The Peterborough Players put on a season to remember in 2021, centered around an outdoor peformance of “Our Town” that drew nationwide attention. But as unique and exciting as last year was, a return to normalcy might be even more energizing.
“Last season was an amazing adventure and it was very successful and people enjoyed it,” said Players artistic director Tom Frey in a Tuesday interview, “but we really wanted to get back into the theater and get back to our toys.”
As Frey spoke over the phone, he was standing in the Players’ iconic barn theater, visions of opening night dancing through his head. When the Players’ season opens in June, it will be the first performance in the barn in almost three years.
“It’s going to be huge,” Frey said. “Imagining the first night with people back in here for a theatrical performance – it’s going to be incredible, momentous.”
The summer opens with Cabaret, which regarded as one of the finest musicals in history; set in Germany during the rise of the Third Reich, it’s also a timely tale.
“It’s part of the moment that we’re in,” Frey said. “It’s been incredibly difficult to pay attention to everything. We’ve been part of this worldwide horrible thing and we don’t want to lose our vigilance.”
Frey said the dark comedy was the perfect production for the Players’ return, balancing bleak subject matter with rollicking fun and music.
“It talks about difficult things, but man are you going have a good time,” Frey said. “Just given everything we’ve just gone through, it felt better than coming back with something that completely ignores it, that’s a pure escape – it didn’t feel right or respectful.”
Cabaret runs June 23-July 3.
Next up is Circle Mirror Transformation, set in a small Vermont acting class that gives a peek behind the curtain of the theatrical world and also explores group dynamics and the journey one goes on while exploring their life’s passions.
“I think it’s a hilarious play and an incredible meditation on paying attention and the incredible transformation that can happen,” Frey said.
Circle Mirror Transformation runs July 7-17.
Opening July 21 is Serving Elizabeth, an ambitious new play making its United States debut. Elizabeth explores the British monarchy (fans of The Crown and similar series, take note) via issues of class, colonialism and color, using a past and present timeline to reveal how history is written by the winners.
With actors playing multiple characters across multiple timelines and countries, the production will require some deft character work; Frey said each actor will deploy at least three different accents.
Serving Elizabeth runs through July 31.
Frey will take the reins to direct a production he’s quite familiar with: 2 Pianos, 4 Hands. The play chronicles the lives of two piano players as they follow their dreams and work their way to the biggest stage, building to a brilliant performance of a moving Bach number.
“This play is deep,” said Frey, who has directed several incarnations of the production over the years, most recently a hit run at the Cincinnati Playhouse in 2019-20. That production, featuring Matthew McGloin and Jefferson McDonald, was set for the Players in 2020 before COVID shut down the season, and Frey is excited to finally bring that duo to Peterborough.
“They’re incredible,” Frey said. “They’re really really good, they’re very different than other teams I’ve had do it.”
While the play is about two aspiring classical pianists, much like Circle Mirror Transformation, the plot serves as an allegory for whatever one might strive to become.
“It’s anything that you want to do at a really high level,” Frey said, “and you at some point have to face reality – but they triumph anyway.”
2 Pianos, 4 Hands runs Aug. 4-14.
Rounding out the schedule is another music-centric production, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill. While not a musical, the play revolves around one of jazz great Billie Holiday’s final performances, with music and storytelling intertwined.
“She’s definitely singing these songs, but these songs are commenting on things that are happening in her life,” Frey said.
Holiday will be portrayed by Tracey Conyer Lee. Recently seen as Mrs. Webb in last summer’s Our Town, Lee is renowned for her performances in Lady Day around the country; Frey called it a “coup” to land her for the part in Peterborough.
“It’s kind of chilling,” Frey said. “Her portrayal of Billie Holiday is really amazing. It’s such a moving, incredible performance.”
Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill runs Aug. 18-28.
Last year’s emphasis on outdoor rehearsals and performances sped along the completion of the Players’ new Elsewhere Stage, nestled out on the Hadley Road grounds. The Players will put that to good use this summer, as the Second Company plans to perform its annual children’s play, The Emperor’s New Clothes. Written by Seussical duo Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the performance promises a fun time for children, and like any successful kids’ production, a little something for the chaperones.
“it’s really charming, the music is great, and it’s not just for kids,” Frey said.
The Emperor’s New Clothes will run on select dates throughout the season at 10:30 a.m.
Full-season subscriptions are on sale now; single tickets and passes go on sale May 25. For more information, visit peterboroughplayers.org or call the box office at 924-7585.