While we always welcome theatergoers to do their own research, we’ve also taken the liberty to create a handy guide for each one of our shows in the 2025/2026 Mainstage Season. Our goal is to provide you with more information and guidance to help you make informed choices you’re comfortable with for yourself and/or your group, and prepare you for what to expect when you come through our doors. Because education is central to our mission, we have also provided some questions that can be discussed after the performance. While these questions are intended for parents/guardians and their children, they are great for any theatergoer!
We encourage you to check back periodically as opening day approaches for updates on possible staging choices that could change the content of these guides. We hope this guide will enrich the learning experience of all our patrons both young and seasoned.
—Melissa Rivera Simpson, Producing Director
(15-minute intermission)
The Addams Family is a delightfully macabre musical comedy that blends gothic aesthetic and spooky charm with heartfelt moments and humor. Based on the iconic characters created by Charles Addams, the show brings the eccentric family to life in a story that centers on love, family, and the hilarious chaos that comes from clashing worldviews. The story centers on Wednesday Addams, now grown up and in love with a “normal” boy. When she invites his straight-laced parents over for dinner, the Addams household descends into a chaotic evening full of secrets, surprises, and twisted hilarity. What follows is a clash of cultures that challenges both families to confront their differences—and learn to embrace them.
Beneath the ghoulish gags and witty songs, the show explores deeper themes such as family loyalty, identity, acceptance, and the struggle to bridge generational and cultural divides. Marital dynamics also take center stage, particularly in the relationships between Gomez and Morticia Addams, and the visiting Beineke parents. As secrets come to light, the characters are forced to confront their trust, communication, and commitment to one another. Additionally, there is a humorous subplot involving a truth serum-like potion (a whimsical nod to drug use) that causes characters to reveal their innermost feelings in unexpected ways. While all in good fun, these elements open the door to emotional honesty and reconciliation, making The Addams Family a surprisingly sweet experience for audiences of all ages.
- What does it mean to be “normal”? How do different characters in the show define or challenge the idea of normalcy?
- What role do secrets play in the story? How does honesty affect the characters’ relationships?
- What challenges do Wednesday and Lucas face as a couple from such different backgrounds? Can you think of any similar examples in real life?
(15-minute intermission)
Annie is a heartwarming, family-friendly musical set during the Great Depression that follows the spirited and optimistic young orphan, Annie, on her journey to find a family. Many audience members will recognize this classic musical from the multiple big screen iterations that have made this story so beloved over the decades. Audiences are drawn into a world of hope, resilience, and the power of believing in a better tomorrow. The show delivers a blend of humor, heart, and uplifting energy that resonates across generations.
Annie explores themes of optimism in the face of hardship, abandonment, and the importance of found family. The contrast between the harsh life at the orphanage under the strict Miss Hannigan and the warmth of billionaire Oliver Warbucks’ home highlights the transformative power of love and generosity. Though played for comedy, it’s important to note that Miss Hannigan’s verbal and emotional abuse and mistreatment of the orphans is a key element in the story, however it is in no way condoned and highlights the resilience and strength of the children. Audiences can expect a mix of engaging musical numbers, lively choreography, endearing characters (including a live dog named Sandy), and a story that balances laughter with genuine emotion. Annie is an inspiring theatrical experience for all ages that proves the enduring belief that kindness and courage can change lives.
- What helps Annie maintain her optimism? In your opinion, why do you think it still resonates with audiences of all ages?
- Why do you think Miss Hannigan despised little girls? If she did not like them, then why was she working with them?
- What does the show suggest about the meaning of family? How does Annie’s idea of family change by the end?
(15-minute intermission)
Once, based on the 2007 movie by the same name, is a deeply moving and intimate musical that tells the story of an Irish man and a Czech immigrant in Dublin who form an unexpected connection through their shared love of music. Unlike traditional musicals, Once is performed by a cast of actor-musicians who play their instruments live on stage, creating a uniquely raw and immersive musical experience. The story unfolds subtlety and focuses on the emotional complexities of love, longing, and the choices we make in life.
Once explores themes of connection, healing, and the transformative power of music. The show also gently examines the struggles of marriage and commitment, as both central characters carry emotional ties from past relationships. The setting includes depictions of drinking and pub culture, however it is not central to the story. In keeping with the feel of the setting, the first few rows of the Julia Morgan Theater will be transformed into an immersive space for audience members who enjoy a more intimate theatrical experience. The use of profanity is sprinkled throughout the script, yet often comes off sounding like slang due to the characters’ strong accents. Sexual innuendos and jokes are lightly scattered around as well. Music is used as a language through which the characters express feelings they can’t easily say aloud, serving as both a form of communication and a source of emotional release. Audiences will be enveloped in this sweet and poignant story and can expect a beautifully understated performance filled with heartfelt songs, poetic storytelling, and a celebration of music as a lifeline in difficult times.
- How does music help the characters express emotions or connect in ways that spoken words cannot?
- How does the musical explore the blending or clashing of cultures, and what does it suggest about the role of cultural identity in forming relationships and pursuing dreams?
- Why do you think Girl and Guy ultimately choose their paths? How did their past commitments shape their actions and emotional availability throughout the story?
(15-minute intermission)
The mega Broadway hit Cats, composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, is based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats and is a unique and visually captivating musical that departs from traditional plot-driven storytelling. Instead, it presents a series of character vignettes, each centered on a different member of the “Jellicle” tribe, a group of magical, musical cats who gather once a year for the Jellicle Ball. At this mystical event, their wise leader, Old Deuteronomy, chooses one cat to ascend to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a new life.
Themes of identity, redemption, aging, and rebirth run through the show and are often expressed through a blend of energetic dance numbers, whimsical lyrics, and circus-like elements. Audiences should expect a highly stylized production filled with elaborate costumes, feline-inspired choreography, and mesmerizing music. Rather than a linear narrative, Cats offers an acrobatic experience driven by mood, music, and movement. It’s a show that invites you to suspend disbelief and embrace its poetic charm.
- Which Jellicle cat stood out to you the most, and why? What made them memorable? What does that say about their individuality and self-expression?
- Why do you think the other cats shunned Grizabella? Was there something she might have done in the past that made the cats ostracize her?
- Cats doesn’t follow a traditional plot. Did that affect your enjoyment of the show? Why or why not? How did the music, dancing, and atmosphere help tell the story?
(15-minute intermission)
Into the Woods is a beautifully clever yet somber take on classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales by genius composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. We see familiar characters such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack, and the Wicked Witch; however, their stories are much more humanized and feel less like a fairy tale. They all venture into the woods to seek their “wish” but are confronted with unexpected visitors and forced to tackle moral dilemmas. Their separate storylines are masterfully woven together and heightened by Sondheim’s complicated and witty music. Though there is no strong language, the lyrics can be tricky to follow. This show teaches a number of nuanced life lessons such as the value of teamwork, yet others are more emotionally complex. Children are separated from parents, some audience-favorite characters die, and there is no promise of a happy ending for anyone, yet the ultimate message of the show is one of hope and optimism.
NOTE: Act I is narratively self-contained. If there is concern about content and length, leaving during intermission is a suitable option.
This is our Youthstage Spotlight Show, therefore all roles will be played exclusively by youth actors. We believe that students playing characters their own age with a story they can relate to will lead to deeper and more meaningful family conversations.
- Do any of the characters actually live happily ever after?
- Are any of the characters role models? Can you relate to their dilemmas and problems? What do they learn over the course of the plot? What choices and mistakes do they make, and how does that affect their story?
- How are parents depicted? Are the mothers and fathers in the story good parents? What does it take to be a good parent?
