Theatre/Dance Season

THE PAJAMA GAME

Book by George Abbott and Richard Bissell
Music and Lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross
Based on the novel "71/2 cents" by Richard Bissell
Directed by Tom Alsip

DATES: 10/14/26 at 7pm  |  10/15/26 at 7pm  |  10/16/26 at 7pm  |  10/17/26 at 7pm  |  10/18/26 at 2pm
LOCATION: Johnson Theatre, Paul Creative Arts Center
PRICE: $22 General Public  |  $18 Senior (65+)  |  $12 UNH ID Holder/Youth (17 & under)
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Conditions at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory are anything but peaceful as sparks fly between the new superintendent, Sid Sorokin, and Babe Williams, the leader of the union grievance committee. Their stormy relationship comes to a head when the workers strike for a 7 ½ cent pay increase, setting off a conflict between management and labor and forcing Babe and Sid to find a way to love each other when the principles they value are tearing them apart. This perennial favorite is an easy crowd-pleaser and a glowing example of a classic musical comedy.

The Pajama Game is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also suplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com.

THE TRAGICAL HISTORY OF DOCTOR FAUSTUS

By Christopher Marlowe
Directed by David Kaye

DATES: 11/10/26 at 7pm  |  11/12/26 at 7pm  |  11/13/26 at 7pm  |  11/14/26 at 2pm & 7pm  |  11/15/26 at 2pm
LOCATION: Hennessy Theatre, Paul Creative Arts Center
PRICE: $22 General Public  |  $18 Senior (65+)  |  $12 UNH ID Holder/Youth (17 & under)
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PLEASE NOTE: There will NOT be  performance on Wednesday, November 11. 

The original deal with the devil! This shocking tale of the brilliant but disillusioned Dr. Faustus is as relevant today as it was when Christopher Marlowe’s masterwork was first seen in 1593. Driven by a desperate need for knowledge and the power such understanding would bring, Faustus conjures the demon Mephistopheles to help him strike a bargain with Lucifer. Signed in blood, he is given his wish for twenty-four years in exchange for his eternal soul. But as he exults in his new-found powers, his world begins to unravel. Before Faustus knows it, the clock is running down, and he must now face payment of the ultimate debt.

THE 2027 UNH DANCE COMPANY CONCERT

Choreography by Assaf Benchetrit, Susan Endrizzi, Mary Beth Marino, and Shayla Wilkinson

DATES: 2/24/27 at 7pm  |  2/25/27 at 7pm  |  2/26/27 at 7pm  |  2/27/27 at 2pm & 7pm  |  2/28/27 at 2pm
LOCATION: Johnson Theatre, Paul Creative Arts Center
PRICE: $22 General Public  |  $18 Senior (65+)  |  $12 UNH ID Holder/Youth (17 & under)
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The 2027 UNH Dance Company Concert begins with a spell and ends inside the glow of a screen. In the first half, Cinderella is reimagined through classical ballet where sweeping movement, character, and theatrical storytelling carry the familiar fairy tale from the weight of daily life to the enchantment of the ball, the lost slipper, and the moment of recognition. The second half shifts into the world of Purple Hat, a contemporary work combining jazz, tap, and aerial dance. A mysterious figure draws a community into a landscape of screens, influence, conformity, and digital overstimulation where connection becomes harder to hold even as everything appears more connected than ever. Together, the concert moves from fairy-tale transformation to a present-day search for presence, asking how we find our way back to curiosity, movement, and one another.

CHARLOTTE'S WEB

Adapted by Joseph Robinette. Based on the book by E.B. White
Directed by Raina Ames

DATES: 4/1/27 at 7pm  |  4/2/27 at 7pm  |  4/3/27 at 2pm & 7pm  |  4/4/27 at 2pm
LOCATION: Johnson Theatre, Paul Creative Arts Center
PRICE: $22 General Public  |  $18 Senior (65+)  |  $12 UNH ID Holder/Youth (17 & under)

ATTENTION: A special matinee for schools and groups will take place 4/2/27 at 10:00am.  Email theatre.dance@unh.edu to arrange for tickets.

CHARACTER MEET & GREET: Meet the characters of Charlotte's Web following the conclusion of the April 3, 2pm performance.

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Based on the classic book by E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a livestock pig, a barn spider, and a farm girl who understands what animals say to each other. Determined to save Wilbur from his horrible fate, Charlotte begins her clever campaign by writing endorsements for Wilbur in her web. With Wilbur’s life on the line and only Charlotte and Fern fighting for him, the trio’s friendship, courage, and self-sacrifice is put to the test.

Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

Music & Lyrics by                           Book by
                William Finn                          Rachel Sheinkin
Conceived by
Rebecca Feldman
Additional Material by
Jay Reiss
Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine
Directed and Music Directed by Emily Zentis

DATES: 4/28/27 at 7pm  |  4/29/27 at 7pm  |  4/30/27 at 7pm  |  5/1/27 at 2pm & 7pm  |  5/2/27 at 2pm
LOCATION: Hennessy Theatre, Paul Creative Arts Center
PRICE: $22 General Public  |  $18 Senior (65+)  |  $12 UNH ID Holder/Youth (17 & under)
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An eclectic group of six tweenagers vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the students spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves a champion! At least the losers get a juice box. A riotous ride with audience participation, the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a delightful representation of comedic genius.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also suplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

TBA

Directed by Raina Ames
DATE: 5/9/27 at 2pm
LOCATION: Hennessy Theatre, Paul Creative Arts Center
PRICE: Free

Description coming soon.

STUDENT-GENERATED WORKS

Student Showcase Performances

PRICE: $10 General Public  |  $5 UNH ID Holder/Youth (17 & under)
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• Ballet Showcase: 11/6/26 at 7pm in the Johnson Theatre, Paul Creative Arts Center.
• Musical Theatre Cabaret: 12/8/26 at 7pm in the Johnson Theatre, Paul Creative Arts Center.  
• Aerial Dance Showcase (Featuring Level 1 Students) : 12/9/26 at 6:15pm in the Newman Dance Studio, New Hampshire Hall.
• Aerial Dance Showcase (Featuring Level 2 Students): 12/9/26 at 7:30pm in the Newman Dance Studio, New Hampshire Hall.
• Puppetry Showcase: 12/9/26 at 7pm in the Hennessy Theatre, Paul Creative Arts Center.
• Dance Showcase: 12/14/26 at 7pm in the Johnson Theatre, Paul Creative Arts Center.
• Ballet Showcase: 4/10/27 at 7pm in the Johnson Theatre, Paul Creative Arts Center.
• Aerial Dance Showcase (Featuring Level 1 Students) : 5/5/27 at 6:15pm in the Newman Dance Studio, New Hampshire Hall.
• Aerial Dance Showcase (Featuring Level 2 Students): 5/5/27 at 7:30pm in the Newman Dance Studio, New Hampshire Hall.
• Puppetry Showcase: 5/5/27 at 7pm in the Hennessy Theatre, Paul Creative Arts Center.
• Dance Showcase: 5/10/27 at 7pm in the Johnson Theatre, Paul Creative Arts Center.
• Musical Theatre Cabaret: 5/12/27 at 7pm in the Johnson Theatre, Paul Creative Arts Center.

Student Capstone Performances

PRICE: Free

• September 25 and 26 (both at 7pm): Noa Hellquist/Lisette Beauchemin
• December 11 and 12 (both at 7pm): Ari Adair/Ella Arens/Tristan McCartney/Polina Datsko
• March 5 and 6 (both at 7pm): Grace Bauer/Erin Gagnon
• April 11 and 12 (both at 7pm): Jaida Croak/Claire O'Malley/Shanna Smith
• May 7 at 6pm and 8 at 7pm: Angela Falcetti/Zoe Eldredge/Charlie Knight