An Optimist's Guide to the Dark Ages at Village Theatre - Francis J. Gaudette Theatre

An Optimist's Guide to the Dark Ages features music by Michael Kooman and book and lyrics by Christopher Dimond, the Emmy-nominated writing team behind Village Theatre favorites The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes and The Break. The show follows Percival von Schmootz, the world's one and only optimist, who sets out on a quest to personally end the Dark Ages after the Bubonic Plague wipes out his entire hometown. Originally commissioned by the Canadian Music Theatre Project under the title The Enlightenment of Percival von Schmootz, the show will also be presented in New York City as part of the Stagedoor Foundation's inaugural New Next Now festival in early 2027.