(LEONIA, NJ) -- The Players Guild of Leonia (PGL) has announced a vibrant, boundary-pushing 106th season under the banner "New Voices. New Energy. Same Heart – Embracing the community in community theatre." Founded in 1919 and performing in the historic Civil War Drill Hall, the Guild's new season transforms its storied home into a hub for bold stories, diverse artists, and community connection.
This season grew out of an unprecedented level of artistic engagement: 23 directors proposed more than 50 productions for consideration. From that wealth of ideas, the Director & Play Selection Committee - PGL Vice President Jodi Reiss, longtime member Owen Sheridan, and member Chris Hietikko (who directed last season’s Red Speedo) - carefully curated a lineup that balances artistic ambition and community impact.
“After more than a century of storytelling in this building, we’re asking: what does the next 100 years look like?” says Jodi Reiss. “This season is our answer - bold, inclusive, and rooted in our belief that community theatre only works when new voices are welcomed in and our whole community sees this space as their creative home.”
The 2026-2027 season includes four Mainstage Productions, three Weekend Spotlights as part of their new events series, an Artist Incubator Lab with periodic New Work Development workshops, and a long standing PGL favorite – The Marshall Playwrights Showcase.
“Together, these formats broaden opportunities for participation, encourage artistic growth, and allow PGL to make fuller use of its space and resources” says Owen Sheridan. The season will also feature some exciting fundraiser events as well as a Drill Hall commemorative anniversary celebration.
Mainstage Productions
This season celebrates the power of connection, resilience and renewal through stories that are sharply funny, moving and deeply human. Each of their four mainstage productions will be led by a new director for the Guild, bringing fresh artistic vision and new energy to the stage, while building on more than a century of volunteer commitment and community artistry.
September 18–27, 2026 | The Old Ladies Bar by Natasha Caroline Lowery Rivers; directed by T.S. Murphy. A world-premiere play set in a legendary, family-run jazz bar, The Old Ladies Bar traces the legacy of historic musicians, deep family bonds, and the power within Black female culture over generations. Co-produced with Kaleidoscope, a new BIPOC-led theatre company based in Northern New Jersey, this production marks a significant step in the Guild’s commitment to fostering diverse stories, new artistic partnerships, and fresh audiences in their community. Directed by PGL member T.S. Murphy, who last appeared in their multiply Perry- nominated production of Deathtrap.
December 11–20, 2026 | Who’s Holiday! by Matthew Lombardo, directed by Bailey Dumlao. Cindy Lou Who is all grown up - and her life did not turn out like a storybook. From a beat-up trailer in the snowy hills of Mount Crumpit, she throws a Christmas Eve party and tells the wild, R-rated tale of what really happened after she met the Grinch, in a one-woman, rhyming-couplet comedy that is absolutely not for children. This adults-only holiday cult favorite offers a gift to every adult who has had to sit through The Nutcracker. Director Bailey Dumlao is new to PGL, but they bring an impressive background in artistry that elevates underrepresented BIPOC and LGBTQ+ voices.
January 22–February 7, 2027 | Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling, directed by Joplin James Sell. Laughter, tears, and resilience flow as freely as the hairspray in this beloved story of a close-knit group of Southern women who gather at Truvy’s beauty salon. Equal parts heart and humor, Steel Magnolias offers an emotionally satisfying night of theatre that has become a modern classic - ideal for multi-generational audiences, friend groups, and mother-daughter outings. Directed by Joplin James Sell, last seen on the PGL stage in their Perry Award winning production of The Normal Heart.
May 7–23, 2027 | Vanya, Sonia, Masha, and Spike by Christopher Durang, directed by Sharon Garry. In this Tony Award–winning comedy, middle-aged siblings Vanya and Sonia’s quiet, routine life is upended when their movie-star sister Masha arrives with her much younger boyfriend, Spike. What follows is a hilariously absurd collision of regret, aging, family expectations, and Snow White costumes, with a wink toward the plays of Chekhov and the anxieties of modern life. Director Sharon Garry is new to PGL, but not to community theatre in New Jersey, where she has directed extensively.
Weekend Spotlight - New Event Series
In the spirit of “Embracing the community in community theatre,” the Guild will keep the Drill Hall active with immersive events, musical entertainment, and comedy that invite audiences to participate, not just watch.
October 23–25, 2026 | Drill Hall Spooktacular, directed by Ellyn Essig. A weekend of short haunting plays, spooky songs and some ghosts and ghouls thrown in for good measure. Who knows, their very own Drill Hall ghost may show up? This October event is the perfect way to get into the Halloween spirit.
March 5–6, 2027 | Leonia Laugh-a-Maniacs, directed by Staci Beth Block. Join long-time PGL member and improv genius Staci Beth Block for a high-energy comedy event that will feature an improv troupe of their very own Guild members delivering spontaneous, fast-paced scenes and audience participation. Come to one or both nights, as each will be a totally different show!
March 19–21, 2027 | Bar None, directed by Ariel Sanchez. This specially created experience for PGL is a musical theatre showcase set in a bar, where the bartender acts as the narrator, introducing all the different people who come in every night. As drinks are poured and stories unfold, the patrons break into songs and dances from all across musical theatre, bringing moments of comedy, romance, heartbreak, and chaos – but no matter that happens, there’s always a good time at the bar.
New Work Development
This season, PGL introduces their new Artist Incubator Lab, allowing their members and audiences to be a part of the creative process firsthand. These one day events throughout the season will workshop new plays and musicals.
“Nurturing new works is something we believe in”, says Chris Hietikko. “Presenting these works-in- progress in a setting where the creators can hear their work in front of a live audience, and get immediate feedback provides a fantastic opportunity. Ideally these become full productions in future PGL seasons”
June 11–13, 2027 | PGL Favorite - Marshall Playwrights Showcase. The 2026-2027 season culminates in the Marshall Playwrights Showcase, highlighting new short plays and emerging voices. This showcase underscores the Guild’s role as a launchpad for new work and gives local playwrights, directors, and actors the chance to collaborate, experiment, and share fresh stories with audiences.
Historic home, renewed commitment
Full of theatrical experiences that include live music, seasonal celebrations and performance centered events – the season will keep the historic Drill Hall alive with activity, deepen community participation, and create multiple entry points for audiences who may be discovering the Guild for the first time.
The Players Guild of Leonia is proud to call the Civil War Drill Hall Theatre its home - one of New Jersey’s most distinctive and historic performance spaces.
“We’re protecting the Guild’s past by evolving its future,” says Owen Sheridan. “When we say ‘New Voices. New Energy. Same Heart – Embracing the community in community theatre,’ we mean it: from a world-premiere co-production to improv, Halloween experiences, family fun, musical extravaganzas and a playwrights’ showcase, we want our neighbors to see themselves on this stage - onstage, backstage, and in the audience.”
Season subscriptions and individual tickets, along with audition and volunteer opportunities, will be available soon at leoniaplayers.org and on the Guild’s social media channels.
