Note: Authored by David Menconi, this piece has been produced in partnership with Raleigh Arts. Menconi's next book, "Oh, Didn't They Ramble: Rounder Records and the Transformation of American Roots Music," was published in the fall of 2023 by University of North Carolina Press. His podcast, Carolina Calling, explores the history of the Tar Heel State through music.
Raleigh Little Theatre—one of the state's longest-running local theater groups—has released their 2024-25 season schedule, with nine productions for literally all ages—even 0. That would be All Smiles, a Theatre for the Very Young work that will play in September with a target audience of birth to 5 years old.
One 2024-25 event, the musical Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. in May 2025, will take place outside in the complex’s 1,700-capacity outdoor amphitheater. The other eight productions happen indoors, split between the main Cantey V. Sutton Theatre and the smaller Gaddy-Goodwin Teaching Theatre. And as always, there’s the usual complement of teaching events including summer camps and programs like Teens on Stage and Teens Backstage.
[Related upcoming event: Movies in the Garden: "Moulin Rouge!," May 23]
“We’re an educational institution first,” says Raleigh Little Theatre executive producer Michele Weathers. “Shows are byproducts of what takes place with classes or camps or volunteering backstage. That’s the equalizer of community theater, you can enter at any point with any level of experience.”
Weathers assumed Raleigh Little Theatre’s leadership role in the summer of 2023, succeeding Heather Strickland. The 2024-25 season is the company’s first with Weathers at the helm, and it has a number of works from her ongoing wish-list. That includes the children’s production All Smiles as well as the musical comedy Something Rotten!.
“Part of planning for the season is allowing people a shot at doing interesting things,” says Weathers. “Like Something Rotten! has period costumes, and that’s not something the costume shop gets to do a lot of. Scenic design, too, opportunities to dig in and do something interesting and creative.”
Of course, it would not be an RLT season without its biggest annual holiday tradition. This December’s rendition of “Cinderella” will mark its 40th year at Raleigh Little Theatre.
“Scheduling is a crazy puzzle that goes on year-round,” says Weathers. “I’m always thinking about what next season might look like, or two seasons from now. Not too many years from now, we’ll start thinking about what we might do for our 100-year anniversary. That will be in 2036. At almost 100 years old, we do seem to be doing a few things right. We’re small but mighty, punch above our weight.”
For details on the 2024-25 season, see raleighlittletheatre.org.
*reserved seating
- Our Town, July 25-Aug. 4, 2024 (multilingual, drama; Gaddy-Goodwin Teaching Theatre)
- Something Rotten!, Aug. 23-Sept. 15, 2024 (musical comedy; Cantey V. Sutton Theatre*)
- All Smiles, Sept. 4-15, 2024 (Theatre for the very young; Gaddy-Goodwin Teaching Theatre)
- Doubt, A Parable, Oct. 18-Nove. 3, 2024 (drama; Gaddy-Goodwin Teaching Theatre)
- Cinderella, Dec. 6-22, 2024 (holiday musical; Cantey V. Sutton Theatre*)
- Akeelah and the Bee, Feb. 7-23, 2025 (inspirational drama; Cantey V. Sutton Theatre*)
- Morning After Grace, March 21-April 6, 2025 (comedy; Gaddy-Goodwin Teaching Theatre)
- Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr., May 3-11, 2025 (musical; Louise “Scottie” Stephenson Amphitheatre)
- The Color Purple, June 6-22, 2025 (musical drama; Cantey V. Sutton Theatre*)
Header photo by Dennis R. Berfield
