The 2026-27 season at The Little Theatre, on the campus of Central Methodist University, begins in early October with the first of six featured events for the academic year.
Curtain times for evening productions this year will be 7 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays. Sunday matinee performances will begin at 1:30 p.m. The scheduled shows for the season are as follows:
A Little Night Music
Set in 1900 Sweden, A Little Night Music explores the tangled web of affairs centered around actress Desirée Armfeldt and the men who love her: Fredrik Egerman and the Count Carl-Magnus Malcom. When she performs in Fredrik's town, their passion rekindles, striking a flurry of jealousy between Desirée; Fredrik; Fredrick's wife, Anne; the Count; and the Count's wife, Charlotte. They all go to the country for a weekend of romantic entanglements and surprises.
Based on the book by Hugh Wheeler, the musical was written by Stephen Sondheim. The Little Theatre production will be directed by CMU alumnus Steven Minning ’75, with music direction by Dr. Jonathan Ray, associate professor of music.
Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook
Something terrible happened to Junie B. Jones at school today! Someone stole her new furry mittens! So when Junie B. finds a wonderful pen of many colors, she should be allowed to keep it, right? Because finder’s keepers, loser’s weepers. And guess what? There’s a new boy in kindergarten and he is the handsomest. The only thing is both Grace and Lucille want him to be their boyfriend. Maybe he will love Junie B. when he sees her wonderful pen! It is okay to keep it, right? Junie B. Jones is not a crook...or is she?
Directed for the Little Theatre by Arielle Prince ’25, the show by Allison Gregory is based on the books by Barbara Parks. Public performances of the show will be on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30. Weekday performances from November 11-13 are school day matinees reserved for elementary school students in the region.
Student Directing Scenes
The students enrolled in the Directing Techniques class this semester will present a slate of one-act shows as a culmination of their class activities. Admission is free to this bonus event held on December 4 and 5.
A Night of Four Operas
In honor of the 20th anniversary of the passing of Italian-American composer Gian Carlo Menotti (1911-2007), the CMU Opera will present a diverse quadruple header of his most beloved operatic works. These four short works will clock in at the length of one regular show, and each short work will be performed entirely in English. Operas to be performed on February 19-20 include:
3rd Annual Student-Written Ten-Minute Play Festival
CMU students will present concert readings of their original ten-minute plays created in Professor Lonna Wilke’s playwriting class. John Cariani, author of Almost, Maine and Love/Sick, both of which have been presented at The Little Theatre, will join the group again for one of the performances to provide commentary and feedback to the students.
Performances will be held on April 2 and 3.
Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood
Sherwood begins with a young man who believes in nothing but a good time until he comes face to face with the kind of greed and inhumanity that won’t let him sleep at night. Suddenly Robin’s an outlaw hiding in Sherwood Forest where he joins up with Little John, Friar Tuck, and a feisty adventuress, Maid Marian Fitzwalter, who steals his heart and won’t give it back. This classic story of courage is based on the English ballads of the 14th and 15th centuries and is filled, like its hero, with thrills, romance and a deep belief in social justice.
Written by Ken Ludwig, the show will be directed by Dr. Mark Kelty, professor of theatre. Performances will be held in the spring from April 22 to 25.
For CMU main stage productions, tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for CMU faculty and staff, and $5 for seniors and non-CMU students. CMU students are admitted for free with ID. Reservations are accepted the week of each performance. Check with the box office at 660-248-6281 for details.