The Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance at Wayne State University has announced its 2025-26 season, which includes classics, contemporary works, musicals and dance performances. For more information, go to theatreanddance.wayne.edu.
From modern farces to Shakespearean classics, Theatre and Dance at Wayne has a 2025-26 season sure to please all audiences.
The season begins Oct. 3 to 11 with the Henry Lewis, Henry Shields and Jonathan Sayer comedy “The Play That Goes Wrong” at the Hilberry Gateway Studio Theater.
Directed by Jeff Thomakos, the story is a play within a play and follows the Cornley University Drama Society as they attempt to stage a 1920s murder mystery.
However, anything that could possibly go wrong does, from collapsing sets, missed cues and misplaced props, which leads to the show spiraling out of control while leaving the audience roaring with laughter as the accident-prone cast and crew try to survive to the final curtain call.
The show is an Olivier Award winner, and is a must-see production for fans of “Monty Python” and “Noises Off.”
The second show of the season, August Wilson’s “Seven Guitars,” Oct. 31 to Nov. 9 on the main stage of the Hilberry Gateway Theater, is set in 1948 in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. It follows a group of friends mourning the death of a blues guitarist who was on the verge of stardom.
The show explores themes of ambition, systemic injustice and the search for legacy through music and dialogue.
The musical “Violet” runs Nov. 21 to Dec. 7 at the Hilberry Gateway Studio Theater.
With music by Jeanine Tesori and books and lyrics by Brian Crawley, the show is based on Doris Betts’ “The Ugliest Pilgrim.”
The story follows a young woman who has a scar on her face as she sets off to explore the American South in 1964, and how the people she meets along the way change her perception of herself as she embraces her inner beauty and learns about resilience and love.
The show features a rich folk and gospel-infused score.
The December Dance Concert follows on the main stage of the Hilberry Gateway Theater Dec. 5 to 7, featuring the artistry of students, faculty and guest artists.
Shakespeare’s tragedy “Julius Caesar,” which runs Feb. 6 to 15 on the main stage of the Hilberry Gateway Theater, explores the consequences of political intrigue and moral dilemmas that occur when Julius Caesar is assassinated. It looks at leadership, loyalty and the results of unbridled political ambition and unchecked authority.
“The SpongeBob Musical” brings its vibrant underwater adventure to the main stage of the Hilberry Gateway Theater March 27 to April 4, with a story co-conceived by Tina Landau, a book by Keith Jarrow and music by assorted artists, including Cyndi Lauper, John Legend and Panic! At the Disco.
When a volcano threatens to destroy Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob and his friends must call upon their courage, sense of community and the power of positivity to save their underwater home.
“Paradise Lost,” based on John Milton’s epic poem, runs April 17 to 26 at the Hilberry Gateway Studio Theater.
The story, seen through a contemporary lens, focuses on the devil tempting people in the battle between free will and divine power.
The story blends elements of feminism and classical mythology with sharp wit, and challenges preconceived ideas about good, evil, oppression, rebellion and knowledge.
The 97th annual Spring Dance Concert closes out the performance season April 24 to 26 on the main stage of the Hilberry Gateway Theater with a weekend showcase of artistry, including student, faculty and guest artist choreography, revealing the student dancers’ passion and creativity on stage.
For single show tickets, go to onstage.wayne.edu/Events. For season ticket packages, go to theatreanddance.wayne.edu/ticket-info#seasondetails.
For more information, go to theatreanddance.wayne.edu.