Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company presents the world premiere of Mel Chomsky’s History of the World at Oddfellows Playhouse

Mel Chomsky’s History of the World is an original comedy written and directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Dic Wheeler. This high-energy play blends theater, circus, and Commedia dell’Arte. Beginning in Melilli, Sicily in 1626, three performers are swept into a wild time-travel adventure led by a dead philosopher-comedian, Mel Chomsky, journeying from Melilli to Mattabasset, ancient Greece, the American Revolution and beyond. It’s a bold, slapstick ride through history that explores the ongoing tension between democracy and authoritarianism.

Writer/director Wheeler, who will be leaving the Playhouse in June, says about the production: “I wanted my final show at Oddfellows to celebrate my life-long love of physical comedy, Commedia and circus, but also be a commentary about the current state of the world. The play combines the broad comedy of Mel Brooks with the world view of Noam Chomsky, throwing in a dollop of Dr. Who. The cast includes familiar characters like Socrates, George Washington, Marie Antoinette and Pope Leo X, plus many others throughout time and space, but at the heart are three archetypes of Commedia - the Miser Pantalone, the hungry servant Arlecchino, and his love and protector Colombina - all led by their tour guide Mel Chomsky.” 

Mel Chomsky’s History of the World, which features a cast of 17 performers ages 14 -21, is written by Dic Wheeler with original music by Eric Kuhn. Scenic Design is by Dan Schmidt, Costume Design by Elizabeth Saylor,  Sound Design by Joseph Getter, Choreography by Marcella Trowbridge, Fight Choreography by Meg Buckner Furtick, Lighting Design by Aaron Westcott, Properties Design by Pam Lang. The Technical Director is Jasmine Peck, Stage Manager is Kayla Bucholz and Assistant Directors are Maegan Fuller and Lochlan Reeder. The lobby display accompanying the production is researched and designed by Sasha Nelson. 

Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for kids and students. “Big Hearted Oddfellow” tickets are available for $30 for anyone who really loves and values theater and its impact on the lives of young people. May 14 at 7 pm  is a “Pay What You Can” Preview.