The Season Features Classic Works, World Premiere Plays, Suspenseful Thrillers, and Lots of Laughter
HOUSTON, TX – Tony Award®-winning Alley Theatre and Artistic Director Rob Melrose announces the 2024-25 season, including classic works, world premiere plays, a murder mystery, and lots of laughter.
“Next season, we are doing 11 extraordinary shows,” shares Alley Theatre Artistic Director Rob Melrose. “I’m so excited that we are doing great classics like The Glass Menagerie, Noël Coward’s Private Lives, and, of course, A Christmas Carol. Our audience loves mysteries, and they will get two chances to be thrilled, first by our Summer Chills offering and then by a Sherlock Holmes tale. We also have plenty of new plays, four on the Neuhaus stage and one on the Hubbard.
“This season is brought to life by our Resident Acting Company, Alley designers, and production staff. Whether it’s a comedy, drama, classic, or new work, every show they do is at such a high level. We want to give our Alley audience a theatrical experience that will leave them inspired!”
Alley Theatre’s 78th Season will launch with the Summer Chills production of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, directed by Elizabeth Williamson (Jane Eyre). Filled with suspense, Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None runs July 19 – August 25, 2024, in the Hubbard Theatre.
Next is the iconic comedy Noises Off by Michael Frayn, which runs September 27 – October 27, 2024, in the Hubbard Theatre. This backstage farce is directed by Associate Artistic Director Brandon Weinbrenner.
The Janeiad by Anna Ziegler and directed by Artistic Director Rob Melrose shows the power of grief, hope, and love, which runs October 11 – November 3, 2024, in the Neuhaus Theatre. The Janeiad was developed in the 2023 Alley All New Festival.
Romantic comedy December: a love years in the making by Marisela Treviño Orta kicks off the new year. Marcela Lorca directs this love story which runs from January 17 – February 2, 2025, in the Hubbard Theatre. December: a love years in the making was developed in the 2023 Alley All New Festival.
Seared by Theresa Rebeck is directed by Associate Artistic Director Brandon Weinbrenner. This spicy comedy runs February 7 – March 2, 2025 in the Neuhaus Theatre.
The American classic, The Glass Menagerie, will grace Alley’s Hubbard Theatre. Written by Tennessee Williams and directed by Artistic Director Rob Melrose, The Glass Menagerie runs February 21 – March 16, 2025.
A playful twist on a classic tale, Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery runs April 4 – April 27, 2025 in the Hubbard Theatre. Eleanor Holdridge (Jane Eyre, Ken Ludwig’s Lend Me A Soprano) directs.
Tender-hearted Primary Trust by Eboni Booth is directed by Niegel Smith (Syncing Ink) and runs May 2 – May 25, 2025, in the Neuhaus Theatre.
Closing out the season is Noël Coward’s Private Lives directed by KJ Sanchez (American Mariachi, Quixote Nuevo). Reimagined in 1930s Argentina, Private Lives runs May 23 – June 15, 2025, in the Hubbard Theatre.
The Alley’s holiday productions include A Christmas Carol, adapted from the Dickens novella and originally directed by Artistic Director Rob Melrose. A Christmas Carol runs November 14 – December 29, 2024. In the Neuhaus, a world premiere Alley Theatre commission of Isaac Gómez‘s (El Chuco Town Forever) one-woman play The Night Shift Before Christmas, directed by KJ Sanchez, runs December 5 – 24, 2024.
The Alley All New Festival will occur from October 25 – October 27. Learn more about the Alley All New initiative at alleytheatre.org/allnew.
2024-25 Season
Summer ChillsAgatha Christie’sAnd Then There Were NoneDirected by Elizabeth WilliamsonJuly 19 – Aug. 25, 2024 in the Hubbard Theatre
Ten Strangers, One Island, No Escape!A secluded island, ten strangers, and a deadly game of survival. Experience the tension and drama live on stage as Agatha Christie’s classic novel comes to life. The clock is ticking, and the suspense is palpable. The body count rises as the characters grapple with their own secrets and guilt. Can you solve who is behind it all?
Noises OffBy Michael FraynDirected by Brandon WeinbrennerSept. 27 – Oct. 27, 2024 in the Hubbard Theatre
Comic, Iconic, ChaoticBehind every successful show lies the chaos of rehearsals. This chaotic comedy pulls back the curtain to reveal the hilarious pandemonium that ensues when a group of eccentric actors attempts to stage a play. From missed cues to misplaced props, this backstage farce will have you doubled over with laughter as you witness the mayhem unfold.
The JaneiadBy Anna ZieglerDirected by Rob MelroseWorld PremiereOct. 11 – Nov. 3, 2024 in the Neuhaus Theatre
Exploration of Longing and HopeEveryone grieves in their own way. For Jane, she waits. For 20 years, Jane longs for her husband to return to her after 9/11, much like Penelope awaits her husband’s return in The Odyssey. Penelope’s longing is eventually rewarded when Odysseus returns to Ithaca after leaving to fight the Trojan War. Will the same be true for Jane? Discover the power of grief, hope, and love.
A Christmas CarolFrom the novella by Charles DickensAdapted and originally directed by Rob MelroseNov. 14 – Dec. 29, 2024 in the Hubbard Theatre
Houston’s Holiday Tradition!Rediscover the timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation as he encounters the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Be transported into Victorian England with dazzling costumes and stunning sets. Join us for a Dickensian celebration of love, redemption, and the true spirit of Christmas!
The Night Shift Before ChristmasBy Isaac GómezDirected by KJ SanchezAlley Theatre CommissionWorld PremiereDec. 5 – Dec. 24, 2024 in the Neuhaus Theatre
Adult Holiday ComedyThe Christmas Eve overnight shift is Margot’s personal tradition — even if that means dealing with grumpy drive-thru customers. But when her dead best friend Jackie Marley drops by to warn her of impending late-night visits by spirits, Margot has no choice but to roll with the punches and confront the very Scrooge she’s become. Experience a Christmas Eve like no other in this brand-new holiday show filled with humor and heart.
December: a love years in the makingBy Marisela Treviño OrtaDirected by Marcela LorcaWorld PremiereJan. 17 – Feb. 2, 2025
Souls Bonded by Literature and MusicAn unlikely attraction blooms between poetry professor Carolina and her talented student Benjamin. Spanning 20 years, this romantic comedy follows two Texans connecting over literature and music in Minnesota. This lyrical meditation allows us to explore love, poetry, and timing.
SearedBy Theresa RebeckDirected by Brandon WeinbrennerFeb. 7 – Mar. 2, 2025
Bold Flavors, Sharper WordsThis sizzling play serves up a delectable blend of culinary chaos and artistic intensity. Harry, an up-and-coming chef, has received great praise, but his restaurant still operates in the red. To fix this, Harry’s business partner, Mike, hires a consultant, Emily, to elevate the restaurant. However, Harry and Emily have vastly different views on the priorities. This spicy comedy asks us to consider where art ends and business begins.
The Glass MenagerieBy Tennessee WilliamsDirected by Rob MelroseFeb. 21 – Mar. 16, 2025
Fragile Dreams, Faded RealitiesThis American classic follows a family trapped in dreams and delusion. Amanda, a faded Southern belle, yearns for a better life for her children. However, Laura would rather spend time alone with her collection of delicate glass animals, while her restless son, Tom, longs to escape the monotony of his current life. This timeless masterpiece asks us to explore themes of memory, escape, and the delicate nature of human connections.
Ken Ludwig’sBaskerville: A Sherlock Holmes MysteryDirected by Eleanor HoldridgeApr. 4 – Apr. 27, 2025
A Playful Twist on a Classic TaleStep into the foggy moors of Devonshire as the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes and his trusty sidekick Dr. Watson embark on a thrilling and hilarious adventure. This fast-paced and witty adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic novel, “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” promises an evening of mystery, laughter, and suspense.
Primary TrustBy Eboni BoothDirected by Niegel SmithMay 2 – May 25, 2025
Discovering Life between Imagination and RealityKenneth has lived the same routine every day for the past 15 years. During the day, he goes to work at a bookstore; at night, he goes to a tiki bar with his friend Bert. When the bookstore goes out of business, Kenneth is forced to push past his boundaries and reconcile with his past. Witness this tender-hearted tale of old friends, new beginnings, and the smallest of chances.
Noël Coward’sPrivate LivesDirected by KJ SanchezMay 23 – June 15, 2025
Elegance, Wit, and RomanceReimagined in glamorous 1930s Argentina, this beloved comedy explores the consequences of love, desire, and the thin line between affection and animosity. Divorced couple Elyot and Amanda accidentally find themselves honeymooning with their new spouses in adjacent rooms, creating a whirlwind of witty banter, heated confrontations, and the unexpected rekindling of old flames. Experience Coward’s sharp, sophisticated dialogue with charismatic charm in this timeless exploration of the complexities of love and human nature.
Full casting and creative teams for all productions will be announced later.
PHOTOS: Click here.
SEASON SPONSOR: Alley Theatre is supported by the 2024-25 Season sponsor United Airlines, the official airline of the Alley Theatre, and Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites Downtown Houston, the official hotels of Alley Theatre.
ABOUT ALLEY THEATRE:
Alley Theatre, one of America’s leading nonprofit theatres, is a nationally recognized performing arts company led by Artistic Director Rob Melrose and Managing Director Dean R. Gladden. The Alley is committed to developing and producing theatre that is as diverse as the Houston community. The Alley produces up to 11 plays and 350 performances each season, ranging from the best current work and classic plays to new plays by contemporary writers. Home to a full-time resident company of actors and expert artisans in all theatre crafts, the Alley engages theatre artists of every discipline – actors, directors, designers, composers, playwrights – who work on individual productions throughout each season as visiting artists.
Alley Theatre performs at the Meredith J. Long Theatre Center which is comprised of two state-of-the-art theatres: the 774-seat Hubbard Theatre and the 296-seat Neuhaus Theatre. The Alley reaches over 200,000 people each year through its performance, education, and community engagement programs.