Live theatre reflects life, entertains us, and confronts us with the joys and struggles of humanity. Engaging with theatre means that we have to slow down enough to allow a new experience to enter. Unlike film or television, theatre offers captivating immediacy and authenticity. There are no rewinds or fast-forwards here—just the raw, unfiltered experience of being present in the moment, swept up in the breathtaking drama, humor, and emotion unfolding onstage. It’s a reminder that, in a world driven by screens and algorithms, there’s still immense value in gathering together to share in the joy of storytelling.

 MERELY PLAYERS’ established reputation for theatrical excellence propels us into our 30th 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 by joining the Merely Family as a Season Subscriber.

SEASON SUBSCRIBER PERKS:

* Tickets are discounted in flex packages.

* 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.

Use your flex passes in any combination

for our shows throughout the season.

See every production, bring a big group to a single show, or give a few as gifts.

“He’s gone. So are the plays. If we don’t find them, they die with us.”

William Shakespeare has died. His plays are in danger of disappearing. So the King’s Men are getting the band back together. Written in modern language by Lauren Gunderson (who wrote The Half-Life of Marie Curie), this gorgeous play tells the inspiring true story of the Bard’s buddies, who hatch a lion-hearted plan to gather Shakespeare’s scattered masterpieces into a book and save them from oblivion. They undertake their seemingly impossible mission with pluck, wit, and determination in an extraordinary story of friendship and purpose. Get thee to the Underground and see this stunning show.

Preshow Plot chats are offered before each performance, and the show is appropriate for all ages.

SEPTEMBER 27, 28, OCTOBER 1, 3, 4, 5, 2024 at 7:00 pm

SEPTEMBER 29 and OCTOBER 6 at 2:00 pm

 “Open your heart. Someone will come. Someone will come for you. But first you must open your heart.”

 Once, there lived a china rabbit named Edward Tulane. He was owned by a little girl who adored him completely, but Edward was vain and haughty. And then, one day, he was lost.  We follow Edward on a fantastical journey where he faces deathly peril, meets an array of characters, and learns that even a heart of the most breakable kind can learn to love.  Told with imagination, puppetry, passion, and Merely Players’ bold and sparkling creativity, this play is for the child in all of us. Bring your loved ones and soak in the magic.  Adapted by Dwayne Hartford from the book by Kate DiCamillo. Appropriate for all ages.

 DECEMBER  6, 7, 18, 19, 20, 2024 at 7:00 pm

DECEMBER 8 and 21 at 2:00 pm

“Marley was dead, to begin with…”

Chained and shackled, Jacob Marley is condemned to a hellish eternity unless he accepts his one chance to free himself. To escape his chains, he must first redeem Scrooge. So begins a tale of laughter and terror, redemption and renewal, as Marley sets out to open Scrooge’s heart and discover his own.  Geoff Johnson plays eighteen characters in this stunning one-man holiday show by Tom Mula. Of all the holiday shows dotting the theatrical landscape, none shines brighter than this one. For all ages.

DECEMBER 13, 14, 17, 21, 2024 at 7:00 pm

DECEMBER 15 and 22 at 2:00 pm

“I’m trying to move on. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do? Find closure and move on.”

Recently widowed, Peg tends to the native prairie land that rises behind her rural Wisconsin home. Her solitary days are interrupted only by visits from Ryan, a family friend with a checkered past. When an unfortunate incident sets off a series of events that will forever change their lives, Peg and Ryan fight to regain each other’s trust and forge a sense of hope in a time when it feels like the whole world is on fire.  Merely Players is elated to present the regional premiere of Rebecca Gilman’s unforgettably relevant new play.  Mona Wood-Patterson appears as Peg. Appropriate for teenagers and above.

FEBRUARY 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15, 2025 at 7:00 pm

FEBRUARY 9 and 16 at 2:00 pm

“Luck, be a lady tonight..”

Fall in love all over again with a classic from the Golden Age of Musical Theatre, as we sing and dance our way through this joyful explosion of music and romance.  Enter the world of New York City in the 1950s, and reacquaint yourself with Nathan Detroit, Sky Masterson, Adelaide, Sarah, and Nicely Nicely. Considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy, Guys and Dolls is rich with memorable hits, including “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” “Luck Be a Lady,” and “I’ve Never Been in Love Before.”  It’s humorous, classy, and just plain fun – and Merely Player’s inventiveness takes this glorious vintage musical to a fresh, exciting new level. It’s no gamble – you’ll love it a Bushel and a Peck. By Abe Burrows, Jo Swerling, and Frank Loesser. Perfect for all ages.

APRIL 25, 26, MAY 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 2025 at 7:00 pm

APRIL 27, MAY 4, 11, at 2:00 pm

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 discount and maximum flexibility. 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.

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 production costs keep rising. Because we have a small, intimate performing space, ticket sales pay for only a fraction of what it costs to produce quality shows. 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 connection to a community, and your tax-deductible donation helps to ensure that we can continue to thrive.  Thank you for being Merely wonderful.

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 that 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.

10-Ticket Flex Pass # of packages= $330.00

 8-Ticket Flex Pass   # of packages=  $264.00

 6-Ticket Flex Pass   # of packages=  $198.00

 5-Ticket Flex Pass   # of packages=   $165.00

 4-Ticket Flex Pass   # of packages=    $132.00

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.