Category Archives: Show

Madagascar: A Musical Adventure JR (May 1- 10)

Presented by Spotlight Acting School

Performed by students ages 9–14

Get ready to “Move It, Move It” with Spotlight Acting School’s talented young performers as they take you on a wild, laugh-out-loud journey from New York City to the zaniest island in the world!
Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the Hippo, and a hilarious team of plotting penguins as they escape from the Central Park Zoo and find themselves on the madcap shores of Madagascar. Along the way, these lovable friends discover the true meaning of friendship, teamwork, and adventure—with plenty of toe-tapping songs and big belly laughs for the whole family.

With colorful characters, upbeat music, and non-stop fun, Madagascar JR. is a perfect night out for kids, parents, and anyone who loves a musical adventure. Don’t miss your chance to cheer on our amazing cast of 9–14-year-olds as they bring this smash DreamWorks hit to life on stage!

Perfect for: Families, kids, and musical theater fans of all ages. Gather your crew and get ready for a show that’s bursting with energy and heart!

Blue Cast (May 1-3)

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Purple Cast (May 8 – 10)

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The Secret Garden (May 1 – 10)

Script and Direction by Dana Hendren
Presented by the Bluegrass Players
Step into a world of mystery, hope, and blooming magic as the Bluegrass Players bring Dana Hendren’s brand new adaptation of The Secret Garden to the Spotlight Playhouse stage!
Based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved novel, this enchanting play follows young Mary Lennox as she is sent to live with her distant uncle in a lonely, windswept manor. There, she discovers a hidden, neglected garden—and with the help of new friends, unlocks its secrets and transforms not only the garden, but the lives of everyone around her.
Dana Hendren’s heartfelt script and direction bring all the wonder, charm, and timeless lessons of the classic story to life, inviting audiences of all ages to experience the healing power of friendship, nature, and hope.
Perfect for: Families, fans of classic literature, and anyone who loves a story of renewal and discovery. Gather your loved ones for an unforgettable journey into the heart of The Secret Garden!

Annie: The Musical (May 15-24)

Leapin’ lizards — Annie is coming to The Spotlight Playhouse! Join the Bluegrass Players for this beloved, feel-good musical packed with big songs, big heart, and the kind of family-friendly storytelling that leaves you smiling all the way home. From the streets of New York City to the bright lights of a brand-new tomorrow, Annie reminds us that hope can show up when you least expect it.

This production was originally scheduled as a Dinner Show, but due to unexpected complications, we’re moving forward as a standard performance instead. And as they say in showbiz… the show must go on!
The Bluegrass Players have worked incredibly hard to bring this beloved musical to life, and we’re grateful for the support of our sponsors — especially CG Bank — for helping make these performances possible. From the streets of New York City to the promise of a brand-new tomorrow, Annie is packed with heart, humor, and unforgettable music for the whole family.
We’re excited to present six great performances, and we hope you’ll join us to cheer on this cast and support the work happening on our stages all season long.

 

  • Fri, May 15 @ 7:00 PM
  • Sat, May 16 @ 7:00 PM
  • Sun, May 17 @ 2:00 PM
  • Fri, May 22 @ 7:00 PM
  • Sat, May 23 @ 7:00 PM
  • Sun, May 24 @ 2:00 PM

📍 VENUE:
The Spotlight Playhouse, 214 Richmond Road, Berea, KY


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Annie KIDS (May 29 – Jun 7)

Performed by Spotlight Acting School Students (Ages 4–11)

Join us for Annie KIDS, presented by the talented students of Spotlight Acting School! This family-friendly production brings all the heart, humor, and hope of the classic story to the stage in a fun, kid-centered version that’s perfect for audiences of all ages.

These performances are general admission and are show-only (no dinner service). We have two casts performing on different weekends, so be sure to double-check your date when purchasing tickets: the Blue Cast performs the first weekend and the Purple Cast performs the following weekend. Come cheer on your favorite performer — and help us keep creating opportunities for young actors to learn, grow, and shine onstage.

We’re excited to share our Spotlight Acting School kids this season — and we’re especially grateful to CG Bank, our sponsor, for helping make these performances possible!
Two of these performances were originally scheduled as Annie KIDS Dinner Shows, but due to unexpected complications, we’re moving forward with these nights as standard performances instead. And as they say in showbiz… the show must go on!
We’re grateful for your support as our students learn, grow, and shine onstage. Come cheer on your favorite performer and help us keep creating opportunities for young actors right here in our community.
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Macbeth (Jun 19-28)

Presented by the Bluegrass Players
Directed by Edwin Tait and Jennifer Woodruff
Step into the shadowy world of ambition, prophecy, and betrayal as the Bluegrass Players bring Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, Macbeth, to life on the Spotlight Playhouse stage.
When a valiant Scottish general receives a chilling prophecy from three mysterious witches, he and his fiercely driven wife embark on a dark and fateful journey toward power. What follows is a gripping tale of unchecked ambition, moral unraveling, and the haunting consequences of every choice.
This production promises edge-of-your-seat suspense, unforgettable performances, and a fresh vision of one of literature’s most iconic stories. Experience the tension, the intrigue, and the raw emotion as Macbeth’s world spins out of control—where no one is truly safe and fate is always watching.
Whether you’re a longtime Shakespeare fan or completely new to the Bard, you won’t want to miss this bold, atmospheric staging that makes the timeless story feel more relevant than ever. Join us for an evening of drama, intensity, and theatrical magic!
Perfect for: Lovers of drama, suspense, and classic theater. Gather your friends and family for a night you’ll be talking about long after the final curtain falls.
Ticket availability coming soon.

Seussical the Musical (July 31 – Aug 9)

Presented by Spotlight Acting School
Students Age 14-18

Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, and all your favorite Dr. Seuss characters burst to life in this bright, hilarious, and heartwarming musical adventure. When Horton discovers a tiny world on a speck of dust, he must protect the Whos of Whoville—no matter who doubts him—while also guarding an abandoned egg for the carefree Mayzie La Bird.

Packed with catchy songs, big ensemble moments, and tons of imagination, Seussical is a family-friendly celebration of kindness, courage, and believing in what’s right—because a person’s a person, no matter how small.

Wolves of Sherwood (July 31 – Aug 8)

Presented by The Bluegrass Players
By Chelsea Frandsen
Directed by Luke Madden
July 31 – August 8
Robin Hood’s legacy lives on in Wolves of Sherwood, a bold reimagining of the Sherwood legend—where loyalty is tested, power is hunted, and survival comes at a cost. Set between Nottingham and the shadowed forest, this story follows Robin of Locksley and those bound to him as old enemies close in and new alliances form.
With a gripping plot, richly written characters, and a fast-moving pace, Wolves of Sherwood delivers an intense night of theatre for audiences who love dramatic storytelling and legendary heroes seen through a fresh lens.

Puffs: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic (Aug 14 – 23)

Presented by Spotlight Acting School
Ages 14-Adult

Spotlight is presenting the Young Wizards Two Act version that is apporpriate for all audiences.

You know the story of the famous young wizard… but this time, it’s told from the perspective of the students who were never the chosen ones. Puffs follows a group of well-meaning underdogs—loyal, awkward, and determined—trying to survive seven years at a certain magical school while the “heroes” get all the glory.

Fast, funny, and full of heart, this two-act version is packed with quick character changes, big laughs, and a sweet message about friendship and finding your place—even when you’re not the main character.

Shrek the Musical KIDS (Aug 28 – Sept 6)

Presented by Spotlight Acting School
Directed by Daesha Miller
Blue Cast: August 28–30
Purple Cast: September 4–6

It’s time to head to Far Far Away! Shrek The Musical KIDS brings the hilarious, heartwarming story of Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, and a whole swamp-full of fairy tale favorites to the stage in a fun, family-friendly production performed by our youngest Spotlight stars.

Packed with big laughs, catchy songs, and tons of personality, this show is a perfect first theatre experience for kids and families—and a great way to cheer on our students as they build confidence and shine on stage.

Sense and Sensibility.. and Margaret (Aug 28 – Sept 6)

Bluegrass Players:
Sense and Sensibility… and Margaret
By Rebecca Gellott (based on the novel by Jane Austen)

Presented by The Bluegrass Players
Performances: Aug 28 – Sept 5

Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility gets a fresh, theatrical twist—told through the eyes of Margaret Dashwood, the youngest sister and an aspiring novelist. From a café in the early 1800s, Margaret guides us back through her family’s story as Elinor and Marianne face love, loss, and life-changing choices—each in her own very different way: sense and sensibility.
With a large, colorful cast and quick-moving scenes that shift between “present day” and the Dashwoods’ past, this adaptation delivers romance, humor, and heart while celebrating the power of storytelling.

Produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Denver, Colorado