THE COTTAGE To Have Bay Area Premiere at Palo Alto Players

Palo Alto Players will present the Bay Area regional premiere of THE COTTAGE. Directed by Katie O'Bryon Champlin and featuring a cast of seven Bay Area actors, THE COTTAGE will run for 10 performances from June 12 through June 28, 2026 at the Lucie Stern Theater, located at 1305 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto.

THE COTTAGE, is a comedy set in 1923 that follows a group of characters whose lives are turned upside down by shocking secrets and steamy entanglements. 

“I'm beyond excited to unleash the Bay Area premiere of the Broadway crowd-pleaser The Cottage on local audiences, featuring an all-star cast and the fearless comic genius of Katie O'Bryon Champlin at the helm,” says Palo Alto Players Artistic Director Patrick Klein, “We can't wait to introduce Bay Area theatergoers to the ridiculous laughs, scandalous twists, and nonstop chaos that make it such an insanely fun night at the theater.”

THE COTTAGE is directed by Katie O'Bryon Champlin. O'Bryon-Champlin previously directed THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG at Palo Alto Players, which won a San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle award for Best Entire Production – South Bay in a house with more than 300 seats. O'Bryon Champlin also directed MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS at Palo Alto Players and a sold-out run of NOISES OFF at The Pear Theatre. In addition, O'Bryon Champlin has appeared on stage at Palo Alto Players as Susie Bones (and others) in PUFFS, Hawkins the cook in MEN ON BOATS, and Rachel/Roscoe in ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS. Also a choreographer, O'Bryon Champlin has served on artistic teams at Pacific Repertory Theatre, Foothill Music Theatre, San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Los Altos Stage Company, Tabard Theatre, West Valley Light Opera, Sunnyvale Community Players, Peninsula Youth Theater, and The Harker School. O'Bryon Champlin is a graduate of the Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theater.

THE COTTAGE was written by Sandy Rustin. The creative team also includes scenic design by Patrick Klein, costume design by Jenny Garcia, wig, hair and makeup design by Karen Althoff, lighting design by Samantha Schroeter, sound design by David Hobbs, sound supervision by Jeff Grafton, properties design by Kevin Davies, and dialect coaching by Brennah Kemmerly.

The cast of Palo Alto Players' production of THE COTTAGE includes Lysander Abadia as Richard, Steve Allhoff as Beau, Kate McGrath as Sylvia, Patrick Rivera as Gardener/Swing, Brandon Silberstein as Clarke, Michelle Skinner as Marjorie, and Natalie To as Dierdre.

Tickets for THE COTTAGE can be purchased online at paplayers.org, by phone at 650.329.0891, or by visiting the Box Office (Tuesday through Friday, 11am - 4pm) at the Lucie Stern Theater, located at 1305 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto. In-person performances at the Lucie Stern Theater begin on June 12 and continue through June 28, with opening night on June 13. In-person performance times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, select Saturdays at 2 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. This production is recommended for ages 13 and up due to mature and sexual themes throughout. Every ticket purchase directly supports the actors, creative team, and staff for this production and ensures that Palo Alto Players can remain a vital part of this community. For more information about tickets and Palo Alto Players' current health and safety policies, visit paplayers.org.

Special Events Taking Place During the Run of THE COTTAGE

Preview Night: Pick-Your-Price

Friday, June 12

Pick-Your-Price Night makes theatre affordable for all. Ticket prices range from $20–$40.

Opening Night

Saturday, June 13

Audience members can enjoy a post-show champagne or sparkling cider toast in the outdoor courtyard, free with the purchase of a ticket for that evening's performance.

Parent's Play Date

Saturday, June 14 at 2:00 p.m.

Parents can attend the Saturday matinee performance of THE COTTAGE while children participate in a free theatre class in the Lucie Stern Community Room next to the theater. Professional teaching artists from the Palo Alto Players community will provide snacks, activities, and theatre games for children ages 5–12 during the performance.

The class is free for children whose parent or guardian purchases a ticket to the June 14 matinee of THE COTTAGE. Audience members are instructed to purchase tickets first before reserving a child’s free “Make a Play Date” theatre class spot online.

Post-Show Cast Talkback

Sunday, June 21