The Unexpected Gems of KVTA's '26/'27 Season

Oh, how one pines for the days of two years past when theatre in the summer was but a pipe dream and I could rest on the laurels of KVTA's previous season through the R & R of summer vacation. There are those who would call it lazy, but I'm gonna call it resting on laurels. But now, KVTA never sleeps, and I need to get some information to you before you miss out on some amazing productions and it's all my fault!

I look forward to the season reveal early in the year as much as all of you. The confident wrong guesses and hopeful wrong guesses are equally amusing. Even that lady who always has the right guess is pretty amusing. What was her name...April? This year, I was a bit surprised by the shows that were selected. I consider myself a moderate theatre enthusiast (some of you are absolutely nuts for theatre, and I'm not quite there yet!), and I was not familiar with a majority of these shows. And even those that I did know had a huge twist thrown in, just to keep me on my toes, I assumed. I didn't know how to feel. Believe it or not, I can be surprisingly salty when it comes to the theatre world. However, I bit my tongue, reserved my judgement, and did a little internet research. What I found was a wonderfully eclectic selection of productions, ranging from classics to whodunits to grand dance exhibitions to tearjerkers. Whatever you're looking for this season, KVTA has something for you!

Somehow a man playing a fiddle on a roof became an iconic musical theatre image. Go figure!

KVTA's 2026 starts right away with a bang and a stomp and a Mazel Tov! A first for KVTA this season is the introduction of senior theatre with the production of Fiddler on the Roof SR. If you aren't familiar with senior theatre, it gives our most experienced thespians the opportunity to take to the stage with a less physically demanding show. Generally, senior productions are shorter and don't require the quick movements and heavy dance of a standard production. And they do offer us the opportunity to witness the masterfully honed talents of KVTA's mainstays (and some new actors, too). This was the show that I knew, and I'm sure that you know it, too. And if you've been around KVTA for as long as I have (or even longer), you know the quality production you will get from Director Marsha Hill. If you enjoy Fiddler on the Roof in any of its many forms, you will certainly enjoy Fiddler on the Roof SR. at KVTA's Black Box Theatre, July 24-26.

This image cleverly and subtly gets your brain ready for the experience.

Starting KVTA's 2026-2027 Season, is another onstage first for KVTA. Dreamgirls, the story of the struggles, failures, successes, and triumphs in 1960s and 70s Motown. If you don't recognize the stage show, you might recognize the star-studded 2006 movie adaptation. With a majority black cast, this production will introduce you to many new faces in our community, and has introduced many new faces to our KVTA family. And powerful songs reminiscent of The Supremes and The Shirelles and other Motown groups whose names don't start with 'S' will take you back to your youth (or your parents' or grandparents' youth). Catch Dreamgirls directed by Tyler McMahon on September 18-20 at the Lincoln Cultural Center stage.

Here you know just enough to draw you in. Blood? What could that be for?

Continuing on the tour of productions that I was familiar with in name only is Arsenic and Old Lace. Again, if you aren't familiar with the stage play, you may recognize the star-studded 1944 movie adaptation. But that's where the similarities between these two shows end. Arsenic and Old Lace is a wildly farcical black comedy taken from the golden age of American theatre. Murder, maniacs, and illegal plastic surgery abound! If you enjoyed last season's Clue, you can certainly find a place in the audience at KVTA's Black Box Theatre for Arsenic and Old Lace directed by Paul Snyder on October 23-25.

The creativity of a child can be endlessly entertaining or abstractly horrifying, never anything in between.

Now what is this? Diary of a what? Hey, Abigail! What the heck is Diary of a Wimpy Kid?

"Um, it's a book about a boy named Greg who has two brothers. And a best friend named Rowley. Greg goes through a series of troubles including sports, friends, crushes, and loud band practices. Greg always finds a way to solve these problems. And he likes to play with his best friend Rowley, but they don't always get along."

Oh, it's a book?

"Pay attention, Dad. I like watching Greg solve these problems and watching how he reacts to others. And the cheese touch!"

How many of these books are there? What's a cheese touch?

"DAD!"

And now she's walking away. Hmm... Well, at least she talked to me for a few minutes.

Over the last few weeks, I have been forced to listen to this soundtrack almost non-stop, and I have to say...it's kind of growing on me. Come enjoy Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical (60-Minute Version) at Lincoln Cultural Center on November 21-22, directed by KVTA's prettiest first time Director, Kayla James (sorry, Paul).

This tells me mystery, mystery, and more mystery.

I love a good mystery. It must have been my early introduction to all of those Encyclopedia Brown books. And over the last two seasons, so does KVTA. The Alibis is KVTA's first mystery in recent memory specifically for our Young Peoples Theatre and the first YPT straight play since The Jungle Book four seasons ago. The Alibis is the story of a clueless detective's attempt to unravel the mystery of eccentric billionaire J. Leslie Arlington's murder. And I do mean unravel as the alibis of each suspect are intertwined and obfuscated to hilarious effect. Leave it to director Sharla Ronchetto to take on the challenge of another unconventional (for KVTA, at least) production. See The Alibis at KVTA's Black Box Theatre on January 15-17.

Anything set in New York always has big story and big energy.

This is one of the shows of which I had more than a passing understanding! Just a few years ago (it was just a few years, wasn't it?), KVTA produced Disney's Newsies, which was one of my first shows on set crew. In fact, this may have been the production that solidified my return to theatre. This show was a blast, full of catchy songs and absolutely amazing dance numbers. Now it is time for KVTA's youth to put their own stamp on this production in Disney's Newsies JR. As I understand it, Director Courtney Stephens, isn't pulling any punches and expects the same high quality performances from her Young Peoples Theatre actors. Expect a high quality, high energy show at Lincoln Cultural Center on March 20 & 21.

I'm told that blue is a calming color. Like the ocean, but I've got a feeling that my expectations will be subverted?

Now here's where the season reveal really lost me. Come From Away? What's that? I had heard the name, mostly from people with a bigger theatre background than me. I know several people who swear that this is one of the greatest musicals ever. They told me what it was about. September 11th? Really? Someone made a musical about that? Well, not that event specifically. But the town of Gander, Newfoundland, which doubled in size overnight as dozens of flights over the Atlantic were diverted to this one, small, regional airport. Okay, there might be a story there. I trust Director Paula Sutter's attempt to convince me of Come From Away's theatrical perfection at Lincoln Cultural Center on April 16-18 and 23-25.

That is six main season productions. Six. That's not even mentioning the perennial favorite Sleepy Hollow directed by Josh Hedding-Hess at Perry Farm. Or all of the additional events that KVTA puts on and participates in throughout the year. With that in mind, I'm going to make my annual request for volunteers. Participating in most of the productions last year, I saw new faces at each, which is amazing for our organization. KVTA, just like so many other organizations, cannot exist without volunteers. Even with the new volunteers that we had and have, with SEVEN productions, we need even more volunteers. Tickets are now ON SALE for all of these wonderful productions at: https://www.kvta.org/buy-tickets

Take the time before this season starts and think about each of these shows. Which catches your eye? Could you see yourself performing in one of these shows? There are parts available for all skill levels. Check out the audition information for each as they are posted. Not an on-stage type of person? That's ok, there are so many more moving parts to theatre. Do you have a special skill that KVTA could take advantage of? We always need skilled choreographers, musicians, costumers, prop masters, set builders and decorators, set crew, sound techs, lighting techs, and house staff. Don't have any appreciable skills? We can teach you! We would love to have you! Some of the most important people in my life I met while volunteering for KVTA. It's shocking that I can say this without any exaggeration or sarcasm about any group of people in my life, but everyone is kind, welcoming, friendly, and hard-working! Step out of your box and try something new. And prepare yourself for an exciting season that never stops!

Boy, Dana James needs to upload some new pictures.