The 2026 Season
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
The Professional Company:
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Come From Away
Book, Music and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein June 11-27 Because we come from everywhere, we all Come From Away When tragedy struck, the world came together. Come From Away is the extraordinary musical that tells the inspiring true story of the 7,000 airline passengers who were stranded in the remote town of Gander, Newfoundland on September 11, 2001 and the townspeople who pulled together in an overwhelming crisis. A hit on Broadway and around the world, the show uses soaring music, humor, and joy to remind us that hope can arise even in the hardest of circumstances. Don’t miss the area premiere of this acclaimed show in the 25th anniversary year of the events it depicts. |
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The Complete History of America (abridged)
by Adam Long, Reed Martin, Austin Tichenor July 3-11 A semiquincentennial celebration! If your 8th grade social studies teacher told dad jokes, you’d have The Complete History of America (abridged)! In this zany play, we will be taking you from Washington to Watergate and from Alexander Hamilton to Hamilton the musical, covering all 600 years of American history in 6000 seconds! A special treat for July 4th week on the 250th anniversary of this country that reminds us: it’s not the length of your history, it’s what you’ve done with it. |
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The Odd Couple
By Neil Simon July 17-25 One man’s mess is another’s meltdown in Neil Simon’s classic comedy Everybody knows opposites attract, but can they live together? When Felix’s wife tosses him out, he is welcomed with open arms by his best buddy, Oscar. But nerves begin to fray when uptight and neat-obsessed Felix comes head-to-head with the slovenly and disorganized Oscar. One of Broadway’s funniest plays, from one of this nation’s most beloved playwrights. Starring Robert Hooghkirk and Cory Lawson as the mismatched mates! |
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Wait Until Dark
By Frederick Knott Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher July 31-August 8 In the dark you can see the danger ahead Hidden within Sam and Susan’s apartment is a prize so valuable that men will lie, cheat, and even kill for it. Left on her own to keep desperate and depraved conmen at bay, Susan discovers that she might just have the upper hand… if she can manage to stall her tormentors until dark. This masterfully constructed thriller moves from one moment of suspense to another as it builds toward a heart-stopping finale. |
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The 39 Steps
Adapted by Patrick Barlow From the novel by John Buchan, from the movie by Alfred Hitchcock August 14-23 “Theatre at its finest… Absurdly Enjoyable!” – NY Times A hard-nosed spy thriller or a screwball romantic comedy? Why choose when you can have both with this delightfully inventive spoof of Hitchcockian proportions?! Following a mysterious murder, Richard Hannay travels north (by northwest) to Scotland where he must dodge the police, devious spies, and beautiful bombshells in order to achieve his mission and attempt to reveal the secrets of... The 39 Steps. Four actors, over 150 characters, an on stage plane crash, handcuffs, and some good old-fashioned romance make for an unforgettable adventure! |
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Peter PanTO: A Traditional English Panto
By Neil Pankhurst December 18-January 3 The Neverland you never knew! Spend the holidays like they do in Blighty and join us for our Traditional English Panto! This year we are flying away to Neverland with Pan, Hook, Wendy, and an islandful of festive silliness. What’s a panto? It’s a musical filled with bright lights, big costumes, dynamic dancing, slapstick for the littles, innuendo for the adults, and a double entendre or two (or three). “Boo” the villain, “cheer” the hero, and join us for an English tradition that has been a holiday staple since the nineteenth century! We’re proud to bring a little old England to New England! |
Professional Theatre for Young Audiences:
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The Commedia Pinocchio - An a capella musical
By Lane Riosley with music by Aven Stephenson October 17 and 24-25 An inventive musical adaptation for all ages! In this charming musical, a troupe of classic Italian commedia dell’arte performers descends upon a village square, armed with only a trunk full of rudimentary costumes and props. Imagination takes flight as they begin to tell the tale of the woodcarver Geppetto, the wise cricket, the naughty boys who transform into donkeys, and all of the adventures you expect from the story of a special puppet who yearns to be a real boy. |
The Winni Players Community Theatre:
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The Play That Goes Wrong
by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer & Henry Shields A Co-Production with Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative March 6-8 and 13-15 Going wrong never felt so right! When the accident-prone thespians at The Cornley Drama Society put on a classic whodunnit story, everything that can go wrong... does! A ramshackle set, a leading lady with a concussion, and a corpse that can’t play dead... The actors and crew battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call with hilarious consequences! This co-production between the Winni Players and Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative is filled with wayward props, malfunctioning scenery, and unexpected understudies. Despite constant mishaps, the snow must go juan. |
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The Hobbit
By Patricia Gray A Staged Radio Play Production Based on the classic by J.R.R. Tolkien March 27-29 A new spin on our radio drama tradition! The Winni Players Community Theatre’s staged radio drama is back – this time with a slightly unusual twist! Our 1940s radio studio will be filled with the sounds of Middle-earth when The Hobbit is broadcast from the stage. You can close your eyes and listen to the voices and Foley sound effects that will transport you into the magical tale of Bilbo Baggins, “only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all,” who goes on a perilous journey to find a great treasure, discovering bravery he never knew he had. |
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Witness for the Prosecution
By Agatha Christie May 7-10 Performed at the Historic New Hampton Town House You have been summoned… A brutal and bloodthirsty murder has occurred, and Leonard Vole is the only suspect. He has a motive, but did he do it? The stakes are high and so is the tension as witnesses take the stand, and Leonard must fight for his life to clear his name. This site-specific production of Agatha Christie’s story of justice, passion, and betrayal unfolds inside the historic New Hampton Town House, a remarkable 18th-century meeting hall that has served as the heart of the community since 1798. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Town House—once the site of spirited town meetings and public debates—now transforms into Christie’s tense courtroom. Beneath its original timber beams, audiences will feel the weight of history and the thrill of mystery intertwine as the drama unfolds just feet away. It’s up to you, the audience, to weigh the evidence and deliver the verdict. |
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The Great Winnipesaukee Steamboat Race and Musical Talent Contest
Story and lyrics by Robert Kinerk Music by Andrew Rosenthal September 23-25 and September 30-October 2 On board the M/S Mount Washington! After a sold-out voyage in 2025, the Winni Players are once again setting sail on the historic M/S Mount Washington with another delightfully zany musical comedy with a special connection to our beloved Lake Winnipesaukee! Performed in and around the Lakes Region on and off since 1978, the musical poses the eternal question: will a nefarious villain steal the heart of a beautiful maiden because her noble boyfriend hasn’t a clue what’s going on? Join us for dinner, a sunset cruise, and the chance to laugh and sing along! Don’t miss this local tradition - performed on a boat for the very first time! |
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The Edgar Allan Poe Afterlife Radio Show
By Patrick Green and Jason Pizzarello October 29-31 Spooky radio style fun for Halloween A tap at a chamber door and the beat of a hideous heart evoke the very best and creepiest of Edgar Allan Poe. So when Poe sets out to keep his stories alive from beyond the grave, an otherworldly radio studio proves just the thing. Wandering spirits gather to play the roles in Poe's most classic works, but the grim master of the macabre is a little new to radio - what's all this about commercials?! |
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Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
Based Upon the Paramount Pictures Film Written for the Screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama and Melvin Frank Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin, Book by David Ives and Paul Blake November 19-22 Based on the beloved holiday film Kick off the holiday season by unwrapping the magic of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas! This dazzling musical is packed with show-stopping numbers, heartwarming romance, and timeless holiday cheer. Join Bob and Phil, two charismatic army buddies turned song-and-dance sensations, as they follow a couple of beautiful singing sisters up to Vermont for a snow-covered holiday. Featuring Berlin’s unforgettable classics like “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano,” and the timeless “White Christmas,” this feel-good musical is a delight for all ages. |
The Education Department:
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The Witches
Based on the book The Witches by Roald Dahl Adapted by David Wood April 10-12 “This is not a fairy tale. This is about REAL WITCHES.” When a young boy accidentally stumbles into a convention of witches with an evil plot, he teams up with his grandmother to do the only thing you can do: fight back! Don’t miss this faithful adaptation of the beloved book by the author who also brought you Matilda and James and the Giant Peach. Performed by students ages 8-13. |
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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
A play by Simon Stephens Based on the novel by Mark Haddon April 23-26 An acclaimed adaptation of the award-winning novel Armed with his extraordinary brain, fifteen-year-old Christopher is on a mission. After discovering the untimely death of his neighbor’s dog, Christopher embarks on a journey that tests his unique personality and drives him out of his comfort zone in order to prove his innocence and solve the crime. His journey leads to an earth-shattering discovery and familial secrets which may have been better left unknown. Performed by students ages 13-18. |
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A Wrinkle in Time
By Madeleine L'Engle, Morgan Gould November 6-8 An incredible adventure through space and time! Follow Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O'Keefe on a journey to rescue Meg’s father. Guided by the mysterious Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which, the trio must travel to dangerous planets and battle the forces of evil, ultimately learning that love, friendship, and individuality are the most powerful weapons. Based on the classic Newbery Award-winning children’s novel. Performed by students ages 8-18. |
Special Events:
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The Winnipesaukee Playhouse Presents theatreKAPOW in
What the Constitution Means to Me By Heidi Schreck February 6-8 Humor and history collide in a debate of national proportion Fifteen-year-old Heidi earned her college tuition by winning constitutional debate competitions across the United States. In this hilarious, hopeful, and achingly human new play, she resurrects her teenage self to trace the profound relationship between four generations of women and the founding document that shaped their lives. Unleash your mind and ignite powerful conversations on democracy, equality, and justice with What the Constitution Means to Me — a thought-provoking exploration of our constitutional rights. |
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ImprovOlympics
October 24 Join teams from local non-profit organizations for a night of improv comedy and fundraising! This popular event will pit local amateur comedians against each other in a "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" battle to make you laugh and raise funds for worthy local causes. |
