Town Players of Newtown have officially raised the curtain on plans for the longstanding community theater’s 2026 season.

An internationally acclaimed comedy, a drama, and a theater classic will fill the Orchard Hill Road theater for the season’s first three of four productions. The fourth is yet to be announced.

God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton, will open this year’s series with performances the weekends of March 13-28.

Terry Sagedy returns to direct the comedy that takes audiences to the most dangerous place on Earth: parenthood.

What happens when two sets of parents meet up to deal with the unruly behavior of their children? A calm and rational debate between grown-ups about the need to teach kids how to behave properly? Or a hysterical night of name-calling, tantrums, and tears before bedtime? Boys will be boys, but the adults are usually worse — much worse.

The Tony and Olivier Award-winning God of Carnage is a comedy of manners, without the manners.

Mark Ferguson will direct the second show of the season, The Shadow Box by Michael Cristofer. Performances are planned for weekends, May 1-16.

In this compelling drama, three terminal cancer patients, living out their final days in hospice cottages on hospital grounds, wrestle with the toll their disease takes on themselves and their loved ones.

Then in October, Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest will be staged. Brian DeToma will direct the production planned for the weekends of October 2-17.

The Importance of Being Earnest is a satirical comedy that critiques Victorian society through themes of identity, social obligation, and marriage, focusing on characters Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, who create false personas to escape societal expectations.

The plot unfolds with mistaken identities and romantic entanglements, ultimately revealing Jack’s true identity as Algernon’s brother, leading to a humorous resolution.

Wilde’s work highlights the absurdity of social norms and the superficiality of love, suggesting that appearances often take precedence over truth. First staged in February 1895, the farcical comedy continues to resonate 130 years later.

Performance and ticket specifics for all shows will be announced at a later date.

‘God Of Carnage’ Auditions

Meanwhile, audition details have been announced for God of Carnage.

All four roles — Alan Raleigh, Annette Raleigh, Michael Novak, and Veronica Novak, all in their 40s — are available.

Character details include: Alan — obsessed with his cell phone, representing detachment from the situation and relationships; Annette — appears fragile, prone to panic attacks (and vomiting), feeling abandoned by her workaholic husband; Michael — tries to keep the peace but quickly succumbs to male bravado and primal urges, challenging Alan and engaging in aggressive behavior (smoking cigars, drinking); and Veronica — insists on moral order, justice, and civilized resolution, but her rigidity and self-righteousness mask deep frustration and judgment.

Auditions are scheduled for Sunday, January 11, 5-7 pm, and Monday, January 12, 7-9 pm, at The Little Theatre, 18 Orchard Hill Road.

Sides for audition will be available on the Town Players website, newtownplayers.org. The play’s read-through date and rehearsal schedule will be shared at auditions. Those planning to audition are asked to bring a list of calendar conflicts through opening night.

For further information, contact info@newtownplayers.org.