled and gorgeously imaginative.”

After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life—and love—beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age.

Tony Award-nominated director Jessica Stone’s “huge, heart-filling” production (The New York Times) features a book by three-time Tony nominee Rick Elice adapted from Sara Gruen’s novel, and a soaring score by the acclaimed PigPen Theatre Co.

So, step right up to the “spellbinding entertainment” (Variety) at Water For Elephants, “the best new musical on Broadway” (Theatermania).

Single Tickets to this show will go on sale November 4, 2025

Run Time: 2 Hours 40 Minutes Includes Intermission

Age recommendation: Recommended for ages 8+

Tickets: $45-$105 (https://broadwaytheatreleague.org/show/water-for-elephants/ or call 256-518-6155

Added 11/5/2025


Theatre Huntsville

1776 – The Musical

Dates:

  • June 12th at 7:30 pm
  • June 13th at 7:30 pm
  • June 14th at 2:00 pm
  • June 18th at 7:30 pm
  • June 19th at 7:30 pm
  • June 20th at 2:00 pm
  • June 20th at 7:30 pm
  • June 21st at 2:00 pm
  • June 26th at 7:30 pm
  • June 27th at 7:30 pm
  • June 28th at 2:00 pm

Synopsis: This Tony Award-winning musical brings history to life with sharp wit, stirring songs, and a behind-the-scenes look at the passionate (and often chaotic) debates that led to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson battle deadlines, doubts, and each other in a race to forge a nation—proving that revolution is anything but easy. Don’t miss this electrifying blend of history and musical theatre!

Performed at: Von Braun Center Playhouse (700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801)

Tickets: Adults $32 | Students, Seniors, Active Military $30 – https://www.theatrehsv.org/buy-tickets             

Added 3/2/2026


The Whole Backstage

Oklahoma

Date: June 19-28, 2026

Performed at: The Whole Backstage Theatre (1120 Rayburn Ave/Dot Moore Way, Guntersville, AL 35976)

Synopsis: Oklahoma! is a musical set in 1906 Oklahoma Territory, centering on the romance between cowboy Curly McLain and farm girl Laurey Williams. Their love story is complicated by a rival suitor, the menacing farmhand Jud Fry. A comedic subplot follows Ado Annie’s romantic entanglements with her fiancé, Will Parker, and a traveling peddler, Ali Hakim. The musical’s story is driven by these relationships against the backdrop of a community preparing for statehood.  

Tickets: Call 256-582-7469

Added 10/21/2025


The Whole Backstage

Anastasia the Musical

Date: June 18-20, 2026

Performed at: Hartselle High School Auditorium

Synopsis: From Tony winners Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, creators of such Broadway classics as Ragtime and Once On This Island, this dazzling show transports its audience from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing con man and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love and family.

Added 10/21/2025


Front Row Theatre Troupe

The Button

Date: June 25-28, 2026

Performed at: Main Street Café (101 Main St, Madison, AL 35758)

PREMISE: A crew of space explorers wake up to find themselves in a blank world with only a giant red button in their midst.

SYNOPSIS: When a crew of space explorers suddenly wakes up in a blank dreamscape with only a giant red button in front of them, they panic. The last thing they all remember is being approached by an alien ship. After the initial shock and exploration, they realize they have nowhere to go and nothing to do but push the button. Over the course of the play, they discover that they all have secrets, and the worst one of all is that one in their number betrayed them to the aliens. If they don’t ferret out who and why, they’ll never get out.

Tickets: Details to come

Added 3/31/2026


Independent Musical Productions, Inc. (IMP)

Prince of Egypt The Musical

Dates:

  • Thursday, July 16th at 7:30 PM
  • Friday, July 17th at 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, July 18th at 2:00 PM
  • Saturday, July 18th at 7:30 PM
  • Sunday, July 19th at 2:00 PM

Performed at: Mainstage Theatre at Lee High School (2500 Meridian St. N, Huntsville, AL 35811)

SUMMARY: The Prince of Egypt is a sweeping epic of a musical with music and lyrics by Grammy and Oscar winner Stephen Schwartz, a book by Philip LaZebnik, and 10 new songs written by Schwartz, together with five of his songs from the DreamWorks Animation film. The show also features Schwartz’s Academy Award-winning song, “When You Believe.”

Journey through the wonders of Ancient Egypt as Ramses and Moses, two young men raised together as brothers in a kingdom of privilege, find themselves suddenly divided by a secret past. One must rule as Pharaoh, the other must rise up and free his true people; both face a destiny that will change history forever.

Tickets: TBD 

Or you can buy tickets online: https://imphuntsville.ludus.com/index.php

Added 2/18/2026


Shoals Community Theater

Come From Away

Dates:

  • August 27 – 30, 2026

Synopsis: Come From Away is a Tony Award-winning musical based on the true story of 7,000 airline passengers stranded in Gander, Newfoundland, after the 9/11 attacks. When U.S. airspace closed, 38 planes were diverted, doubling the small town’s population. Residents welcomed the “come from aways” (strangers), fostering compassion and lifelong friendships.

Performed at: 123 North Seminary St , Florence, AL 35630

Tickets: $12 – $15 Go to theshoalstheatre.org or call 256-764-1700

Added 3/30/2026     


Independent Musical Productions, Inc. (IMP)

Dear Evan Hansen

Dates:

  • Friday, October 16th at 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, October 17th at 2:00 PM
  • Saturday, October 17th at 7:30 PM
  • Sunday, October 18th at 2:00 PM

Performed at: Sandra Moon Performing Arts Center (7901 Bailey Cove Rd SE, Huntsville, AL 35802)

SUMMARY: Featuring a Tony Award-winning book by Steven Levenson (Fosse/Verdon), and a score by Grammy®, Tony®, Emmy® and Academy Award® winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (The Greatest Showman, La La Land, Dogfight, James and the Giant Peach), Dear Evan Hansen is a new classic, with a message that has resonated with audiences around the world: “You Will Be Found.” 

Seventeen-year-old Evan Hansen has felt invisible his entire life. But when a tragedy shocks his community and thrusts him into the center of a rapidly evolving controversy, Evan is given the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to be somebody else. As his web of well-intentioned lies begins to unravel, though, Evan is forced to confront the fact that the price of belonging may be far steeper than he bargained for.

The show opened at the Music Box Theatre to rave reviews and struck an emotional chord with critics and audiences alike. It went on to win six 2017 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the Drama League Award for Outstanding Musical Production, two Obie Awards, a Drama Desk Award, two Outer Critics Circle Awards and two Helen Hayes Awards.

Tickets: TBD 

Or you can buy tickets online: https://imphuntsville.ludus.com/index.php

Added 2/18/2026


Shoals Community Theater

Sordid Lives

Dates:

  • October 15 – 18 2026 – 7:30 pm nightly and 2:00 pm on Sunday

Synopsis: Get ready for a hilariously chaotic dive into small-town Southern life with Sordid Lives, the award-winning “black comedy about white trash” by Del Shores. When Peggy, the family matriarch, meets her untimely demise in a freak accident, her dysfunctional Texas family is forced to reunite for her funeral. What follows is a sidesplitting, heartwarming, and sometimes outrageous exploration of love, acceptance, and forgiveness

Performed at: 123 North Seminary St , Florence, AL 35630

Tickets: $12 – $15. Go to theshoalstheatre.org or call 256-764-1700

Added 3/30/2026


Independent Musical Productions, Inc. (IMP)

Come From Away

Dates:

  • Thursday, November 19th at 7:30 PM
  • Friday, November 20th at 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, November 21st at 2:00 PM
  • Saturday, November 21stat 7:30 PM
  • Sunday, November 22nd at 2:00 PM

Performed at: Sandra Moon Performing Arts Center (7901 Bailey Cove Rd SE, Huntsville, AL 35802)

SUMMARY: Come From Away is a critically acclaimed musical featuring a culturally relevant script accompanied by a deeply moving score by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. The show has earned global success with 37 award nominations, 13 of which resulted in wins, most notably Best New Musical at the 2019 Olivier Awards and Outstanding Musical at the 2017 Drama Desk Awards. The show’s global presence resonates across all audiences as an uplifting reminder of humanity’s ability to come together, no matter what the circumstances.

Come From Away is based on the true story of the time when the isolated community of Gander, Newfoundland, played host to the world. What started as an average day in a small town turned into an international sleepover, when 38 planes, carrying thousands of people from around the globe, were diverted to Gander’s airstrip on September 11, 2001. Undaunted by culture clashes and language barriers, the people of Gander cheered the stranded travelers with music, an open bar and the recognition that we’re all part of a global family.

Come From Away gives theatres the opportunity to contribute to its worldwide impact by spreading the show’s message of kindness, unity, and resilience with their communities. With a flexible cast size and possibilities for technical creativity, Come From Away is guaranteed to be a show for audiences to remember.

Tickets: TBD 

Or you can buy tickets online: https://imphuntsville.ludus.com/index.php

Added 2/18/2026


Looking to buy a new home or maybe a rental property in North Alabama? Check out these great homes:

408 Arcanum Lane New Market, ALStep into comfort & style in this stunning 5BR/5BA home of thoughtfully designed living space. The open floor plan features a gourmet kitchen w granite counters, SS appliances, gas cooktop, & a lg island that flows into the spacious LR with cozy FP, perfect for everyday living & entertaining. A private in-law suite with full BA is conveniently located on the main level, ideal for guests or multi-gen living. Upstairs, the spacious primary suite offers a relaxing retreat with a sitting area, fireplace & a spa-inspired bath. Add’l BRs and flexible living space provide room for work, play, or hobbies. Enjoy outdoor living with covered patios and a backyard FP perfect for year-round gatherings.
10 Sonya Lane, Florence, ALWell kept home close to the fire station 3/4 brick with home entry garage and large back deck large living space.

Call me at 256-520-9640 to schedule a showing.


OTHER THEATRE-RELATED EVENTS / ARTS-RELATED INFORMATION:

CALLING ALL PLAYWRIGHTS

CALL FOR ORIGINAL ONE-ACT PLAYS

A new intimate theatre experience is launching soon, in Madison, Alabama — and we’re seeking original one-act plays (45–60 minutes) for our upcoming season.

We are looking for:

• Original, unpublished works

• 3–7 characters

• Minimal set requirements

• Modern-day costuming

• Limited props

• Comedy, dark comedy, drama, or mystery

• Optional light audience interaction

Our productions will take place in an intimate dinner theatre setting with 40–50 guests per performance. We’re especially interested in scripts that lean into strong dialogue, compelling characters, and storytelling that thrives in close proximity.

Selected works will receive a fully staged production before a live audience and promotion through our marketing efforts.

This is a collaborative, community-based theatre initiative in its launch phase. While we are not currently offering compensation, our goal is to grow into a sustainable model that supports artists as we build.

If you’re a local playwright who would love to see your story come to life in an immersive setting, we would love to read your work.

To submit: Email your contact information, a brief synopsis, character breakdown, and a completed script OR 10–15 page sample to: NinaSodenBooks@gmail.com

Subject line: PLAY SUBMISSION – (PLAY NAME)

Let’s build something bold, intimate, and unforgettable — right here in our community.

SUBMISSIONS:

If you are part of an upcoming theater production or theatre-related event, I’d love to help you market it through the THEATRE HAPPENINGS weekly email newsletter. Please submit all theatre productions and theatre-related events through the new online THEATRE HAPPENINGS – SUBMISSION FORM. (Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdeFZsqfwGksQPse1V2pwZjK8h_M1LT8QjYRj6Ok3TxFveYlw/viewform?usp=header)

If you know of anyone in the theater world who would be interested in receiving the ‘weekly’ THEATRE HAPPENINGS newsletter, please share this email with them and ask them to subscribe by reaching out to me directly at ninasodenbooks@gmail.com (There will be an online subscription form coming soon!)

Thank you, and I look forward to receiving your submissions. 

Nina Soden

256-520-9640


GIVEAWAY:

My goal is to do a monthly giveaway… That’s right, I want you all to have a chance to win free things… 

WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THE NEXT TICKET GIVEAWAY… If you are a part of an upcoming theater production or theatre/arts event and would like to donate 2 tickets, please give me a call at 256-520-9640 or email me the details at  ninasodenbooks@gmail.com.



Experience THE TRIAL OF THE ROOK Live in Huntsville

Christmas, 1940. As Christmas carols and the tinkling of bells waft through the air, The Rook, the world’s most infamous master criminal, has been apprehended and is standing trial for murder! His real name has been revealed – Judas Ackery – and his conviction by year’s end seems a certainty. While this would appear to be a cause for public celebration to the public at large, there are those who remain concerned that perhaps this, too, is all some nefarious scheme on the part of The Rook.

Evil Cheez Productions presents their most popular character in one of their most well received productions – THE TRIAL OF THE ROOK. What better way to usher in the holidays than a murder mystery set at Christmas time. Thrilling, chilling, poignant, and loads of fun for those who crave a little something unusual during the holidays.


PERFORMANCE DATES/TIMES

Shenanigans Comedy Theatre (2650 Leeman Ferry Rd SW suite a, Huntsville, AL 35801)

  • Tickets ONLY: $15 (www.huntsvillelaughs.com)
  • Friday, November 28th @7:30 PM
  • Saturday, November 29th @ 2:30 PM
  • Saturday, November29th @ 7:30 PM

The Jackson House (119 College St., Moulton, AL 35650)

  • Tickets ONLY $15 (Call 256-616-8189 or Venmo JACKSONHOUSE-FOUNDATION)
  • Friday, December 12th @ 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, December 13th @ 2:30 PM
  • Saturday, December 13th @ 7:30 PM

MEET THE CAST

Step into the shadows and meet the extraordinary performers bringing two of literature’s most enduring Gothic tales to life. Our staged readings of Frankenstein and Dracula celebrate the timeless power of these dark classics while showcasing the incredible talent of our local theatre community. Here, you’ll get to know the cast members who will give voice, heart, and humanity to the monsters, heroes, and haunted souls at the center of Mary Shelley’s and Bram Stoker’s masterpieces all through the theatre adaptations of Wayne Miller, Evil Cheez Productions’ founder.

Ryan Rorick (Judas Ackery)

Ryan Rorick holds a BFA in Acting from the University of Montevallo and has worked professionally as an actor, director, and teaching artist. With over 120 credits to his name over the last 16 years, some select roles include Next to Normal (Dan), The Weir (Brendan), Rent (Mark Cohen), Henry V (King Henry), Chicago (Amos Hart), Romeo and Juliet (Romeo), and Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (Arthur de Bourgh). By day he works as a high school theatre director, with directing credits including The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,  Clue, Chicago, Ernest and the Pale Moon, and, coming this spring, the north Alabama premiere of Frozen: The Broadway Musical.

Joy Whitt (Katheryn Ivy)

This is Joy’s 65th show with Evil Cheez in the last 5 years. These are her favorite people to work with! When she’s not doing plays, she walks around town with her dogs as much as possible. She loves black coffee. She wishes it was still the 90s. 

Juan E. Bedolla (Frank Preston)

Juan is an animation director and producer. He is new to Cheez and to theater in general, but makes up for his lack of experience with eager enthusiasm and unearned confidence. 

Byron Turner (Bernie Kowalski)

Byron is an Alabama native and has been involved in local theater on and off for 20 years. He has been a part of multiple productions for Theatre Huntsville, including Clybourne Park, Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged), The Eight: Reindeer Monologues, Radio Golf, God of Carnage, Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll, and The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940. He was also an assistant director of TH’s production of Stick-Fly and directed TH’s production of Mountaintop.

Jonathan Bain (Judge Bartholomew Lyle)

Jonathan is a leasing agent by day and an actor by night. Jonathan has been acting in community theater for 14 years and some of his favorite roles have been Ty from Sordid Lives and The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come in A Christmas Carol and Jonathan Harker in Dracula!

Wayne Miller (Willy Ackery)

WJR Miller (“Wayne” to his friends and family; what his enemies call him wouldn’t be fit for inclusion here) is the owner/founder of EVIL CHEEZ PRODUCTIONS, an independent theatrical company, and has written, directed, produced (and occasionally performed in) over two-dozen stage plays, running the gamut from Horror and True Crime (his specialties) to musicals, children’s plays, comedies, and even the historical biography of a murderous shark. Follow him at his WEBSITE “Sinister Urges”, FACEBOOK, or AMAZON.

Michelle Huguley (Hazel Ackery)

Michelle started performing as soon as she was able to crawl, captivating and delighting audiences of various stuffed creatures. More recently, she’s appeared in Evil Cheez Productions’ Joey Harte Returns and The Return of The Rook. You may also remember her in such roles as Lizzie Borden in Bloodless, Mary Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life, and Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show. She sends loving regards to her three cats, who are less patient than her stuffed audiences of childhood, and her adoring husband Kevin, who forced her to put this part in.

Anna Clay Adams (Edmina Stokes)

Anna Clay Adams is very excited and grateful to be participating in this production with Evil Cheez! She lives and works in Tuscaloosa, but can never pass up the amazing opportunity to work with Evil Cheez and all the talented folks in North AL, so the commute is always worth it. She extends a special thanks to Wayne and Tanja for welcoming her into this family and allowing her the opportunity to create with them!

Tanja Lewis Miller (Norma Hoffman)

Tanja Lewis Miller, aka Queen Cheez, is overjoyed to reprise the role of Norma Hoffman in “The Trial of The Rook,” as it is one of her favorite of her hubby’s plays. She sends all the love to her Shmoo and her Cheez family. And a special thanks to all of you, the Cheez supporters, for without you, Cheez wouldn’t be Cheez! 

Jeremy Jerome Woods (Jimmy Douglas)

Screenshot

Jeremy Woods is excited to return to the Rook-verse with The Trial of The Rook. In addition to portraying Jimmy, he is also serving as a Director. “What can I say… I love theater and I love Evil Cheez”. He thanks his Husband and Son for the love, jokes, and support. He also thanks his Mom and Dad for making him. Lastly, many hugs to Wayne and Tanja for trusting him with this amazing show.

Enjoy the show!

Ariel Terrell (Livonia Douglas)

Born in Arizona, Ariel’s love for acting began with reciting “Crooklyn” lines in the mirror. Fast forward to 18 and she’s graduating from Mississippi School of the Arts. After gaining a BA from Mississippi State, Ariel found her way to Huntsville. Like any other grown-up theatre kid, she has found her way back to the stage over the years in several local roles. But Livonia Douglas is an honor of a role that will live with her forever.

Andrew Foxx (Red Nelson/Rupert Horne/Bailiff)

Andrew Foxx (Red/Rupert) has been involved in North Alabama theatre both on-stage and backstage for years. He has most recently been involved with Evil Cheez Productions and Bank Street Players.


MEET THE CREW

While the actors bring the characters to life on stage, it’s the crew behind the scenes who make the magic possible. From lights and sound to staging and direction, every detail is carefully crafted to immerse the audience in the world created by the playwright. Their creativity, dedication, and teamwork ensure that each moment flows seamlessly, allowing the stories to shine. We are proud to recognize the talented individuals working tirelessly behind the scenes—because without them, the show could not go on.

  • Director: Jeremy Jerome Woods
  • Writer & Assistant Director: Wayne Miller
  • Stage Manager – Angela Brown
  • Poster & Props: LeeAnn Treece
  • Programs: Nina Soden

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

Thank you so much for coming out. I am so proud of these actors, this crew and this show. As someone who has grown up in this band of misfits….. it warms my heart to have the trust and respect of this team ( and of course Tanja and Wayne). So much so, that I am afforded the opportunity to direct another Wayne Miller original. This is one of my favorite of The Rook’s Mysteries. Thank you for spending your evening with us. Please enjoy the show… ~Jeremy Jerome Woods


ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~ WJR Miller

WJR MILLER is the owner and creative director of Evil Cheez Productions and is the Grand High Poobah of Cheezism (hence his “high priest” vestments), the movement he founded (it isn’t organized enough to be called a religion, besides which it isn’t religious) dedicated to providing audiences with the finest in entertainment options on the page and for the stage. On the big screen, too, if Spielberg ever returns any of his phone calls. WJR has been writing stories literally since before he learned his alphabet—he drew pictures. After languishing in the nether-regions of the publishing industry for years, working as an acquisitions editor for a literary agency, he chose, as an experiment, to combine his passion for writing with his hobby of Theatre, and in the process, by accident and providence, discovered his life’s purpose: to be a showman.

Miller is a devotee of Ed Wood, the “worst director of all time!” who inspires Miller due to his unflappable dedication to his muse and unrestrainable creative drive. During performances of one of his shows—he has written, directed, and produced (and occasionally acted in) over two dozen stage plays—Miller sports pink attire as a tribute to Ed Wood, who did the same. (The cheese wedge hat he wears is self-explanatory.)

A prolific author as well as playwright, WJR is proud to offer his complete *oeuvre available on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/43G89Aj or on his website at: https://wjrmillerxevilcheez.wordpress.com/order-wjr-millers-books/

*(Using the French word for “complete collection of works” makes it sound all fancy, dunnit?)


EVIL CHEEZ PRODUCTIONS


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Experience Dracula and Frankenstein Live in Huntsville

DRACULA: LORD OF THE VAMPIRES and FRANKENSTEIN: THE UNTOLD STORY are both adaptations from Evil Cheez Productions, starring some of your ECP favorites, and both are rated PG, so they’re safe for the kiddies! (Like, maybe don’t bring your toddler, but otherwise you should be good to go!)

The twin titans of terror, the two most famous (or is that “infamous”) names in horror history! Two performances, staged as old-fashioned radio plays…but which one will you see? We don’t know, and we won’t know until showtime! For the special matinee showing, the audience gets to vote on which of the two plays they’d rather see!

Dracula: The Lord of the Vampires

Everybody and their kid sister knows the story of Dracula…but you’ve never seen it like this! The Brides have expanded characters! Renfield is a woman! And they get rid of Jonathan Harker, the most useless character in all of literature! (Okay, it was actually the playwright who did that, but it’s worth the price of admission just to see Harker “bite” it!) Oh, and the vampire Count meets the man who revealed his identity to the world—Bram Stoker!

Performed as an old-fashioned radio play, but with the audience in the room, DRACULA: LORD OF THE VAMPIRES is the perfect spooky treat! Rated PG, so it won’t give the kiddies nightmares.

(Can you tell the writer doesn’t like Jonathan Harker?)


Frankenstein: The Untold Story

It’s the classic story you know and love, but with an Evil Cheez twist! Victor Frankenstein sought to create life, and instead created a Monster! But was the scientist’s hubris to blame…or his lack of empathy for the being he’d fashioned?

Performed as an old-fashioned radio play─but with the audience sitting in the recording studio!─FRANKENSTEIN: THE UNTOLD STORY reveals why it is the Monster ends up sharing the name of the mad scientist, and depicts the real-life scenario that resulted in 18-year-old Mary Shelley writing one of the greatest horror stories in human history.

Rated PG. Perfect spooky fun for the entire family.


PERFORMANCE DATES/TIMES

Shenanigans Comedy Theatre (2650 Leeman Ferry Rd SW suite a, Huntsville, AL 35801)

  • Tickets ONLY: $10 (www.huntsvillelaughs.com)
  • Friday, September 26th @7:30 PM – Frankenstein
  • Saturday, September 27th @ 2:30 PM – Mystery Matinee (Which will you choose, Dracula or Frankenstein?)
  • Saturday, September 27th @ 7:30 PM – Dracula

Carnegie Visual Arts Center (207 Church St NE, Decatur, AL 35601)

  • Tickets ONLY $10 (Purchase tickets at the door or call ECP at 256-303-2972)
  • Friday, October 10th @ 7:30pm – Frankenstein 
  • Saturday, October 11th @ 2:30pm Mystery Matinee (Which will you choose, Dracula or Frankenstein?)
  • Saturday, October 11th @ 7:30 – Dracula

MEET THE CAST

Step into the shadows and meet the extraordinary performers bringing two of literature’s most enduring Gothic tales to life. Our staged readings of Frankenstein and Dracula celebrate the timeless power of these dark classics while showcasing the incredible talent of our local theatre community. Here, you’ll get to know the cast members who will give voice, heart, and humanity to the monsters, heroes, and haunted souls at the center of Mary Shelley’s and Bram Stoker’s masterpieces all through the theatre adaptations of Wayne Miller, Evil Cheez Productions’ founder.

Angel Baker Coleman

Angel is thrilled to be accepted on the stage alongside the incredibly talented actors that make up Evil Cheez. Her acting credits include Marjorie Baverstock in Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 and Elsa in The Sound of Music. Angel wishes you to call her dad, as she’s now in a cult.

Brett Richardson

Brett Richardson is an actor, writer, and political activist originally from the Shoals area who loves living in Huntsville (but not fighting the traffic) and working with Evil Cheez.

Byron Turner

Byron is an Alabama native and has been involved in local theater on and off for 20 years. He has been a part of multiple productions for Theatre Huntsville, including Clybourne Park, Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged), The Eight: Reindeer Monologues, Radio Golf, God of Carnage, Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll, and The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940. He was also an assistant director of TH’s production of Stick-Fly and directed TH’s production of Mountaintop.

Greg Branham

Greg Branham is an elementary school music teacher. He has been a part of Evil Cheez for 10 years.

Greg is a man of few words…

Jason Summer

Jason discovered his love for community theater in 2010 and, other than a year here or there, has been acting ever since.  Throughout the last 15 years, he has been fortunate to establish long-term friendships with his fellow actors, directors, and techs. He is absolutely looking forward to working with many of them again during this run of Dracula and Frankenstein.  Jason hopes you enjoy these productions and hopes the camaraderie and connections between those involved are apparent as the stories are brought to life.

Jeremy Jerome Woods

Screenshot

Jeremy Woods is thrilled to be part of this production. While playing fun characters as Dracula and Fritz (in Dracula and Frankenstein, respectively) he is also serving as a Co-Director. “What can I say… I love theatre and I love Evil Cheez”. He thanks his Husband and Son for the love, jokes, and support. He also thanks his Mom and Dad for making him.

Enjoy the show!

Jonathan Bain

Jonathan is a leasing agent by day and an actor by night. Jonathan has been acting in community theater for 14 years, and some of his favorite roles have been Ty from Sordid Lives and The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come in A Christmas Carol. Dracula was his very first stage performance, and he is THRILLED to bring Jonathan Harker back to life (for now. )

Joy Whitt

Joy is an actress, writer, and barbecue cook. She loves doing shows with Evil Cheez, Theatre Huntsville, Bank Street Players… and anyone else who will have her in their show! Staged readings are just about as much fun as a full production, and she is so happy to be contributing to some Halloween feels with Frankenstein and Dracula!

Juan E. Bedolla

Juan is an animation director and producer. He is new to Cheez and to theater in general, but makes up for his lack of experience with eager enthusiasm and unearned confidence. 

Nina Soden

Nina Soden is no stranger to the stage—or to keeping life dramatic in all the best ways. She’s appeared in and/or directed productions ranging from Dracula to Arsenic and Old Lace (because nothing says “fun night out” like fangs or poisoned elderberry wine). When she’s not wrangling actors, she’s wrangling her children… her husband… her clients and homes across North Alabama as a Realtor®—and yes, if you buy a home through her thanks to theatre, she’ll donate part of her commission right back to the local theatre company of your choice. Nina also hosts The Home Stretch, a weekly podcast, where real estate meets real talk (and the occasional caffeine-fueled monologue). Whether she’s behind the mic, on stage, hanging out with her family, or handing over house keys, Nina somehow manages to keep the drama where it belongs—on the stage—mostly.

Sarah Foltz

Sarah Foltz is excited to perform with Evil Cheez! Sarah is a recent UAH grad and is excited to be getting involved with theater in Huntsville. Sarah previously performed at Masquerade Theater in Union City, TN. Sarah also enjoys performing improv.

Tanja Lewis Miller

Tanja Lewis Miller, aka Queen Cheez, is super excited to bring back two of ECP’s favorites to usher in the spooky season and to revisit her some of her favorite characters, especially Alice Renfield. She sends all the love to her hubby and her Cheez family. And a special thanks to all of you, the Cheez supporters, for without you, Cheez wouldn’t be Cheez! 


MEET THE CREW

While the actors bring the characters to life on stage, it’s the crew behind the scenes who make the magic possible. From lights and sound to staging and direction, every detail is carefully crafted to immerse the audience in the world of Frankenstein and Dracula. Their creativity, dedication, and teamwork ensure that each moment flows seamlessly, allowing the stories to shine. We are proud to recognize the talented individuals working tirelessly behind the scenes—because without them, the show could not go on.

Directors: Wayne Miller & Jeremy Jerome Woods

See Jeremy’s bio in the cast section above.

WJR Miller (“Wayne” to his friends and family; what his enemies call him wouldn’t be fit for inclusion here) is the owner/founder of EVIL CHEEZ PRODUCTIONS, an independent theatrical company, and has written, directed, produced (and occasionally performed in) over two-dozen stage plays, running the gamut from Horror and True Crime (his specialties) to musicals, children’s plays, comedies, and even the historical biography of a murderous shark. Follow him at his WEBSITE “Sinister Urges”, FACEBOOK, or AMAZON.

Sound and Light Tech: Andrew Foxx

Sound Effects: Various cast members

LETTERS FROM THE DIRECTORS

As a child, the stories of Dracula and Frankenstein always intrigued me. The Idea that a writer could unlock doors in his mind and find these characters living and thriving was always amazing and felt just a bit out of reach. As a teenager, I was lucky enough to meet a writer/director who could do just that. This same published visionary wrote the show you are about to see. He took these already established characters and forged a new path. One that can ensure their survival for yet another generation. May they continue to enrich and haunt our dreams. Enjoy the show. ~Jeremy Jerome Woods

It sometimes surprises folks to learn that my adaptations of Dracula and Frankenstein are my two least favorite scripts that I’ve written, given how much I adore those characters and those books (and the thousands of movies that have been made about them). But it’s precisely because I hold the source material in such high esteem that I feel this way. These two works, you understand, are only adaptations. In my mind they are not 100% mine, and in my mind they can never measure up to the novels written by Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley, respectively (nor those thousands of movies made about them). Still, in order for the stories to be brought to the stage, adaptations must happen, and several have. Some of them I hold in the same high regard, or close to it, as the original works. Others…not so much. I saw writing these scripts, then, as a way to craft the adaptations I personally always wanted to see on the stage. If Stoker and Shelley can’t write their own play versions (granted, I haven’t asked them; anybody got a Ouija board handy?) then the next best thing, I figured, would be to do it myself. I tried to create something the pair of them would approve of…or at least not hate too much. 

I stand upon the shoulders of giants. Fortunately, their creations, their stories, lose little of their grandiosity when envisioned and interpreted by lesser talents. (And hey, concerning some of those other adaptations I mentioned, t’weren’t that hard to o’erleap the bars they set, if you catch my meaning.) I hope you enjoy these tales, then. They aren’t as good as the originals─no adaptation could be─but I daresay they’ll manage.

Least favorites? Yeah. But I’m still pretty dang proud of ‘em. ~WJR Miller


EVIL CHEEZ PRODUCTIONS