2023-24 THEATRE SEASON

Celebrating the Creative Spirit through Quality Theatre in Durango, Colorado

Live theatre reflects life, entertains us, and confronts us with the joys and struggles of humanity. Our second season in Merely Underground embraced it all. Amidst gratitude, inventiveness, challenges, and delight, we transformed the space for one memorable theatre experience after another in 2022-23, presenting:

 A groovy production of As You Like It

The Half-Life of Marie Curie, the story of two extraordinary women

A spectacular adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express

The Lifespan of a Fact, a thought-provoking drama

The exhilarating bluegrass musical, Bright Star.

 MERELY PLAYERS’ established reputation for theatrical excellence propels us into our 29th year, and we are preparing a dazzling season for our region. As ever, we remain committed to offering exciting, high-quality theatrical experiences; and we promise you the lively creativity, joyful energy, memorable design, fine scripts, and outstanding talent that our company is known for.  We invite you to experience all that this season has to offer in a special way by joining the Merely Family as a Season Subscriber.

 SEASON SUBSCRIBER PERKS:

* Tickets are substantially discounted in flex packages.

* Use your flex passes in any combination throughout the season. See every production, bring a big group to a single show, or give a few as gifts.

* You get first access to ticket sales, thus avoiding disappointment when we are sold out.

* Your name is listed in each program.

* Subscribers have the option of ordering online for each show or accessing personal attention with our subscriber phone line. Need more tickets for a guest? Need help redeeming your flex passes? We’ve got you covered.

* We understand that life can be unpredictable. Ticket exchanges and cancellations are free 48 hours before the selected performance, subject to availability. Non-subscribers incur change and cancellation fees.

* You get the satisfaction of helping to keep professional quality theatre in our community with Durango’s most long-standing theatrical troupe.

 EXPERIENCE

the magic and creativity of MERELY PLAYERS.

A SLOW CRAWL TOWARDS HEAVEN

 As a prequel to our regular season line-up, Merely Players joins forces with guest artist Javon “Ja’Moon” Jones to present the highly-anticipated premiere of his original dance theatre piece. Immersing audiences in a world brimming with mystery, fantasy, and reclamation, the production delves into the vibrant tapestry of Black diasporic ancestral traditions, sharing forgotten stories through dance, text, and sound. Audiences were blown away by Javon’s seed showing at Merely Underground last summer; now see the full piece.  You are welcome to use your flex tickets for this remarkable, family friendly experience.

 AUGUST 18, 19, 25, 26, 2023 at 7:00 pm

AUGUST 27 at 2:00 pm

THE TEMPEST

 “We are such stuff as dreams are made on…”

An enchanted island.  An unexpected romance. A quest for revenge. Immerse yourself in William Shakespeare’s gripping tale of betrayal, wonder, and forgiveness. When an exiled sorcerer conjures an unforgettable storm, he sets the stage for a captivating journey to an otherworldly realm where spirits roam and destiny unfolds. Our riveting production features Paul Laakso as Prospero and brings the magic and mystery to life with Merely Players’ renowned imagination and innovation. The isle is full of noises, sounds and sweet airs that give delight, and hurt not.

Preshow Plot chats are offered before each show and the show is appropriate for the entire family.

OCTOBER 6, 7, 10, 12, 13, and 14, 2023 at 7:00 pm

OCTOBER 8 and 15 at 2:00 pm

HANDS ON A HARD BODY

“If you want something, keep your hands on it.”

 For ten hard-luck Texans, a new lease on life is so close they can touch it. Under a scorching sun for days on end, armed with nothing but hope, humor, and ambition, they’ll fight to keep at least one hand on a brand-new truck in order to win the American dream. With a toe-tapping score that fuses country, rock, and blues, this exhilarating musical explores the resilience of the spirit, the power of determination, and the triumph of the human will. With a book by Doug Wright and music by Trey Anastasio & Amanda Green, this unconventional musical is inspired by the true events of the acclaimed documentary of the same name and is fun for the whole family.

 DECEMBER 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 2023 at 7:00 pm

DECEMBER 3 and 10 at 2:00 pm

 SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS

“Think of this retreat as a vacation from your habits. Your routines. Yourself. And in this spirit, for the length of this retreat, unless otherwise specified, we shall be observing — SILENCE.”

 Prepare for an intimate and profound experience at the regional premiere of Bess Wohl’s critically acclaimed and beautifully crafted play. In the overwhelming quiet of the woods, six individuals embark on a silent retreat. Each carries unique burdens, hopes, and desires. As these strangers confront themselves and one another, their vows of silence collide with the achingly human need to connect. Filled with humor and pathos, this luminous play asks how we address life’s biggest questions when words fail us.  Appropriate for teenagers and above.

 FEBRUARY 9, 10, 13, 15, 16, 17, 2024 at 7:00 pm

FEBRUARY 11 and 18 at 2:00 pm

CHICAGO

“Give ‘em the old Razzle Dazzle.”

 Roxie Hart, Velma Kelly, Billy Flynn.

Glamour, Corruption, Crime, Passion.

And all that Jazz.

Merely Players is thrilled to present the dazzling musical classic that has everyone doing jazz hands.

Book by Fred Ebb & Bob Fosse. Music and Lyrics by John Kander & Fred Ebb.

Appropriate for teenagers and above.

Don’t miss it. You have it comin’.

 MAY 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 2024 at 7:00 pm

MAY 5, 12, and 19 at 2:00 pm

 We also have more shows planned, as a part of our STUDIO SERIES. You’ll find out more information about those shows on our website and in our newsletters.

BUILDING A SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGE

Tickets in flex packages are discounted, without any additional ticket fees. Plus, subscribers have the opportunity to order early and snag the best seats in the house! 

Flex Passes – Flex passes offer maximum flexibility and substantial discounts. When you buy digital ticket punch passes, you can use the tickets however you wish. You can use them all for one show, or divide them up among the shows any way you wish.

Design Your Own Package – See the individual ticket prices listed here to put together a subscription that’s just right for you and gain the other subscriber benefits when you do so.

Gift Card – Let us know if your order is a gift, and we will send a card notifying the recipient.

 HELPING

Live theatre is a dynamic, expensive venture, and our costs keep rising. Ticket sales pay for only a fraction of what it costs to produce quality shows.  Scenery, costumes, publicity, actor and artist salaries, royalties, rent, administrative fees, and technical elements all create financial demands.  The level of theatre we can produce is directly tied to the donations we receive. We humbly ask that you consider contributing to Merely Players, a 501(c)(3) organization.  Theatre adds vitality and variety to a community, and your tax-deductible donation helps to ensure that we can continue to thrive.

Each donor will be listed in our programs in one of these Giving Groups:

ARTISTIC: All season subscribers

DYNAMIC: $10 – $49 above the subscription package amount

IMAGINATIVE: $50 -$99 above the subscription package amount

CREATIVE:  $100-$249 above the subscription package amount

INNOVATIVE: $250-$499 above the subscription package amount

VISIONARY: $500 – $999 above the subscription package amount

INSPIRING:  $1000 – $4999 above the subscription package amount

EXTRAORDINARY: $5000 – $9999 above the subscription package amount

SUPERLATIVE – $10000 or more above the subscription package amount

We truly appreciate your consideration and generosity and are grateful for any donation you choose to make. If you wish, you can set up a monthly donation on our website. That would make us really happy!

ORDERING

No processing or ticket fees. The price you see below is the all-inclusive price of your purchase.

Your personal information will be collected securely by Thundertix and sent to us.  Please include a phone number and/or an email address so we can contact you if there is an issue with your tickets.

If you would rather have a paper form, follow the button below and you’ll find a printable copy of our season brochure that you can mail in.

FLEX PASSES

GREAT VALUE – An option to offer maximum flexibility! Buy an electronic 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 or 12 ticket punch card, and use the tickets however you wish. You can use them all for one show, or divide them up among the shows any way you wish.

4 ticket flex pass = $108.00

5 ticket flex pass = $135.00

6 ticket flex pass = $162.00

8 ticket flex pass = $216.00

10 ticket flex pass = $260.00

12 ticket flex pass = $312.00

INDIVIDUAL TICKET ORDERS

We are also offering individual tickets for our productions at this time. If you wish to design your own package or need tickets in addition to those in your flex package, this is the place. If you order tickets to at least 2 of our shows, you qualify as a subscriber and get those benefits.

Tickets are not mailed. You can pick them up at WILL CALL on the night of the performance.