Mainstage Theatre

Mainstage Theatre

The Mainstage is graced with award-winning artists and up-and-coming talent who create dynamic theatre that makes us laugh, cry, and think–sometimes all at the same time. These shows are attended by more than 13,000 people a year. To ensure that all Tucsonans have a chance to experience live theatre, we have some of the lowest ticket prices in town and offer hundreds of free tickets to organizations and schools across the city.

Misery

October 18, 2024 - November 10, 2024

by

Directed by Sabian Trout

Successful romance novelist Paul Sheldon is rescued from a car crash, waking up as a captive in the secluded home of Annie Wilkes, his “number one fan.” While Paul is convalescing, Annie reads his latest book and becomes enraged when she discovers the author has killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain. Annie forces Paul to write a new Misery novel, and he quickly realizes Annie has no intention of letting him go anywhere. The irate Annie has Paul writing as if his life depends on it...and it does. Adapted from the Stephen King novel, this classic thriller asks us to confront our fear, empathy, and instincts for survival in concert as we grip the edge of our seats for this exciting and suspenseful tale. Misery by William Goldman, based on the novel by Stephen King shows on the main stage October 18th through November 10th, 2024. Directed by Sabian Trout, Starring Lesley Abrams and Brendan Guy Murphy. Showings Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm. Sundays at 3:00 pm. Tickets start at $25.00. For season ticket packages and more information go to livetheatreworkshop.org/tickets.

See the Current Mainstage Theatre Show
Misery poster

Reviews & Testimonials

Performances

Successful romance novelist Paul Sheldon is rescued from a car crash, waking up as a captive in the secluded home of Annie Wilkes, his “number one fan.” While Paul is convalescing, Annie reads his latest book and becomes enraged when she discovers the author has killed off her
favorite character, Misery Chastain. Annie forces Paul to write a new Misery novel, and he quickly realizes Annie has no intention of letting him go anywhere. The irate Annie has Paul writing as if his life depends on it…and it does. Adapted from the Stephen King novel, this classic thriller asks us to confront our fear, empathy, and instincts for survival in concert as we grip the edge of our seats for this exciting and suspenseful tale.

Misery by William Goldman, based on the novel by Stephen King shows on the main stage October 18th through November 10th, 2024. Directed by Sabian Trout, Starring Lesley Abrams and Brendan Guy Murphy. Showings Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm. Sundays at 3:00 pm. Tickets start at $25.00. For season ticket packages and more information go to livetheatreworkshop.org/tickets.


2024-2025 Season Shows

Mainstage Theatre

Maytag Virgin

by Audrey Cefaly

August 2 - 25, 2024

This witty, romantic comedy set in a rural southern town follows two school teachers, Lizzy Nash and her new neighbor, Jack Key over the course of a year. While they find themselves in strikingly similar circumstances, their differences make for hilarious neighborly feuds and banter that will make the audience fall in love with these quirky personalities.  Will they also fall in love with each other despite their best efforts not to?  The secrets hidden in Jack’s house build a bridge between the two as they learn to lean on each other to heal past wounds and remind us all about the joys of new love and friendship.

SHOW DATES AND TIMES

Fridays at 7:30:

Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23

Saturdays at 7:30:

Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24

Sundays at 3:00:

Aug. 4, 11, 18, 25

Mainstage Theatre

The Miss Firecracker Contest

by Beth Henley

September 6 - 29, 2024

The place is the small Mississippi town of Brookhaven; the time is a few days before the Fourth of July. Carnelle Scott, affectionately dubbed “Miss Hot Tamale”, is feverishly preparing for the Miss Firecracker Contest, desperate for a victory that she hopes will salvage her tarnished reputation. Carnelle perseveres through a rollercoaster journey, supported by the endearing and quirky cast of characters, including the lovably awkward seamstress Popeye. Laughter, compassion, and moments of poignant lyricism are woven into this family’s dysfunctional past to reveal a future full of hope and promise. In this uproarious and heartwarming tale, The Miss Firecracker Contest promises an unforgettable blend of hilarity, compassion, and an enduring spirit.

The Miss Firecracker Contest runs September 6th – 29th, 2024. Showings Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm. Sundays at 3:00 pm. Tickets start at $25.00. For season ticket packages and more information go to livetheatreworkshop.org/tickets.

SHOW DATES AND TIMES

Fridays at 7:30:

Sep. 6, 13, 20, 27

Saturdays at 7:30:

Sep. 7, 14, 21, 28

Sundays at 3:00:

Sep. 8, 15, 22, 29

Children's Theatre

RAPunzel

by Richard Gremel

September 28 - October 13, 2024

It’s the typical story of a boy meets girl. Only this girl was kidnapped as an infant, locked away in a tall tower, and forced to grow her hair long so her evil step-mother can climb in and out of the tower. Love blossoms when a prince stumbles across Rapunzel in her tower. But if the evil step-mother has anything to say about it, this love will not succeed. Come see this classic story of Rapunzel reimagined as a hip-hop musical.

SHOW DATES AND TIMES

Saturdays at 5:00:

Oct. 5,12

Sundays at 1:00:

Oct. 6, 13

Mainstage Theatre

Misery

by William Goldman, based on the novel by Stephen King

October 18 - November 10, 2024

Paul Sheldon is a successful romance novelist, who is rescued from a car crash by his “number one fan,” Annie Wilkes, and wakes up captive in her secluded home. While Paul is convalescing, Annie reads his latest book and becomes enraged when she discovers the author has killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain. Annie forces Paul to write a new Misery novel, and he quickly realizes Annie has no intention of letting him go anywhere. The irate Annie has Paul writing as if his life depends on it…and it does. Adapted from the Stephen King novel, this classic thriller asks us to confront our fear, empathy, and instincts for survival in concert as we grip the edge of our seats for this exciting and suspenseful tale. 

“This nail biting cat-and-mouse-game will have you at the edge of your seat.” -Playbill

“An old-fashioned chiller … the gasps and the giggles are deliciously jumbled together.” -NJ.com

Misery runs October 18th through November 10th, 2024. Directed by Sabian Trout, Starring Lesley Abrams and Brendan Murphy. Showings Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm. Sundays at 3:00 pm. Tickets start at $25.00. For season ticket packages and more information go to livetheatreworkshop.org/tickets.

SHOW DATES AND TIMES

Fridays at 7:30:

Oct. 18, 25, Nov. 1, 8

Saturdays at 7:30:

Oct. 19, 26, Nov. 2, 9

Sundays at 3:00:

Oct. 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10

Mainstage Theatre

Ripcord

by David Lindsay-Abaire

January 10 - February 2, 2025

A sunny room on an upper floor is prime real estate in the Bristol Place Senior Living Facility, so when the cantankerous Abby is forced to share her quarters with new-arrival Marilyn, she has no choice but to get rid of the infuriatingly chipper woman by any means necessary. A seemingly harmless bet between these two cunning women quickly escalates into a hilarious game of one-upmanship that reveals not just the tenacity of these worthy opponents, but also deeper truths that each would rather remain hidden. This witty story of loss, friendship, and forgiveness is the perfect way to reflect on the richness and comedy of our lives.

SHOW DATES AND TIMES

Fridays at 7:30:

Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31

Saturdays at 7:30:

Jan. 11, 18, 25, Feb. 1

Sundays at 3:00:

Jan. 12, 19, 26, Feb. 2

Children's Theatre

Deputy Jan

by Richard Gremel

February 1 - February 16, 2025

The Old West, a time when cattle roamed free, Cowboys walked the streets, and Outlaws lurked in every corner.  There’s nothing to fear when you have, Deputy Jan…right?  Unfortunately, Deputy Jan is a coward and always lets all the outlaws escape.  But, when the Sheriff tells Jan she needs to catch the next outlaws, or else, it is up to her to save the day.  Jan sets out to take on the most notorious outlaws in the west, Hombre and Millie Nair, who have just stolen the secret family root beer recipe from the Rootin Tootin Root Beer Saloon.  Will Jan find her bravery and save the day or will Hombre and Millie Nair get their big heist? Find out while the hilarious action unfolds.

SHOW DATES AND TIMES

Saturdays at 5:00:

Feb. 1, 8, 15

Sundays at 1:00:

Feb. 2, 9, 16

Mainstage Theatre

Murder at the Howard Johnson's

by Ron Clark and Sam Bobrick

February 21 - March 16, 2025

Is all fair in love? Even murder? That’s the question posed by this light and funny suspense comedy about a love triangle in a Howard Johnson Motor Inn. In the first scene, the wife and her lover plot to murder the husband. In the second scene, the wife and her husband are plotting to murder the lover. The third scene has the husband and the lover plotting to murder the wife. A comedy of errors, missteps, and total pandemonium ensues as this trio finds all the wrong ways to fall in love, get revenge, and try to live happily ever after.

SHOW DATES AND TIMES

Fridays at 7:30:

Feb. 21, 28, Mar. 7, 14

Saturdays at 7:30:

Feb. 22, Mar. 1, 8, 15

Sundays at 3:00:

Feb. 23, Mar. 2, 9, 16

Mainstage Theatre

The Minutes

by Tracy Letts

April 25 - May 18, 2025

This scathing comedy unravels a web of secrets, power struggles, and dark truths lurking beneath the surface of everyday life.  From the author of August: Osage County, Tracy Letts infuses this story with his signature wit delivering moments of uproarious humor as a cast of very recognizable city council members let their idiosyncrasies fly. Unable to locate the minutes from the previous meeting, or move beyond their pet projects, the city council devolves into ridiculously reenacting their town history for their newest member who is full of questions and doubts about his new role. With razor-sharp wit, unflinching honesty, and a healthy dose of comedy, ‘The Minutes’ is a gripping exploration of the complexities of power and the fragility of democracy. Don’t miss your chance to witness this explosive drama and side-splitting comedy that has captivated audiences and critics alike.

SHOW DATES AND TIMES

Fridays at 7:30:

Apr. 25, May 2, 9

Saturdays at 7:30:

Apr. 26, May 3, 10

Sundays at 3:00:

Apr. 27, May 4, 11

Children's Theatre

6th Annual Young Playwrights of Tucson

by LTW's mentors and Tucson's talented playwrights

May 31 and June 1, 2025

This acclaimed program encourages students from all over our community to write and submit their short stories. Each top young playwright is teamed up with one of LTW’s seasoned playwrights/ directors to help get their plays from scripts to the stage. Local talented students audition, perform, and run the tech for all of the shows. With the help of LTW’s Children’s Theatre leaders, these students take the stage and give a voice to the stories they want everyone to hear. These performances are a great way to see the amazing talent of our Tucson youth.

 

SHOW DATES AND TIMES

Saturday

2pm

Sunday

12:00pm

Children's Theatre

Ranked, A Musical

by Kyle Holmes with Music and Lyrics by David Taylor Gomes

July 18 - 27, 2025

BUY YOUR GRADES, BUY YOUR FUTURE, BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE REST OF THE WORLD FINDS OUT? Debuting just weeks after the College Admissions Scandal took the nation by storm, Ranked tells the story of a dystopian world where competition reaches new heights as publicized academic excellence defines each student’s worth. In the face of an intense and perverse culture of performance, Lily must come to grips with her place in the status quo as she watches friends and enemies alike destroy themselves and each other to score their way to the top of academic leaderboards. When an impossible lie is discovered, the fate of these students’ futures hangs in the balance.Come see some of Tucson’s finest high school actors sing, dance, and act their way to the top!

SHOW DATES AND TIMES

Fridays at 7:30pm

Jul. 18, 25

Saturdays at 7:30pm:

Jul. 19, 26

Sundays at 3:00pm

Jul. 20, 27