2000s

2010s - 1990s - 1980s - 1970s

Adventure, magic and song are in the air as the award-winning Poplar Pike Playhouse presents, The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running and most beloved musical of all time. The plot unfolds as two lovers yearn to be together despite their parents' seemingly stern disapproval. The power of love and the fate of the young couple are put to the test as temptation and desire enter the picture. The only question is can their love survive as sweet September turns to frigid December. 

Direct from its 2008 smash Broadway run, Curtains is the fabulous new backstage "who done it" murder mystery musical comedy. When the leading lady of a Boston play is murdered during the curtain call, Lt. Frank Cioffi is called to investigate. Arriving on the scene, it becomes apparent that Lt. Cioffi harbors as much of a keen interest in performing on the stage as he does in solving the crime at hand. 

Written by George Farquhar

After squandering their fortunes, young Tom Aimwell and Jack Archer seek refuge in the countryside, hoping to find two ladies of status and fortune to marry and live the easy life. The show takes some wild twists when true love and a band of thieves complicate their scheming. Considered one of the great English comedies of all time, this contemporary adaptation by George Farquhar has been updated by Thornton Wilder (Our Town) and Ken Ludwig (Crazy for You, Lend Me A Tenor).

Beauty and the Beast has charmed audiences worldwide in its many incarnations. The Tony award-winning stage version, based on the Oscar-winning Disney film, tells the story of the winsome Belle and her ferocious captor. Filled with loveable characters, beautiful tunes and enchanting sets and costumes, this "tale as old as time" is certain to be a PPP hit.

Written by Michael Frayn

The New York Times calls this Michael Frayn masterpeice, “The most dexterously realized comedy ever about putting on a comedy... A spectaculary funny, peerless backstage farce...”. Enter the wacky world of theatre as you travel from dress rehersal, to opening night, to the final performance with a cast that has just as much drama off stage as they do on it! 

When Peggy Sawyer breaks onto Broadway as a chorus girl, she doesn’t realize just how far her knack for shuffling and solos will take her. Legendary director Julian Marsh takes a liking to Peggy and, as fate would have it, when the leading lady is unable to go on... well, you’ll have to see the rest for yourself. 42nd Street will keep audiences tapping their toes to familiar tunes like “Lullaby of Broadway” and “We’re in the Money.” 

Written by Jim Leonard, Jr.

The award-winning author of The Diviners, And They Dance Real Slow In Jackson and Crow and The Weasel describes his newest play as "a children's story for adults." When June's father dies, she prays for a healer to come to the small town of Gray, so that no one will ever suffer again; the next thing she knows, there's a tornado, and a man in a balloon blows into town claiming to be a doctor.  

Ragtime is the 1998 winner of 4 Tony Awards and was named Best Musical of the Year by both the Drama Desk and the Outer Critics Circle.  Based on the distinguished novel by E.L. Doctorow, Ragtime is a touching and moving musical that intertwines the stories of three families who struggle to deal with changes during one of America’s most turbulent and influential times. 

Written by Christopher Durang

Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge is a wacky seasonal tale that turns Dickens upside down and throws in generous doses of nonsense and absurdity for good measure. Add to the mix distorted portions of Oliver Twist, It’s a Wonderful Life, Gift of the Magi and Touched by an Angel, and what you have is a giant bowl of Christmas cheer, sprinkled with a dash of “bah humbug!” 

The first musical penned by the creative team of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, Joseph retells the familiar story of Jacob’s favorite son who, in the face of adversity, rises to power in the land of Egypt. When first produced at the PPP in 1983, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat opened to rave reviews and proved to be a major crowd pleaser. Twenty plus years later, we are delighted to bring this huge mega-hit back to our stage and thrill audiences once again! 

by John Bishop

When ten theatre types gather together to audition for a new Broadway musical, a blizzard traps them in a luxorious mansion. The one hitch, there is a killer on the loose in the house just waiting to put a little twist in the limelight! With sliding panels, secret passages and a German maid who apparently has more lives than one, accusing fingers point in all directions in this comedy of murder, mayhem and madness!

The Poplar Pike Playhouse will once again lead the way when it presents the Memphis and Mid-South area premiere of Seussical the Musical. Overflowing with color and energy, Seussical brings the beloved characters of Dr. Seuss’ classic children’s books to life on stage.

by David Valdez Greenwood

It was known as "The Crime of the Century" -- a tale of kidnapping, murder, trial and punishment that shocked and captivated the U.S. public in the early 1930's. Brave Navigator is an imaginative and speculative work of fiction that asks the thought-provoking question, "What really happened to the Lindbergh baby?" By daring to take liberties with the historical record, David Valdes Greenwood's brilliant play touches on deeper questions about loyalty, courage, deception, and love.

Upon its 1927 premiere, Show Boat revolutionized musical theatre by combining beautiful melodies, dancing and a lavish period production with a serious storyline and characters. The blend of Jerome Kern's music and Oscar Hammerstein II's lyrics in classic tunes such as "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man", "Make Believe", and "Ol' Man River" bring musical magic to the Poplar Pike Playhouse stage.

Set in a mythical time when the world was still new, Crow and Weasel is a play rich with implications for the way we live. Born out of an ancient Inuit legend, this coming of age story takes the audience on a journey filled with music, dance, and fantasy. It is a play for the entire family.

Crazy For You, billed as the "new" Gershwin musical, has a little bit of something for everyone. The witty script, written by Ken Ludwig, takes audiences through rejection, mistaken identities, and even throws in a love story along the way. Famous show tunes included are "Someone To Watch Over Me," "I've Got Rhythm," and "Can't Be Bothered Now."

by Ken Ludwig

Doors will slam, tempers will flare, and heads may roll, but laughter and love will prevail. Ken Ludwig's hysterical farce Lend Me a Tenor is a quirky comedy that takes the audience through a day in the life of an opera gone wrong.