Musical Theatre Radio presents "Be Our Guest"

Penelope waited twenty years for Odysseus to return from the Trojan War. Now she’s ready to share her side of the story – but she’s going to need a drink first. Sharp, funny and unexpectedly moving, this is Penelope’s Odyssey.

Penelope is inspired by the composer’s experience of being forced to quarantine in separate cities from his romantic partner during the COVID pandemic. This musical for one actor and a five-piece band uses folk-pop songs, irreverent comedy, poetic physical gesture, and stirring instrumental pieces to tell the story of a day in the life of Penelope of Ithaca, stuck waiting for Odysseus to return.

A tale that came to author Joan Lindsay in a dream, Picnic at Hanging Rock unfolds against a backdrop of Australia’s wild natural beauty, exploring the fates of spirited young women determined to navigate the constraints of their futures. In giving voice to those who have been kept silent, it also brings a compelling First Nations perspective to light. Prepare to be captivated by a haunting exploration of innocence, mystery, and the unseen forces shaping our destinies.

Sam LaFrage is the founder and Artistic Director of Ragtag Theatre Company. Winner of the Best Performing Arts Company (KidsPass Parent's Choice Award), Ragtag Theatre Company is a group of diverse artists dedicated to creating fresh and inclusive LGBTQ+ theatre for families.

“You Are Mine” takes place in a broken-down suburban apartment shared by

Maryanne, the manager of The Copper Door bar and restaurant, along with

her friend Heidi (a waitress) and Vogel (the dishwasher who plays guitar and is

off to college in the fall). Maryanne is haunted by her past with an uptown

sophisticate, Tracy, when she’s getting ready for her first date with Dani, who

sells Subarus down the street. Heidi pushes back her feelings for Vogel who

pursues her, dreaming of proving his love. Sue (the waitress lifer) and the in-

recovery Jerry (the cook) barrel into the apartment with their tempestuous

past. Messy lives dovetail with the soulful Americana music of Maia Sharp. The

songs sit adjacent to the play, and reveal its larger themes: finding love and

having the courage to let go of the past.

When violent insurrectionists stormed the United States Capitol on 6th January 2021, they ruined a birthday forever. Kiely and Jessie are best friends who share the same birthday and the same big dreams of theatrical stardom. On the fateful day of the insurrection, their birthday goes from bad to worse when allegations emerge of their involvement in the attempted coup. Faced with their special day going down in infamy and spending the rest of their lives in prison, can Kiely and Jessie sing and dance their way to innocence?

MARILYN EXPOSED is the new musical exploring the public mythology and private complexity of one of the 20th century's most iconic cultural figures, an empowered woman many only saw as a sex symbol.
Blending music, movement, and dramatic storytelling, the production seeks to revisit Monroe not simply as a Hollywood symbol, but as an ambitious artist, entrepreneur, and woman navigating fame, power, and personal reinvention.
The production examines Monroe's legacy through a contemporary theatrical lens, inviting audiences to reconsider the woman behind the image and the cultural forces that shaped her story.

Six awkward spelling champions learn that winning (and losing) isn't everything.

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman

An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves a champion! At least the losers get a juice box.

A riotous ride, complete with audience participation, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a delightful den of comedic genius.

Produced by Blue Light Theatre Ensemble and Vanier College Productions
Directed by Kaori Lim and Jessica Corkal
Music Directed by Karleigh Martin and Matt Curran
Stage Managed by Kaori Lim and Jessica Corkal
Choreographed by Sydney Jade
Lighting Designed by David Morhart
Costume Designed by Eloise Federer
Set and Props Designed by Kaori Lim and Jessica Corkal

Additional Material by Jay Reiss
Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine
Originally produced on Broadway by David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo, Barrington Stage Company, Second Stage Theatre

Jul. 24 – Jul. 26, 2026
Fri-Sun @ 7:30pm
Sat-Sun @ 2:30pm

Fred Thury Studio Theatre, 258 Vanier College
To reach the theatre, take the stairs or elevator on the east side of Vanier College to the second floor.

Ticket Pricing:
Students – $15 | General – $25 | Top Speller (Donor) – $50

Available online, in advance or at the door.

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @bluelighttheatreensemble
TikTok: @blue.light.theatr

TURING encapsulates the true story of Alan Turing, a man caught between love and logic, who simply longs to be understood. The project features an impressive lineup of talent, including Vincent Jamal Hooper, known for his roles in The Lion King and Hamilton, James Olivas from the West End production of EVITA, and Mason Olshavsky, who is currently in Lost Boys on Broadway and has appeared in EPIC and Off-Broadway’s The Baker’s Wife. Their participation adds a layer of depth and talent to the project, enhancing the emotional resonance of Turing's narrative. Also joining the TURING EP are talented UK performers Jacob Fowler and Aiden Carson.

TURING unfolds through three pivotal stages of Alan Turing's life, exploring his relationships at ages sixteen, twenty-eight, and forty. With book, music, and lyrics crafted by Michuda and Ward, the narrative is presented in a non-linear fashion, skillfully weaving together moments of joy, discovery, love, and despair. This innovative approach allows listeners to engage with Turing's life on multiple levels, highlighting the profound impact of his work against the backdrop of a society that condemns you for being gay, no matter your status or contributions.

The TURING EP will be available on all major streaming platforms, making it accessible to a wide audience. The EP will be progressively released over the next few months. Following its release, there are hopes to explore live performances and a full production of the musical 'TURING', which successfully ran at the Greenhouse Theater Center in Chicago as a production of DePaul University’s Blue Demon Theatre. TURING was also awarded “Best Musical” and “Best Lyrics” out of 18 musicals featured at the 2024 Theatre on the Verge New Musicals Festival. This exciting project not only highlights Turing's significant contributions to science but also serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and acceptance in society.

The Queen of Magic is the untold story of Adelaide Hermann, world famous magician, artistic visionary, and fierce businesswoman. A contemporary of magical greats such as Harry Houdini, Adelaide not only excelled in her field, she reshaped it entirely, taking the old 19th century magic show standard and creating the theatrical spectacle we know and love today. Adelaide’s legacy lives on for the next generation of magic lovers and makers in this heart-warming, humorous, and at times harrowing musical tale.Neyla Pekarek began playing cello at age nine in her hometown of Aurora, Colorado. She studied musical theater and earned a degree in Music Education at UNC in Greeley, CO. In 2010, she joined the Denver folk-rock group The Lumineers as a cellist and vocalist, and spent eight years touring the world and recording with the band. In January 2019, she released her debut album, Rattlesnake, on S-Curve records, and was commissioned by the Denver Center for the Performing Arts to develop her album into a musical production entitled, Rattlesnake Kate, which had its world premiere at the DCPA in February 2022. Neyla wrote the music and lyrics, and garnered a Best Supporting Actress Henry Award for her portrayal of the cello playing horse, Brownie. She recorded the companion EP, Western Woman, released in June 2023. Neyla is a proud member of Sweet Adelines International and The Barbershop Harmony Society, two organizations that nurture the craft of Barbershop Quartet Singing, and is a member of the 2025 Sweet Adelines International Champion Quartet, Clever Girl.

Uplifted by a sweeping, jazz-infused score, We Shall Someday is an original musical following three generations of a southern Black family, as they each encounter and confront acts of racial injustice. Offering an exploration of our past to propel us forward with conviction and hope, We Shall Someday ​​examines how we​ continue the fight ​for freedom and justice.

The show begins in 1961 when Julius makes the decision to join the Freedom Rides. The second act follows his daughter, Ruby, as she wrestles with how to respond when Jay, her teen son, is brutally attack​ed by the police. The third and final act continues in 1992, on the heels of the Rodney King verdict, with Jay, as he weighs his choice to join the movement.

With searing vocals and deeply personal truths, We Shall Someday is a galvanizing and moving new work about the family bonds that hold us together and the courage, resolve, and direction needed to keep moving forward.