This story was adapted from an Old Courthouse Theatre press release.
Old Courthouse Theatre’s NextGen program will bring history to life — quite literally — with its fall production of Night at the Wax Museum.
The comedy, written by Craig Sodaro, will run Sept. 10-13 on the main stage at Old Courthouse Theatre in Concord, bringing together historical figures from different eras in a story centered on six students, a summer school history project and a wax museum where the exhibits unexpectedly come to life.
The story follows six students who are required to retake history during summer school. Their first-year teacher, Heather Fairchild, arranges for the students to help her two aunts set up a new wax museum as a class project.
What initially seems like a boring assignment takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious incantation found on the back of Cleopatra’s bracelet brings the museum’s wax figures to life.
From there, historical figures who would otherwise be separated by centuries begin crossing paths.
King Henry VIII becomes smitten with Cleopatra, much to the anger of his queen, Anne Boleyn, while John Adams steps in as Boleyn’s divorce attorney. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Blackbeard and a group of female pirates also join the action as the characters search for a valuable treasure supposedly hidden somewhere inside the museum.
The museum’s landlord and her son soon become involved in the hunt, while another mystery emerges with the appearance of Lizzie Borden — despite the museum’s owners insisting they never had a wax figure of her.
While the production leans heavily on comedy, Old Courthouse Theatre said the show also incorporates lessons about history, problem-solving, forgiveness and working together.
Lauren Newell is directing the OCT NextGen production, with John Farrell serving as stage manager. OCT veteran Roger Watson designed the set, while Sarah Gross is handling costumes.
OCT’s NextGen Youth Theatre program gives young people opportunities to learn different aspects of theater production, including acting, directing, stage management, costuming, technical work and front-of-house operations. Participants gain experience through youth productions, summer camps and opportunities to shadow mentors during OCT’s main-stage and Black Box productions.
Night at the Wax Museum will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10-12 and at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at Old Courthouse Theatre, 49 Spring St. NW in downtown Concord.
Adult and senior tickets are $19, while youth tickets for ages 17 and younger are $11. Prices include taxes and fees. OCT is also offering a Youth Main Stage Family Pass, which includes two adult and three youth tickets for $60. The family pass is available only at the box office before each performance.
Seating is general admission.
Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the Old Courthouse Theatre box office at 704-788-2405.
Old Courthouse Theatre is celebrating its 51th season in Concord. The community theater produces five main-stage shows each season, including plays and musicals, along with two youth productions and other special events. It also operates a Black Box Theatre that hosts the Living Room Reading Series and resident company the Post Mortem Players.
As part of its 51st season, Old Courthouse Theatre will present the following main-stage productions:
Ken Ludwig’s The Three Musketeers — Aug. 6-16
Spider’s Web by Agatha Christie — Oct. 8-18
Annie — Dec. 3-13
Mama Won’t Fly by Jones Hope Wooten — Feb. 11-21
Swept Away by John Logan, featuring music and lyrics by The Avett Brothers — April 29-May 9
For more information about OCT, visit octconcord.com