Caroline Simpson News

Join us on a magical journey down the yellow brick road with 'THE WIZARD OF OZ' at Playhouse on the Square! Experience the beloved classic brought to life on stage. Don't miss this enchanting production!

What did our critic think of SISTER ACT at Theatre Memphis? For those of an older generation, did you ever look back at sitcoms from the 1970’s and wish they were set to music? Did you ever wish Fred Sanford (from “Sanford and Son”) or Squiggy (from “Laverne and Shirley) broke out into song to better share their deeper wants and desires?

The Circuit Playhouse, in partnership with Show Sponsors Art and Nancy Graesser along with Sharon Younger Circuit Playhouse, Inc. Super Sponsor Dr. Thomas Ratliff, presents the regional premiere of James Graham’s Tony-nominated play, INK, written by James Graham.

Due in part to grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission, The Jeniam Foundation, and Arts Memphis Playhouse on the Square will be offering live streaming of the upcoming world premiere performances of The Goodbye Levee.

Playhouse on the Square, in partnership with NewWorks@TheWorks series sponsor, Gene and Carol Katz and super sponsor Dr. Thomas Ratliff will present the world premiere of an audience interactive comedy facing mental health head on.

Playhouse on the Square, in partnership with NewWorks@TheWorks series sponsor, Gene and Carol Katz and super sponsor Dr. Thomas Ratliff will present the world premiere of an audience interactive comedy facing mental health head on.

I pride myself on not being a paranoid person. I really don't want to become a conspiracy theorist (seems like a lot of work). I like to believe the world is basically safe and that people are inherently good and trustworthy. When I see some people argue that 9/11 was a government plot to...actually, I never understood what or why the government wanted to kill so many Americans, but I recall thinking the explanation sounded like a devilishly grand, yet unlikely 'scheme' for mayhem. However, when a friend recently posted a meme on Facebook showing that CNN and MSNBC were recognizing Pfizer as one of their sponsors, I felt a twinge of panic. So, is Pfizer giving money to CNN to get its newscasters to tell people to get the Pfizer Covid vaccine so that the government will give more money to Pfizer? WHAT?!? Is there really an evil ploy at work here? How could I have been so naïve? Is our American system and way of life corrupt and driven by cold, hard cash? Yes, and definitely yes.

After a 17-month pandemic-induced hiatus, Playhouse on the Square has finally opened its doors again to an in-person audience with its season premiere of DAYS OF RAGE (now through September 19th). But just when we thought it was safe to congregate again, Shelby County is now wrestling with the ongoing challenges of the latest COVID Delta Variant and theatres across the Mid-South find themselves scrambling to figure out how to present much-needed live theatre without killing anyone. For now, Playhouse seems content to socially distance the audience, while still allowing the actors to perform without masks or shields. Memphis theatres may have thought they were at the end of this nightmare, but, in many ways, it feels like they are right back at the beginning.

Playhouse on the Square will open its main stage with Days of Rage by Steven Levenson.

Playhouse on the Square, in partnership with Donna Sue and Wayne Shannon and super sponsor Dr. Thomas Ratliff, is proud to present the World Premiere and winner of the 2018 NewWorks@TheWorks Playwriting competition.  This is the first installation of our 2019-2020 POTS@TheWorks series.

Playhouse on the Square, in partnership with FedEx, Macy's, 1910 Frame Works, and super sponsor Dr. Thomas Ratliff, returns Memphis' holiday tradition to the Playhouse on the Square stage.

It's a marvelous production of a so-so musical.

Students from ten high schools and six colleges have come together to create an extraordinary, stunning summertime show.

Playhouse on the Square, in partnership with FedEx, tamburrino, inc., and super sponsor Dr. Thomas Ratliff will open 2019 with the musical adaptation of The National Education Association 2017 Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children award recipient, Tuck Everlasting.

Playhouse on the Square, in partnership with FedEx, tamburrino, inc., and super sponsor Dr. Thomas Ratliff is proud to open 2019 with the musical adaptation of The National Education Association's 2017 Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children award recipient.

Playhouse on the Square, in partnership with FedEx, Macy's, and super sponsor Dr. Thomas Ratliff, bring this Memphis holiday tradition back to the Playhouse on the Square stage.

Playhouse on the Square, in partnership with FedEx, Macy's, and super sponsor Dr. Thomas Ratliff, bring this Memphis holiday tradition back to the Playhouse on the Square stage.

It's an energetic good time featuring some of our area's finest young talent.

Life will never be the same for Michael, John, and Wendy Darling after Peter Pan visits their nursery window offering to take them to the magical world of Neverland. They meet the Lost Boys, spritely fairy Tinkerbell, the beautiful princess Tiger Lily, and the evil Captain Hook. The conflict between Peter and Hook takes center stage as the magical adventure turn dangerous and teaches everyone the true power of friendship.