Youngstown State University announces 2025-2026 theater season

YOUNGSTOWN The season's fall semester productions will begin with the play "Arsenic & Old Lace", a dark comedy written by Joseph Kesselring.

A synopsis of the play was shared in the release.

"This play follows Mortimer Brewster, a drama critic, who discovers that his elderly aunts have been poisoning lonely men as acts of kindness. Hilarity ensues as Mortimer tries to free his family from the insanity that has claimed their minds."

Curtains will go up for "Arsenic & Old Lace" on October 3 in the YSU Ford Theater, with performances running from October 3 through October 5 and October 10 through October 12.

Concluding the fall semester is "Be More Chill", a musical based on Ned Vizzini's novel of the same name.

A synopsis of the musical was shared in the release.

"Jeremy, a social outcast at his high school, takes a pill containing a supercomputer known as SQUIP to become more popular, leading to the exploration of identity, technology and the pressures of fitting in."

"Be More Chill" will be shown in Spotlight Theater from November 14 through November 16 and from November 21 through Novermber 23.

The spring semester of the 2025-2026 season kicks off with "Episode 26".

A synopsis of the play was shared in the release.

"Remember those glory days of Saturday morning sci-fi serials at the local bijou: Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon. Here is an affectionate and extremely ingenious send-up of the genre."

"Episode 26" takes place from February 13 through February 15 and from February 20 through February 22 in Spotlight Theater.

Concluding University Theatre's 2025-2026 season is "Kiss Me, Kate", a musical by Cole Porter and Bella and Samuel Spewack.

A synopsis of the musical was shared in the release.

"Centered around a product of William Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew', this show follows the on- and off-stage conflict between its characters, particularly exes Fred and Lilli and their turbulent relationship as they both start seeing other people."

"Kiss Me, Kate" will be held for one weekend only from April 16 through April 19 in the YSU Ford Theater.

The YSU Ford Theater and Spotlight Theatre are both located on the first floor of Bliss Hall on the YSU campus, located at 547 Wick Avenue, Youngstown.

Season subscriptions and single tickets to performances will be available for purchase beginning on August 4 at 10 a.m. on the YSU ticket website.

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