CAROUSEL, SAINT JOAN and More Set for Scranton Shakespeare Festival 15th Season

The Scranton Shakespeare Festival will celebrate its 15th Anniversary Season of providing accessible, professional theatre to the public, having produced over 64 full-length musicals, Shakespeare plays, new works, and site-specific and immersive performances since 2011.

This summer marks a milestone year for the Festival, which returns to Scranton this summer producing 6 productions across two venues: performing straight plays at The Shakes Space blackbox theatre at The Marketplace at Steamtown, and introducing Shakes @ Shepherd, a summer venue residency collaboration with Church of the Good Shepherd to perform their 3 season musicals.

The mainstage season, with 'Faith' at the core of its theme, kicks off with Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel, the heartbreaking story of young love in coastal Americana Maine, directed by Festival Artistic Director & co-founder Michael Bradshaw Flynn and choreographed by Rockette alumna Jessica Cadden Wentlent.

Then, Shakes will present an adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's Saint Joan, directed by local playwright Caroline Lapinski, followed by Shakespeare's epic history play Henry V, directed by Festival newcomer Calvin Atkinson. The Festival's mainstage season rounds out with the Andrew Lloyd Webber mega musical Jesus Christ Superstar, directed and choreographed by Festival regular Maura Malloy.

"Season 15 celebrates faith and all that it means in our current world today." says Michael Bradshaw Flynn. "Scranton Shakes is proud to bring communities and artists together to experience the magic of live theatre and present these challenging and enlightening titles."

Scranton Shakes's robust arts education program presents two full-length productions with their Youth Ensemble high school acting program this summer, including Shakespeare's comedy Much Ado About Nothing, and Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik's cult classic musical Alice By Heart. Both productions will be directed by the Festival's Director of Education Lizzie Newcomb Gumula and choreographed by Hannah Sottile. SSF's Youth Orchestra, an ensemble of intermediate high school-aged musicians, will return to accompany all 3 musicals. Their Foundations program also returns to introduce 10-15 year old students to playwriting and devising.

Managing Director and executive producer Jonathan Stephens added that "This milestone season is a testament to the strong foundation that our team has built over these 15 years to bring Northeastern Pennsylvania a performing arts organization focused on an accessible, professional experience for all."

Scranton Shakespeare Festival will present its 15th Anniversary Gala, titled 'XV', an evening of celebration to be held at Sergei's in downtown Scranton on Sunday, July 26. The night will bring together festival alumni, the 2026 summer company, and audiences past and present for a vibrant celebration of the Festival's legacy and future. The evening will feature a lively TONY inspired cocktail party atmosphere, fundraising initiatives supporting the organization's continued growth, and a special micro-concert performed by Festival alumni. As part of the celebration, Scranton Shakes will honor John Basalyga in recognition of his stewardship and support in providing the Festival with a home at the Marketplace at Steamtown over the past four years.

For gala tickets and more information, please visit www.scrantonshakes.com/tickets. The Summer Box Office will open on June 5th.

CAROUSEL

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel will open the Scranton Shakespeare Festival’s mainstage season, centered on the theme of “Faith.” The musical follows a story of young love set in coastal Maine and will be directed by Festival Artistic Director and co-founder Michael Bradshaw Flynn, with choreography by Jessica Cadden Wentlent.

SAINT JOAN

An adaptation of Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw will follow, directed by local playwright Caroline Lapinski. The production continues the Festival’s focus on presenting classic works through contemporary interpretation.

HENRY V

Henry V will be presented as part of the mainstage lineup, directed by Festival newcomer Calvin Atkinson. The production brings Shakespeare’s history play to the Festival’s black box setting.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

The season will conclude with Jesus Christ Superstar, the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The production will be directed and choreographed by Festival regular Maura Malloy and will be presented as part of the Shakes @ Shepherd residency.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

The Festival’s Youth Ensemble will present Much Ado About Nothing as part of its education programming. The production will be directed by Director of Education Lizzie Newcomb Gumula, with choreography by Hannah Sottile.

ALICE BY HEART