Our 50th season, It's Golden
Celebrate 50 Seasons of Unforgettable Theatre with Us!
In celebration of our milestone 50th season, our "Golden" season, Old Courthouse Theatre is delighted to present five mainstage productions, thoughtfully curated to captivate and entertain audiences of all ages. Complementing these thrilling performances, the theatre organizes a variety of special shows and events throughout the year, guaranteeing that there’s always something exciting for our patrons to experience.
Mainstage Shows
The Foreigner
by Larry Shue
Audition Dates: June 8 and 9, 2025
Performance Dates: August 7 to 17, 2025
Director: Jamie Hutteman
“An inspired comic romp.”
Based on what the New York Post describes as a “devilishly clever idea,” the play demonstrates what can happen when a group of devious characters must deal with a stranger who (they think) knows no English.
“I laughed start to finish at one comic surprise after another.” —The New Yorker.
“…a constant invitation to relax and laugh at the foolishness of life…” —Village Voice.
“Shue’s comedy is positively antic, yet pleasantly seasoned with a few dashes of sentimentality…He has raided comedy’s storehouse…” —Bergen Record.
Winner of Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Play.
Winner of Two Obie Awards
Trying to forget his marital problems, dull and doleful Charlie Baker takes a fishing lodge holiday in the Deep South of America, and to avoid being pestered by the locals, he pretends that he is a foreigner who speaks no English.
Company
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by George Furth
Audition Dates: August 3 and 4, 2025
Performance Dates: October 9 to 19, 2025
Director: Aaron Mule
Sondheim's game-changing musical is a sophisticated and honest look at modern adult relationships.
“There is nothing fragile about Company... it is by turns brassy, brittle, sympathetic, cynical, romantic, calculating and alive-oh so very much alive. It’s been a long time since a musical has come along with so many show-stopping numbers.... Stephen Sondheim’s music and lyrics add up to one of the best scores on Broadway currently.... Company is the best musical of the year” – The Wall Street Journal
In a series of vignettes, Company tells the story of New York bachelor Bobby who learns about the perils and pleasures of love, marriage, dating, and divorce from his married friends. Sondheim’s score includes: “Getting Married Today,” “The Little Things You Do Together,” “The Ladies Who Lunch,” “Being Alive,” and “Have I Got a Girl for You.”
A Christmas Carol
Adapted by Michael Paller
Based on the Story by Charles Dickens
Audition Dates: September 27 and 28, 2025
Performance Dates: December 4 to 14, 2025
Director: Andy Rassler
“Done with respect and ingenuity. Deserves to be seen.” - Cleveland Free Press
“A treat ... for the whole family to enjoy.” - Cleveland Sunday Press
This fresh approach to the classic tale faithfully conveys the magic of Dickens. On Christmas Eve in 1843, friends and family gathered at Dickens’ home ask him to tell a story, but he refuses to work on Christmas Eve. If there is going to be a story, each must take a part in the telling.
A Streetcar Named Desire
by Tennessee Williams
Audition Dates: December 7 and 8, 2025
Performance Dates: February 12 to 22, 2026
Director: Stuart Jonap
A Streetcar Named Desire is a brilliant, implacable play about the disintegration of a woman, or, if you like, of a society.” – The New Yorker
Winner of the 1948 Pulitzer Prize for Drama; Winner of the 2023 Olivier Award for Best Revival of a Play.
Explosive, passionate and heartrending, A Streetcar Named Desire is Modern American Theatre at its best. With his signature poetic prose, muggy Southern Gothic Setting and psychological insight, Tennessee Williams’ mighty play, and his troubled eccentric heroine unravel before our very eyes.
Kiss Me, Kate
Book by Samuel and Bella Spewack
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Audition Dates: February 22 and 23, 2026
Performance Dates: April 30 to May 10, 2026
Director: Tom Hollis
The ORIGINAL GOLD of the Golden Age of Musicals;
WINNER of the FIRST EVER TONY AWARD FOR BEST MUSICAL in 1949;
WINNER also the same year for Best Script and Best Score (5 total awards that year)
WINNER of the 2000 Tony Award for Best Revival and Best Orchestrations (5 total that year)
WINNER of the 2000 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival and Outstanding Orchestrations
WINNER of the 2019 Drama League Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical
The Battle of the Sexes takes center stage as former spouses feud onstage and off during a musical presentation of the Taming of the Shrew. Sophisticated, romantic and delightfully hilarious, Kiss Me Kate boasts a sparkling Cole Porter score and a brilliant book from Sam and Bella Spewack. Cole Porter’s score includes: “Too Darn Hot,” "Another Op'nin', Another Show," "So in Love," and “From This Moment On."
Special Shows and Events
Youth Theatre - Next Gen
Announces Spring 2026
Production
Nasty will be nice and Concord will be ogre-the-moon when OCT - Next Gen present their production of Shrek The Musical JR. beginning DATE, it was announced today by Freddie Gershon, CEO of Music Theatre International (MTI). The family-friendly musical comedy follows the adventures of an ogre named Shrek who sets off on a quest to save a princess from a dragon. However, it turns out that in order to ultimately succeed, Shrek must battle an even bigger obstacle: learning how to believe in himself and open his heart to others.
“Shrek’s unique story of discovery encourages each of us to examine our prejudices, review what we believe to be our limitations and work to better understand ourselves and others. The actors and crew in this production have embarked on a similar journey, as students and teachers with many different interests have learned more about themselves and each other while collaborating towards the common goal of presenting this musical,” says Gershon.
Shrek The Musical JR. follows an ogre named Shrek who has learned the hard way that “people hate the things they cannot understand.” For many years he has protected himself from the hurtful actions of those who are scared of him by living as a recluse in a cozy cesspit. One day, his peaceful swamp is disturbed by new tenants: fairytale misfits — including Pinocchio, the Ugly Duckling, the Wicked Witch, Peter Pan, the Three Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf — have been banished there by the villainous Lord Farquaad. In order to gain back his land, Shrek makes a deal with Farquaad to rescue the feisty princess Fiona from a tower guarded by a fierce dragon. Setting off with his faithful companion, Donkey, Shrek begins the journey of a lifetime filled with adventure, romance, and hilarity.
With music by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, Shrek The Musical is based on the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks Animation film and the book Shrek by William Steig.
Shrek The Musical JR. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
John Harris Named 2025 Theatre Person of the Year by Metrolina Theatre Association
You may not see John Harris in the spotlight at the Old Courthouse Theatre (OCT), but his presence is unmistakably felt in every corner of the historic Concord venue. Whether he’s working concessions, running lights, repairing equipment, promoting performances, or simply vacuuming the aisles, Harris is the engine behind the scenes—keeping the community theater thriving with tireless dedication and heart.
On Sunday, October 5, that behind-the-scenes magic was officially recognized when Harris was named the 2025 Theatre Person of the Year by the Metrolina Theatre Association (MTA) during its annual awards ceremony at the newly renovated Carolina Theatre in Uptown Charlotte.
Now in his second year as Board President at OCT, Harris was honored for his exceptional leadership, hands-on involvement, and commitment to nurturing a strong volunteer culture within the organization. Accepting the award, he credited his parents for sparking his lifelong love of theater and shaping his personal values.
“I dedicate this, first of all, to my mom, who—when I was in the fifth grade—drove me to a local production of ‘Hello, Dolly!’ That night, I fell in love with theater,” Harris said during his acceptance speech. “I also dedicate this to my father, who passed 30 years ago. He taught me that dignity, work, and a man’s word is his bond.”
Although Harris is sometimes described as a jack-of-all-trades, it’s his warm personality, servant-leader mindset, and unwavering humility that leave a lasting impression on those who work alongside him. True to form, Harris downplayed the award as an individual honor and emphasized the collaborative spirit that fuels the theatre's success.
“While this award celebrates individual achievement, it is truly a testament to the collaboration and shared vision that defines the great work Old Courthouse Theatre produces,” he said. “It was great to share my award with OCT's other award winners on Sunday night.”
In addition to Harris’s recognition, several other OCT members were honored at the 2025 MTA Awards, further highlighting the organization’s artistic excellence and community impact:
Brian Rassler – William E. Rackley Award for Technical Excellence
Jordan McKenzie Deese – Emerging Artist Award
Sara Gross and Freda Linker – Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical (Cabaret)
As Old Courthouse Theatre celebrates its 50th anniversary season, Harris’s recognition underscores the enduring value of volunteerism, leadership, and community engagement in the performing arts.
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