The 2024 line up includes two World Premieres!
Chester Theatre Company, Chester, MA –
The Season:
The Thin Place
Written by Lucas Hnath
Directed by Gabrielle Farrah
June 20 – 30
DESCRIPTION:
Everyone who ever died is still here, just in a different part of here. Linda can communicate with them. And if you believe, she can make you hear them, too — in the thin place, the fragile boundary between our world and the other one. With acuity and relentless curiosity, Lucas Hnath’s play transforms the theater into an intimate séance, crafting an unnerving testament to the power of the mind, which has a mind of its own.
QUOTE:
We’re thrilled to welcome director Gabrielle Farrah to Chester who will be joining us fresh from assisting on the Broadway transfer of David Adjmi’s STEREOPHONIC. (Co-Producing Artistic Director Tara Franklin)
It’s been a while since Chester has produced a thriller or ghost story. We’re so pleased to produce THE THIN PLACE- a chilling and thoroughly engrossing theatrical experience that’s sure to enchant our audiences. (Co-Producing Artistic Director James Barry)
Starring Tara Franklin
Unreconciled (World Premiere)
Written by Jay Sefton and Mark Basquill
Performed by Jay Sefton
Directed by James Barry
July 4-14
DESCRIPTION:
The true story of an adolescent actor cast as Jesus in a play directed by a pedophile priest. The story chronicles a survivor’s journey as he confronts his past and discovers the courage to use his voice and redefine what reconciliation means.
QUOTE:
(Audience reactions to last year’s mid-season event workshop production of UNRECONCILED)
“I’ve been coming to Chester Theatre since the days of Vincent Dowling, but I don’t believe I’ve ever seen anything as powerful or moving at your theater as Unreconciled.”
“Sometimes a work gets under the skin in such a way that it reveals the falseness of so much contemporary theater. That’s what this work did for me. The authenticity of the performance, and the simple surprising beauty of the staging, both got to me, and I thank you for it.”
“I’m honored to continue my collaboration with Jay Sefton on this extraordinary play. His unflinching performance is a tour-de-force, brimming with heart, humor, compassion and bravery.” (Co-Producing Artistic Director James Barry)
MID-SEASON SPECIAL EVENT:
It Goes Without Saying
Written and Performed by Bill Bowers (Broadway: The Lion King, The Scarlet Pimpernel- CTC: The Making of a Great Moment)
July 14 & 15
DESCRIPTION:
Compared to the work of David Sedaris, Claudia Shear and Augustin Burroughs, IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING is a uniquely crafted autobiographical tour-de-force in which Bill shares unbelievable true stories from his career as an actor and mime, and his life-long exploration of the role silence plays in all our lives.
QUOTE:
“We’re delighted to have Bill Bowers return to Chester after starring in last season’s THE MAKING OF A GREAT MOMENT which transferred Off-Broadway after its run at CTC” (James Barry)
“Bill Bowers is the love child of Danny Kaye and Laurence Olivier.”
-John Turturro
Will Sacrifice (World Premiere)
Written by Julie McKee
Directed by Keira Naughton
July 25 – August 4
DESCRIPTION:
Bridget’s fraught marriage to Nigel, a cramped NYC apartment and her stagnant career convince her to search for a country escape in the post 9/11 real estate gold rush up in the Lower Catskill Mountains. Armed with a limited budget and plenty of nervous enthusiasm, she enlists the aid of Mr. Sunshine to help her realize her dream. A comedy.
QUOTE
We’re so excited to welcome our dear friend Keira Naughton back to direct this hysterical and intricately crafted new play, her 4th CTC production. -Tara Franklin, Co-Producing Artistic Director
Big Big Sky
Written by Tom Wells
Directed by James Warwick
August 8 – 18
DESCRIPTION:
Kilnsea, East Yorkshire. Angie and Lauren are closing up the café for another winter; the birds have gone south and taken the tourists with them. The last visitor is Lauren’s dad Dennis, stopping by for his pasty and beans. But there’s another arrival – one that’s unforeseen and life-changing for them all. Big Big Sky is a beautifully tender play by Tom Wells, who was originally from Kilnsea. The play explores nature’s influence on love, friendship and family – the belief that anyone who’s lost can be found, even in the remotest of places.
QUOTE:
We’ve been working with the wonderful James Warwick since the 90’s when he directed us in productions at UConn/CT Rep. We’re so pleased to have him back at CTC to direct this life-affirming love story. (James Barry, Co-Producing Artistic Director)
Starring James Barry
All performances will take place in the intimate setting of Chester’s Historic Town Hall, 15 Middlefield Road, Chester, MA.
Showtimes for each play are:
Performance 1 (2pm Thursday matinee preview)
Performance 2 (2pm Friday matinee)
Performance 3 (7:30pm Friday evening)
Performance 4 (7:30 Saturday evening)
Performance 5 (2pm Sunday matinee)
Performance 6 (2pm Wednesday matinee)
Performance 7 (2pm Thursday matinee)
Performance 8 (7:30pm Thursday evening
Performance 9 (2pm Friday matinee)
Performance 10 (7:30 Friday evening)
Performance 11 (7:30 Saturday evening)
Performance 12 (2pm Sunday matinee)
*Please note the addition of Friday matinees to our 2024 season*
Talkbacks follow Thursday and Friday matinees. Cast Conversations follow the 2nd Friday evening performance. Panel Discussions featuring outside experts take place after the first Sunday matinee of each play.
Complete casting and additional production information will be announced at a later date.
Individual ticket prices are $55.00. Chester residents, members of the military and their families, ConnectorCare enrollees and those holding EBT/SNAP cards may purchase discounted tickets at the door or by calling the box office. Student Rush $10 tickets are available day of show. Single tickets, season subscriptions, and flex passes may be purchased online at chestertheatre.org, or by phone at 413.354.7771. Special rates for groups of 10 or more are available.
Ticket Sales
- Monday, April 1
Tickets go on sale to the general public at noon via chestertheatre.org.
- Monday, April 22
Box office phone sales begin. Call 413.354.7771 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11 am to 3 pm.
- Tuesday, May 28
Box office will be open for phone sales, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 11 am to 3 pm.
About Chester Theatre Company
Chester Theatre Company, a professional theatre company located between the Berkshires and the Pioneer Valley, and convenient to both, is known for presenting high-quality productions with top-notch actors, directors, and designers from across the country since 1990. Co-founded by former Artistic Director of Dublin’s Abbey Theatre, Vincent Dowling, CTC is now in its 35th season, and produces four thought-provoking plays each summer in the intimate setting of the Town Hall Theatre at 15 Middlefield Road in Chester, MA.
For further information, please call CTC at 413.354.7770, or visit www.chestertheatre.org.