MAR 5–APR 12 EUREKA DAY by Jonathan Spector / directed by Ann Woodhead
PAY WHAT YOU WILL THURSDAY, MARCH 12 • MAY 7–MAY 31 DANCING LESSONS by Mark St. Germain / directed by Michael Ducharme PAY WHAT YOU WILL THURSDAY, MAY 14 • JUN 25–AUG 2 GLORIOUS! by Peter Quilter / directed by Bob Cohen
NO SHOW JULY 4 • PAY WHAT YOU WILL THURSDAY, JULY 2
• AUG 27-SEPT 27 I AM MY OWN WIFE by Doug Wright / directed by Noah Luce PAY WHAT YOU WILL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 • OCT 8–OCT 11 YOUTH PLAY TBA by Green Space Players • NOV 5–DEC 13 IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (A LIVE RADIO PLAY) adapted by Joe Landry / directed by Ricci Dedola PAY WHAT YOU WILL THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12
MAR 5 THRU APR 12
PAY WHAT YOU WILL
by JONATHAN SPECTOR directed by ANN WOODHEAD
THURSDAY, MARCH 12
Winner of the 2025 Tony Award® for Best Revival of a Play and won 2025 Best Revival from Drama Desk and Drama League
The Eureka Day School in Berkeley, California, is a bastion of progressive ideals: representation, acceptance, social justice. In weekly meetings Eureka Day’s five board members develop and update policy to preserve this culture of inclusivity, reaching decisions only by consensus. But when a mumps outbreak threatens the Eureka community, facts become subjective and every solution divisive, leaving the school’s leadership to confront the central question of our time: How do you build consensus when no one can agree on truth?
“EUREKA DAY [is] so brilliantly yoked to the current American moment—its flighty politics, its deadly folly—that it makes you want to jump out of your skin...” —The New Yorker
“Critic’s Pick! Jonathan Spector’s EUREKA DAY...is not only one of the funniest plays to open this year, it is one of the saddest.”
—The New York Times
MAY 7 THRU MAY 31
by MARK ST. GERMAIN directed by MICHAEL DUCHARME
PAY WHAT YOU WILL THURSDAY, MAY 14
A young man with Asperger’s syndrome seeks the instruction of a Broadway dancer to learn enough dancing to survive an awards dinner. The dancer is recovering from an injury that may stop her dancing career permanently. As their relationship unfolds, they’re both caught off-guard by the discoveries— both hilarious and heartwarming—that they make about each other and about themselves.
“You don’t want it to end...” —The Boston Globe
“Laughs abound in this play and so do those plucked heartstrings... a perfect evening of theatre.”
—Berkshire Bright Focus
“DANCING LESSONS goes beyond the conventions of a romantic comedy to an enthralling evening...totally absorbing...brilliantly conceived... ”
—BroadwayWorld
“[A] terrific new romantic comedy...frequently and deeply funny... the best play of [Mark St. Germain’s] I’ve yet seen.”
—Albany Times Union
JUN 25 THRU AUG 2
by PETER QUILTER
directed by BOB COHEN
PAY WHAT YOU WILL THURSDAY, JULY 2 • NO SHOW JULY 4TH
The true story of Florence Foster Jenkins— the worst singer in the world.
Known as “the first lady of the sliding scale,” she warbled and screeched her way through evenings to bemused audiences in 1940’s New York. The play spins from Florence’s charity recitals and extravagant balls, through to her bizarre recording sessions and an ultimate triumph at Carnegie Hall in this hilarious and heartwarming comedy.
“Delightful and blissfully funny.” —Daily Telegraph “Hilarious and touching.” —Daily Mail
“A glittering comedy with a heart... lunatically funny.” —Sunday Times
“In Peter Quilter’s touching play... what begins as a joke becomes a lesson in how to live your dream.” —The Daily Express
“Comically sublime.” —The Guardian
AUG 27 THRU SEP 27
by DOUG WRIGHT
directedby NOAH LUCE / performedby BRADY VOSS
PAY WHAT YOU WILL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
Winner of the 2004 Tony Award® for Best Play and the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Drama
Winner of the 2004 Lortel Award for Outstanding Solo Show and 2004 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play
Based on a true story, and inspired by interviews conducted by the playwright over several years, I Am My Own Wife tells the fascinating tale of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, a real-life German transvestite who managed to survive both the Nazi onslaught and the repressive East German Communist regime.
“I AM MY OWN WIFE is the most stirring new work to appear on Broadway this fall...both moving and intellectually absorbing.” —The New York Times
“I AM MY OWN WIFE revels in a particular time and place, but it is more than a historical document. The play is a vivid portrait of a unique person whose ability to endure has been turned into a highly theatrical journey.” —Associated Press
“...saucy, sagacious, entirely fascinating solo play...” —Village Voice
“...riveting theatre...the structure of the play is original, challenging, and involving.”
—Backstage
5 THRU DEC 13
by JOE LANDRY
directedby RICCI DEDOLA
PAY WHAT YOU WILL THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12
This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve.
“One of the best holiday shows around. This is a fresh and inventive way of reconnecting with a classic story of love and redemption.” —Chicago Sun-Times
“A well-loved tale told with style, charm and a heart so big it could burst the ribcage of the harshest Grinch...A fresh theatrical context that creates just the right kind of retro warmth. If you cry every time you see the movie, you’ll be blubbering away right on cue...Guaranteed.” —Chicago Tribune
YOUTH PLAY
OCT 8 THRU OCT 11
GREEN SPACE PLAYERS
directed by LORRY LEPAULE
It’s only appropriate that after 50 years of imaginative theatre, we have the Green Space Players in our creative home. These young theatre artists represent the future of not only MTC, but our community as well. Lorry Lepaule has been steering the Green Space Players for at least three years. In 2025 they stepped in to new territory, bravely and courageously writing an original play Kids These Days. Their production of Our Town and The Tempest gathered ovations and memories for all who were fortunate enough to experience these shows. Each production is curated with care, consideration, and respect of the artists involved.
FROM THE BOARD
Dear Supporter of the Arts in Mendocino,
Yes... that’s you! You are a subscriber or a ticket buyer or a donor to MTC, or the Music Festival, or the Film Festival, or the Dance Project, or Symphony of the Redwoods. You are part of what makes Mendocino California’s favorite place to live and visit. Next year, Mendocino Theatre Company celebrates our 50th year as part of this cultural landscape. We are incredibly proud. But we can’t take it for granted. It doesn’t happen without you! Not only does it take the volunteerism of actors, stage managers, technicians, artisans and others, not only does it take the donations of a community that values MTC, and not only does it take the support of the business community...but it doesn’t happen if you’re not in that theatre seat reading this and waiting for your next theatrical experience to happen. We don’t do this FOR you. We do this WITH you. Thank you.
Jeff Rowlings, President, MTC Board of Directors
The idea that 2026 is the 50th year of our founding makes me shed a happy tear.
One Thursday in the Spring of 1977 I was reading the Mendocino Beacon and saw an audition notice for The Visit, the first production of a brand new theatre company. While I was sure they didn’t need the likes of me, I decided to attend. There must have been 30 of us in the room reading for Don Murray, the director and company founder. I was 37 at the time and shockingly got cast in the small role of the 65 year old schoolmaster.
My life changed forever. I got hooked on acting and later directing. Don Murray became my mentor, almost a second father. There are more memories than I can count. So many faces pass before me. Old friends, some still here, too many gone. We shared so many great times.
Looking back, The Visit was the first of the almost 300 hundred plays MTC has produced in the Helen Schoeni Theatre. Keep on keepin’ on Mendocino! Theatre is fragile. We need your full attention to secure the next 50 years.
Bob Cohen, Second Vice-President, MTC Board of Directors
We all deserve a big round of applause.
This year will be a time of reflection, celebration, assessment, looking to the future, social events, and great shows. We have special events planned for all of us, so please be sure to keep reading those emails and coming in to the theatre to check in on what’s new. Here’s a few of the things planned for this year’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.
PARTIES, GATHERINGS, AND APPRECIATION ABOUNDS
We will be gathering several times throughout the year to celebrate and appreciate the most important members of our MTC Community—YOU—THE AUDIENCE. Please watch your emails for these announcements. They are sure to be festive, filled with fun, food and great times. Meet the Directors and Casts and Staff!
Plus—There is a Holiday Special in the works for the end of the year! Stay Tuned!!
Amongst all the revelry and celebration we have a few special events throughout the season.
“Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow”
A series of conversations in a townhall setting with community and friends
YESTERDAY—We will be sharing an evening of remembrances, acknowledgements, photos and props from the archives, all interwoven with performances of scenes and readings from past productions. What were the successes and challenges that got us here today? Remember when?
TODAY—A panel of community members and professional theatre artists from around the country will be discussing the big issues facing not only our theatre, but theatre in general today. Is our theatre relevant and alive to the needs of our community? What role does theatre play in our culture today? How can live theatre stay relevant in a culture of streaming? Are we addressing the needs and desires of our particular audience?? What fresh approaches are being explored in regional theatres?
TOMORROW—How can we continue to grow our theatre? How can we address our growing needs? What do we need to do tomorrow AND in the next five years to keep our theatre lively and relevant? Bring your comments and questions for an evening of shared ideas about how our theatre can best prepare to meet the next decade.
READINGS FROM THE PAST
Our “Readings” series this season will consist of plays and scripts chosen from our past production history. Bringing the past into the present. Remember when? We will be presenting five plays on Wednesday evenings in the middle of our regular season run.
There are five decades of plays to choose from, and we will be choosing one from each decade to bring alive on our stage once again. The first reading will be The Visit, which was the first play done by the Mendocino Theatre Company. We will be reading a contemporary English language adaptation by Tony Kushner (author of Angels In America) which relocates the play from a town in Germany to a small mythical town in New York.
You can be sure to keep up with all these wonderful events by going to our website (www.mendocinotheatre.org) and signing up to receive our regular emails.
2026 SEASON CALENDAR
Showtimes: 7:30pm
SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES
A. Opening Saturday Night Galas—fantastic gala gathering includes complimentary Champagne, Hand Treats, Sweets, and a post-show meet and greet with cast and crew!! Always a great time. Adults: $200 / Youth (up to 24): $80
B. OPEN Subscription (Any Day, Any Performance - call for reservations of dates and seat choice, upon availability, or indicate on order form) Includes all Readings and Youth Play. Adults: $130 / Youth (up to 24): $100.00
C. Sundays Only (Any Sunday Performance, call to reserve seats, upon availability). Adults: $120 / Youth (up to 24): $90.00
D. Thursdays Only (Any Thursday of the run, excepting Preview, call to reserve seats, upon availability. Adults: $120 / Youth (up to 24): $80.00
E. Previews Only (Any Thursday or Friday Preview, call to reserve seats, upon availability). Adults: $110 / Youth (up to 24): $50.00
Subscribe and get one show FREE in your subscription price. All Subscription tickets are transferrable. You can share or give them to another person.
Get on our email list. Sign up at www.mendocinotheatre.org.
Please check your SPAM folders to make sure you are receiving ALL of our emails in order to keep up with the latest information.
DONATIONS
Please consider adding a donation to your order form. Your contribution is greatly appreciated and will help to assure our continued ability to provide excellent plays and events for your entertainment. All donors are honored in 2026 program, and on our website.
Don Murray Circle:
TICKET ORDER FORM
Please indicate the number of subscriptions for your desired plans.
PREFERRED SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGE:
Indicate the number of subscriptions below.
A B C D E
subscription price per ticket $ × # of tickets = TOTAL $
PREFERRED DATES:
Eureka Day Dancing Lessons month / day month / day
Glorious! I Am My Own Wife month / day month / day
It’s A Wonderful Life month / day
PREFERRED SEATS:
(Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis as available.)
£ I will call to choose my seats prior to performance. Seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
I would like to include a Donation in the amount of $ .
