One of the pleasures, and occasional hazards, of choosing a theatre season is putting plays next to one another that were never meant to meet.
This fall and winter, three actors trapped aboard the ‘Orca’ will share a season with the Addams family, a grown-up Cindy Lou Who, two singing amphibians and a determined young teacher named Annie Sullivan. They make unusual neighbors, but each production offers a different reason to come to the theatre.
‘The Shark Is Broken’
Thingamajig’s season opens with The Shark Is Broken, running October 9 through November 15. During the famously difficult filming of Jaws, the movie’s mechanical shark frequently refused to work, leaving actors Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss with long hours together aboard the Orca. Written by Ian Shaw, Robert Shaw’s son, and Joseph Nixon, the play imagines what might have happened as the three men argued about acting, success, politics, money… and which of them was most important to the movie. It is very funny, particularly for anyone who has spent time around actors, but the comedy has some teeth. Fans of ‘Jaws’ will enjoy the backstage details,
though no knowledge of the film is required.
Rating: PG-13 for strong language, alcohol use and adult themes.
‘The Addams Family’ Teen Production
Wednesday Addams has grown up and fallen in love with a perfectly ordinary young man. She confides in Gomez and asks him to keep the news from Morticia, which is not a promising beginning to a family dinner. When the young man and his parents arrive at the Addams mansion, both families attempt to behave themselves. They do not succeed. Performed by Thingamajig’s teen company, ‘The Addams Family’ is a lively musical filled with familiar characters, dark humor and a surprisingly sweet story about parents realizing that their children are becoming adults. Running October 18–November 1.
Rating: PG for spooky humor, mild innuendo and comic references to death.
This teen production requires a separate ticket and is not included with a season subscription.
‘Who’s Holiday!’
Cindy Lou Who is no longer two. In Matthew Lombardo’s Who’s Holiday!, the innocent little girl who once encountered the Grinch is now an adult with a complicated history and a Christmas story of her own. Speaking directly to the audience and mostly in rhyme, Cindy Lou explains what happened after that famous Christmas in Whoville. Her version is funny, profane and much less tidy than the one we remember. This is not a children’s Christmas show. It is an adults-only comedy that turns a familiar holiday world inside out, with a surprising amount of heart beneath its raunchy humor. ‘Who’s Holiday!’ runs December 17 through 24.
Rating: R and adults only for strong language, sexual humor, drug references and mature content.
‘A Year with Frog and Toad’
Based on Arnold Lobel’s beloved books, ‘A Year with Frog and Toad’ follows two friends through four seasons of ordinary adventures. Frog and Toad swim, rake leaves, go sledding, plant a garden, wait for the mail and attempt to stop eating cookies. They do not always agree, and they occasionally test each other’s patience, but they keep showing up for one another. The musical is warm, funny and filled with songs that children can enjoy without leaving the adults behind. The best family theatre gives everyone in the room something worth watching, and Frog and Toad does exactly that. Runs December 11–29. This full mainstage production is included with a season subscription.
Rating: G and appropriate for all ages. Recommended for children four and older.
‘A Year with Frog and Toad KIDS’
In January, our younger performers will visit the same world in ‘A Year with Frog and Toad KIDS.’ This shorter youth adaptation features the same friendship, humor and familiar characters, now performed by Thingamajig’s KIDS company. Runs January 2-4. This separate youth production requires a separate ticket and is not included with a season subscription.
Rating: G and appropriate for all ages.
‘The Miracle Worker’
William Gibson’s ‘The Miracle Worker’ tells the true story of Helen Keller and her teacher, Annie Sullivan. After an illness leaves Helen deaf and blind, her family struggles to communicate with her. Annie arrives with little teaching experience, a difficult past and enormous determination. Their relationship is not easy. They fight, frustrate one another, fail and begin again. Most people know the famous moment at the water pump, but the play earns that moment through everything that comes before it. Annie is not simply teaching Helen a word. She is helping her understand that the world has names and that language can connect one person to another.
Rating: PG for intense physical scenes and difficult family situations. Recommended for ages eight and older.
Ticket Sales Coming Soon
Season subscriptions include the mainstage productions of The Shark Is Broken, Who’s Holiday!, A Year with Frog and Toad, and The Miracle Worker.
The teen production of The Addams Family and January’s A Year with Frog and Toad KIDS are not included with a season subscription. Both require separate tickets.
Our 2026 summer season ticket holders received the first opportunity to purchase subscriptions at our season announcement event. General sales for season subscriptions and individual tickets will open soon.
A theatre season should not offer audiences the same evening over and over. Sometimes the theatre should make us laugh at three movie stars arguing in a boat. Sometimes it should remind us why two friends waiting for the mail can matter just as much. We think this season makes room for both.
For more information, visit pagosacenter.org or call 970.731.SHOW (7469).