Get ready for another exciting Ruston Community Theatre season, bringing you more shows, more youth roles, and more musicals! RCT was founded in 1977 with a mission to bring quality theatre experiences to Ruston and the surrounding areas, all produced by members of the community who love performing arts. It is a non-profit organization run almost exclusively by devoted volunteers and a hard-working board. RCT appreciates the support of all its patrons, sponsors, and advertisers and hopes its 48th season will be another crowd-pleaser.
The upcoming year will be filled with theatre as a fifth show has been added to the season! Diary of a Wimpy kid will add another musical production as well as provide more roles for young performers. In addition, the season will also bring back the beloved A Christmas Carol, the musical, and will close next summer with Guys and Dolls, totalling three musicals for the season! Additionally, the season also includes a fall comedy play The Odd Couple, and a spring mystery Murder on the Nile. Not included in the main season are two junior shows: The Stinky Cheese Man which is a comedy play of fractured fairy tales, and the summer musical Willy Wonka, Jr. Read on for full details about each show!
After separating from his wife, the depressed and neurotic Felix Unger moves in with his untidy divorced friend Oscar Madison. Tension quickly develops between these too unlikely roommates as Felix’s quirks and obsession with cleanliness drives the slob Oscar to his breaking point. The clash of personalities unfolds hilariously in this comedy play by Neil Simon. The show will be directed by Beth Heidenriech.
It’s back to middle school for a family-friendly adventure through adolescence. Based on the comic strip-style books by Jeff Kinney, this musical brings the beloved characters to life on stage with a humorous script and heartfelt songs. Greg is determined to not be the lowest rung of the popularity ladder. Will Greg’s plans cost him his best friend, Rowley Jefferson? Will Greg and his older brother Rodrick ever learn to get along? Can anyone avoid the dreaded “Cheese Touch?” Pack your book bag and don’t be tardy for entertaining take on those awkward middle school years. This script is written by Kevin Del Aguila with music and lyrics by Michael Mahler and Alan Schumuckler. It will be directed by Tami Alexander and sponsored by our corporate partner Century Next Bank.
A timeless holiday classic, A Christmas Carol will be returning again for this season. Ebnezer Scrooge is a cold and heartless miser who values money more than people. He loathes Christmas and harrasses anyone who would spread merriment, including his jovial nephew Fred and his meek Clerk Bob Crachit. On Christmas Eve, however, he is visited by three Spirits who show Scrooge a different perspective on what he should value, and the consequences if he doesn’t change. Based on the story by Charles Dickens, this musical adaptation includes music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Lynee Ahres, and Book by Lynn Ahrens and Mike Ockrent. The show will be directed by Dee Alexander and sponsored by our corporate partner Origin Bank.
Kay Ridgeway has led a charmed life. Blessed with beauty, enormous wealth, and a new husband, she embarks on a honeymoon voyage down the Nile. Fatal circumstances await when the idyllic surroundings are shattered by a shocking and brutal murder. Under scrutiny is a multitude of memorable passengers, all with a reason to kill. The tension builds, as a shocking and audacious conspiracy is laid bare. The play is written by Agatha Christie and will be directed by Mary Watkins. The show is sponsored by our corporate partner Green Qube.
It’s 1950’s New York and high-stakes gambler Nathan Detroit is desperate to find a venue for the biggest underground craps game in town. He turns to his fellow gambler and friend Sky Masterson for help. Meanwhile, his long-suffering girlfriend Adelaide laments Nathan's unwillingness to pop the question. Sky, on the other hand, is pursuing straight-laced missionary Sarah Brown who will not tolerate gambling. Considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy, this show features music and lyrics by Abe Loesser and script by Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling. The production is directed by Dee Alexander and sponsored by The Chumley Foundation.
Though the characters may be familiar, each of your favorite storybook fables is uproariously derailed in this adaptation of Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith's quintessential children's book of fractured fairy tales. Everything from "Chicken Little" to "The Gingerbread Man" gets a complete makeover. Fun music and witty narration accompany the likes of ineloquent giants, sassy barnyard animals, colossal cow pies, and enough stinky cheese to go around. The play is adapted for stage by John Galore and will be directed by Tami Alexander. The show is sponsored by our corporate partner North Louisiana Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Clinic.
There is no chocolatier like the whimsical and enigmatic Willy Wonka! After years of secrecy, the doors of his wondrous chocolate factory will be opened to the finders of five golden tickets hidden in Wonka bars. Against all odds, impoverished Charlie Bucket is among the lucky children allowed entrance. During the tour, four of the children suffer unfortunate consequences due to their awful behavior and bad habits. Will Charlie persevere to the end, and what reward will await him if he does? This scrumdiddlyumptious musical features songs from the beloved 1971 movie based on the children’s novel by Roald Dahl with music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newly, and adapted for stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald. The show will be directed by Steele Moegle and sponsored by our corporate partner Jonesboro State Bank.
There is truly something for everyone with this incredible season lineup! RCT continues to bring quality, family-friendly live entertainment to Ruston, so don’t miss a single show. Season memberships will be on sale later this year with more information on that to be announced. Be sure you follow RCT’s social media pages and subscribe to our email mailing list to be informed of all the latest updates. Save the dates for these shows and enjoy RCT’s amazing 48th season!
