2025 North Coast Theatre and Dance Festival
Six Men Dressed Like Joseph Stalin
May 15-17
2025 Panowski Playwriting Award Winner!
When Soso, a soldier left for dead on the Eastern Front, is pulled from the brink of death by the Kremlin, his fate takes a shocking turn. With an uncanny resemblance to one of the most feared men in history—Joseph Stalin—he is thrust into a dangerous game of impersonation. Enter Koba: a man who knows the mind and body of the dictator better than anyone. Tasked with transforming Soso into the perfect double, Koba trains him for the most perilous role of a lifetime.
PANOWSKI BLACK BOX THEATRE
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: 90 Min
Drag Cabaret
May 29-30
A Pride Celebration Event!
Join NMU Theatre and Dance for a drag cabaret to start Pride Month! Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in Marquette and beyond as performers make the stage their own.
PANOWSKI BLACK BOX THEATRE
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: 2HRS | 15min Intermission
Love Letters
June 26-28
A unique and imaginative theatre piece which, in the words of the author, “needs no theatre, no lengthy rehearsal, no special set, no memorization of lines, and no commitment from its two actors beyond the night of performance.”
The piece is comprised of letters exchanged over a lifetime between two people who grew up together, went their separate ways, but continued to share confidences. As the actors read the letters aloud, what is created is an evocative, touching, frequently funny but always telling pair of character studies in which what is implied is as revealing and meaningful as what is actually written down.
Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner, both born to wealth and position, are childhood friends whose lifelong correspondence begins with birthday party thank-you notes and summer camp postcards. Romantically attached, they continue to exchange letters through the boarding school and college years—where Andy goes on to excel at Yale and law school, while Melissa flunks out of a series of “good schools.” While Andy is off at war Melissa marries, but her attachment to Andy remains strong and she continues to keep in touch as he marries, becomes a successful attorney, gets involved in politics and, eventually, is elected to the U.S. Senate. Meanwhile, her marriage in tatters, Melissa dabbles in art and gigolos, drinks more than she should, and becomes estranged from her children. Eventually she and Andy do become involved in a brief affair, but it is really too late for both of them. However Andy’s last letter, written to her mother after Melissa’s untimely death, makes it eloquently clear how much they really meant, and gave to, each other over the years—physically apart, perhaps, but spiritually as close as only true lovers can be.
FOREST ROBERTS THEATRE
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: 1HR 45MIN | 15min Intermission
North Coast Dance Festival
Masterclass July 23, Performances July 24-25
Giordano Dance Chicago Masterclass: July 23, 2025 at 6:30 PM in the Forest Roberts Theatre Stage
PRE-REGISTRATION FOR DANCE PARTICIPATION REQUIRED BY 7/21/25. REGISTER HERE.
Please join NMU Theatre and Dance, North Coast Dance Festival, and the Siril Endowment for the Arts for a jazz dance class and talkback led by Nan Giordano of Giordano Dance Chicago on Wednesday, July 23rd from 6:30-8:00PM in the Forest Roberts Theatre! This class will be open to dancers ages 13 and up with at least 5 years of previous formal dance training or at least one year of formal university dance training. We welcome observers of any age into the theatre to experience the joy of the Giordano Technique! There is no fee for participation or observation of this class! Pre-registration for class participation will close on Monday, July 21st at 5:00PM EST. Class size is limited--registering early is encouraged.
Performances: July 24-25, 2025 at 7:30PM
Join us for the 4th Annual North Coast Dance Festival, a spectacular celebration of dance! Professional dancers from across the country will gather alongside the NMU CO/LAB Dance Company for engaging educational experiences and mesmerizing performances. Don't miss this unforgettable event filled with grace, talent, and artistry.
We are thrilled to welcome Giordano Dance Chicago back this summer to perform two new, exciting jazz dance pieces choreographed by Al Blackstone and Ray Leeper. We will also welcome back Ballet Project OC, who will be performing the pas de deux from George Balanchine's Stars and Stripes and Ally Helman's Pitseleh. NMU's CO/LAB Dance Company will preview a new work by Karina Johnson set to the music of Johnny Cash.
This event is generously supported by the Siril Endowment for the Arts.
FOREST ROBERTS THEATRE
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: 1HR 30MIN | 15min Intermission
All shows are part of the Flex Pass Season.
2025-2026 NMU Theatre and Dance Season
JOIN US AFTER EACH OPENING NIGHT FOR OUR OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION!
Wildcat Theatre Follies
September 4-6, 2025
A Celebration of NMU's Brightest Stars
We’re back, Wildcats! Enjoy a beginning-of-the-year showcase of our freshman and sophomore theatre and dance students featuring a collection of scenes, songs, monologues, and dance pieces.
PANOWSKI BLACK BOX THEATRE
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: 1HR 30MINS
Into the Woods
September 25-27 and October 2-4, 2025
Book by James Lapine | Music & Lyrics by John Stephen Sondeim
Step into the Woods... where every fairy tale you thought you knew is just the beginning.
Into the Woods is a spellbinding, Tony Award-winning musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine that weaves together your favorite childhood stories—Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his beanstalk), and Rapunzel—into one thrilling, darkly enchanting adventure. At its heart is a humble Baker and his Wife, cursed with childlessness by a vengeful Witch. To break the spell, they must journey into the forest and confront the wild, the wicked, and the unexpected.
But this isn’t just a tale of wishes coming true—it’s a journey into what happens after “happily ever after.” With razor-sharp wit, breathtaking music, and unforgettable characters, Into the Woods explores the price of desire, the complexity of human choices, and the tangled path between dreams and responsibility.
Full of heart, humor, and hauntingly beautiful songs, Into the Woods is a theatrical experience that will leave you spellbound, questioning your favorite fairy tales—and maybe even your own story.
Be careful what you wish for.
FOREST ROBERTS THEATRE
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: 2HRS 45 MINS | 15min Intermission
The Rocky Horror Show
October 23-25, 2025
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Richard O'Brien
This cult classic humorously pays homage to B movies from the science fiction and horror genres spanning the 1930s to the early 1960s. The plot follows a newly engaged couple who, after being caught in a storm, find themselves at the mansion of a flamboyant transvestite scientist, Dr. Frank-N-Furter. There, they encounter his latest creation, Rocky—a Frankenstein-like figure who is a fully grown, physically perfect muscle man with blonde hair and a tan.
FOREST ROBERTS THEATRE
MEANT FOR A MATURE AUDIENCE, INTENSE ADULT THEMES AND LANGUAGE | APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: 1 HR 45 MINS
This production is a fundraiser and is not included in the Season Ticket Package.
Ctrl+Alt+Delete
October 30-November 1 and November 6-8, 2025
Play by Anthony Clarvoe
A razor-sharp play about ambition, illusion, and the fragility of innovation.
Tech wunderkind Eddie Fisker has never met a line of code he couldn’t charm—or a boundary he wouldn’t cross. When he teams up with a charismatic tech visionary to launch a product poised to “change the world” (or at least, their bank accounts), they ignite a media frenzy, attract billions in speculative investment, and build what might just be the shiniest house of cards in Silicon Valley history.
But behind the buzzwords and TED Talk polish lies a brittle reality. As the cracks begin to show, Eddie and his partner must navigate a surreal landscape of corporate absurdity, where books are “little paper websites,” executives resemble Muppets, and truth is just another line in the pitch deck.
Ctrl+Alt+Delete is a fast-paced, darkly comic ride through startup culture, tech bro bravado, and the digital age’s obsession with disruption. Hilarious, unnerving, and painfully timely, it asks: What happens when you can’t reboot the system—because you are the bug?
PANOWSKI BLACK BOX THEATRE
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: 1HR 40MINS | 12min Intermission
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
December 4-6, 11-13, 2025
Composer & Lyricist: Johnny Marks
The beloved holiday classic comes to life on stage!
Straight from the screen and onto the stage, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™: The Musical brings the timeless TV special to life in a magical production full of heart and holiday cheer. Featuring classic songs like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” this family favorite includes all your treasured characters—Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius, and of course, Rudolph himself.
Shunned for his glowing red nose, Rudolph sets off on a journey to find a place where he truly belongs. Along the way, he meets other misfits with stories like his own—and discovers that being different is exactly what makes him special. When a fierce snowstorm threatens Christmas, it’s Rudolph’s uniqueness that lights the way and saves the day.
This heartwarming holiday musical is a joyful celebration of acceptance, friendship, and the courage to be yourself. Perfect for audiences of all ages, Rudolph reminds us that sometimes, the things that set us apart are the very things that make us shine.
Bring this uplifting tale to your stage—and let the spirit of the season soar!
FOREST ROBERTS THEATRE
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: 80MINS | 15min Intermission
CO/LAB Dance Company
January 29-31st, 2026
Featuring Love is a Burning Thing choreographed by Karina Johnson
FOREST ROBERTS THEATRE
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: TBD | 15min Intermission
Cupid's Cabaret: A Holiday Soiree
February 12, 2026: Fundraiser Dinner Theatre and Auction Performance (not included in Season Ticket Package)
February 13-14, 2026: Regular Performances (included in Season Ticket Package)
Step back in time and into the sparkle of a 1980s high school prom in Cupid’s Cabaret—an immersive (and sometimes interactive) performance packed with big hair, bigger emotions, and all the retro romance you can handle. From the comfort of your table (unless you feel inspired to get up and dance!), enjoy a lively journey as we follow the prom committee's preparations, navigate high school drama, and build up to the unforgettable crowning of the king and queen. Whether you're slow dancing or just soaking it all in, this throwback celebration promises heart, humor, and a whole lot of fun.
LOCATION TBA
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: TBD
A Streetcar Named Desire
February 19-21, 26-28th. 2026
Play by Tennessee Williams
Desire. Delusion. Destruction.
Step into the sweltering, jazz-soaked streets of New Orleans, where the air hangs thick with secrets and every word crackles with tension. In Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, faded Southern belle Blanche DuBois arrives uninvited at her sister Stella’s run-down apartment, clutching fading dreams and fragile illusions.
But in this cramped corner of the French Quarter, reality burns hotter than hope. As Blanche collides with Stella’s volatile husband, Stanley Kowalski—a man as brutal as he is magnetic—their clashing worlds ignite a psychological war of survival. What follows is a haunting, poetic unraveling of lies, loneliness, and the desperate hunger for connection.
A Streetcar Named Desire is a bold, heartbreaking portrait of a woman pushed to the edge, a man who refuses to yield, and a society cracking beneath the weight of its own contradictions. Raw, lyrical, and unflinchingly human, this is Tennessee Williams at his most electrifying.
PANOWSKI BLACK BOX THEATRE
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: 2HRS 45MINS | 12min Intermission
9 to 5
April 9-11, 16-18. 2026
Music & Lyrics by Dolly Parton and Book by Patricia Resnick
Kick off your heels, crank up the volume, and join the rebellion!
Based on the hit 1980 film and featuring an original score by country music legend Dolly Parton, 9 to 5: The Musical is a high-energy, laugh-out-loud tale of friendship, revenge, and female empowerment in the workplace.
When three vastly different office workers—Violet, Judy, and Doralee—are pushed to the brink by their sexist, egotistical boss, they don’t just get mad… they get even. Through a wild mix-up of fantasy, farce, and bold determination, the trio hatches a plan to take control of the office and transform their toxic work environment into a place of respect and possibility.
With catchy songs, big laughs, and heart to spare, 9 to 5 is a celebration of women rising up, standing tall, and rewriting the rules—all set to a toe-tapping score that’ll have you humming all the way home. This musical comedy is the ultimate feel-good tribute to the power of friendship, fairness, and finding your voice.
FOREST ROBERTS THEATRE
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: 1HR 50MINS | 15min Intermission
Senior Showcase
April 24
One night only! Join us in celebrating the work of our graduating seniors during this culminating showcase-style performance!
Please note that this production contains adult themes, strong language, and mature subject matter. While these elements are thoughtfully presented as part of the students’ artistic exploration and growth, the content may not be suitable for younger audiences.
FOREST ROBERTS THEATRE
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: 1HR 15MIN | No Intermission
2026 North Coast Theatre and Dance Festival
Panowski Play: Tragedy Sound
May 14-16, 2026
2026 Panowski Playwriting Award Winner!
PANOWSKI BLACK BOX THEATRE
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME TBD
Drag Cabaret
May 29-30, 2026
A Pride Celebration Event!
Join NMU Theatre and Dance for a drag cabaret to start Pride Month! Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in Marquette and beyond as performers make the stage their own.
PANOWSKI BLACK BOX THEATRE
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: 2HRS | 15min Intermission
North Coast Dance Festival
June 24, 2026: Master Class
June 25-26, 2026: Performances
5th Annual Dance Festival
Join us for the 5th Annual North Coast Dance Festival, a spectacular celebration of dance! Professional dancers from across the country will gather alongside the NMU CO/LAB Dance Company for engaging educational experiences and mesmerizing performances. Don't miss this unforgettable event filled with grace, talent, and artistry.
This event is generously supported by the Siril Endowment for the Arts.
FOREST ROBERTS THEATRE
APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: 1HR 15MIN | 15min Intermission
