The Encore season will open in September with the world premiere of New World Comin’, a 60’s musical featuring songs by Petula Clark, Cass Elliot, Lesley Gore, and more. This production is being co-produced by Judith Manocherian LLC, and Brooklyn Heights Productions, LLC., with a book by Dayle Ann Hunt, music direction, arrangements, and orchestrations by Seth Farber, and direction and choreography by Terry Berliner. “We are the first theater to have the opportunity to produce this new musical,” says Artistic Director, Daniel Cooney. “The show has been workshopped in New York with great feedback, picking up producers that are providing enhancement money to make this first full production at The Encore possible.”

In October, The Encore will once again partner with The University of Michigan’s prestigious School of Music, Theatre, & Dance on a title that is yet to be released, but which is gaining much excitement due to the composer/lyricist implementing some new material for this exciting production!

From December 5 – January 12, The Encore will bring the family classic, Annie to life. “Singing children and a dog on our stage?! It will be a challenge, but we are up for it and we know it will bring a lot of joy to our community during the holiday season!” says director of marketing Jessica Grové. “I have a personal relationship (from my Wizard of Oz days) with the original dog trainer from Broadway, Bill Berloni, and we are in talks about securing one of his current “Sandys” for our production!”

In March, The Encore will present the Michigan premiere of the new musical Sense & Sensibility. Written by Paul Gordon (Jane Eyre, Pride & Prejudice, Daddy Long Legs) and based on the classic Jane Austen novel, this gorgeous musical retains much of Austen’s wit and charm. Originally commissioned by the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, it won the 2015 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Musical Work.

The Encore will usher in spring with the return of The Love Boat’s Fred Grandy, starring as Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde’s hilarious comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest. Grandy returns to The Encore, which he refers to as one of his artistic homes, after his smashing performances in Season 15’s I’m Not Rappaport, and his stunning portrayal of Harry Truman in Season 13’s Give ‘Em Hell Harry.

Last but not least, The Encore will close out their 2024/25 season with Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story, a show that changed the face of the American musical theater with its extraordinary music, lyrics and choreography. Jamie Bernstein (daughter of Leonard Bernstein) best describes why the modern classic musical still resonates after 63 years: “With its themes of love striving to rise above hatred; the fear of immigrants; and the toxicity of racism, WEST SIDE STORY speaks to us today as urgently as ever.”

The on-sale date for subscription tickets will be announced soon as well as the announcement of the popular Tribute Concert Series for Season 16!

Don’t forget to purchase your tickets for The Encore’s final shows of Season 15, Tribute to Classic Rock 2.0 (May 2-5) and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! (June 6-30), available for purchase online at theencoretheatre.org, or by contacting The Encore’s box office at 734.268.6200.

The Encore is a leading, non-profit professional theater company dedicated to bringing captivating performances to our community. With a rich history of delivering exceptional entertainment, The Encore has established itself as a cornerstone of the local arts scene. Celebrating its 15th Season, The Encore continues to inspire creativity and provide unforgettable experiences to the Great Lakes Region. The Encore is supported in part by grants from Benard L. Maas Foundation, Michigan Arts and Culture Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Ann Arbor Area Community Fund, Dexter Community Fund, and by generous donations from its many individual supporters and volunteers.