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
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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.
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
2024
2023
Miss Firecracker Contest
September 6, 2024 - September 29, 2024
by Beth Henley
Directed by Michael Martinez
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 is directed by Michael Martinez and stars Zuleyl Castro, Emily Fuchs, and more. The show 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.
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Reviews & Testimonials
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Performances
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
About The Artists
Zuleyl Castro (Carnelle): Zuleyl’s recent work includes ANITA with Borderlands Theatre, AMADEUS with Winding Road, and PUFFS: A ONE ACT FOR YOUNG WIZARDS at Live Theatre Workshop. She is also a member of the Charles Darwin Experience improv troupe at the UA and performs in weekly shows. Zuleyl would like to thank her friends and family for always encouraging her creative endeavors and bearing with always being asked to be the other reader when reviewing lines.
Emily Fuchs, she/they (Popeye) is thrilled to participate in The Miss Firecracker Contest! Emily received an Associate of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance from Pima Community College in 2017 and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies from The University of Arizona in 2019. Recent credits include Live Theater Workshop’s THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED, and the Invisible Theatre’s GOING IT ALONE, THE BOOKSTORE, and DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE. Emily has completed training in Shakespeare and classical acting with the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), where she played Andrew Aguecheek in TWELFTH NIGHT and Inkeep/Friar in ‘TIS PITY SHE’S A WHORE. Emily is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Studies of Global Media at the University of Arizona School of Journalism.
Robin Bousel, she/her (Elaine) is back in Tucson after 14 years in Chicago, where she performed on stage and off, also working in costuming, casting, directing, stage management, and company development during her time there. Some of her favorite Chicago performance credits include Donna Marsala in a 2-year revival run of TONY ‘N TINA’S WEDDING, Roberta in ZANNA DON’T!, and Sister Hubert in NUNSENSE with Cult Camp Productions. Tucson credits from the most recent years include Susan in [title of show] with SAPAC, Sister James in a reading of DOUBT with Pages on Stage, and most recently, Charlotte/Ensemble in TAZ Theater’s PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS. Special thanks to Live Theatre Workshop’s amazing team, and this beautiful cast of wonderful people.
Josh Parra, he/him (Delmount) is a native Tucsonan, and studied theatre at Pima Community College. Past roles include Judge Brack in HEDDA GABLER (Beowulf Alley Theatre Company), Happy in DEATH OF A SALESMAN (Winding Road Theater Ensemble), Stevie in GOOD PEOPLE (Winding Road Theater Ensemble), Father Flynn in DOUBT (Pages on Stage), and John in THE REALISTIC JONESES (Live Theatre Workshop). He is grateful for the opportunity to return to the LTW stage, and thanks his son Idris for his love and support.
Owen Saunders (Mac Sam) was born and raised in downtown Tucson. Growing up a particularly spastic and dramatic child, theatre camp seemed to be the perfect outlet. At age eleven, he was enrolled in a Live Theatre Workshop youth camp, playing Officer Ronald in CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF ZOMBIES. This experience on stage sparked an exuberant passion for acting. Since then, Owen has had the pleasure of performing with The Rogue Theatre, as Young Andrea in GALILEO, and Pip in MOBY DICK. More recently with Pima Community College, the wonderful opportunity to play Buckingham in Shakespeare’s RICHARD III, and Tom in THESE SHINING LIVES. Owen continues to pursue his love for performing arts, and is immeasurably joyous to return to LTW and its amazing community. Enjoy the fireworks.
Nika Aguilar (Tessy) is a student at the University of Arizona majoring in Neuroscience with an emphasis in Language and Communication and minoring in Theatre Arts. She is a musician and loves studying languages. Previous credits include her appearance in Russian Roulette (Melissa), Argonautika (Medea), People Places and Things (Jodie), and Scoundrel & Scamp’s 2024 24/7 Play Festival (Haley) where she was nominated for most crowd laughs and best physical comedy! She is thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful show! She’d like to thank her castmates, director, stage manager, and all involved in the process without whom none of this would be possible. She’d also like to send all her love to her amazing father and mother for always believing in her and giving her the best sense of humor a girl could ask for.
Michael Martinez, He/Him, (Director) is the executive artistic director of Live Theatre Workshop. Previously he has performed on the LTW Mainstage and Children’s Theater in delightful shows such as SOUVENIR, THE FROG PRINCE, THE WIZARD OF OZ, and YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN and SNOOPY! Michael often writes, composes, and directs professional children’s theater shows including, THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE, OSO FUERTE, DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: THE MUSICAL, and FRIDITA Y EL PINCEL MAGICO. Michael is passionate about the city of Tucson and is committed to helping with services that arts and educational organizations provide to make Tucson a great place to live. Michael has a Bachelor degree in music from the University of Arizona and a Masters degree in Public Administration. He loves teaching musical theatre classes at Live Theatre Workshop and working collaboratively with all the outstanding artists in this amazing city.
Brionna Sayles, she/they (Stage Manager), is excited to welcome you to the show! They graduated in 2018 from Northern Arizona University with a degree in Theatre Studies with a focus in Stage Management. Her first production with Live Theatre Workshop was in 2013, as a “volun-teen” stage manager for the winter camp’s THE MONSTER HUNTERS! Her last show was this season’s Etcetera production, THE CHERRY ORCHARD – STAGED READING. She’d like to thank her family for their support and the LTW team for being endlessly amazing.
Julia Hupp, she/her (Assistant Stage Manager) is very excited to be a part of this wonderful production! She has been stage managing since high school, and some of her past shows at LTW include DRY POWDER, STONES IN HIS POCKETS, THE WAIT, THE REALISTIC JONESES, and LUCY AND RICKY LIVE. She has also been acting for many years, and some of her past roles were Hamlet in CANNED HAMLET, Wilbur Holmes in THE ADVENTURES OF WILBUR HOLMES: SHERLOCK’S COUSIN, TWICE REMOVED, and Hunyak in CHICAGO. She has also been in several of the family shows at Live Theatre Workshop, including THE GREAT ZANTINI AND THE MAGIC THIEF (Regina Renly Rabbit), GOODIES GOONS AND GOBLINS – A HALLOWEEN BASH (J. Parker Pumpkin), and TAKE A HIKE (Jamie). She just graduated from the University of Arizona where she earned her BA in Film and Television. She is thrilled that you came to see the show, and hopes you enjoy it as much as she does!
Phil Sparks (Set Designer) is making his return to theatre design after many years away. A recent Tucson transplant, he has been looking forward to being back in production and design after 30 years of interior design. Phil has designed sets for shows like LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, HELLO DOLLY, BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, A CHORUS LINE, PETER PAN to name a few. Phil has an extensive background in set design, construction, lighting design and production management. He’s making his debut with MISS FIRECRACKER and is looking to do many more with LTW. In his spare time he is enjoying his new city of Tucson and meeting his new theatre friends.
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.
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 James Zimmerman (Sound Design) is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, 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-plus years as a recording artist and 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 currently teaches guitar, piano, voice, drums, percussion, bass guitar, and music theory both from his home studio and as a master teacher at Music & Arts.
Shana Stilley (Costume Designer) is incredibly happy to be back at Live Theatre Workshop as part of this production. Shana was a 2009 Arizona Daily Star MAC nominee, a 2011 Tucson Weekly Best of Tucson recipient, as well as the 2021 The Taming of the Review, Best Director, and Best Show recipient for the critically acclaimed production of HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH. Other favorite productions include: SWEENEY TODD, LES MISERABLES, THE PRODUCERS, MAMMA MIA, and AUGUST OSAGE COUNTY. Shana currently serves on the board of directors of the Pima County Joint Technical Education Advisory Committee. -For my husband; The greatest piece of art, is our love story.
