Lee University theatre announces lineup for 2025-26 season

From the Chattanoogan: Lee University Theatre has announced its 2025-26 season, featuring four productions, including one student-directed show. The lineup showcases a range of plays that highlight themes of change and personal growth, offering audiences a season filled with storytelling and diverse theatrical experiences.
 
“This we are featuring plays that center on seasons of change,” said Dr. Christine Williams, chair for Lee's Department of Communication Arts and professor of theatre. “The first show moves through the four seasons as the play proceeds, and as we move through the production season over the course of the year, the audience will see various stories that take characters through challenging seasons of life. We are excited for our audiences to take this journey along with us.”  

The season will begin with the production of “Bethel Park Falls,” by Jason Pizzarello. The show tells the story of a town whose beloved park has been sold from under them, told through the perspective of 16 locals in nine interconnected vignettes. Noah MacDonald, senior theatre major, will direct the play, which will run Oct. 3-4 and 9-11.  

The season will continue with the production of “Twelve Angry Jurors,” directed by Professor Anna-Marie Brendel, assistant professor of theatre, and adapted by Sherman L. Sergel. The play follows the jurors as they seek to reach a verdict in the case of a 19-year-old man standing trial for the fatal stabbing of his father. The show will take place Nov. 7-8 and 13-15.
 
Lee Theatre will continue into their spring semester with “Gaslight,” by Steven Dietz based on the original play by Patrick Hamilton and directed by Brendel from Feb. 13-14 and 19-21. The play delves into the horrors of psychological abuse, where the truth is fickle for characters and audience alike. With undertones of Sherlock Holmes, it’s a story replete with mystery, double-crosses, and the injustice of emotional abuse.  

The season will conclude with “Hello, Dolly!” on April 10-11 and 16-18 with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and based on the book by Michael Stewart. The musical, directed by Dr. Williams with Chery and Ron Brendel as co-music directors, follows the romantic and comic exploits of Dolly Gallagher Levi, turn-of-the-century matchmaker and “woman who arranges things.”  

"Bethel Park Falls,” “Twelve Angry Jurors,” and “Gaslight” will perform in the Buzz Oates Blackbox Theatre in Lee’s Communication Arts Building, located on the corner of Church Street and Central Avenue. “Hello, Dolly!” will perform in Lee’s Dixon Center Auditorium, located on the corner of Church Street and 11th Street.  

Online ticket sales are available two weeks prior to opening night on Eventbrite.com or through the Lee Theatre Box Office, located in the Communication Arts Building, the week prior to the show and one hour before curtain time.  

"Bethel Park Falls" is produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc (www.playscripts.com). "Twelve Angry Jurors" is produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois.  "Gaslight (Dietz)" is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.

 www.concordtheatricals.com. "Hello, Dolly!" is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. www.concordtheatricals.com.
 
For more information on Lee Theatre, visit leeuniversity.edu/theatre, call the box office at (423) 614-8360, email theatre@leeuniversity.edu, or follow LeeUTheatre on Facebook or lee_theatre on Instagram.