SPRING SHOWS AND EVENTS: ARTS IN THE COMMUNITY

The Playful Parent

2 months ago

Taking little one’s to the theater is a great way to captivate young minds, and spark creativity and imagination. It’s that time of year in which local theaters and high school drama clubs are showcasing their spring musicals. There are a lot of opportunities to see affordable and family friendly shows. Be sure to check out these options and support the performing arts.

PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY THEATER

THE WIZ

Dates:

April 7- 12, 2026

Location: National Theatre- Washington, DC

Details: THE WIZ returns “home” to stages across America in an all-new tour, direct from Broadway. The Baltimore Sun raves “Powerhouse performances. Stunning choreography. Visionary sets” and the Chicago Sun-Times proclaims THE WIZ is “An eye-popping and high-intensity revival!” This groundbreaking twist on The Wizard of Oz changed the face of Broadway—from its iconic score packed with soul, gospel, rock, and 70s funk to its stirring tale of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world. With direction by Schele Williams (The Notebook, revival of Disney’s Aida), choreography by JaQuel Knight (Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies,” Black Is King) and additional material by Tony-nominated and Emmy-nominated writer and TV host Amber Ruffin (The Amber Ruffin Show, Late Night with Seth Meyers), this dynamite infusion of ballet, jazz, and modern pop brings a whole new groove to easing on down the road. Everybody rejoice!

Cost: $80-150

Link

INTO THE WOODS

Dates:

Friday, April 10 | 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 11 | 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 12 | 3 p.m.
Friday, April 17 | 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 18 | 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 19 | 3 p.m.

Location: College of Southern Maryland- FA Building- 8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata, MD 20646

Details: Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by James Lapine. James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim take everyone’s favorite storybook characters and bring them together for a timeless, yet relevant, piece… and a rare modern classic. The Tony Award-winning book and score are both enchanting and touching. 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.

Cost: $10

Link

EURYDICE

Dates:

Friday, April 10, 17, 24 | 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 11, 18, 25 | 7:30 p.m.

Location: Hard Bargain Players at The Black Box Theatre, 4185 Indian Head Hwy. Indian Head, MD

Details: In Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl, the timeless myth of Orpheus is reimagined through the eyes of its often-silenced heroine. On her wedding day, Eurydice is swept away to the Underworld, where memory fades and language unravels. As she struggles to recall her life above, she is reunited with her father—who has been waiting for her in a strange, watery afterlife where raining elevators fall from the sky and stones speak in cryptic chorus.

Above ground, Orpheus fills the world with music in his desperate attempt to bring her back. But in this lyrical and inventive retelling, love is not the only force pulling at Eurydice’s heart. Caught between the tenderness of her father and the passion of her husband, she must decide where she truly belongs. By turns whimsical, poignant, and hauntingly beautiful, Eurydice explores memory, loss, and the language we use to find one another—inviting audiences into a dreamlike underworld that feels both mythic and deeply human.

Cost: $15

Link

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

Date:

Thursday’s, May 7, 14| 8:00 p.m.
Friday’s, May 1, 8, 15| 8:00 p.m.
Saturday’s, May 2, 9, 16| 8:00 p.m.
Sunday’s, May 3, 10, 17| 3:00 p.m.

Location: New Towne Players- Lexington Park, MD

Details: This isn’t your grandmother’s Austen! Bold, surprising, boisterous, and timely, this P&P for a new era explores the absurdities and thrills of finding your perfect (or imperfect) match in life. The outspoken Lizzy Bennet is determined to never marry, despite mounting pressure from society. But can she resist love, especially when that vaguely handsome, mildly amusing, and impossibly aggravating Mr. Darcy keeps popping up at every turn?! Literature’s greatest tale of latent love has never felt so theatrical, or so full of life than it does in this effervescent adaptation. Because what turns us into greater fools… than the high-stakes game of love?

Cost: Adult $20/ Military $17/ Student $15/ 5 and Under FREE

Link

LEND ME A SEPRANO

Date:

Friday’s, May 15, 22, 29| 8:00 p.m.
Saturday’s, May 16, 23, 30 | 8:00 p.m.
Sunday’s, May 17, 24, 31 | 3:00 p.m.

Location: Port Tobacco Players Theatre

Details: It’s 1934, and the clever and combustible Lucille Wiley, Manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, is ready to welcome world-class soprano Elena Firenzi for her one-night-only starring role in Carmen. Alas, Elena arrives late, her impassioned husband Pasquale has a fit of jealousy, and it remains to be seen whether Mrs. Wiley’s mousy but determined assistant Jo can save the day.

Cost: Adult $18/ Military & Student $15

Link

HONK JR

Date:

Saturday, June 6 | 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 7 | 3:00 p.m.

Location: Port Tobacco Players Theatre

Details: Port Tobacco Players Encore Kids presents Honk! JR. a musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling, focusing on self-discovery, acceptance, and celebrating differences. The story follows Ugly, a baby bird who looks different from his siblings, as he sets off on a journey to find his place in the world, meeting colorful characters along the way. This delightful adaptation of the beloved fable and the award-winning musical is a heartwarming celebration of what makes us special.

Cost: $8

Link

CHARLES COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL SHOWS

The high schools have been working hard on putting their spring performances together. Here’s a look this years line up.

HADESTOWN

Date:

Thursday, April 16 | 7:00 p.m.
Friday, April 17 | 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 18 | 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 18 | 7:00 p.m.

Location: North Point High School- 2500 Davis Road, Waldorf, MD

Details: A Celebrated New Musical that Follows the Mythical Quest of Orpheus to Overcome Hades. On a Quest to Save His Muse Eurydice, Orpheus Journeys to the Industrial Hadestown.

Cost: Adult $10/ Student $5

Link

ANNIE JR.

Date:

Thursday, April 16 | 6:30 p.m.
Friday, April 17 | 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 18 | 6:30 p.m.

Location: Thomas Stone High School

Details: Thomas Stone High School is on Easy Street 6:30 p.m., April 16 through 18, when it stages “Annie Jr.” An adaptation of the classic, “Annie,” the musical is an abridged version of the story of an upbeat orphan adopted by the curmudgeon, Daddy Warbucks.

Cost: Adult $10/ Student $5

Link

BETWEEN THE LINES

Date:

Friday, April 17 | 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 18 | 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 19 | 2:00 p.m.

Location: McDonough High School

Details: Novelist Jodi Picoult wrote “Between the Lines,” about a girl in the real world falling in love with a prince in a fairytale. Soon, the prince starts communicating with her through the pages of the book.

Cost: Adult $12/ Military & Student $10

Link

LEGALLY BLONDE JR