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.
Mainstage Theatre
The Minutes
April 25, 2025 - May 11, 2025
by Tracy Letts
Directed by Rhonda Hallquist
This scathing Pulitzer Prize-nominated 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. “Astonishing... a pitch black comedy about the current state of American politics.” – Chicago Sun-Times “The Minutes is also quite funny, silly even…But the questions Letts poses – what are you willing to do, what are you willing to ignore, what are you willing to forget to preserve your ‘cocoon of comfort’? – are provocative. And perennial.” – Daily Herald The Minutes by Tracy Letts runs April 25th through May 11th, 2025. Showings Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm, Sundays at 3:00pm. Sundays at 3:00 pm. Directed by Rhonda Hallquist and starring Dawson Woolridge, Cliff Madison, David Alexander Johnston, and more. Tickets start at $25.00.
See the Current Mainstage Theatre Show
Reviews & Testimonials
Performances
This scathing Pulitzer Prize-nominated 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.
The Minutes by Tracy Lett runs April 25th through May 11th, 2025. Showings Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm, Sundays at 3:00pm. Sundays at 3:00 pm. Directed by Rhonda Hallquist and starring Dawson Woolridge, Cliff Madison, David Alexander Johnston, and more. Tickets start at $25.00.
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 he needs to catch the next outlaws, or else, it is up to him 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 his 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 28 - March 23, 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. 28, Mar. 7, 14, 21
Saturdays at 7:30:
Mar. 1, 8, 15, 22
Saturday at 3:00:
Mar. 15
Sundays at 3:00:
Mar. 2, 9, 16. 23
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, 16
Saturdays at 7:30:
Apr. 26, May 3, 10, 17
Sundays at 3:00:
Apr. 27, May 4, 11, 18
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
2:00pm
Sunday
12:00pm & 4:00pm
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
2025
Murder At The Howard Johnson's
February 28, 2025 - March 23, 2025
by Ron Clark & Sam Bobrick
Directed by Leslie J. Miller
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. Murder at The Howard Johnson’s by Ron Clark and Sam Bobrick runs February 28th through March 23rd, 2025. Showings Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm. Directed by Leslie J. Miller and starring Jodi Ajanovic, Stephen Frankenfield, and Steve McKee. Sundays at 3:00 pm. Tickets start at $25.00.
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Reviews & Testimonials
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Performances
Fridays at 7:30: Feb. 28th, March 7th, 14th, 21st
Saturdays at 7:30: March 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd
Saturday at 3:00: March 15th
Sundays at 3:00: March 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd
About The Artists
Jodi Ajanovic (Arlene) originally hails from the Midwest where she studied Theatre Performance at Indiana State University. Upon graduation, she was the proud recipient of the Tisch-Capson Dramatic Writing fellowship from New York University and the Glenville Performance fellowship from the Oxford Dramatic Society. After her studies, Jodi performed with the Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Edyvena Repertory Theatre, and the Bunbury Theatre. Jodi is excited to be back at Live Theatre Workshop, where she most recently directed the Tuna series which included A TUNA CHRISTMAS and RED, WHITE AND TUNA. Some of Jodi’s favorite roles here at LTW include Ana in CLEAN HOUSE, Rose in DANCING AT LUGHNASA, Helen in BABY WITH THE BATHWATER, and Miss Skillon in SEE HOW THEY RUN, for which she was nominated for a MAC award by the Arizona Daily Star. Most recently Jodi completed a run at Winding Road Theatre in the role of Emma in STUPID FUCKING BIRD. She has played on the Etcetera Stage in THE BALTIMORE WALTZ and wrote EXISTENCE OF FAIRIES for the All Together Theatre at LTW.
Stephen Frankenfield (Mitchell) is LTW’s Associate Artistic Director. He is a graduate of (AAMDA) American Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in New York City. LTW has been his second home for over 25 years, both for acting and directing. Some of his notable acting credits include: STONES IN HIS POCKET, THE GAME’S AFOOT OR, HOLMES FOR THE HOLIDAY, I HATE HAMLET, and TUNA CHRISTMAS. Some of his directing credits include: MOON OVER BUFFALO and SOUVENIR. He writes and directs for LTW’s Children’s Theatre, as well as the Education Department. He has had 7 of his plays published and produced around the world, in schools and other youth organizations. He’d like to give a big thank you to his two boys who continue to inspire him everyday, on and off stage.
Steve McKee (Paul) is excited to be back on the Mainstage at Live Theatre Workshop. He was previously seen in 2023’s production ON THE VERGE, as well as SHOW PEOPLE and was also featured in ENCHANTED APRIL and PHOTOGRAPH 51, along with several Children’s Theatre productions. Thanks to Stephen and Jodi as well as the production crew for the opportunity to be a part of this show. Steve’s (other) favorite roles include Roger Debris in THE PRODUCERS and Alan in GOD OF CARNAGE. Steve also performs regularly with The Rogue Theatre and Gaslight Theatre, along with any group that will have him! Thanks for supporting live entertainment, and enjoy the show!!
Leslie J. Miller (Director) is grateful to have been part of bringing stories to life on the Live Theatre Workshop stage on and off for the past 20 years since moving from Utah. Some of her favorite directing credits include ENCHANTED APRIL, THE CLEAN HOUSE, THE GIRL WHO SWALLOWED A CACTUS, and THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP. Collaborating with this incredible creative team and working with these three talented actors—some of her favorite faces to see onstage—has been an absolute joy. Leslie would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Lydia Grey and Valerie Nixon for their fearless exploration of character and self. Special thanks to Steve Miller for his love and support, and to Marty Aaron, her high school drama teacher—proof that one person’s guidance can make a lifelong difference. Forty years later, she’s still doing what she loves, and he was her first mentor. Here’s to another fantastic production—enjoy the show!
Alex Tash, she/they (Stage Manager) is excited to be back at LTW stage managing for MURDER AT THE HOWARD JOHNSON’S. Previously, she has managed THE OTHER PLACE, ROCKIN’ AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE, and RUMORS, although you may have seen her running the LTW box office over the past few years. She would like to give a huge shout out to the cast and crew for their enthusiasm and flexibility throughout the rehearsal process, this show wouldn’t be half as funny as it is without all of their hard work!
Monet Zuniga, she/her (Assistant Stage Manager) is excited to be working on Live Theatre Workshop’s production of The Murder at the Howard Johnson’s. While this production marks her first step in working with the greater Tucson community, she has worked on a few different shows for her high school, Salpointe Catholic High School. She has worked backstage for their production of THE BOOK OF WILL, and stage-managed both INTO THE WOODS, and HADESTOWN; the latter of which performed at the Arizona Thespian Festival, and won full superiors at the National level. She is extremely passionate about all things theater, especially technical theater, and owes her success to her Mother, mentors, and her little pup Pip!
Richard Gremel (Lighting Designer/Technical Advisor) has been lighting the LTW stage for the past 16 years. His lighting designs have also been seen on other Tucson stages in the past. He is a graduate of the University of Arizona where he received a B.F.A. in Theatre Education. Richard is the acting and technical theatre teacher at Empire High School. He is the recipient of the Arizona Thespians Teacher of the year (2017-2018 & 2023-2024) and the OnMedia Tucson Arts Hero (2018-2019). Aside from teaching, Richard acts, directs, and writes plays for the LTW stage. He currently has 11 published plays which have been seen all over the United States, Canada, India, Hong Kong, England, and Australia.
Dominick Basso (Head of Set Construction): A native of Chicago Illinois, Dominick has worked on over 60 theatrical productions either onstage, or backstage for over 4 decades. When not acting, he is usually involved in either tech directing, or set building productions for educational, non-profit, or professional productions. A recent move to Tucson, this will be his second production in Arizona, having recently performed in the Saguaro CIty Music Theatre’s production of THE WIZARD OF OZ.
Karin Hupp (Prop Master) has been the prop master for over eight years; she also does scenic painting and box office. Some of her favorite projects included the wedding cake for ONE SLIGHT HITCH, the hound from BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK MYSTERY, and the cookies from FROG AND TOAD. Favorite scenes she has painted include Dorothy Parker’s VICIOUS CIRCLE and the bookshelves in THE COLUMNIST. Karin enjoys working for LTW because it helps her grow as an artist.
Michael Zimmerman (Sound Design) is a recording artist, music director, audio engineer, and private music instructor with over 20 years of teaching experience and more than 35 years of acting and performance experience. He spent 25 years as a touring musician with Honeybeegroove and Kristen Chandler. After graduating from the University of Oregon in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Technology, Michael moved to Tucson, AZ. He is the music director for Center for Spiritual Living Tucson, and teaches guitar, piano, voice, drums, percussion, and bass guitar as a master teacher at Music & Arts.
Christine Ralston (Costume Designer) began performing on stage at 5 years old. Ralston continued acting on stage in Utah, in film, and for the Disney Channel throughout her youth and young adult years. This stage life led her to study special effects makeup and historical costuming, giving her a creative outlet throughout life. A trained dancer of 30+ years, she has also taught dance classes and coached gymnastics in Utah and Arizona for youth and adults alike. Ralston has directed locally for Desert Crown Theater Company’s productions of ALICE IN WONDERLAND in 2022, PETER PAN in 2023 and BEAUTY & THE BEAST in 2024, as well as the 2024 annual production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL’. Thank you to Nate & the Kids for supporting her in theater works! Ralston’s Motto: “You never know who you may inspire out there. Always give your best performance! Be it an audience of 10 or 10,000. It is someone’s first show and someone’s last show.”
