Towngate Theatre’s upcoming 2025-26 Main Season promises something for every theater lover, featuring mystery, comedy, musical elements and compelling drama.
The season opens Friday, September 19 with Agatha Christie’s legendary “The Mousetrap.” Brimming with intrigue, sophisticated humor and surprising twists, this iconic murder mystery is the longest running show, of any kind, in the world.
This whodunit play finds a group of strangers snowed in at a country guesthouse following a murder in London. The plot unfolds as the guests reveal dark secrets and grow suspicious of one another when they discover a killer is among them.
Director Cassandra Majetich and her top-notch cast bring Christie’s suspenseful narrative to life and will keep audiences guessing until the very end.
Cast members, in order of appearance, are Karissa Martin, Brian Jeffries, Joel Nau, Cathie Spencer, Justin Swoyer, Micah Underwood, Kevin Hensley-Smith and Sean Decker.
“The Mousetrap” will be staged at Towngate for two weekends—September 19-21 and 26-27.
Curtain is at 8pm Fridays and Saturdays. A 3pm matinee takes place Sunday, September 21.
SUSPECT EVERYONE
“When you mention Agatha Christie, it brings people together. There is a reason ‘The Mousetrap’ is the world’s longest-running play,” Majetich said. “I’m excited to bring Christie’s classic whodunit formula and iconic characters to the Ohio Valley.”
Majetich plans to preserve the play’s famous secrecy around the ending. Her directing theme: “suspect everyone.”
She explains, “I want rehearsals and performances to feel like you’re suspecting someone different every time. During auditions, I welcomed everyone to one of the world’s longest-standing oaths of secrecy. During performances, I’ll welcome audiences the same way.”
She will also focus on creating atmosphere and building tension. “I’m staging it so that the audience watches clues unfold and follows twists and turns to piece them together. The audience gets drawn in by bold characters while being deceived by them at the same time.”
COMMUNITY PARTNERS FOR “THE MOUSETRAP”
Two community partners have joined in on the fun to promote Towngate and generate excitement around this must-see production of “The Mousetrap.”
To celebrate the literary “WHO-DUN-IT” Queen, Agatha Christie, Towngate has partnered with the Ohio County Public Library for a murder mystery scavenger hunt. Those who participate and complete the scavenger hunt will be put in a drawing for two free tickets to a performance of “The Mousetrap” at Towngate Theatre! Participants will have fun exploring all the resources that the library has to offer; as well as, getting to know a little bit more about the show!
The scavenger hunt will be available to complete September 8-17.
Table 304 has crafted three specialty drinks in honor of the show.
• Agatha ChrisTEA latte – Assam Tea latte with orange and vanilla.
• Mystery latte – for the adventurous detectives
• Monkswell Mocha – a black and white mocha with cinnamon and cardamom. Perfect for a winter night in the manor while you figure out who dun it.
The drink specials run Sept 15-27.
SEASON DELIVERS MYSTERY, COMEDY, CLASSIC DRAMA
“The Mousetrap” opens Towngate’s season. Two other plays follow— “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged) in November and “You Can’t Take It With You” in May.
Tim Thompson, Oglebay Institute’s director of performing arts, curates this diverse lineup to entertain audiences across the Ohio Valley.
Thompson describes the season’s appeal: “The play selections are superb — great plays to act and to see. They are all excellent choices for all ages, except maybe ‘Complete Works,’” which he recommends for those 15 and older.
“Something old, something new and a season of positivity and fun. Something we all need these days,” he adds.
SHAKESPEARE COMEDY RETURNS BY POPULAR DEMAND
“The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)” by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield takes the stage November 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 2025.
This is not the Shakespeare you studied in school—it’s more like Cliff Notes meets Monty Python! This high-speed condensation of all that is Shakespeare includes a heavy dose of impov and audience participation along with plenty of blunders, puns and outrageous impersonations.
Thompson calls it “the funniest play we’ve ever done.” The production previously sold-out audiences in 2010, and Thompson returns as director for this encore presentation.
The production ranks among “the world’s most frequently produced plays and has been translated into dozens of languages. It features all 37 Shakespeare plays, performed in 97 minutes by three actors,” Thompson notes.
PULITZER WINNER CLOSES SEASON ON HIGH NOTE
The Pulitzer Prize-winning “You Can’t Take It With You” by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart concludes the season May 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 2026. Dennis Fox directs this beloved American classic.
“‘You Can’t Take It With You’ celebrates hope and optimism, and I’m very pleased and proud to end the season on that note,” Fox said.
He added that even though the show premiered in 1936, the Sycamore family story remains “extraordinarily funny and relevant.”
Fox describes the play’s progressive themes: “It focuses on a large, diverse, non-traditional extended family — the likes of which wouldn’t be seen in media entertainment for another 35 years. Through humor, the play celebrates individuality and focuses on the real power of family bonds based on mutual love, acceptance and respect.”
DIRECTORS REFLECT ON THEIR PASSION FOR TOWNGATE
The three directors express much enthusiasm and love for Towngate Theatre.
“Directing at Towngate makes me want the best for my community and my own family. I want the actors in this area to have great challenges… the audiences in this area to see important stories,” Majetich says. “I want youth to fearlessly be themselves and develop their imaginations to better this community. Ultimately, I want people to know that greatness is right here in our community. You don’t have to go to a big city to do big things.”
Fox adds, “What I love most about Towngate Theatre and theater in general is that it creates a shared experience. People come together in real time and real space to share a story experience. The audience is aware of the actors, and the actors are aware of the audience — each affects the other. It’s a shared experience that no media entertainment can match.”
Thompson recognizes abundant local talent. “There’s a lot of talent in the Ohio Valley.”
Fox agrees: “Take a chance, buy a ticket. There’s a world of stories inside, waiting to be shared.”
Thompson concludes: “This season is entertaining and enlightening. Support your local community actors. They work hard and are so very good.”
THANK YOU, UNIFIED BANK!
2025-26 Towngate Theatre Main Season is once again sponsored by Unified Bank. Unified’s support enables Towngate to continue its mission of bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds to create and experience art onstage.
GET TICKETS
Purchase tickets for “The Mousetrap” online, by calling 304-242-7700 or at the door, if available.
You can also purchase Towngate Flex Passes online or by calling 304-242-7700. Flex passes can be used for any main season show as well as the holiday show “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story,” which will be staged in December and the children’s musical “Cinderella” in March.
SUPPORT TOWNGATE THEATRE
As a non-profit community theater, Towngate relies on community support. Tickets sales cover only a fraction of the costs to keep the theater operating. Your support of Towngate Theatre as a subscriber, audience member, donor, or sponsor (or all of the above!) makes it possible for our community to enjoy live performances all year long.
To learn more about how you can support the work at Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre, click here or call 304-242-4200.
Memberships to Oglebay institute also support the work of the theater and all Oglebay Institute venues. Oglebay Institute memberships are available in a variety of price ranges and include perks such as discounts, special events, priority registration, and more. Learn more and join online or call 304-242-4200.
