Simpson Productions Announces 2023-24 Season

Simpson Productions has released its theatrical schedule for 2023-24 at Simpson College. Featuring a line-up that includes four productions and a Festival of Short Plays, the season begins with “Good Kids,” Oct. 27-29 at Blank Performing Arts Center in the Barnum Studio Theatre.

For more information, including how to purchase tickets, please visit bit.ly/45wGj7Z. Here is the complete schedule:

“Good Kids”

Written by Naomi Iizuka, 

Directed by Ann Woldt

7:30 p.m., Oct.27-28; 2 p.m., Oct. 29 

Blank Performing Arts in Barnum Studio Theatre

Synopsis: Something happened to Chloe after that party last Saturday night. Something she says she can’t remember. Something everybody is talking about. Set at a Midwestern high school, in a world of Facebook and Twitter, smartphones and YouTube, Good Kids explores a casual sexual encounter gone wrong and its very public aftermath. Who’s telling the truth? Whose version of the story do you believe? And what does that say about you? (Adult language and content.)

“Into the Woods”

Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Lapine

Directed by Jennifer Nostrala

7:30 p.m., Nov. 17-18; 2 p.m., Nov. 19 

In conjunction with the 26th annual High School Theatre Festival

Blank Performing Arts in Pote Theatre

Synopsis: The story follows a baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a witch’s curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone’s wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results.

“The Medium & The Telephone” 

Written by Gian Carlo Menotti

Directed by Jennifer Nostrala

7:30 p.m., Feb. 16-17; 2 p.m., Feb. 18 

Blank Performing Arts in Barnum Studio Theatre

Synopsis: The Medium-Madame Flora, with the help of her daughter Monica and Toby, a mute servant, tries to cheat clients through faked seances. She is touched herself by a hand during one of them, an occurrence she can’t explain, and which drives her to insanity and murder.  

The Telephone– Ben wants to propose to his friend Lucy, but is frustrated by the constant interruption of her telephone. Since Ben has to catch a train for an important business meeting, he leaves Lucy’s apartment and, adopting the strategy “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em,” succeeds in proposing to Lucy over the telephone from a nearby phone booth. This two-hander will be performed by professional singers Kelli Motter and Nathaniel Hill

“A Beautiful Day in November on the Banks of the Greatest of the Great Lakes”

Written by Kate Benson

Directed by Kara Raphaeli

7:30 p.m., March 22-23; 2 p.m., March 24 

Blank Performing Arts in Pote Theatre

Synopsis: A quirky comedy that cleverly transforms an extended family’s Thanksgiving dinner into a fiercely fought competitive sport. Any tensions that arise during the course of a typical family assembly will pale in comparison with the peculiar, ultimately macabre goings-on in this dark farce about the ego-devouring aspects of family life.

Festival of Short Plays ’24 — Brecht and His Legacy

Produced by Kara Raphaeli

7:30 p.m., April 12-13; 2 p.m., April 14 

Barnum Studio Theatre