Constellation Stage & Screen, Bloomington’s Professional Theater and Film Company, Announces a Thrilling 24/25 Season

​Last night, Constellation Stage & Screen announced its upcoming theatrical season, a thrilling mix of world premieres, beloved classics, inspiring contemporary work, and fun-filled shows for young audiences. With five Mainstage shows and two Constellation for Kids productions, Constellation’s season will transport you everywhere from the yellow brick road to an isolated cabin in the woods to a community of 1950s reenactors!

We’re kicking off Constellation’s 24/25 Season with a trip to the beach. In Wipeout, a new play by Aurora Real de Asua, age is just a vibe! Three 70-year-old women on surfboards, one 19-year-old hotrod instructor, and the currents of the Pacific Ocean…what could possibly go wrong? Running September 5 - 29, 2024 at the Constellation Playhouse, this Constellation Original is a poignant comedy about friendship, grief, and the unpredictable tides of life.

Next up is a musical “tail” that will bring the house down! Based on the hit children’s book by Jon Sciezka and Lane Smith, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs! is a hilarious retelling of the classic fairy tale – this time from the Big Bad Wolf’s perspective. All ages will love this madcap musical on stage October 25 - November 10, 2024 at the Waldron Auditorium.

This holiday season, the yellow brick road will lead to Bloomington for Constellation's production of The Wizard of Oz. Step into the magical world of Oz in this stage adaptation of one of the most beloved movie musicals of all time. Playing December 12 - 29, 2024 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, this bewitching family holiday musical is fun for the whole family!

Welcome the winter chills with a spine-tingling Stephen King classic: Misery. Running January 30 - February 16, 2025, Misery follows world-famous novelist Paul Sheldon, who, after a near-fatal car accident, finds himself in a strange house being nursed back to health by his "Number One Fan.” Adapted for the stage by two-time Academy Award-winner William Goldman, Misery will grip you until the very end!

This spring, we welcome you to the corner of Maple and Vine, where every day is 1955. On stage March 27 - April 13, 2025 at the Constellation Playhouse, Maple and Vine by Jordan Harrison follows Katha and Ryu, an interracial couple who escape the exhaustion of everyday life by joining a community of 1950s reenactors. In this compulsively authentic world, Katha and Ryu are surprised by what their new neighbors - and they themselves - are willing to sacrifice for happiness.

Rounding out our Constellation for Kids series is a momentous Constellation Original, Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical by Douglas Lyons, Melvin Tunstall III, and Greg Borowsky. Inspired by the events of The Little Rock 9, Polkadots follows Lily Polkadot, an 8-year-old who just moved to a small, “Squares Only” town. As the first Polkadot in an all Square school, Lily faces an almost impossible task of gaining acceptance - until she meets Sky, a shy Square boy. Running April 25 - May 11, 2025 at the Waldron Auditorium, Constellation is thrilled to be working with the creative team, including Broadway playwright Douglas Lyons, to develop the show for the first time with puppets!

Next summer, Constellation is proud to present the world premiere of a new musical, The King’s Wife, by Grammy-nominated Nashville songwriter Jamie Floyd and award-winning playwright Mêlisa Annis. This revolutionary pop musical imagines a secret history of the first wives of Henry VIII, Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, and the untold story of their friendship and struggle for power in a male dominated era. Winner of Constellation’s 24/25 Woodward/Newman Award, The King’s Wife will be directed by Tamilla Woodard, the Professor of Acting and Chair of the Yale School of Drama, and is playing June 4 - 29, 2025 at the Waldron Auditorium.

In an effort to ensure that anyone in our community can experience a professional production, Constellation is thrilled to announce the return of its celebrated Pay What You Will Thursdays and Community Access Tickets programs. In addition to Pay What You Will Thursdays for all Mainstage shows at the Waldron Arts Center and Constellation Playhouse, Constellation is excited to be offering one Pay What You Will Thursday performance of The Wizard of Oz during the first preview on Thursday, December 12 at 7:00pm. Generously sponsored by Jessika and Bryan Hane, these initiatives ensure professional live theater is affordable to everyone in South Central Indiana.

Constellation will also be offering two Sensory-Friendly performances as part of its Constellation for Kids series. These special performances are designed to create a theater experience that is welcoming to all families with children with autism or other sensory sensitivities. Offered on the final Sunday performance of The True Story of the Three Little Pigs! and Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical, tickets to Constellation’s Sensory-Friendly performances are Pay What You Will.

Season Ticket Packages for Constellation’s 24/25 season are on sale now! Package holders get the biggest discount on tickets offered all season long, early access to the best seats in the house, missed performance insurance, AND an exemption from all ticketing fees - including exchange fees (usually $5 per ticket). Comprehensive details on Season Ticket Package benefits and pricing can be found at seeconstellation.org/box-office/ticket-packages. Season Ticket Holders can redeem tickets starting on June 12, 2024. Single tickets will go on sale to the public on July 10.

CONSTELLATION’S 24/25 SEASON AT A GLANCE:

MAINSTAGE SERIES:
Wipeout
by Aurora Real de Asua
Directed by Daniella Wheelock
Age is just a vibe!
September 5 - 29 at the Constellation Playhouse
Recommended for ages 16+

The Wizard of Oz
By L. Frank Baum
With Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg
Background Music by Herbert Stothart
Based upon the Classic Motion Picture owned by
Turner Entertainment Co. and distributed in all media by Warner Bros.
Directed by Kate Galvin
We’re off to see the Wizard!
December 12 - 29 at the Buskirk Chumley Theater
Fun for all ages! Sponsored by Innovative Financial Solutions.

Misery
By William Goldman
Based on the novel by Stephen King
Directed by Chad Rabinovitz
Paul Sheldon used to write for a living. Now he’s writing to stay alive.
January 30 - February 16 at the Waldron Auditorium
Recommended for ages 16+

Maple & Vine
by Jordan Harrison
Directed by Ansley Valentine
Welcome to the corner of Maple & Vine, where every day is 1955.
March 27 - April 13 at the Constellation Playhouse
Recommended for ages 16+

The King’s Wife: A New Musical Book
by Mêlisa Annis Music and lyrics by Jamie Floyd
Directed by Tamilla Woodard
God save the queens.
June 4 - 29 at the Waldron Auditorium
Recommended for ages 16+

CONSTELLATION FOR KIDS:
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!
Book and Lyrics by Robert Kauzlaric
Music by Paul Gilvary and William Rush
Based on the book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith
Directed by Mitchell Ward
A musical “tail” that will bring the house down.
October 25 - November 10 at the Waldron Auditorium
Fun for all ages!

Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical
Book by Melvin Tunstall III
Music by Greg Borowsky & Douglas Lyons
Lyrics by Douglas Lyons
Based on an Original Concept by Douglas Lyons
“The Next Great Multi-Generational Show” - Onstage Blog
April 25 - May 11 at the Waldron Auditorium
Fun for all ages!