News & Announcements

A Tony award-winner, a 1980’s rock musical, an Agatha Christie mystery, and more await you in our 108th season!

Chess

Music by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson | Lyrics by Tim Rice
Based on an idea by Tim Rice
Directed by Stephen M. Deininger

October 20 — November 19, 2023

In this groundbreaking rock musical, the world renowned game of chess becomes a metaphor for romantic rivalries, super-power Cold War politics, and international intrigue. From Bangkok to Budapest, the players, lovers, politicians and spies manipulate and are manipulated to the pulse of a monumental score by the ABBA team that includes such classics as “One Night in Bangkok” and “Heaven Help My Heart.”

“CHESS is an exhilarating new game in town.” – WNBC-TV
“… one of the best rock scores ever produced in the theatre.” – Time Magazine

Witness for the Prosecution

By Agatha Christie
Directed by Robert W. Oppel

January 5—28, 2024

A riveting story of passion, justice and betrayal from the queen of suspense! When Leonard Vole is accused of murdering a rich older widow, the courtroom becomes a scene of shocking witness testimony, impassioned outbursts from the dock and a trapped husband’s fight to escape the hangman’s noose. This startling thriller will keep you guessing until the very end — but please, don’t reveal that ending to your friends!

“Christie’s play is easily her most ingenious.” – The Guardian
“Twisted plots and intriguing characters remain the hallmark of Christie’s literary contribution to British crime literature.” – West End Theatreland

How I Learned to Drive

By Paula Vogel
Directed by Tessara Morgan Farley

February 16 — March 10, 2024

A wildly funny, surprising and devastating tale of survival in which Li’l Bit, now a woman in her 30’s, comes to terms with the complex childhood relationship she had with her Uncle Peck. Vogel’s Pulitzer Prize winning thunderbolt of a play brings theatre back to its roots in storytelling and personal and social history.

“HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE remains incisive and affecting, not only in the ways that it explores sexual trauma as a personal experience but also in how it places that experience within a larger social matrix.” – TimeOut

Doubt, a parable

By John Patrick Shanley
Directed by Steve Goldklang

April 5—28, 2024

In this Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning 21st century American classic, Sister Aloysius, a strict, uncompromising Catholic middle school principal in the early 1960’s, takes matters into her own hands when she suspects the charismatic and highly popular Father Flynn of improper relations with one of the male students — who also happens to be the school’s only African American student.

“The best new play of the season… so full of high drama that the audience with which I saw it gasped out loud a half-dozen times at its startling twists and turns.” – The Wall Street Journal

Love, Loss and What I Wore

By Nora Ephron and Delia Eprhron, based on the book by Ilene Beckerman
Directed by Belle Burr

May 17 — June 9, 2024

An evening of hilariously funny and often poignant short scenes and monologues by noted comic writer and director Nora Ephron (When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, Heartburn) and Delia Ephron that depict how an item of clothing can hold a past identity, body shape, and hopes seized or abandoned. In this delightfully dishy trip down memory lane a dress, a shoe, a hat can serve as a jumping off point for bigger themes such as falling in and out of love, familial relationships, or a same-sex marriage.

“Breezy and enjoyable. A show about matters of the heart and matters of the closet.” – New York Times

More information will be available soon about auditions and opportunities to get involved, as well as tickets and subscriptions for this season.

Vagabond Players continues its 107th season with the riotously funny Shakespeare mashup, THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (abridged) by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield, and directed by Daniel Douek.

Egads and forsooth! Take three wild’n’crazy actors plus Shakespeare’s 37 plays, cram ‘em all into 97 minutes, and you’ll learn more about The Bard (through songs, raps, interpretative dancing and even a cooking show!) than you ever did while you were asleep in English class. The Bard would go bonkers, but you’ll have a blast at this outrageous compendium of Bill’s greatest hits. Romeo, Cleopatra, Othello, Macbeth and of course, everybody’s favorite great Dane (Hamlet, himself) — they’re all here rockin’ and rollin’ like you’ve never seen them before. Surgeon General’s Warning: Excessive viewing of this show could be injurious to your funnybone!

“If you like Shakespeare, you’ll love this show. If you hate Shakespeare, you’ll love this show!” - The Today Show.

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (abridged) opens Friday, February 17 and runs through Sunday, March 12, with weekly performances Fridays/Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Special performances include: a special Saturday matinee on March 4 at 2 p.m. and a $10 Thursdays on Broadway performance March 9 at 8 p.m.

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (abridged) was originally produced by Reduced Shakespeare Company.

Vagabond Players continues its 107th season with Neil Simon’s Tony Award-winning comedy hit, BROADWAY BOUND, the poignant and funny conclusion to Brighton Beach Memoirs presented by Vagabond Players in 2020.

The American theater’s King of Comedy brings his young alter ego, Eugene, back to Brighton Beach as he and his brother, Stanley, hilariously struggle to break into show business as comedy writers for CBS, and watch helplessly as their parents’ marriage implodes. Simon brilliantly demonstrates the art of creating a humorous situation or line, but also how even seemingly harmless jokes can have devastating consequences for the wisecrackers and the family they love.

“BROADWAY BOUND is memorable and upbeat, a play the whole family can enjoy. I left the theater happy, satisfied and grateful…” The Los Angeles Post

BROADWAY BOUND opens Friday, January 6 and runs through Sunday, January 29, with weekly performances Fridays/Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Special performances include: a special Saturday matinee on January 21 at 2 p.m. and a $10 Thursdays on Broadway performance January 26 at 8 p.m.

BROADWAY BOUND is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. - www.concordtheatricals.com

Vagabond Players continues its 107th season with the joyous production of SHOUT! THE MOD MUSICAL directed by Lou Otero and music directed by LeVar Betts.

With an irresistible blend of hip-swinging hits from vocal legends like Dusty Springfield, Petula Clark, Shirley Bassey and Lulu, this pulse-pounding, raucous musical takes audiences back to the music, style and freedom on the 1960’s with such classic numbers as “Downtown,” “To Sir, With Love,” “Son of a Preacher Man,” and many, many more. Sing along to your favorite Top of the Pops songs in this bright vinyl time capsule of a musical as five groovy gals handle the trials and tribulations of life and love during those glorious days that made England swing.

“SHOUT! is without a doubt a celebration of the music and an homage to the woman who made it great.” -BroadwayWorld.com

The first edition of SHOUT! appeared on stage in New York in 2000 before transferring to London, where it was nominated as Best Musical by WhatsOnStage and had critics raving during its sold-out run in 2001. The Times cheered, SHOUT! “captures all the soulful heartbreak of the ‘60s diva songbook.” Good Morning America called SHOUT! “The hottest new musical in New York.” TimeOut raved “SHOUT! rivals Jersey Boys for sheer fun.” “Sassy, saucy and immensely satisfying… it’s simply smashing!” glowed the New Jersey Courier-Post.

SHOUT! is co-created by Phillip George and David Lowenstein with mod musings & groovy gab by Peter Charles Morris and Phillip George.

SHOUT! opens Friday, October 21 and runs through Sunday, November 20, with weekly performances Fridays/Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Special performances include: a special Saturday matinee on November 5 at 2 p.m. and a $16 Thursdays on Broadway performance November 17 at 8 p.m.

SHOUT! The Mod Musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

Vagabond Players celebrates the start of its 107th season with Diana Son’s powerful and timely comedy-drama, STOP KISS. What can be more powerful and moving than a tale of enduring love that miraculously survives a shocking assault? This acclaimed and remarkable play traces Callie and Sara’s journey together through a world that is alternately funny and serious, warm, tender, and brutal.

STOP KISS is not only a love story, but, perhaps more importantly, a story about finding the courage to love. Diana Son has created a memorable work that reminds us just how challenging life can still be for the people that fall outside the realms of accepted human relationships.

“To love is to declare oneself, and Stop Kiss should speak to anyone who has had to search deep within to find the strength and conviction to join hands with another. I can’t remember a love story that has moved me more.” - L.A. Times

STOP KISS opens Friday, September 9 and runs through Sunday, September 25, with weekly performances Fridays/Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Special performances include: a special Saturday matinee on September 17 at 2:00 p.m. and a $10 Thursdays on Broadway performance September 22 at 8:00 p.m.

Trigger warnings: descriptions of assault and hate crime. Recommended for mature audiences

Stop Kiss is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service.

Last year’s headshot event was such a success that Vagabond Players and Bruce F. Press Photography are teaming up again to help our community get professional headshots for only $50!

We sold out in 2021 so don’t wait to book your spot!

Click here to book your session now!

• WHERE: All sessions will be held at the Vagabond Theatre in Fells Point.
• WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 20 and Sunday, Aug. 21.
• WHAT: You will receive a personal 30-minute session and be able to select up to two distinct headshots.
• COST: Bruce F. Press Photography is cutting the standard price of $150 in half and Vagabond Players is picking up covering a portion for each participant, so the cost to you is only $50!

We want you to get the best shot possible, so bring additional tops or accessories to change your look. Time permitting multiple looks will be shot. If you are having a difficult time making a choice, the photographer and our team can help you decide.

Photo selection will be made onsite if possible or via an online gallery after the event. Your headshots will be sent to you within 5 days of your selection being made.

COVID Precautions:

• Masks are required while in the lobby area. Masks may only be removed during photographs, while on the stage.
• Appointments are REQUIRED to help maintain social distancing whenever possible.
• Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the venue.

The doors are open, audiences are back in the seats, actors are back on the stage and we couldn’t be more thrilled to announce this wonderful line-up for our 107th Season!

Stop Kiss

By Diana Son
Directed by Belle Burr

September 9–25, 2022

What can be more powerful and moving than a tale of enduring love that miraculously survives a shocking assault? Diana Son’s remarkable play traces Callie and Sara’s journey together through a world that is alternately funny and serious, warm, tender, and brutal.

“To love is to declare oneself, and STOP KISS should speak to anyone who has had to search deep within to find the strength and conviction to join hands with another. I can’t remember a love story that has moved me more.” - L.A. Times

SHOUT! The Mod Musical

Created by Phillip George and David Lowenstein
Continuity by Peter Charles Morris and Phillip George
Directed by Lou Otero

October 21 – November 20, 2022

With its irresistible blend of hip-swiveling hits, this pulse-pounding, raucous musical takes audiences back to the music, style and freedom of the 1960’s with such classic numbers as “Downtown,” “To Sir With Love,” “Son of a Preacher Man,” “Goldfinger,” “I Know A Place” and many more. Join five groovy gals as they come of age during those glorious days that made England swing.

“SHOUT! is without a doubt a celebration of the music and an homage to the women who made it great.” - BroadwayWorld.com

Broadway Bound

By Neil Simon
Directed by Steve Goldklang

January 6–29, 2023

Broadway’s King of Comedy brings his young alter ego, Eugene, back to Brighton Beach as he and his brother, Stanley hilariously struggle to break into show business as comedy writers for CBS, and watch helplessly as their parents’ marriage implodes. Simon’s Tony Award-winning and Pulitzer Prize-nominated comedy provides a potent mix of laughter and tears.

“BROADWAY BOUND contains some of its author’s most accomplished writing to date.” - N.Y. Times

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)

By Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield
Directed by Daniel Douek

February 17 – March 12, 2023

Egad and forsooth! Take three wild’n’crazy actors plus Shakespeare’s 37 plays, cram ‘em all into 97 minutes, and you’ll learn more about The Bard (through songs, raps, interpretative dancing and even a cooking show!) than you ever did while you were asleep in English class. MEDICAL ALERT: “THE COMPLETE WORKS….” could be injurious to your funny bone.

“If you like Shakespeare, you’ll love this show. If you hate Shakespeare, you’ll love this show!” - The Today Show

The Mountaintop

By Katori Hall
Directed by Dwight R.B. Cook

March 31 – April 23, 2023

Hall’s Olivier Award-winning drama begins as a deceptively simple account of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s final night on Earth, but then explodes into a powerful rumination on race, politics, life and death that connects King’s legacy to all of us.

“THE MOUNTAINTOP is soul-stirring and eye-opening.” - New York Daily News

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

By Dale Wasserman, based on the novel by Ken Kesey
Directed by Audra M. Mullen

May 19 – June 11, 2023

Renegade criminal Randle P. McMurphy wages a titanic battle against his arch nemesis, Nurse Ratched, and the state-sanctioned tyrannies of the American psychiatric establishment in the not-so-distant 1960’s. Funny and gripping, this thought-provoking story of a rebel with an outrageous cause is a great American classic.

“The play is an emotional button-pusher, wringing tears and cheers with precision.” - Variety

Vagabond Players rounds out its 106th season with the world’s longest running musical, The Fantasticks (Book and Lyrics by Tom Jones, Music by Harvey Schmidt). This magical show was suggested by a play, Les Romanesque, by Edmond Rostand. Originally slated for our 104th season, we are thrilled to welcome back and present this production post-pandemic.

There’s always time to remember this legendary romance about a boy, a girl, their two conniving fathers who plot to keep them apart, and a love that transcends all boundaries and expectations. Filled with one of the finest scores ever written for the stage, (“Try to Remember,” “Soon It’s Gonna Rain,” “They Were You,”) The Fantasticks is a bewitching comedy and haunting love story has entranced generations of theatre-goers, and will be sure to enchant and captivate Vagabond audiences for a long time to come.

The Fantasticks runs Friday, May 20 and runs through Sunday, June 19, with weekly performances Fridays/Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Special performances include: a New for 2022 Saturday matinee on June 4 at 2 p.m. and a special $16 Thursdays on Broadway performance on June 16 at 8 p.m.

The Fantasticks is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com

DISGRACED

By Ayad Akhtar

Congratulations to the wonderful cast and crew of DISGRACED on a successful run. Thank you for your hardwork and dedication to this thought-provoking production!

Check out what reviewers had to say:

“Akhtar’s material is incendiary, yet ethically complex and even subtle in a lot of ways…Under Mitchell’s guidance, these five actors deliver a powerhouse ensemble performance.” – MD Theatre Guide

Check out the full review at MDTheatreGuide.com

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“Akhtar’s work is one of intense emotional depth and the production at Vagabond Players is delivered with stunning sincerity…A powerful, evocative, and moving sort of work, DISGRACED at Vagabond Players is a powder-keg of relevancy for today’s society.” – TheatreBloom

Check out the full review at TheatreBloom.com

WEEKEND UPDATE: To allow our cast, crew and audiences to be with their loved ones for the holidays - performances for Friday 4/15 and Sunday 4/17 have been cancelled.

BOTH PERFORMANCES FOR SATURDAY 4/16 WILL RUN AS SCHEDULED.

And don’t miss closing weekend April 21-24, which includes our special $10 Thursday on Broadway performance on April 21.