The Merc Playhouse

creating experiences which connect our community to the diverse aspects of live theater

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MENU
  • ON STAGE
    • 2025 Season
    • 2024 Season Archive
    • 2023 Season Archive
    • Calendar
  • Events & Rentals
    • Camps and Classes >
      • Previous Camps & Classes
    • Rentals
  • Join & Support
    • DONATE
    • Friends of The Merc
    • Business Sponsors
    • Partners
    • Volunteer
  • In the Spotlight
  • Tom Zbyszewski Children's Theater
  • Inside the Merc
    • History >
      • 25 Years in the Spotlight
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Venue Info
    • Privacy Policy
    • Join our Mailing List
    • Photo Gallery

2024 Season ARCHIVE

Sherlock Holmes & The First Baker Street Irregular

7/22/2024

 
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Opens Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.

Additional performances:
7 p.m. on Dec. 6, 7, 8*, 13 & 14
2 p.m. on Dec. 8 & 15

Publisher's recommended audience: 
Family (all ages)
*Admission by Donation performance is Sunday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m.

TICKETS
​By Brian Guehring​
On a dare, 14-year-old Wiggins tries to pickpocket Sherlock Holmes. Instead, Holmes takes a ring from Wiggins’ pocket and leaves a note about how to get it back. After Wiggins sees Holmes solve a case using the ring, she asks to be his assistant. Holmes agrees, as long as she helps with the chores. Wiggins and Holmes must learn to trust each other as Wiggins and her group of street urchins help him solve two dangerous mysteries. ​

Dress Rehearsal



Auditions!

Auditions for "Sherlock Holmes and the First Baker Street Irregular" will be Saturday, Oct. 12 at noon; Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 3 p.m. and Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 6 p.m.

The show needs 10 adults:
3 men who can play ages 20–35 and 3 men who can play ages 35+
2 women who can play ages 20–35 and 2 women who can play ages 35+

The show also needs several actors ages 8–16.

Ravenscroft

7/19/2024

 
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A Readers' Theater production, on stage October 24 – 27, 2024. 

By Don Nigro | Readers’ Theater​
This psychological drama is a thinking person’s Gothic thriller, a dark comedy that is both funny and frightening. On a snowy night, Inspector Ruffing is called to a remote house to investigate the headlong plunge of Patrick Roarke down the main staircase. He becomes involved in the lives of five alluring and dangerous women. 

Readers' Theater productions are admission by donation and no pre-sale tickets will be available. 
​



Auditions!

​Auditions for The Merc Readers' Theater production of Ravenscroft will be Friday, Sept. 6 at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 7 at noon. There is a possibility for callbacks to be held Sept. 8. We'll be casting one man who can play 40ish and five women who need to be able to play: (1) late teen/early 20s, (2) mid 20s and (2) mid 40s.
​
Readers' Theater productions do not typically involve costumes and have a much shorter rehearsal cycle.

The House

7/19/2024

 
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​ 
PERFORMANCES 

On stage October 3 - 13, 2024
Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays @ 7 p.m.
Sundays @ 2 p.m.

TICKET PRICES
$23  Gold-level seating
$20  Adult general admission
$ 5   Students*

* Please note: This show may not be appropriate for audience members under age 13. 

Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time. 

​​By Cindy WIlliams Gutiérrez, local playwright 

This memory play written by a local playwright and poet revisits the turbulent, formative years of childhood through the eyes of an adult. As these memories play out in front of the older daughter Vicky, she can no longer hide from the truth. Her denial is refuted by the forthright observer who saw it all — the house itself.

​

Meet the director


Trailer


Cast Announcement

The House: Nathan Sundt
Vicky: Micah Lee
Daddy: Tim d'Auteuil
Mama: Megan Schmidt
Baby & The Other Daughter: Kira Wood-Cramer
​The Other Woman: Emily Doran
Cornet Player: Thomas Allen
Technical assistance will be provided by:
Director: Cindy Williams Gutiérrez
Stage Manager: Ronda McHugh
Lighting & Technical Director: Karter Layfield
Sound Engineer: Dean Hussey
Light Operator: Orlo Parkinson & Gwen Vernon
Sound Operator: Asher Fisher
​Set Design: Ann Wilson
Costume & props assistants: Ronda McHugh & Melody Langan
Stage hands: Jan Sundt & Thomas Allen
Installation Artist: Rose Weagant
Mask Artist: Don Ashford
Project Artist: Aria Covell

Poster

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Summer Camp Performances

7/18/2024

 
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Performances are all admission by Donation
Friday, August 2nd @ 4pm and Saturday, August 3rd @ 2pm for the first session of campers
Friday, August 9th @ 4pm and Saturday, August 10th @ 2pm for the second session

Our camp is proud to have returning director Megan Hicks and musical director Kendal Clifton to lead this year's age 8-14 actors in a week of Willy Wonka fun at The Merc! 

Ride The Cyclone: A Liberty Bell Drama Company production

3/21/2024

 

SUMMARY

In Ride the Cyclone, the lives of six teen chamber choir singers are cut short in a freak roller coaster accident. Stuck in the afterlife, a mechanical fortuneteller gives them a chance to sing their way back to earth.

Brought to the Merc Playhouse stage by Liberty Bell Drama Company in partnership with the Merc. 
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TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

DIGITAL PROGRAM

RETURN PERFORMANCE: The Half-Life of Marie Curie

1/16/2024

 
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SUMMARY

By Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Carolanne Steinebach

PERFORMANCES

Opens Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Additional performances: 
Friday & Saturday at 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 9 at 2 p.m.

Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time

All readers' theater productions are admission by donation & no presale tickets will be available. ​
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James and the Giant Peach

1/14/2024

 
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SUMMARY

PERFORMANCES

Directed by Jane Orme
From the book by Roald Dahl
Dramatized by Richard R. George
​
BUY TICKETS

​From A magical peach! An imprisoned boy! Insect friends! An incredible journey! This amazing adventure will fulfill the fantasy of anyone who has ever dreamed of escape. Roald Dahl’s story comes to life in this delightful dramatization.


PROGRAM
**Tickets may sell out in advance - we encourage and recommend you try the door 30 minutes prior to the show starting to purchase last minute tickets, there are always a few available!
​​Opens Thursday, March 14 at 7 p.m.
Additional performances: 
7 p.m. on March 15–16 & 21–23
2 p.m. on Sundays, March 17 & 24
Thursday, March 21st is Admission by donation

Video by Jamie Petitto. Check out the videography tab on her linked website to view other Merc trailers and videos for other local groups. 

IN REHEARSAL


Join our email list today for news and updates

The Half-Life of Marie Curie

1/14/2024

 
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SUMMARY

By Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Carolanne Steinebach
​

PERFORMANCES

Opens Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Additional performances: 
Friday & Saturday at 7 p.m.
Sunday, January 28 at 2 p.m.

Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time

All readers' theater productions are admission by donation & no presale tickets will be available. 
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2024 Season announced!

10/1/2023

 
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January 25– 28, 2024

THE HALF-LIFE OF MARIE CURIE

By Lauren Gunderson | Readers’ Theater
In 1911, Marie Curie won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. By 1912, she was demoralized by press gossip about an alleged affair. Marie’s friend, an electromechanical engineer and suffragette, brings Marie to England to recover. The production explores the power of female friendship.

March 14 – 24, 2024

JAMES & THE GIANT PEACH

From the book by Roald Dahl. Dramatized by Richard R. George. 
A magical peach! An imprisoned boy! Insect friends! An incredible journey! This amazing adventure will fulfill the fantasy of anyone who has ever dreamed of escape. Roald Dahl’s story comes to life in this delightful dramatization.

May 14–19, 2024

LIBERTY BELL HIGH SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP: Ride the Cyclone

May 14, 15, 17, & 18 at 7 p.m. May 19 at 2 p.m. 

Summer 2024

SUMMER CAMPS & CLASSES

To be announced.

October 3–13, 2024

THE HOUSE

By Cindy WIlliams Gutierrez, local playwright 
This memory play written by a local playwright and poet revisits the turbulent, formative years of childhood through the eyes of an adult. As these memories play out in front of the older daughter Vicky, she can no longer hide from the truth. Her denial is refuted by the forthright observer who saw it all — the house itself.

October 24–27, 2024

RAVENSCROFT

By Don Nigro | Readers’ Theater​
This psychological drama is a thinking person’s Gothic thriller, a dark comedy that is both funny and frightening. On a snowy night, Inspector Ruffing is called to a remote house to investigate the headlong plunge of Patrick Roarke down the main staircase. He becomes involved in the lives of five alluring and dangerous women. 

December 5–15, 2024

SHERLOCK HOLMES & THE FIRST BAKER STREET IRREGULAR

By Brian Guehring​
On a dare, 14-year-old Wiggins tries to pickpocket Sherlock Holmes. Instead, Holmes takes a ring from Wiggins’ pocket and leaves a note about how to get it back. After Wiggins sees Holmes solve a case using the ring, she asks to be his assistant. Holmes agrees, as long as she helps with the chores. Wiggins and Holmes must learn to trust each other as Wiggins and her group of street urchins help him solve two dangerous mysteries. 

James & The Giant Peach Audition Sign Ups

9/30/2023

 
Auditions will be held Dec. 11 & 12 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at The Merc Playhouse. Actors aged 8 to 18 are encouraged to audition. There is no need to prepare ahead of time. Sections to read will be provided & actors should dress comfortably and be prepared to get creative & move. 

Directed by: Jane Orme
Performance dates: March 14 – 24

Rehearsal schedule: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 4–6:30 p.m.
​Rehearsals begin Tuesday, January 2.

Audition Sign Up Form

Note about casting: Stanislavski, the father of modern acting, required actors who performed in his theater productions to engage their roles with equal commitment, whether they were lead actors with large roles or supporting actors with few lines or no lines at all. We are also committed to that requirement & welcome everyone who wants to experience live theater.

    Submit this form for every actor auditioning

    PARENTS: Please plan to pick up your children at 5:30 sharp after the audition.


    Enter "none" if there is no previous acting experience.

    Select whichever roles you are most interested in. If you're not sure, it's okay to select "any role."

    Scheduling conflicts

    Important Dates: Our first rehearsal is Tuesday, January 2. Rehearsals are scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 4-6:30. There will be a few Sundays when rehearsal is scheduled for longer than 2 ½ hours.  There are no rehearsals on February 20 or 22. The show runs March 14–24. 
Submit

Thank you to our sponsors!

The Merc Playhouse | 101 S. Glover Street | PO Box 425 | Twisp, WA 98856 | 509.997.7529 | [email protected]

The Merc Playhouse is a registered 501(c)3.