A group of ������ students has spent months working with Syracuse youth, guiding them through theater, design and media workshops that will culminate in a live public performance this spring.

The students are leading (Theater Workshop), an annual, bilingual creative arts program based at on Syracuse’s Near West Side.

The program, which involves and in addition to La Casita, delivers culturally oriented arts education for community youth, says , the University’s executive director of cultural engagement for the Hispanic community. The workshops build dual-language skills, artistic presentation abilities and stage-presence confidence for children ages 6 and up.

The public performance will be held on Saturday, , at La Casita as part of the annual Arte Joven/Young Art exhibition, a celebration of visual art, music and dance. The event is open to the public.

Mutual Benefits

Taller de Teatro benefits both the students who lead the workshops and the children who participate, Paniagua says. “This program creates meaningful opportunities for University students to engage directly with the community while developing professional skills.”

The structure of the collaboration creates a dynamic environment where students and youngsters learn from one another, she says. “Several of the student instructors are studying drama and they are facilitating workshops alongside students from the creative arts therapy graduate program. Other students are contributing through documentation, photography, video and communications skills. In this way, the program becomes a multidisciplinary learning experience where students apply their training in a real community setting.”

For young actors and for theater students in particular, the chance to gain experience as instructors early in their careers can open important professional pathways, Paniagua says. “They are learning how to guide creative processes, work with children and adapt theater practices to educational and community contexts. Ultimately, the efforts of those involved are tremendous and they allow La Casita to offer high-quality theater programming to local youth.”

Kate Laissle, director of education at Syracuse Stage, says involving Syracuse students as teaching assistants for this program helps inspire and train the next generation of theater educators while providing programming that supports community connections.

‘For Everyone’

“The ability to partner with La Casita and build on our relationship and its well-established programming also helps show that theatre is for everyone,” Laissle says. “Working collaboratively between performance, design and storytelling, students get to experience the depth and breadth of theater. Using multiple capacities of theatrical art-making lets young people use their creativity in ways that serve them best. It is outstanding to see the growth of the students, both school- and college-aged, over the course of this program.”

This year’s student participants, who lead acting workshops and provide media support and documentation, are: GB Bellamy ’27 and Sofia Slaman ’27, acting majors, Department of Drama, VPA; Nashaly Bonilla ’28, major, Department of Drama, VPA; Catie Kobland ’21, G’26, fine arts graduate and master’s candidate in VPA; Iman Jamison G’26, master’s student in , School of Information Studies; Sara Oliveira ’29, film and media arts major, Department of Film and Media Arts, VPA; and Sophia Domenicis ’28, , Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Three Presenting Partners

The program is possible because of a collaboration among three university-connected organizations:

• La Casita Cultural Center is a program of ������ established to advance an educational and cultural agenda of civic engagement through research, cultural heritage preservation, media and the arts, bridging the Hispanic communities of the University and Central New York.
• Punto de Contacto/Point of Contact, celebrating its 50th year, bridges cultures and disciplines through exhibitions, poetry and�� a permanent art collection. Its El Punto Art Studio has served youth since 2008.
• Syracuse Stage, the city’s leading professional theater, contributes expertise through acting and playwriting workshops that strengthen University-community connections and support literacy development.

continues its 2025-26 season with August Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” the powerful, unforgettable masterpiece from the playwright’s monumental American Century Cycle, the 10-play saga which depicts the Black experience, decade by decade, in the United States during the 20th century. Directed by Timothy Douglas, “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” is a co-production with Indiana Repertory Theatre and runs through March 29 in the Archbold Theatre at Syracuse Stage, 820 E. Genesee St., Syracuse.

Pittsburgh, 1911. Seth Holly’s boarding house is home to drifters and broken hearts, a waystation for folks biding their time. The residents include a restless musician with a wandering eye, a young woman waiting on a husband who’s not coming back and an eccentric mystic who performs rituals in the yard while helping others find their song. Enter Herald Loomis, recently freed from a Southern chain gang with his young daughter in tow and desperate to reunite with a wife who might not want to be found.

The cast of “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” includes Stephanie Berry, Peter Bisgaier, Kaitlyn Boyer, Dane Figueroa Edidi, Kerah Lily Jackson, Jacques Jean-Mary, Christian Makai Lucas, DeShawn Harold Mitchell, Lilian A. Oben, Keith Randolph Smith and Shane Taylor.

The creative team includes Tony Cisek (scenic designer), Kara Harmon (costume designer), Jason Lynch (lighting designer), Christopher Darbassie (sound designer), Rueben D. Echoles (wig designer) and Chels Morgan (intimacy and violence). The production stage manager is Lauren Nicole Jackson. The community partner for “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” is Black Citizens Brigade. Special thanks goes to show sponsor NBT Bank.

All evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. while all matinee performances begin at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $35 with discounts available for students and groups. Tickets may be purchased online at SyracuseStage.org, by phone at 315.443.3275 or in person at the Syracuse Stage Box Office. M&T Bank Pay-What-You-Will performances are March 11–15 inclusive; Prologue conversations, three pre-show discussions that take place one-hour before curtain will be held on March 15, 21 and 26; and the Post-show Talkback will take place on Sunday, March 15 after the 7:30 p.m. performance. Open-captioned performances are scheduled for March 18 and 29 at 2 p.m. and March 28 at 7:30 p.m., as well as an audio-described performance on Saturday, March 28 at 2 p.m.

Syracuse Stage will host “Happy Hour,” a pre-show event with discounted beverages and complimentary light fare, on March 19 beginning at 6:30 p.m. For “Community Night,” Syracuse Stage will screen a documentary about playwright August Wilson on March 20 starting at 6 p.m., ahead of the 7:30 p.m. performance. “Trivia Night,” a friendly competition hosted by “Jeopardy!” champion Dillon Hupp, will be held on Wednesday, March 25 at 6 p.m. Complimentary tacos will be served. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. performance are required to participate. Preregistration at Syracusestage.org is recommended.

Following a year of research and development, the����in the (VPA) has implemented��, the industry-standard casting platform. Launched in the Fall 2025 semester, the platform was used to cast five department productions and this season’s co-production with��.

Created in 1971 by Gary Marsh, Breakdown Services is used by casting directors, agents, managers and actors for the audition and casting process in 97% of scripted projects in North America.

For the drama department, the platform centralizes and makes available online casting information and role descriptions for acting and musical theater majors and allows students to submit taped auditions online for review by guest and faculty directors as well as other members of the creative team.

“I’m delighted that the ������ Department of Drama has embraced Breakdown Services for its casting process,” says Bob Hupp, artistic director at Syracuse Stage, who used the platform to cast the upcoming co-production of “.” “As a frequent co-producer with the drama department, the move to Breakdown Services makes the process of casting both student and professional actors much more accessible and consistent with best industry practices. It is a big step forward for students as they enter the profession and for those of us charged with learning all we can about the talented students engaged in our casting process.”

Eleanor Holdridge, professor and chair of the Department of Drama and director for the spring production of “New Works/New Voices,” also participated in the casting process. “Working with Breakdown Services to cast the show was absolutely easy and a great way to work through the auditions and then callbacks in a collaborative way with the music director,” she says. “It was professional and aided in the casting process immensely.”

Acting and musical theater students can also create personal accounts in Actors Access, part of Breakdown Services, gaining audition experience with the system before entering the professional world.

As a result of its successful implementation of Breakdown Services, the drama department is exploring the use of the platform with related programs on campus, with the goal of creating a unified, campus-wide casting process that mirrors industry standards.

Dogged detectives, tenacious trailblazers, literary disruptors and one heroic act of hospitality add up to an extraordinary , featuring acclaimed comedies, contemporary dramas, exciting producing partnerships and two daring world premieres.

“We’re thrilled to share our 54th season—a new season that boasts exciting, memorable, one-of-a-kind experiences—created especially for Central New York,” says artistic director Robert Hupp.

“There’s nothing like coming together to share these dynamic and diverse stories in the Archbold Theatre. I hope you’ll make Syracuse Stage a part of your life in the coming year—you won’t want to miss it.”

The six-show subscription season, including a full schedule of educational, family and community related programming, will run Sept. 16, 2026, to June 20, 2027. Subscription packages are on sale now at or at the Box Office, 315-443-3275. Single tickets will go on sale in July.

Subscription season at a glance

“Come From Away” (Sept. 16 to Oct. 11, 2026), “Les Misérables” (Nov. 27, 2026 to Jan. 3, 2027), “The Book Club Play” (Jan. 27 to Feb. 14, 2027), the Central New York premiere of “John Proctor is the Villain” (March 3 to 21, 2027), the world premieres of Kyle Bass’ “The Black Nationals” (April 7 to 25, 2027) and “Dust and Shadow: The Unraveling of Sherlock Holmes” (June 2 to 20, 2027).

Opening the season is “Come From Away,” the uplifting, Tony Award-winning musical about the residents of the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, who opened their doors—and their hearts—to stranded travelers after flights were grounded in the wake of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. A co-production with Indiana Repertory Theatre, “Come From Away” is directed by James Vásquez.

Next up is a brand new production of “Les Misérables,” the smash-hit musical adaptation of Victor Hugo’s epic tale of romance, rebellion and redemption, directed by Hupp. Central New York audiences will experience this legendary show like never before when the Syracuse Stage and ������ Department of Drama co-production of “Les Misérables” storms the holiday season.

In the new year, Syracuse Stage will present “The Book Club Play,” a delicious and relatable comedy about an ambitious woman who invites chaos into her closely guarded book club when she allows a famous filmmaker to document their meetings. Written by Karen Zacarías, the playwright behind “Native Gardens” which delighted critics and audiences at Syracuse Stage in 2018, “The Book Club Play” is directed by Rebecca Martínez.

Then it is a witch’s brew of pop music, classic plays and teenage angst with Kimberly Belflower’s “John Proctor is the Villain,” the whip-smart and wickedly funny story of a group of high school girls on a literary crusade to reclaim their voices in the classroom and beyond. The play was a recent hit on Broadway, earning 7 Tony Award nominations, and is being adapted into an upcoming film from producer Tina Fey. Directed by Syracuse Stage associate artistic director Melissa Crespo, the Central New York premiere of “John Proctor is the Villain” is a co-production with the ������ Department of Drama.

“[This] is a play about who gets labeled a hero, who gets silenced and what happens when young women decide they’ve had enough,” says Crespo. “There’s no better setting for that conversation than a collaboration between Syracuse Stage and the ������ Department of Drama—where learning and professional artistry collide.”

Syracuse Stage celebrates a defining moment in Central New York and NBA history with the world premiere of Resident Playwright Kyle Bass’ “The Black Nationals,” inspired by the Syracuse Nationals, Syracuse’s own professional basketball team, and its 1954-55 championship season. This fast-paced and imaginative new play, directed by Gilbert McCauley, tells the story of the team’s two African American players, among the first Black athletes to compete professionally, as they fight to leave their mark on the history of the game at the dawn of the Civil Rights Movement.

“The Black Nationals” will also mark the end of Bass’ tenure at Syracuse Stage, as he steps away from the role of resident playwright at the closing of the 26/27 season. A celebrated playwright, screenwriter, librettist and educator, Bass has played a pivotal role in helping shape the artistic identity of Syracuse Stage over the past 30 years. Along with spearheading the creation of the theatre’s new play festival, Bass penned five world premieres for Syracuse Stage, including “Possessing Harriet,” “Citizen James, or the Young Man Without a Country” and “Cry for Peace: Voices from the Congo” with Ping Chong. He became the first resident playwright of Syracuse Stage in 2022.

“It’s every playwright’s dream to have an artistic home, a dream that rarely becomes a reality for most,” Bass says. “I have cherished my time with Syracuse Stage, particularly my years working alongside Bob Hupp, first as associate artistic director and especially as resident playwright. I am thankful for the continued support of my work by my Stage colleagues, our Board and especially our audience.”

Finishing out the subscription season is the world premiere of “Dust and Shadow: The Unraveling of Sherlock Holmes,” a new musical thriller based on the nail-biting novel by Lyndsay Faye. True crime meets murder mystery when Sherlock Holmes, along with his trusted partner Doctor Watson, races to stop Jack the Ripper as he terrorizes the gritty streets of Victorian London. Co-directed by Madsie Flynn and Melissa Crespo, and produced in association with Amanda Dubois Productions and HudsonMann, music is by Jonathan Reid Gealt, lyrics are by Dustin Sullivan and the book is by Kasey Marino.

“We are honored to collaborate with Broadway producers Amanda Dubois Productions and HudsonMann to bring this exciting and thrilling new show to Central New York,” says managing director Carly DiFulvio Allen. “Syracuse Stage has a strong track record of developing new musicals for big futures, such as ‘How to Dance in Ohio’ and last season’s ‘The Hello Girls,’ and we can’t wait for our audiences to once again see an amazing world premiere musical here first.”

“The Julie Lutz New Play Festival,” which celebrates “works in progress” by providing a dedicated space for audiences and artists alike, will return at a soon-to-be-announced date, once again curated by Crespo. The festival is part of Syracuse Stage’s ongoing commitment to fostering new work; past festival playwrights include Rogelio Martinez (“The National Pastime”) and Ty Defoe (“Our Words Are Seeds”).

Supporting each production is a strong lineup of supplementary special event programming, including Prologue, a series of insightful pre-show conversations, talkbacks with cast and creative teams and a complimentary Tuesday evening trivia event hosted by “Jeopardy!” champion Dillon Hupp.

In addition, Syracuse Stage will offer a host of educational and community outreach programs, the return of Sensory Friendly/Relaxed performances for select shows and an array of accessibility offerings throughout the season, including audio description, open captioning, ASL interpretation and a Pay-What-You-Will program.

In the fall, the Children’s Tour resumes performances live in elementary schools with “This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing” by Finegan Kruckemeyer and directed by Leslie Noble. Returning, too, is Theatre for the Very Young with “Click, Clack, Create,” a program that invites children five and under to experience the magic of theatre through a playful and interactive live performance.

Nine faculty members in the (VPA) and five Universitywide organizations are among more than 2,400 nonprofit arts and culture organizations and individuals receiving (NYSCA) funding for 2026. NYSCA recently.

The following organizations received Support for Organizations awards totaling $110,000 to assist with general operations:

• , $10,000
• , $25,000
• , $10,000
• , $40,000
• , $25,000

Support for Artist awards of $10,000 each were also announced for these faculty members:

• , professor, Department of Film and Media Arts, for the project “Aphrodite’s Conception”
• , assistant professor, Department of Film and Media Arts, supporting the Light Work project “By the Skin of Her Teeth”
• , associate professor, Department of Film and Media Arts, for “By All Your Memories”
• , associate professor, Department of Film and Media Arts, for “Mid-Film Crisis,” presented with New York Women in Film & Television
• , assistant professor, School of Art, for “Demigoddess Comic Series”
• , associate professor, Setnor School of Music (in VPA) and School of Education, for “We Hold These Truths: Commemorating the 250th Birthday of The United States of America”
• , assistant professor, Department of Drama, for the project “Wolf Women”
• , instructor in the School of Art, for the work “Night Field,” presented at Stone Quarry Hill Art Park.

In addition, , associate professor in the School of Art, in collaboration with Columbia University faculty members Lynnette Widder and Wendy Walters, received a for the book initiative, “Seeds of Diaspora: Plants, Migrations, Settlements, Cities.” The grant program, a partnership between NYSCA and The Architecture League of New York, recognizes work in architecture, historic preservation and various fields of design.

has been selected by the Dramatists Guild Foundation (DGF) as the 2025 recipient of the Lucille Lortel Foundation Indigenous Theatermaker Award. This annual award recognizes a theater institution or organization for its commitment to preserving and uplifting Indigenous theatermakers located in New York or Connecticut.

“We are deeply grateful to the Dramatists Guild Foundation and the Lucille Lortel Foundation for this meaningful recognition,” says Joann Yarrow, Syracuse Stage’s director of community engagement. “Syracuse Stage is committed to going beyond land acknowledgements by building ongoing relationships with local and national Indigenous communities. We are committed to sharing space for Indigenous education, storytelling and artistry that strive toward an equitable future.”

Administered by DGF, the award includes a $20,000 grant to support and advance the work of the recognized organization, made possible by the generous support of the Lucille Lortel Foundation.

A Longstanding Commitment to Indigenous Storytelling

For more than three decades, Syracuse Stage has championed and elevated stories from Indigenous artists and communities. Highlights of this ongoing work include:

• 1994: Premiere of “The Indolent Boys,” written by Pulitzer Prize–winning Kiowa author N. Scott Momaday.
• 2008: “Tales From the Salt City,” created with acclaimed theatre artist Ping Chong, featuring stories from Syracuse residents including Jeanne Shenandoah, environmental leader of the Onondaga Nation.
• 2021 to present: Launch and evolution of “Our Words are Seeds,” a multi-year, multi-disciplinary collaboration guided by lead artist Ty Defoe, offering educational programming, storytelling and artistic partnerships with Indigenous creators.
• 2025: A collaboration with Netherlands-based choreographer Nicole Beutler and Oneida/Haudenosaunee thought leader Michelle Schenandoah titled “A Room in Our House,” a dance work examining the relationship between Dutch colonists and the Indigenous peoples of North America.

These projects enrich the artistic landscape of Central New York and continue to shape Syracuse Stage’s work as a people-first organization dedicated to inclusive, community-driven storytelling.

About the Award

The Lucille Lortel Foundation Indigenous Theatermaker Award is part of DGF’s long-term commitment to uplifting the voices and stories of Indigenous dramatists of the First Nations. Previous recipients include Iakowi:he’ne’ Oakes, founder and director of the North American Indigenous Center of New York, and the Yale Indigenous Performing Arts Program.

For more information about the Dramatists Guild Foundation and their awards, visit DGF.org.

To learn more about the Indigenous Stories at Syracuse Stage, visit . This work is made possible through the generous support of local partners—Dorothy and Marshall M. Reisman Foundation, Central New York Community Foundation, Slutzker Family Foundation, Allyn Family Foundation, The Gifford Foundation, John Ben Snow Foundation, M&T Bank and Wegmans—whose longtime commitment helps Syracuse Stage continue telling stories that are part of the Central New York community.

begins the 2025-26 season with “The Hello Girls,” with music and lyrics by Peter Mills and book by Peter Mills and Cara Reichel. Featuring fresh orchestrations, new staging and reworked material, this new production of “The Hello Girls” is directed by co-writer Reichel with musical staging by Christine O’Grady, music direction by Alexandra Crosby and music supervision by Ben Moss and will run Sept. 9-28 in the Archbold Theatre at Syracuse Stage, 820 E. Genesee St., Syracuse.

“The inspiring story and fantastic musical score swept us off our feet when we first met ‘The Hello Girls,’” says Robert Hupp, artistic director. “This re-imagined production has a big future and we’re excited for Central New York audiences to see it first. Much like ‘How to Dance in Ohio’ in 2022, we’re honored to launch a new American musical right here at Syracuse Stage. This will be a show that folks will talk about for years to come, and we invite everyone to see it here during its limited three week run.”

“The Hello Girls” tells the extraordinary true story of the first women soldiers to join the U.S. Army, serving as bilingual telephone operators in France during WWI. Originally commissioned by Prospect Musicals in New York City, “The Hello Girls” premiered Off-Broadway in 2018 to coincide with the centennial anniversary of the groundbreaking journey taken by the real-life women, from the frontlines to their decades-long fight to be recognized as veterans back home.

Writing for The New York Times, critic Laura Collins-Hughes called the show “thrilling…. smart, human… there is a palpable sense of filling in an important blank: showing an adventurous female presence in the war story we thought we knew.”

Since then, writers Mills and Reichel have continued the play’s development through workshops and a concert version of the show at the Kennedy Center in 2024. Syracuse Stage’s upcoming presentation represents the most ambitious version yet, with new musical and visuals designed to bring deeper resonance to today’s audiences.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be working with our friends at Syracuse Stage to bring a brand-new production of ‘The Hello Girls’ to audiences in New York,” says producer Michael Cassel. “With its opulent score and the compelling story of these trailblazing women, I know ‘The Hello Girls’ will inspire and captivate audiences in a truly unforgettable way.”

Blending vintage ragtime, jazz and big band swing with modern Broadway’s rich harmonies, vibrant pop anthems and powerful lyrical storytelling, the Syracuse Stage production of “The Hello Girls” is co-produced with Michael Cassel Group, Broadway & Beyond Theatricals and Chief Operator.

The cast includes Chessa Metz (Broadway: “Suffs”), Storm Lever (Broadway: “Six”), Alex Humphreys (Broadway: “Dear Evan Hansen”), Jamila Sabares-Klemm (Broadway: “Merrily We Roll Along”), Sophia Anna O’Brien, Sam Simahk (Broadway: “Into the Woods”), Christopher Carl (Broadway: “Mamma Mia!”), Aidan Cole, Andrew Mayer (Broadway: “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812”), Emily Mesa, Nadia Stiell, Dan Teixeira, Teddy Trice (Broadway: “The Book of Mormon”) and Kat Wolff.

The production team includes Milagros Ponce de León (scenic designer), Jen Caprio (costume designer), Dawn Chiang (lighting designer), Jessica Paz (sound designer), Caite Hevner (projection designer), Becky Fleming (production stage manager) and Kyra Button (assistant stage manager).

All evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. while all matinee performances begin at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $35 with discounts available for students and groups. Tickets may be purchased online at , by phone at 315.443.3275 or in person at the Syracuse Stage Box Office. Pay-What-You-Will performances for “The Hello Girls” are Sept. 10-14 inclusive; prologue conversations, three pre-show discussions that take place one-hour before curtain on Sept. 14, 20 and 25; the Post-show Talkback will take place on Sunday, Sept. 14, after the 7:30 performance. Syracuse Stage has its open-captioned performances scheduled for Sept. 17 and 28 at 2 p.m. and Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m., as well as an audio-described performance on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 2 p.m. and an American Sign Language interpreted performance on Sept. 20 at 2 p.m.

A special performance of “The Hello Girls” for veterans, military members and their families will be held on Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. The evening also includes a pre-show reception at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are free of charge but must be reserved in advance by calling the Box Office at 315.443.3275.

Syracuse Stage “Trivia Night,” a friendly competition hosted by “Jeopardy!” champion Dillon Hupp, will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. Complimentary tacos will be served. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. performance are required to participate. Preregistration at Syracusestage.org is recommended.

Support for the 25/26 season includes season sponsors the Slutzker Family Foundation, the Dorothy and Marshall M. Reisman Foundation and Advance Media New York. The community partners for “The Hello Girls” are Clear Path for Veterans, Honor Flight Syracuse and the National Veterans Resource Center��at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building.

is seeking non-equity actors to audition for the Theatre for the Very Young production of “Tiny Martians, Big Emotions,” conceived and directed by Kate Laissle. The show is a touring educational program as part of the company’s 2025-26 season. Auditions are by video submission only and must be submitted no later than Wednesday, Sept. 17, to be considered. More information can be found .

“Tiny Martians, Big Emotions,” conceived and directed by Kate Laissle, will rehearse from Jan. 5-18, 2026, and tour from January through June 2026

This touring production features flexible, on demand performances; actors will be assigned dates based on their availability and will be paid per performance.��

Audition to be a Martian

Martians can be any age, race or gender. They are inquisitive, clownlike and lacking any words but great at getting their point across with sounds, body language and gibberish. The Martians love working together with audience members to figure out why colors are causing them to feel things. A little unsure of what to do but they know that their audience friends have the answers, whatever the response. It’s the definition of “yes, and …”

Those interested in auditioning should submit a headshot and resume, their location (city/state) and a 60-second video telling a short story of discovery involving no language but sounds and movement encouraged.��Please visit the for video submission instructions.

About the Show

“Tiny Martians, Big Emotions” features a dynamic Martian duo experiencing emotions for the first time. Guided through interaction with the youngest audience members, Martians experience the highs and lows of feelings and the brilliance of how colors and textures affect mood. Through their journey, the Martians learn how even though we all experience feelings differently and react in unique ways to experiences, we’re all stronger together by sharing and expressing our emotions.

A Theatre for the Very Young local touring production, “Tiny Martians, Big Emotions” is specifically created for audiences ages 18 months to 5 years.

announced an exciting new cast and creative team for “The Hello Girls,” with music and lyrics by Peter Mills and book by Peter Mills and Cara Reichel. Featuring fresh orchestrations, new staging and reworked material, this new production of “The Hello Girls” is directed by co-writer Reichel with musical staging by Christine O’Grady, music direction by Alexandra Crosby and music supervision by Ben Moss. It will run Sept. 9 to 28 in the Archbold Theatre at Syracuse Stage, 820 E. Genesee St., Syracuse.

“The Hello Girls” tells the inspiring true story of the first women soldiers to join the U.S. Army, serving as bilingual telephone operators in France during WWI. Originally commissioned by Prospect Musicals in New York City, “The Hello Girls” premiered off-Broadway in 2018 to coincide with the centennial anniversary of the groundbreaking journey taken by the real-life women, from the frontlines to their decades-long fight to be recognized as veterans back home.

Since then, writers Mills and Reichel have continued the play’s development through workshops and a concert version of the show at the Kennedy Center in 2024. Syracuse Stage’s upcoming presentation represents the most ambitious version yet, with new musical and visual storytelling designed to bring deeper resonance to today’s audiences.

“We are honored to have this opportunity to revisit the show and rediscover the urgency of the Hello Girls’ voices through a new production,” says Reichel. “Their fight for equality and recognition feels more resonant than ever, and we’re excited to bring a bold, contemporary lens to their remarkable journey.”

With an incredible jazz and ragtime flavored score, Syracuse Stage’s new production of “The Hello Girls” is co-produced with Michael Cassel Group, Broadway & Beyond Theatricals and Chief Operator LLC.

The cast includes Chessa Metz* (Broadway: “Suffs”), Storm Lever* (Broadway: “Six”), Alex Humphreys* (Broadway: “Dear Evan Hansen”), Jamila Sabares-Klemm* (Broadway: “Merrily We Roll Along”), Sophia Anna O’Brien, Sam Simahk* (Broadway: “Into the Woods”), Christopher Carl* (Broadway: “Mamma Mia!”), Aidan Cole*, Andrew Mayer* (Broadway: “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812”), Emily Mesa, Nadia Stiell, Dan Teixeira*, Teddy Trice* (Broadway: “The Book of Mormon”) and Kat Wolf*.

The production team includes Milagros Ponce de León (scenic designer), Jen Caprio (costume designer), Dawn Chiang (lighting designer), Jessica Paz (sound designer), Caite Hevner (projection designer), Becky Fleming* (production stage manager) and Kyra Button* (stage manager).

Tickets for “The Hello Girls” are on sale now. All evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. while all matinee performances begin at 2 p.m. A special performance of “The Hello Girls” for veterans, active military members and their families will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 9, immediately following a reception to honor their incredible sacrifice in the line of duty. Tickets for this preview performance are free of charge, but must be reserved in advance by calling 315.443.3275.

Tickets start at $30 with discounts available for students and groups. Tickets may be purchased online at , by phone at 315.443.3275 or in person at the Syracuse Stage Box Office.

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States

continues its 2024/25 season with celebrated actor and playwright Kate Hamill’s whirlwind adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility.” Directed by Jason O’Connell, “Sense and Sensibility” will run April 23-May 11 in the Archbold Theatre at Syracuse Stage, located at 820 E. Genesee St. in Syracuse.

“Kate Hamill’s first play, her adaptation of Jane Austin’s ‘Sense and Sensibility,’ has been at the top of our season lists ever since we produced her version of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ a few years ago,” says Artistic Director Robert Hupp. “’Pride and Prejudice’ was a Syracuse Stage fan favorite and now, with Jason O’Connell returning to direct ‘Sense and Sensibility,’ I know audiences are in for a special treat. I’ve loved this adaptation of ‘Sense and Sensibility’ ever since I saw it in New York City over ten years ago. Its over-the-top theatricality and humor, combined with its honest and heartfelt compassion and warmth, make it just the kind of theatrical experience we all need right now.”

“Sense and Sensibility” follows the Dashwood sisters—the pragmatic and practical Elinor, and the younger, romantically-minded Marianne—as they search for stability after the death of their father leaves them financially and socially unmoored in 18th-century England. While navigating the strict and strident niceties of their upper-class circles, the Dashwoods endure heartbreak, experience windfalls of love and fortune and dodge the never-ending gossip of the age.

Hamill, whose zippy adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice” played to rave reviews at Syracuse Stage in 2019, transforms “Sense and Sensibility” into an irreverent romp, giving Austen a playful update while preserving the wit and charm that has made the original such a beloved tale for more than 200 years.

“’Sense and Sensibility’ was my first play—written in 2013—and while it’s rare for me to go back to an older play, I simply could not resist joining this re-imagination for Syracuse Stage, one of my favorite places to work, directed by my husband,” says Hamill. “This is an especially important play for me; not only is it an essential part of the beginning of my playwriting career, but Jason and I also fell in love while I was writing and developing this play, and it’s such a treat to bring his version to these audiences.”

O’Connell returns to direct after leading the Syracuse Stage production of Hamill’s “Pride and Prejudice” and performing in last season’s “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express.” He was also seen, with Hamill, in “Talley’s Folly” and “The Play that Goes Wrong,” and as Salieri in “Amadeus,” directed by Robert Hupp. He originated the roles of Edward and Robert Ferrars in the off-Broadway run of “Sense and Sensibility,” alongside Hamill as Marianne.

“I am always thrilled to return to Syracuse Stage, an artistic home away from home if ever I’ve known one,” says O’Connell. “And I’m especially excited to revisit this first play of Kate’s and to show audiences all the things that I felt about her and her work, back when I was first caught up in the whirlwind of her particular brilliance. This production is something of a love letter to the beginnings of our journey together, full of love and laughter—and a touch of madness!”

Hamill, who earned the top spot on American Theatre Magazine’s list of Most-Produced Playwrights of the 2024-25 Season, returns to the Archbold Theatre in the cast of “Sense and Sensibility,” and is joined by Jamie Ann Romero as Elinor and Olivia AbiAssi as Marianne, with Gina Daniels (“Noises Off”), Jeff Gonzalez (“Pride and Prejudice,” “Amadeus”), Angie Janas (“Pride and Prejudice,” “The Play That Goes Wrong”), James Ragen (“A Christmas Carol”) and Blake Segal (“Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express”) in a variety of roles. Rounding out the ensemble and making their Syracuse Stage debuts are Amelia Gallagher, Salma Mahmoud, Keshav Moodliar, Chris Thorn and Maggie Weller.

The design team for “Sense and Sensibility” includes choreography by Steph Paul, sets by Brittany Vasta (“Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill”), costumes by Raven Ong, lighting by Dawn Chiang (“King James,” “Dial M for Murder”) and sound by Syracuse Stage resident sound designer Jacqueline R. Herter, with dialect coaching by Holly Thuma (“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” “Once”) and intimacy coordination by Yvonne Perry (“Dial M for Murder”).

All evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. while all matinee performances begin at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $30 with discounts available for students and groups. Tickets may be purchased online at , by phone at 315.443.3275 or in person at the Syracuse Stage Box Office. Pay-What-You-Will performances for “Sense and Sensibility” are April 23-27 inclusive; prologue conversations, three pre-show discussions that take place one hour before curtain, are on April 27, May 3 and 8; the Post-show Talkback will take place on Sunday, April 27, after the 7:30 p.m. performance.

Syracuse Stage has its open-captioned performances scheduled for April 30 and May 11 at 2 p.m. and May 6 and 10 at 7:30 p.m., as well as an audio-described performance on Saturday, May 10, at 2 p.m. and an ASL interpreted performance on May 3 at 2 p.m. The Sensory Friendly/Relaxed performance of “Sense and Sensibility” is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, at 7:30 p.m.

Syracuse Stage Trivia Night, a friendly competition hosted by “Jeopardy!” champion Dillon Hupp, will be held on Thursday, April 24, at 6 p.m. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. performance are required to participate. Pre-registration at Syracusestage.org is recommended.

Support for the 24/25 season includes season sponsors the Slutzker Family Foundation, the Dorothy and Marshall M. Reisman Foundation and Advance Media New York. The community partner for “Sense and Sensibility” is Friends of the Central Library (FOCL).

International spy rings, eternal winters, courageous trailblazers and one super-secret message add up to an extraordinary , featuring a thrilling Broadway hit, fresh revivals of award-winning classics, an inspiring new American musical and a knockout world premiere play.

The six show subscription season, including a full schedule of educational, family and community related programming will run Sept. 10, 2025, to June 21, 2026. Subscription packages are on sale now at www.syracusestage.org or at the Box Office, 315.443.3275.

“We’re thrilled to announce an ambitious and exciting season of powerful theatrical stories for Central New York,” says artistic director Robert Hupp. “We’ve spent the past year exploring dynamic narratives, assembling creative teams and building partnerships that ensure our ability to create entertaining, one-of-a-kind theatrical experiences that you can’t get anywhere else. Our work is created specifically for the wonderful people of Central New York, and we can’t wait to share with everyone these bold, fun, vibrant plays and musicals in the year ahead.”

Subscription season at a glance:

“The Hello Girls” (Sept. 10 to 28, 2025), “The 39 Steps” (Oct. 22 to Nov. 9, 2025), “A Christmas Story” (Nov. 25 to Dec. 28, 2025), the world premiere of�� “Relentless” (Feb. 4 to 22, 2026), “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” (March 11 to 29, 2026) and “Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical” (May 13 to June 21, 2026).

Opening the season is “The Hello Girls,” a new American musical inspired by the incredible true story of the first women to join the U.S. Army as bilingual telephone operators during WWI.

Originally commissioned by Prospect Musicals in New York City, “The Hello Girls” opened off-Broadway in 2018 to coincide with the centennial anniversary of the groundbreaking journey taken by the real-life Hello Girls, from the frontlines in France to their decades-long fight to be recognized back home. Writing for The New York Times, critic Laura Collins-Hughes called the production “a rather thrilling thing—smart, human and sardonically feminist.”

With a rich jazz and ragtime flavored score from Peter Mills, Syracuse Stage’s new production of “The Hello Girls” is directed by co-writer Cara Reichel and is a co-production with Michael Cassel Group (Broadway: “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” “Pretty Woman The Musical,” “The Cher Show”) and runs Sept. 10 to 28, 2025.

In October, Syracuse Stage celebrates the return of a raucous comedy/mystery: The two-time Tony Award-winning “The 39 Steps,” playwright Patrick Barlow’s rollicking sendup of Hitchcock’s 1935 spy-thriller. Last seen at Stage in 2010, “The 39 Steps” runs Oct. 22 to Nov. 9, 2025.

For the annual holiday show, audiences are invited to relive one memorable December with the Parker family and “A Christmas Story,” the charmingly nostalgic play based on the 1983 film and humorist Jean Shepherd’s childhood reveries. Marking the first time Hupp directs a show in the festive winter slot, “A Christmas Story” runs Nov. 25 to Dec. 28, 2025.

In the new year Syracuse Stage will present “Relentless” by Rae Binstock, a world premiere drama about legacy and loyalty set in the world of professional boxing. Directed by associate artistic director Melissa Crespo (“Primary Trust,” “Once,” “What the Constitution Means to Me”), “Relentless” depicts the intimate bout between a former contender and her old coach over whether to sell their iconic gym in a gentrifying Brooklyn. Building on Syracuse Stage’s commitment to produce new work, this world premiere is co-produced by Sing Out, Louise! Productions (Broadway: “The Notebook,” “& Juliet,” “Hadestown”) and runs Feb. 4 to 22, 2026.

“It’s always thrilling to direct a new play for the first time, and Rae Binstock’s ‘Relentless’ is sure to be a crowd pleaser,” says Crespo. “With the International Boxing Hall of Fame located just 20 minutes east of Syracuse, ‘Relentless’ is an electrifying glimpse into the world of boxing.”

“Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” the powerful and poetic Tony-Award winning entry in Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson’s historic “Century Cycle,” comes to Syracuse Stage in the spring. The show is the seventh title in the 10-play cycle to be produced at Stage, and the first Wilson play presented at the theatre since 2014’s “The Piano Lesson.” Directed by Timothy Douglas, who led the Syracuse Stage productions of Wilson’s “Jitney” (2002) and “Gem of the Ocean” (2007), “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” runs May 13 to June 21, 2026.

And as the summer approaches, Syracuse Stage offers families a thrilling and entertaining way to cool off with “Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical,” a spectacular musical based on the hit animated film. Featuring Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Sven and Olaf the lovable snowman, “Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical” is a co-production with the ������ Department of Drama and the first professional production of the musical in Central New York. Directed by Amy Anders Corcoran, with music direction by Brian Cimmet and choreography by Marjorie Failoni, the show will close out the subscription season and runs May 13 to June 21, 2026.

“We are so excited for families to experience ‘Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical’ live on stage for the first time in Central New York,” says managing director Carly DiFulvio Allen. “With the songs and characters you know and love, this joyful production showcases the power of sisterhood and asks us to consider how far we would go for true love. With no seat further than 50 feet from the stage, you’re never far away from the magic, music and spectacle of this beautiful show. I can’t wait for audiences to experience it this spring”

Supporting each production is a strong line-up of supplementary special event programming, including Prologue, a series of insightful pre-show conversations, talkbacks with cast and creative teams, community nights with show-specific activities and the return of Tuesday evening performances featuring a complimentary “Tacos and Trivia” event hosted by “Jeopardy!” Champion Dillon Hupp.

In addition, Syracuse Stage will offer a host of educational and community outreach programs, the return of Sensory Friendly/Relaxed performances for select shows and an array of accessibility offerings throughout the season including audio description, open captioning, ASL interpretation and the M&T Bank Pay-What-You-Will program.

In the fall the Children’s Tour resumes performances live in elementary schools with “My Robot” by Finegan Kruckemeyer. Directed by Katherine McGerr, this delightful story explores the relationship between a young girl and her mechanical friend, and supports socio-emotional learning, understanding poetic language, creative thinking and STEM based problem solving.

�� continues its 2024/2025 season with Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright Rajiv Joseph’s “King James,” a slam dunk celebration of basketball, friendship and fandom. Directed by Jamil Jude, “King James” is a co-production with Indiana Repertory Theatre and will run Feb. 26 to March 16 in the Archbold Theatre at Syracuse Stage, 820 E. Genesee St., Syracuse.

“Sporting events, like theatre, offer that rare opportunity to bring people together, to share common, communal experiences,” says artistic director Robert Hupp. “We invite everyone—sports fans and not so much sports fans—to join us for this amazing new play about friendship: the ups and downs, the complexity and the care that reflects what it means to love something bigger than ourselves, and each other.”

2004. Cleveland. First round draft pick LeBron James is poised to become one of the greats, while two superfans bond over a pair of season tickets and the arrival of “the King” to the Cavaliers’ court. But LeBron has other plans, and his “decision” will transform Matt and Shawn’s friendship into a high-stakes game of shifting loyalties, brutal upsets and the bittersweet thrill of life’s buzzer-beating redemptions. A sharp, unflinching and intimate look at the space that sports occupy in today’s America, Rajiv Joseph’s “King James” invites us to find common ground beyond our hometown team while comically measuring the distance between fan and fanatic.

“Sports can bring disparate people together, and yet, the fanaticism of some can further the divides in our world,” says director Jamil Jude. “As an avid sports fan, I fully embrace the ups and downs of being a sports fan—it is as close as one can get to the pathos of live theatre!”

“King James” features Quinn M. Johnson and Enoch King as Matt and Shawn, the two basketball-obsessed Clevelanders brought together under LeBron’s reign. The design team includes star players from previous Syracuse Stage productions, including sets by Czerton Lim (“Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express”) and lighting by Dawn Chiang (“Dial M for Murder”). Making their Syracuse Stage debuts are designers Ari Fulton (costumes) and Mikaela Fraser (sound).

Jude is a highly accomplished director, producer, playwright and dramaturg focused on bringing socially relevant art to the community. He is the artistic director at Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company in Atlanta and is the co-founder of the New Griots Festival, which is dedicated to celebrating, advocating and advancing the careers of emerging Black artists in Minneapolis–St. Paul. Jude attended Colgate University, where he played football as a cornerback.

Joseph is an award-winning dramatist and screenwriter whose plays include “The North Pool,” “Animals Out of Paper,” “Gruesome Playground Injuries,” “Guards at the Taj” and “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo,” which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2010. “King James” premiered at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre and the Center Theatre in Los Angeles in 2022, with Glenn Davis as Shawn and Chris Perfetti (“Abbott Elementary”) as Matt. Directed by Kenny Leon, the production transferred to New York City and played off-Broadway at the Manhattan Theatre Club in 2023.

All evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. while all matinee performances begin at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $30 with discounts available for students and groups. Tickets may be purchased online at SyracuseStage.org, by phone at 315.443.3275 or in person at the Syracuse Stage Box Office. Pay-What-You-Will performances for “King James” are Feb. 26 – March 2 inclusive; Prologue conversations, three pre-show discussions that take place one-hour before curtain on March 2, 8 and 13; the Post-show Talkback will take place on Sunday, March 9 after the 7:30 p.m. performance. Syracuse Stage has open-captioned performances scheduled for March 5 and 16 at 2 p.m. and March 11 and 15 at 7:30 p.m., as well as an audio-described performance on Sunday, March 15 at 2 p.m. and an ASL interpreted performance on March 8 at 2 p.m. The Sensory Friendly/Relaxed performance of “King James” is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m.

In conjunction with the ������ Symposium, Syracuse Stage will present a panel discussion with former Syracuse Orange athletes Eric Devendorf and Eric Jackson, moderated by former editor of ESPN.com Javier Maymi-Perez. The discussion will examine the role of sports in building community through fandom and how it can result in unexpected friendships and lasting connections. This free community event will be held on Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. in the Sutton Pavillion at Syracuse Stage, before the first preview of “King James.”

Syracuse Stage is pleased to continue its Trivia Night, a new event for the 24/25 season. Free for ticket holders, Trivia Night invites audiences to go head-to-head for a chance to win exciting Syracuse Stage prizes, in a friendly competition hosted by “Jeopardy!” champion Dillon Hupp, and includes free pizza. Trivia Night for “King James” will be held on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. performance are required to participate. Pre-registration at Syracusestage.org is recommended.

Support for the 24/25 season includes season sponsors the Slutzker Family Foundation, the Dorothy and Marshall M. Reisman Foundation and Advance Media New York. The community partner for “King James” is Eric Devendorf’s ED23 Hoops.

has announced that Carly DiFulvio Allen has been named the theatre’s new managing director. DiFulvio Allen currently serves as the associate general manager at Disney Theatrical Group for productions of�� “Aladdin” and “Beauty and the Beast”��worldwide. Beginning March 1, she fills the position at Syracuse Stage previously held by Jill A. Anderson.

While at Disney Theatrical Group, DiFulvio Allen served on the advisory committee for Ensemble, an employee-led network with the goal of fostering and celebrating an inclusive culture, and was the founding member and co-chair for a parents and caregivers sub-committee.

Prior to Disney Theatrical Group, DiFulvio Allen was the company manager for Roundabout Theatre Company at the Todd Haimes Theatre (formerly the American Airlines Theatre) for 25 Broadway productions. Highlights from her tenure at Roundabout include the original Broadway production of “The 39 Steps,” the Broadway revival of “On the Twentieth Century” with Kristen Chenoweth and the original Broadway production of “Violet” starring Sutton Foster.

“We are thrilled to welcome Carly to Syracuse Stage,” says Bob Hupp, artistic director. “Her background in New York City nonprofit theatres, and her recent work with Disney Theatrical Group, are perfectly suited to the leadership role she’ll assume when she joins us in March. Carly’s experience, her Central New York roots and her people-centered approach to our work make her a dynamic and exceptional addition to Stage leadership. We’re excited to introduce her to everyone this spring, and I very much look forward to partnering with her to help Syracuse Stage make the strongest possible contribution to the cultural life of Central New York.”

DiFulvio Allen’s arrival at Syracuse Stage is a homecoming of sorts. A Rochester native, she received theatre management and integrated marketing communications degrees from Ithaca College.

“I am thrilled to be joining the remarkable team at Syracuse Stage and returning to Central New York,” she says. “Syracuse Stage’s now 50-year legacy of quality and inspired storytelling is a testament to the support, enthusiasm and engagement of this vibrant community. I look forward to working together to explore new opportunities for expanding Stage’s vision of reimagining what is possible for regional theatre.”

Syracuse Stage board of trustees chair Richard Driscoll says DiFulvio Allen is an ideal match for the company with its relationship to both Central New Yorkers and the professional theatre community. “The Board of Directors is excited to welcome Carly DiFulvio Allen as our new managing director at Syracuse Stage. Her deep experience in the theatre industry and ties to Central New York will make her a perfect partner with our Artistic Director Bob Hupp and the rest of Stage’s amazing staff,” he says.

Board of trustees president Herm Frazier echoes Driscoll’s sentiment. “I am confident Carly’s enthusiasm, coupled with her experience in theater will make her a perfect fit for Syracuse Stage,” he says.

DiFulvio Allen’s hiring concludes an extensive nationwide search led by Management Consultants for the Arts, with longtime Syracuse Stage board of trustees member and former board chair Nancy Green chairing the search committee.

The Syracuse Stage 24/25 season continues this year with the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Primary Trust” by Eboni Booth (through Feb. 9), an Indiana Repertory Theatre co-production of “King James” by Rajiv Joseph (Feb. 26 to March 16), Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility” by Kate Hamill (April 23 to May 11) and the Julie Lutz Cold Read world premiere of “The National Pastime” by Rogelio Martinez (June 11 to 29).

will hold a reading of Mary Chase’s classic comedy “Harvey,” directed by associate artistic director Melissa Crespo and featuring a cast comprised entirely of local actors, including ������ Department of Drama faculty members and Syracuse Stage artistic director Robert Hupp.

“Harvey” will be presented in the Archbold Theatre at Syracuse Stage, 820 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, New York, on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are free of charge and must be reserved in advance at .

The Pulitzer Prize-winning play, which tells the story of a good-natured man whose best friend is an invisible six-foot-tall rabbit, served a major inspiration for playwright Eboni Booth’s “Primary Trust,” which will Jan. 22 through Feb. 9 in the Archbold Theatre.

“It’s wild how similar and uniquely different Harvey and Primary Trust are from one another,” Crespo says. “The first won the Pulitzer Prize in 1945, while the second won in 2024. Both plays deal with kindness and the importance of community care. I hope theaters around the country are encouraged to produce both plays in conversation with one another. It’s especially exciting to have a cast of local actors perform in ‘Harvey’ on top of the ‘Primary Trust’ set, which happens to be set in Central New York.”

“Harvey” premiered on Broadway in 1944 and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1945. The playwright adapted her own script into an Oscar-winning film in 1950, starring Jimmy Stewart as Elwood P. Dowd. “Harvey” was last seen on Broadway in 2012, starring Jim Parsons, for which he received a Tony nomination.

About Harvey

Elwood P. Dowd insists on including his friend Harvey in all of his sister Veta’s social gatherings. Trouble is, Harvey is an imaginary six-and-a-half foot-tall rabbit. To avoid future embarrassment for her family—and especially for her daughter, Myrtle Mae—Veta decides to have Elwood committed to a sanitarium. At the sanitarium, a frantic Veta explains to the staff that her years of living with Elwood’s hallucination have caused her to see Harvey also, and so the doctors mistakenly commit her instead of her mild-mannered brother. The truth comes out, however; Veta is freed, and the search is on for Elwood, who eventually arrives at the sanitarium of his own volition, looking for Harvey. But it seems that Elwood and his invisible companion have had a strange influence on more than one of the doctors. Only at the end does Veta realize that maybe Harvey isn’t so bad after all.

Harvey

• By Mary Chase
• Directed by Melissa Crespo
• Stage managed by Rachel Mondschein

Cast (in alphabetical order)

• Tanner Effinger (Elwood P. Dowd)
• Robert Hupp (Judge Gaffney)
• Lilli Komureck (Veta Simmons, Betty Chumley)
• Alexis Martin (Myrtle Simmons)
• Krystal Osborne (Miss Johnson, Nurse Ruth Kelly)
• Derek Emerson Powell (Dr. Lyman Sanderson)
• Blake Segal (Duane Wilson, E.J. Lofgren)
• Holly Thuma (Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet)
• Karis Wiggins (Dr. William R. Chumley)

welcomes the new year with playwright Eboni Booth’s “Primary Trust,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about best friends, new beginnings and the undeniable power of everyday kindness. Directed by Syracuse Stage Associate Artistic Director Melissa Crespo (“Once,” “What the Constitution Means to Me,” “Native Gardens”), “Primary Trust” will run Wednesday, Jan. 22, to Sunday, Feb. 9, in the Archbold Theatre at Syracuse Stage, 820 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, New York.

“Stage’s production of ‘Primary Trust’ is brought to life by a superb cast and creative team,” says Artistic Director Robert Hupp. “We’re eager to share this timely play so beautifully directed by our associate artistic director, Melissa Crespo. It’s just the right story at just the right time.”

In Cranberry, New York, a small town just east of Rochester, 38-year-old Kenneth has a good job, a great boss and Bert, the best friend a guy could ask for. But his boss is moving to Florida, the bookstore he works at is closing and Bert? Well, he’s imaginary. As he confronts the traumas that led to his isolated existence, Kenneth must tend to old wounds, forge new friendships and let go of the things he no longer needs.

“Eboni Booth’s beautiful play ‘Primary Trust’ about friendship and the smallest of chances is exactly what we need in our sometimes-lonely world,” says Crespo. “I hope Central New York audiences will particularly appreciate a story that’s set in their backyard.”

Garrett Turner (Kenneth) returns to Syracuse Stage after playing Anger in the world premiere of “Thoughts of Colored Man,” and he is joined by Bjorn DuPaty, making his Syracuse Stage debut as Bert. The actors reunite after sharing a dressing room as understudies for the Broadway production of “Thoughts of Colored Man” in 2022.

Rounding out the cast of “Primary Trust” are Eunice Woods as Corinna, Wally’s Waiters and Bank Customers; Paul DeBoy (“Native Gardens,” “The Christians”) as Clay, Sam and Le Pousselet Bartender; and Armando Gutierrez (“Once”) as musician.

Bringing the fictional Central New York town of Cranberry to life is a design team that includes sets by Ann Beyersdorfer (“What the Constitution Means to Me,” “Yoga Play”), costumes by Carmen Martinez (“Once,” “What the Constitution Means to Me”), lighting by Alejandro Fajardo (who worked with Crespo’s “El Otro Oz,” a NYTimes Critics Pick), sound by Syracuse Stage resident sound designer Jacqueline R Herter (“Once,” “What the Constitution Means to Me,” “Annapurna”) and original music by cast member Armando Gutierrez.

All evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m., while all matinee performances begin at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $30, with discounts available for students and groups. Tickets may be purchased online at , by phone at 315.443.3275 or in person at the Syracuse Stage Box Office. Pay-what-you-will performances for “Primary Trust” are Jan. 22–26 inclusive; Prologue conversations, three pre-show discussions that take place one-hour before curtain on Jan. 26, Feb. 1 and Feb. 6; the Wednesday at 1 lecture will take place on Jan. 29 before the 2 p.m. matinee; the post-show talkback will take place on Sunday, Feb. 2, after the 7:30 p.m. performance. Syracuse Stage has its open-captioned performances scheduled for Jan. 29 and Feb. 9, at 2 p.m. and Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m., as well as an audio-described performance on Sunday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. The sensory friendly/relaxed performance of “Primary Trust” is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Syracuse Stage is pleased to announce the addition of trivia night, a new event for the 24/25 season. Free for ticket holders, trivia night invites audiences to go head-to-head for a chance to win exciting Syracuse Stage prizes, in a friendly competition hosted by “Jeopardy!” champion Dillon Hupp with free pizza. Trivia night for “Primary Trust” will be held on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. performance are required to participate. Pre-registration at is recommended.

In conjunction with “Primary Trust,” Syracuse Stage will present a free reading of “Harvey” by Mary Chase. The play, about a man whose best friend is an invisible 6-foot-tall rabbit, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1945, was made into an Oscar-winning film starring Jimmy Stewart and was a major inspiration for Booth’s “Primary Trust.” The reading will take place in the Archbold Theatre on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m., with free tickets available at SyracuseStage.org.

Support for the 24/25 season includes season sponsors the Slutzker Family Foundation, the Dorothy and Marshall M. Reisman Foundation and Advance Media New York. The community partner for “Primary Trust” is ACR Health.

Primary Trust

• By Eboni Booth
• Directed by Melissa Crespo
• Scenic design by Ann Beyersdorfer
• Costume design by Carmen Martinez
• Lighting design by Alejandro Fajardo
• Sound design by Jacquline R Hertetr
• Original music by Armando Guttierez
• Stage management by Kristine Schlachter*
• Casting by Bass/Valle Casting

CAST (in alphabetical order)

• Paul DeBoy* (Clay, Sam, Le Pousselet Bartender)
• Bjorn DuPaty* (Bert)
• Armando Gutierrez* (Musician)
• Garrett Turner* (Kenneth)
• Eunice Woods* (Corinna, Wally’s Waiter, Bank Customer)

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.