Quincy Community Theatre announces lineup of shows as it prepares for 100th anniversary

QUINCY — Quincy Community Theatre promises a memorable year as it celebrates the organization’s 100th anniversary celebration. In addition to a lineup of shows, two additional special events were unveiled to celebrate the centennial year, as well as a new logo and website as a part of an organization-wide rebranding effort.

“As we enter our 100th anniversary, it is really important for us to honor those who helped build such a robust and meaningful community organization, while looking ahead to what the future holds for QCT,” executive director Burgundy Hill said in a press release. “It’s an excellent time to give the look of an organization a refresh.”

Logos for the 2023 season and the new organizational logo were designed by Pichi Fernandez. The new website was developed by The Relish Jar, and the rebranding effort was supported by the Tracy Family Foundation.

The organization unveiled eight shows as a part of next year’s season and season tagline “Make Today Worth Remembering,” a line from the summer musical, “The Music Man.”

“With our 2023 season, I wanted a lineup of shows that reflects what we have offered our volunteers and patrons over the past 100 years, and what we will continue to aspire to, which is a sense of belonging,” Brandon Thomsen, QCT’s artistic director, said.

“This organization welcomes participation from all walks of life, regardless of previous theatre experience. Through theatre, individuals come together as a community in their work to create or experience something truly unique and wonderful. Whether it’s onstage, backstage, or in the audience, we invite you to become involved with QCT, and to quote Harold Hill, ‘make today worth remembering.’”

The 2023 season ticket consists of:

• RENT (April 21-23, 27-30) — Based loosely on Puccini’s La Boheme, Jonathan Larson’s Rent follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.
• THE MUSIC MAN (July 20-23, 27-30) — The Music Man follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize — despite the fact that he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain’s fall. 
• CLUE (September 8-10, 14-17) — Based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie which was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is a hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery. The tale begins at a remote mansion, where six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects.
• THE HOBBIT (October 19-22, Student Theatre Production) — Join Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf and Thorin Oakenshield on their legendary quest to reclaim the dwarves’ ancestral home from the sinister dragon Smaug. From the Shire, to the Battle of the Five Armies, to deep underground —where a twisted creature guards his “precious” ring — Bilbo’s journey through Middle-earth abounds with peril, unparalleled adventure, and a healthy helping of Hobbit humor.
• PETER PAN (December 1-3, 6-10) — The mysterious and ageless Peter Pan arrives in the Darling nursery, where he whisks Wendy, Michael and John to the island of their dreams where no one gets old: Neverland. There they encounter the island’s fascinating inhabitants.

Additional family/student theatre productions for 2023 are:

• DISNEY’S MOANA JR. (February 23-26) — Disney’s modern classic follows the strong-willed Moana as she and the demigod Maui set sail across the Pacific on an epic journey of self-discovery and camaraderie. With colorful characters drawn from the rich mythology of Oceania, an unforgettable score, and empowering messages of bravery and selflessness, Moana Jr. asks how far each of us will go to unlock the hero within.
• A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (June 15-18) — “The course of true love never did run smooth” in Shakespeare’s most popular comedy, when a group of hopelessly lovestruck (and lost) teenagers stumble into an ancient enchanted forest. Here, the fairies love to wreak havoc on unsuspecting humans almost as much as they love playing tricks on one another.
• QCT ON THE ROAD: LIONS IN ILLYRIA (Touring April 17-May 26) — Animals rule the world in this magical retelling of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. This hilarious and heartfelt comedy is the perfect way to introduce to Shakespeare to an elementary school audience. Each booking of Lions in Illyria includes an exclusive QCT study guide to help prepare your students for the show.

QCT will offer two special events to celebrate the anniversary year:

• Ultimate Cast Party (May 12) — Cast and crew from QCT’s previous productions will be invited back to the space to find their signature on the wall, relax in our green room and celebrate their lasting legacy.
• Dream Roles Reimagined 100th Anniversary Gala (Sept. 22) — Some of QCT’s most recognizable faces will take the stage for some of your favorite musical theatre numbers, with a twist. Performers will live out their musical theatre fantasies with stunning (and unexpected) renditions of iconic Broadway numbers. This black-tie fundraising event will feature one-night-only entertainment, dinner, dancing and special surprises throughout the night.

Season tickets are available to new season ticket holders beginning Oct. 24. Current season ticket holders may renew their seats beginning Oct. 10 with guaranteed seating renewals for fixed season ticket holders through Oct. 21.

QCT is encouraging everyone to get involved in the theatre this year Aspiring actors of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels are encouraged to audition. Along with volunteer actors on the stage, volunteers are needed backstage to help with set construction, costumes, and the tech crew.

For more information about the 2023 season, auditions or volunteering, call the QCT box office at (217) 222-3209 or visit 1qct.org. Box office hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.