2021-2022 THEATRE SEASON

The Great Intermission is over, and MERELY PLAYERS is back!

The long months during which we were not able to produce live, indoor theatre were filled with questions, struggles, and faith. Grateful for our supporters and community every step of the way, we both held on and moved forward. We adapted and innovated, producing Zoom Alice and Wakey,Wakey virtually and developing our YouTube series “Waiting in the Wings.” We created our Studio Series with a Shakespearean foray into a park, and we eventually found ourselves presenting ART on a truck in a parking lot.

Most importantly, we’ve been moving into and renovating our own performance venue, Merely Underground, which will host our shows for the very first time this season!  We remain committed to offering rich theatrical experiences in our region, and we invite you to become part of MERELY PLAYERS’ exciting theatrical scene.

Season Subscribers receive substantially discounted ticket prices, avoid ticket and exchange fees, have access to our Season Subscriber phone line, and get a name listing in our programs. In the past, we’ve had to turn disappointed people away because almost every performance was sold out. Subscribers get first shot at our tickets, resulting in getting the best seats in the house.  PLUS, Subscribers get the satisfaction of helping to keep quality theatre in Durango.

Thank you for helping us to hold on. We adore you. AND NOW –

For the laughter, the tears, the magic, and the creativity we’ve all yearned for,

we are

TOGETHER AGAIN!

MEN ON BOATS

 “We’re on the river now, crew! There will be churning, there will be swells. Keep your bearings. Oars Up! Oars Out!” 

 Ten Explorers. Four Boats. Two Casts. One Grand Canyon. Merely Players joyfully opens our new venue with Jaclyn Backhaus’s creative retelling of John Wesley Powell’s 1869 expedition. Race down the rapids with us as we gleefully spin theatrical, historical, and gender expectations into an inventive, thrilling, and humorous escapade. No Men. No Boats. All Adventure.

MERELY UNDERGROUND Opening Night Soiree and Show on OCTOBER 1, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. includes a post-show gathering with the actors and creatives, refreshments, and a cash bar

More performances:

OCT.  2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16 at 7:00 pm  OCT. 3, 9, 10, 17 at 2:00 pm

ALL TOGETHER NOW!

 A Global Event Celebrating Local Theatre

Music Theatre International makes theatre history by providing an exclusive musical review for theatre companies across the world to perform on the same weekend. It’s a glorious global celebration of theatre’s comeback, featuring some of your favorite local actors singing and dancing their way through some of the most memorable songs of musical theatre. It’s a worldwide, life-affirming party, and Merely Players is thrilled to be a part of it!

NOV. 12 and 13, 2021 at 7:00 pm   NOV. 14 at 2:00 pm

THE MUSICAL COMEDY MURDERS OF 1940

“Since whoever cut off the power escaped through the tunnels, I thought we could foray into the walls to look for clues. I’ll put together a picnic lunch in case we get lost.”

In the winter of 1940, an ominous blizzard cuts off all possibility of escape from a mansion where the creators of a new musical are assembled. When the infamous Stage Door Slasher strikes, the comic mayhem begins amidst secret passageways, a revolving bookcase, vintage espionage, and a host of colorful suspects. John Bishop’s wildly funny and clever play (which, btw, is not a musical) gives us the release of laughter that we’ve all been craving.  If Agatha Christie were to write a farce, this would be it.

JAN. 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 2022 at 7:00 pm JAN. 16 and 23 at 2:00 pm

THE CHILDREN

“Right now, I’m looking for a team of twenty people over the age of 65. To take over and let the young ones go, while they still have the chance, while there’s still the possibility of, well, life.”

 Two retired nuclear scientists live in an isolated cottage by the sea. In the aftermath of a nuclear disaster, they are determined to preserve normalcy even as the world around them crumbles. When an old friend arrives with a frightening request, they must explore notions of accountability, guilt, and mortality. Maureen May, Jeannie Wheeldon, and Stephen Bowers star in Lucy Kirkwood’s unforgettable and eerily relevant drama. What do we owe our children?

FEB. 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 2022 at 7:00 pm FEB. 20 and 27 at 2:00 pm

MATILDA THE MUSICAL

“Sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty.”

 She’s magical; she’s mischievous; she’s miraculous – she’s Matilda! The winner of 47 international awards, Roald Dahl’s popular musical is the story of an astonishing girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.  Packed with extraordinary music and exuberantly fun choreography, Matilda will captivate and charm the entire family. We’ve been waiting to do this show for two years! We’re Revolting!

MAY 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 2022 at 7:00 pm.  MAY 8, 14, 15, 22 at 1:00 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 and incur no additional ticket fees, making them an even greater value. 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. Buy electronic ticket punch passes 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.  You can even use them for our Studio Series shows.

Design Your Own Package –

See the individual ticket prices listed here to put together a subscription that’s just right for you, while avoiding additional box office ticket fees.

Gift Card –

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

All ticket orders are final and non-refundable.  You will be contacted by email approximately one month before each show to select your dates. At that time, you can redeem as many of your flex pass tickets as you wish. Tickets may be exchanged for another performance of the same show as space is available with a minimum of 24 hours advance notice. Flex passes must be redeemed within the 2021-22 season. Merely Players reserves the right to make show, location, and/or date substitutions or cancellations.

A separate phone line is available for our Season Subscribers.  Tickets not purchased through our season subscription will be subject to ticket vendor fees. Avoid those fees and access personal attention by becoming a Merely Players Season Subscriber!

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 over the subscription package amount

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

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

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

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

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

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

SUPERLATIVE – $10000 or more above the subscription package amount

We are grateful for any donation you can make. We truly appreciate your consideration and generosity.If you wish, you can set up a monthly donation HERE:

ORDERING

1. BUILD YOUR SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGE:

Your personal information will be collected securely by Paypal and sent to us. You do not need a Paypal account in order to pay for your tickets through Paypal. Please include a phone number and/or an email address so we can contact you if there is an issue with your tickets.

CLICK the ADD TO CART button for each ticket you wish to purchase. Paypal has a top right link to return you to this page if you want to purchase more. You can also DONATE to our theatre on a separate button which adds the donation to your Cart. At the end click VIEW CART and pay.

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 or 6 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.

If you wish to order one or more Flex Passes, add it to the cart and then choose the quantity at the Paypal Checkout.

4 FLEX PASS $104.00

MEN ON BOATS is the first show in our new venue. Tickets for the opening night soiree and show for the first-ever performance in Merely Underground on October 1, 2021 are $50.00 each.  You can buy those below. 

Alternately, you may use two flex passes per ticket, which you can redeem by contacting Greta at 970.749.8585 or gretarichter13@gmail.com

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 package, this is the most inexpensive time to get them, as these prepaid tickets incur no ticket vendor fees. If you order tickets to at least 2 of our shows, you qualify as a subscriber.

Individual Ticket to MEN ON BOATS, the opening night soiree and show for the first-ever performance in Merely Underground $50.00

If you wish to order one or more tickets for Men on Boats, add it to the cart and then choose the quantity at the Paypal Checkout.

Individual Ticket to Men on Boats (non-opening night) $30.00

If you wish to order one or more tickets for Men on Boats, add it to the cart and then choose the quantity at the Paypal Checkout.

Individual Ticket to All Together Now!  $25.00-

If you wish to order one or more tickets for All Together Now!, add it to the cart and then choose the quantity at the Paypal Checkout.

Individual The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 $30.00

If you wish to order one or more tickets for The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, add it to the cart and then choose the quantity at the Paypal Checkout.

Individual The Children $30.00

If you wish to order one or more tickets for The Children, add it to the cart and then choose the quantity at the Paypal Checkout.

Individual Matilda the Musical $35.00

If you wish to order one or more tickets for Matilda the Musical, add it to the cart and then choose the quantity at the Paypal Checkout.

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

CHECK OUT NOW AND PAY BY CREDIT CARD

Now you can press the VIEW CART button below to complete your order. Make certain that we have your current mailing address and phone number. It is the only way we can contact you for Subscriber early ticket reservations.

PayPal should return you to this site. You will get confirmation that your payment went through directly from Paypal.

We are grateful for any donation you can make. We truly appreciate your consideration and generosity.

After you purchase your tickets, you can use Donorbox below to enter a custom donation amount, which will be processed as a separate payment.