{"id":246526,"date":"2026-05-28T16:25:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T16:25:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/246526\/"},"modified":"2026-05-28T16:25:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T16:25:28","slug":"players-guild-of-leonia-announces-bold-community-focused-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/246526\/","title":{"rendered":"Players Guild of Leonia Announces Bold, Community-Focused Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

Published by New Jersey Stage<\/a>
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originally published: 05\/27\/2026<\/p>\n

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(LEONIA, NJ) — The Players Guild of Leonia (PGL)<\/a> has announced a vibrant, boundary-pushing 106th season under the banner “New Voices. New Energy. Same Heart \u2013 Embracing the community in community theatre.” Founded in 1919 and performing in the historic Civil War Drill Hall, the Guild’s new season transforms its storied home into a hub for bold stories, diverse artists, and community connection.<\/p>\n

This season grew out of an unprecedented level of artistic engagement: 23 directors proposed more than 50 productions for consideration. From that wealth of ideas, the Director & Play Selection Committee – PGL Vice President Jodi Reiss, longtime member Owen Sheridan, and member Chris Hietikko (who directed last season\u2019s Red Speedo) – carefully curated a lineup that balances artistic ambition and community impact.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter more than a century of storytelling in this building, we\u2019re asking: what does the next 100 years look like?\u201d says Jodi Reiss. \u201cThis season is our answer – bold, inclusive, and rooted in our belief that community theatre only works when new voices are welcomed in and our whole community sees this space as their creative home.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 2026-2027 season includes four Mainstage Productions, three Weekend Spotlights as part of their new events series, an Artist Incubator Lab with periodic New Work Development workshops, and a long standing PGL favorite \u2013 The Marshall Playwrights Showcase.<\/p>\n

\u201cTogether, these formats broaden opportunities for participation, encourage artistic growth, and allow PGL to make fuller use of its space and resources\u201d says Owen Sheridan. The season will also feature some exciting fundraiser events as well as a Drill Hall commemorative anniversary celebration.<\/p>\n

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Mainstage Productions<\/p>\n

This season celebrates the power of connection, resilience and renewal through stories that are sharply funny, moving and deeply human. Each of their four mainstage productions will be led by a new director for the Guild, bringing fresh artistic vision and new energy to the stage, while building on more than a century of volunteer commitment and community artistry.<\/p>\n

September 18\u201327, 2026 |\u00a0The Old Ladies Bar\u00a0by Natasha Caroline Lowery Rivers; directed by T.S. Murphy.\u00a0A world-premiere play set in a legendary, family-run jazz bar, The Old Ladies Bar traces the legacy of historic\u00a0musicians, deep family bonds, and the power within Black female culture over generations. Co-produced with Kaleidoscope, a new BIPOC-led theatre company based in Northern New Jersey, this production marks a significant step in the Guild\u2019s commitment to fostering diverse stories, new artistic partnerships, and fresh audiences in their\u00a0community. Directed by PGL member T.S. Murphy, who last appeared in their multiply Perry- nominated production of Deathtrap.<\/p>\n

December 11\u201320, 2026 | Who\u2019s Holiday!\u00a0by Matthew Lombardo, directed by Bailey Dumlao.\u00a0Cindy Lou Who is all grown up – and her life did not turn out like a storybook. From a beat-up trailer in the snowy hills of Mount Crumpit, she throws a Christmas Eve party and tells the wild, R-rated tale of what really happened after she met the Grinch, in a one-woman, rhyming-couplet comedy that is absolutely not for children. This adults-only holiday cult favorite offers a gift to every adult who has had to sit through The Nutcracker. Director Bailey Dumlao is new to PGL, but they bring an impressive background in artistry that elevates underrepresented BIPOC and LGBTQ+ voices.<\/p>\n

January 22\u2013February 7, 2027 | Steel Magnolias\u00a0by Robert Harling, directed by Joplin James Sell.\u00a0Laughter, tears, and resilience flow as freely as the hairspray in this beloved story of a close-knit group of Southern women who gather at Truvy\u2019s beauty salon. Equal parts heart and humor, Steel Magnolias offers an emotionally satisfying night of theatre that has become a modern classic – ideal for multi-generational audiences, friend groups, and mother-daughter outings. Directed by Joplin James Sell, last seen on the PGL stage in their Perry Award winning production of The Normal Heart.<\/p>\n

May 7\u201323, 2027 | Vanya, Sonia, Masha, and Spike\u00a0by Christopher Durang, directed by Sharon Garry.\u00a0In this Tony Award\u2013winning comedy, middle-aged siblings Vanya and Sonia\u2019s quiet, routine life is upended when their movie-star sister Masha arrives with her much younger boyfriend, Spike. What follows is a hilariously absurd collision of regret, aging, family expectations, and Snow White costumes, with a wink toward the plays of Chekhov and the anxieties of modern life. Director Sharon Garry is new to PGL, but not to community theatre in New Jersey, where she has directed extensively.<\/p>\n

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Weekend Spotlight – New Event Series<\/p>\n

In the spirit of \u201cEmbracing the community in community theatre,\u201d the Guild will keep the Drill Hall active\u00a0with immersive events, musical entertainment, and comedy that invite audiences to participate, not just watch.<\/p>\n

October 23\u201325, 2026 | Drill Hall Spooktacular,\u00a0directed by Ellyn Essig.\u00a0A weekend of short haunting plays, spooky songs and some ghosts and ghouls thrown in for good measure. Who knows, their very own Drill Hall ghost may show up? This October event is the perfect way to get into the Halloween spirit.<\/p>\n

March 5\u20136, 2027 | Leonia Laugh-a-Maniacs,\u00a0directed by Staci Beth Block.\u00a0Join long-time PGL member and improv genius Staci Beth Block for a high-energy comedy event that will feature an improv troupe of their very own Guild members delivering spontaneous, fast-paced scenes and audience participation. Come to one or both nights, as each will be a totally different show!<\/p>\n

March 19\u201321, 2027 | Bar None,\u00a0directed by Ariel Sanchez.\u00a0This specially created experience for PGL is a musical theatre showcase set in a bar, where the bartender acts as the narrator, introducing all the different people who come in every night. As drinks are poured and\u00a0stories unfold, the patrons break into songs and dances from all across musical theatre, bringing moments of comedy, romance, heartbreak, and chaos \u2013 but no matter that happens, there\u2019s always a good time at the bar.<\/p>\n

New Work Development<\/p>\n

This season, PGL introduces their new Artist Incubator Lab, allowing their members and audiences to be a part of the creative process firsthand. These one day events throughout the season will workshop new plays and musicals.<\/p>\n

\u201cNurturing new works is something we believe in\u201d, says Chris Hietikko. \u201cPresenting these works-in- progress in a setting where the creators can hear their work in front of a live audience, and get immediate feedback provides a fantastic opportunity. Ideally these become full productions in future PGL seasons\u201d<\/p>\n

June 11\u201313, 2027 | PGL Favorite –\u00a0Marshall Playwrights Showcase.\u00a0The 2026-2027 season culminates in the Marshall Playwrights Showcase, highlighting new short plays and emerging voices. This showcase underscores the Guild\u2019s role as a launchpad for new work and gives local playwrights, directors, and actors the chance to collaborate, experiment, and share fresh stories with audiences.<\/p>\n

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