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Past Performances at the Abbey Theater

City Jail

Be in the audience for the encore production of this fully conceived production (from staged readings in 2021 to full-scale production in 2022) at the Abbey Theater of Dublin. Based on the professional experiences of Columbus, Ohio, playwright and attorney Catherine Adams, ’City Jail’ illuminates what can happen when a false claim of sexual harassment is levied.

  • When: Nov. 22-23 at 7 p.m. Nov. 24 at 2 p.m.
  • Ages: Recommended for ages 14 and up

Disney’s Descendants: The Musical

Back by popular demand! Based on the popular Disney Channel Original Movies, “Disney’s Descendants: The Musical” is a brand-new musical comedy featuring beloved characters and hit songs from the films!

  • When: Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 and 17 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
  • Ages: Recommended for ages 5 and up

See No Evil

In 1969 Maine, an enigmatic young woman joins the Ripley family as companion to their blind and mentally fragile daughter… and proves a little too inquisitive. Tensions rise. Murder is committed. The unsavory history of the family is at last revealed.

When: Oct. 24-26 and Nov. 1 at 7 p.m., Oct. 27 and Nov. 3 at 2 p.m. Nov. 2 at 2 and 7 p.m.

Watch 10TVs Story

A Walk in the Woods

Back by popular demand! In the woods on the outskirts of Geneva, two superpower arms negotiators, a Russian and an American, meet informally after long, frustrating hours at the bargaining table. Through their revealing conversations, we become aware of their profound frustrations with their two systems of government as long as the real power rests in the hands of those burdened by the bitterness of the past.

  • When: Oct. 3-5 at 7 p.m.
  • Ages: Recommended for ages 12 and up
Read the BroadwayWorld Columbus Review
Read the Columbus Dispatch Review

An Umbrella on a Rainy, Rainy Day

A world premiere play written by Dublin, Ohio resident Robert Cooperman. A family is blessed by the surprise arrival of a new addition. Although at first enamored with the child, the others in the family (except the mother) are concerned that he smiles all the time and seems impervious to pain. The parents proceed to go on a quest to determine if there’s anything wrong with the newest member of the family. 

  • When: Aug. 21-23 at 7 p.m.
  • Ages: Recommended for ages 12 and up

Alice by Heart

From the Tony and Grammy award-winning creators of “Spring Awakening”, “Alice by Heart” is a touching musical inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. In the rubble of the London Blitz of World War II, Alice Spencer’s budding teen life is turned upside down, and she and her dear friend Alfred are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station. When the ailing Alfred is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape with her into their cherished book and journey down the rabbit hole to Wonderland.

  • When: Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. Aug. 10-11 at 2 p.m. Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. Aug. 17 at 2 p.m.
  • Ages: Recommended for ages 14 and up

American Idiot

Green Day’s powerhouse album is brought to life in this electric-rock musical of youthful disillusion. Johnny, Tunny and Will struggle to find meaning in a post-9/11 world. When the three disgruntled men flee the constraints of their hometown for the thrills of city life, their paths are quickly estranged. An energy-fueled rock opera, “American Idiot” features little dialogue and instead relies on the lyrics from Green Day’s groundbreaking album to execute the storyline.

  • When: Aug. 8, 10, 11, 14, 16 and 17 at 7 p.m.
  • Ages: Recommended for ages 14 and up
Read the BroadwayWorld Columbus Review

James and the Giant Peach JR

A delightfully offbeat adaptation of the classic Roald Dahl adventure, a boy and his insect friends take an amazing journey across the ocean. When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that grows a tremendous peach, rolls into the ocean and launches a journey of enormous proportions.

  • When: July 18-20 at 7 p.m. July 20-21 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
  • Ages: Recommended for ages 6 and up

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Told entirely through song with the help of a main character Narrator, the musical follows the preferred son, Joseph. After being sold into slavery by his brothers, he wins over the Egyptian noble, Potiphar, but ends up in jail after refusing the amorous advances of Potiphar’s wife. While imprisoned, Joseph discovers his ability to interpret dreams, and he soon finds himself in front of the mighty but troubled, Elvis-inspired Pharaoh. Joseph’s solution to Egypt’s famine elevates him to Pharaoh’s right-hand man and reunites him with his family.   

  • When: June 20-29 at 7 p.m. June 23 at 2 p.m.
  • Ages: Recommended for ages 6 and up

Otterbein Playwrights Collective

Join us for the fourth annual Otterbein Playwrights Collective. Witness three world premiere productions – written by Otterbein University creative writing students and performed by Central Ohio teens!

  • When: June 14-15 at 7 p.m. June 16 at 2 p.m.
  • Ages: Recommended for ages 12 and up

A Walk in the Woods

In a woods on the outskirts of Geneva, two superpower arms negotiators, a Russian and an American, meet informally after long, frustrating hours at the bargaining table. Through their revealing conversations, we become aware of their profound frustrations with their two systems of government as well as their optimism for a new path forward.

  • When: May 17-18 at 7 p.m. May 18 & 19 at 2 p.m.
  • Ages: Recommended for ages 12 and up
Watch 10TVs Coverage
Read the Columbus Dispatch Article
Read BroadwayWorld Columbus' Interview

AbioGenesis: An Origin Story

AbioGenesis: Origin Story is a new stage play and produced by Jamie Harper and their community-based ensemble and in conjunction with The Ohio State University College of Art and Sciences. This engaging personal narrative-driven theater experience will synthesize their recent academic endeavors while exploring storytelling as a means of healing the individual and the collective. The major questions being examined are ‘simply’ the questions of our daily human struggle to understand: Who am I? Where am I? and What am I Doing Here? This portrait of an artist and a human in discovery promises to be an event you will not soon forget.

The audience will be encouraged to reflect upon their own journeys as artists and humans to see where their own stories feed their joy or have room for mending.

  • When: April 19-20 at 7 p.m.
  • Ages: Recommended for ages 13 and up

Van Gogh’s in the Attic

A world premiere, break-neck comedy by Irish playwright and Abbey Theater favorite Sean Cooney. Set on the south coast of Ireland in the 1980s, Fergal MacAdoo, suffering from dissociative fugue after a bombing attack in Dublin, has taken up residence in the Barnacle household and believes he is the painter, Vincent Van Gogh. A local priest, Father Brady, and Fritzi, son-in-law to Mrs. Barnacle, are wanted gunrunners and forgers. Fergal (Vincent) paints a series of Van Gogh-esque self-portraits, which Father Brady and Fritzi use in their illegal schemes. Mrs. Barnacle, the matron of the house and no one’s fool, calls the local press and claims she’s found a lost Van Gogh in the attic. Hilarity ensues!

Co-produced by Abbey Theater of Dublin and Original Productions Theatre

Our Town

Thornton Wilder’s timeless, Pulitzer Prize-winning drama of life, set in the mythical village of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire, is an American classic with universal appeal. The simple story of a love affair between two young neighbors asks timeless questions about the meaning of love, life and death.

Co-produced by Abbey Theater of Dublin and Stage Right Theatrics

  • When: March 15-24

Imagine a Dragon

The dragon is back in town! Well… not really. That’s the story a ragtag band of innkeepers makes up, desperate to draw questing heroes to the struggling Dancing Dragon Inn. Soon, the inn is full of unexpected guests, from an army of princesses out to prove their bravery to a group of overwhelmed heroes trying to hold onto their fame. But what happens if they all discover the innkeepers’ dragon story is made up? Could there be more than one way to save the day? Join us for this funny, heartfelt fantasy musical for families and young audiences.

  • When: March 9-10 
Read the Playbill

The Facebook Effect

A world premiere play by Dublin, Ohio, playwright Lauren Wilkens. When the popularity of Facebook expanded to include adults, Dana, an empty nester in her 50s, started posting what she hoped friends and family would perceive as the perfection of her life and marriage to her husband, Mike. Unfortunately, Dana’s worst fears are realized when the truth about her failing marriage and personal life is exposed on the social media site. Both Dana and Mike are forced to re-evaluate their lives in hopes of saving themselves and their marriage.

Co-produced by Abbey Theater of Dublin and Original Productions Theatre

  • When: Feb. 8-17

The Drums of War

A world premiere play by retired Ohio Supreme Court Judge, playwright, and novelist Herb Brown. England stands alone as Nazi Germany conquers Continental Europe and America awakens to the peril it will face if England falls. Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, and the dying but magnificent Harry Hopkins forge an alliance that will turn the dark winter of Hitler into a glorious summer.

  • When: Jan. 19-28

Dublin Dance Centre’s The Nutcracker

The City of Dublin proudly presents the Dublin Dance Centre and Gymnastic abbreviated production of the holiday classic The Nutcracker.

This production is recommended for all ages. Please note all performances are approximately 90 minutes in length

  • When: Dec. 2

Elf Jr.

Based on the cherished New Line Cinema hit! Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

  • When: Dec. 8-17
Read the Playbill

We Are Monsters

“We Are Monsters” is a hilarious new musical that follows human kids into a monster cabaret filled with quirky monster characters. The adventurous humans uncover vegetarian vampires and rock n’ roll werewolves, gradually realizing there may be more to these monsters than meets the eye! Most importantly these monsters and kids discover the importance of friendship and celebrating in the attributes that make each of us different and unique.

  • When: Nov. 18-19

Women Who Know: A Witch Play

England, 1600. In the remote Borough of Pendle dwells two matriarchs who are still practicing cunning women. Beth and Anne know the magic of Pendle’s lands and creatures, of the cosmos, and of feminine wisdom and bonds. They want to teach their daughters, but such knowledge is becoming too dangerous to have, to speak, to utilize. In 1612, both of their families are hanged for witchcraft. These women’s names are known to history only because they were murdered as witches. But what were their lives like? How did they navigate their increasingly misogynistic society? How did they fight back? 

  • When: Nov. 3-5

Moby Dick’s Gone Missing

A Co-Production between the Abbey Theater of Dublin and OPT

Over the years, John Huston and Gregory Peck have talked about the filming on the Irish Sea for the film Moby Dick. Rumors suggest the company lost as many as three rubber white whales; the assumption being that the special effects people built complete 60-foot leviathans from head to fin. This world premiere play creates a fictious account of what took place amongst the locals, actors, and the film crew while on location in Youghal, County Cork, Ireland.

  • When: Oct. 5-15

The Inheritance- An Evolution Theatre Company Production

Inspired by E.M. Forster’s masterpiece Howards End, The Inheritance is an epic examination of survival, healing, class divide and what it means to call a place home.

PART 1
Decades after the height of the AIDS
epidemic, three generations of gay men in New York City attempt to forge
a future for themselves amid a turbulent and changing America. When two strangers enter the lives of a political activist and his writer boyfriend, their futures suddenly become uncertain as they chart divergent paths.

PART 2
Picking up where PART 1 ended, PART 2 takes its characters on roller-coaster journeys of self-discovery and self-destruction. All lives intersect as they face the decision to heal or burn.

  • When: Part 1: Sept. 7-10, 14-16. 
  • Part 2: Sept. 21-24, 27-30

Grease!

Grease is the word! Meet the senior class of 1959 at Rydell High and watch Head “greaser” Danny Zuko and new (good) girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to relive the high romance of their “Summer Nights” as the rest of the gang sings and dances its way through such songs as “Greased Lightnin’,” “It’s Raining on Prom Night,” “Alone at the Drive-In Movie”.

  • When: Aug. 9-13
  • Ages: Recommended for ages 10 and up

Roald Dahl’s Matilda JR. The Musical

Matilda JR. is the story of an extraordinary little girl with extraordinary powers. The daughter of abusive parents, Matilda finds refuge in library books, which she reads quickly and in creating her own stories. Brave little Matilda knows she has to stand up against the adults in her world, and in doing so, discovers her own remarkable powers. Sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty.

DOWNLOAD: Matilda JR. Playbill

  • When: July 13-16
  • Ages: Recommended for ages 6 and up

Annual South Asian Theatre Festival

  • When: July 8 – 9
  • Ages: Recommended for ages 10 and up

2023 Otterbein Playwrights Collective
Performance

Join us for the third annual Otterbein Playwrights Collective. Witness three (3) world premiere productions – written by Otterbein University creative writing students and performed by Central Ohio teens.

  • When: June 30 – July 2

40 Acres

A Co-Production between the Abbey Theater of Dublin and OPT

A World Premiere! 40 Acres tells the tale of two people who chose to brave the dangers before them in Tuskegee, Alabama, 1899. Armed with nothing but an unshakable conviction that their happiness is just beyond the impenetrable horizon. Perhaps your answer lies in the outcome of their fate.

  • When: June 15 – 24

McQueen

A girl has watched Alexander McQueen’s Mayfair house. Tonight, she climbs down from her watching tree and breaks into his house to steal a dress, to become someone special. He catches her, but instead of calling the police, they embark together on a journey through London and into his heart. A journey into the visionary imagination and dream world of Alexander McQueen, fashion’s greatest contemporary artist.

  • When: May 25–June 3

A Yankee Goes Home

Abbey Theater of Dublin

On a rooftop in New York City, retired Police Officer Flinter Flynn struggles to find the ability to communicate with the outside world and his family due to the loss of his best friend/co-worker. Through his love of the Yankees and a special friend named “George,” wounds are healed, and a family is reborn. Recommended for ages 12 & up

  • When: April 14-23

PRESS START!

Abbey Theater of Dublin PRESS START! transports us inside the bright, pixelated world of video games! When the famous characters we know and love run out of lives, they decide to put on a musical fundraiser that will help them raise gold rings and play on. Through hilarious and heartfelt musical numbers we see the heroes, villains and sidekicks like we’ve never seen them before. But when things go terribly awry, it’s the quiet sidekick Little Mushroom who must find the hero within to help save the day! Recommended for ages 5 & up
  • When: March 18-19

Abundant Life

Presented by Original Productions Theatre

A world premiere production! A gay millennial Christian and a gay agnostic Baby Boomer form an unexpected friendship as they struggle to navigate the political and social upheaval of the current times. Recommended for ages 12 & up

  • When: March 3-12

Forbidden Broadway

Presented by Evolution Theatre Company

In this long-running Off-Broadway hit musical revue, Broadway’s greatest musical legends meet Broadway’s greatest satirist in this hilarious, loving, and endlessly entertaining tribute to some of the theatre’s greatest stars and songwriters. Recommended for ages 12 & up

  • When: Feb. 9-18

The Price of Power

Presented by the Abbey Theater of Dublin

President John F. Kennedy and FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover are locked in a fight for political survival. Kennedy can fire Hoover, but Hoover knows enough to bring Kennedy down. To protect himself, Kennedy makes his brother Bobby Attorney General and Hoover’s boss. The play dramatizes the struggle between Hoover and the Kennedys – a power game at which all are highly skilled. Under the veneer of civility, the advantage shifts from one to the other. True to historical record, the play takes its audience inside power politics. It raises questions, which then, as now, lie at the heart of political and human behavior. Recommended for ages 13 & up

  • When: Jan. 13-22

Dublin Dance Centre’s The Nutcracker

The City of Dublin proudly presents the Dublin Dance Centre and Gymnastic abbreviated production of the holiday classic The Nutcracker.

This production is recommended for all ages. Please note all performances are approximately 90 minutes in length.

A Seussified Christmas Carol

A whimsical reinvention of Dickens’ most beloved Christmas story in wacky rhymed couplets. This tale of glorious holiday cheer is similar to something Dr. Seuss might have come up with if he ever had his way with the story!

Disney Descendants: The Musical 

Based on the popular Disney Channel Original Movies, “Disney’s Descendants: The Musical” is a brand-new musical comedy featuring beloved characters and hit songs from the films!

WIGS

MusicalLand Theater is pleased to present the world premiere of the musical ‘Wigs’.

Wigs is a glimpse of one woman’s journey through bipolar disorder, a condition which has led to a series of both heartwarmingly funny and heart-wrenchingly painful moments.

City Jail — World Premiere

What happens when a woman advances a false claim of sexual harassment?  What would make her do such a thing? Can the horribles that spring out of this Pandora’s box ever be stuffed back in again?  These are a few of the questions pondered by City Jail.  Playwright Catherine Adams draws on her experience as a trial lawyer defending against claims of sexual harassment in the workplace to present a hard-hitting, realistic portraiture of a typical plaintiff in such a case.  She may be a victim, but her victimhood stems from long ago and she becomes the victimizer.

An Evening with Lauren Wilkens: Motherload and Skinny

by local playwright Lauren Wilkens
produced by Original Productions Theatre

“Motherload” — An unexpected announcement from Mick and Amy’s mother, Judy, forces them to look inside what really happens to a dysfunctional family under the veneer of perfection, happiness, and suburban affluence.

“Skinny” — Join Kate on a journey of self-exploration, along with her friend, Monica, as they navigate their relationships with body image and the active role it plays in their lives, especially as it pertains to their relationship with each other.

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the two plays Sept. 29.

Boy

by Anna Ziegler
produced by Evolution Theatre Company

An area premiere! “Boy” is inspired by a true story that explores the tricky terrain of finding love amidst the confusion of sexual identity and the inextricable bond between doctor and patient. A well-intentioned doctor convinces the parents of a male infant to raise their son as a girl after a terrible accident. Two decades later, the repercussions of that choice continue to unfold.

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the show Sept. 15.

The Moment

Sometimes your life can change in just a moment. THE MOMENT, a new musical, explores different moments in the lives of the characters.  That one moment when everything changes. In THE MOMENT, we watch characters struggle and celebrate the joy, peace and hope in life-changing moments.

This production was featured as part of the 8th annual Spotlight Columbus South Asian Theater Festival.

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the show Sept. 10.

RENT: School Edition

Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent School Edition is about falling in love, finding your voice, and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, it has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages.

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the show Aug. 11.

Gently Down the Stream

by Martin Sherman
produced by Evolution Theatre Company

An area premiere! “Gently Down the Stream” is a remarkably moving, brilliantly funny love story that reflects the triumphs and heartbreaks of the entire length of the gay rights movement. Celebrating and mourning the ghosts of the men and women who led the way for equality, marriage and the right to dream.

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the show with Evolution Theatre Company July 21.

Otterbein Playwrights Collective

Original scripts written by Otterbein University playwrights were workshopped, rehearsed, and performed by Dublin-based teen performers in their world premieres at the Abbey Theater of Dublin!

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the show July 15, 2022.

The Wind in the Willows

A musical adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s timeless story of the friendship of the good-hearted Water Rat, the shy and curious Mole, the sensible Badger and antics of Mr. Toad, a wily and impulsive animal given to sudden crazes (such as stealing motor cars and driving them recklessly around the countryside), tests their friendship. Their task: save Toad from himself and then rescue the magnificent Toad Hall from devious weasels, ferrets, and stoats.

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the show July 14, 2022.

Birds of a Feather

by Marc Acito
produced by Evolution Theatre Company

An area premiere! This play recounts the story of Roy and Silo, the two Central Park Zoo male chinstrap penguins who partnered, adopted an egg, hatched and raised a chick together. The trial and tribulations of parenting, regardless of your species or sex.

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the show with Evolution Theatre Company June 23.

Voice of the Net

produced by Original Productions Theatre

A world premiere! Set twenty years into the future, the internet has embedded itself into all aspects of everyday life. In this net-driven, highly political world, Sgt. Donna Lloyd leads a small federal task force dedicated to fighting net crimes, including those of Daria, a cyber vigilante who has aided several of the tasks forces cases. When a digital death threat toward a US Senator implicates Daria, Sgt. Lloyd must determine Daria’s true motives before the violence spreads to the real world.

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the show in collaboration with Original Productions Theatre (OPT) June 2, 2022.

The Musical of Musicals, The Musical

music by Eric Rockwell, lyrics by Joanne Bogart
book by Eric Rockwell and Joanne Bogart
produced by Evolution Theatre Company

An area premiere of a musical about musicals! In this hilarious satire of musical theater, one story becomes five delightful musicals, each written in the distinctive style of a different master of the form. A Rogers and Hammerstein version; a Stephen Sondheim version; a Jerry Herman version; Andrew Lloyd Webber version; and a Kander & Ebb version.

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the show with Evolution Theatre Company April 28, 2022.

Catspaw

by Cory Skurdal
produced by Original Productions Theatre

A regional premiere! Wealthy and controlling Barbara Shepard has gone missing. Barbara’s son, Richard, thinks his stepfather, Peter, knows more than he is telling. Richard’s sister, Lindy, isn’t sure who she should trust.

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the show with Original Productions Theatre March 17, 2022.

The Claw

By Denver Casado, Jessica Penzias, Kerry Kazmierowicztrimm, Christyn Budzyna & Jack Mitchell

An Ohio premiere! When an out-of-order claw game suddenly turns back on, all of the toys are ecstatic! Well… all of the toys except for Dot, a terrified stuffed cow. Dot’s desperate to hold onto her home and her best friend, Aiden. Can Dot conquer her fear of the unknown with some help from the Flair Bears, Mighty Mutant Power Turtles, Beanie Elders, and the all-knowing Mystical 8-ball?

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the show March 12, 2022.

The Duchess

written by former Ohio Supreme Court justice Herb Brown

Written by former Ohio Supreme Court justice Herb Brown, the play is set in the early 1910s and takes a look at the political career and romantic affairs of scandal-plagued Ohioan Warren G. Harding, who became president in 1921 and died under strange circumstances in 1923.

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the show Feb. 10, 2022.

The Land of Forgotten Toys

A multi-generational Central Ohio premiere! It is three days before Christmas and Grace works in a toy store owned by her grumpy aunt, Charlotte. She begs for a chance to go far away. Grace and her friend Nikki are magically transported to the legendary “Land of Forgotten Toys.” They meet an elf named Schmedrick, encounter an Icicle Giant, and discover that the forgotten toys are not misfits; in fact, their “flaws” are key to their success. For, while we are all different, none of us are really misfits. And even in the darkest galaxies, there is always light!

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the sold-out show Dec. 16, 2021.

Disney’s Descendants: The Musical

Based on the popular Disney Channel Original Movies, “Disney’s Descendants: The Musical” is a brand-new musical comedy featuring beloved characters and hit songs from the films! This production featured youth artists ranging in ages 9-16.

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the sold-out show Nov. 20, 2021.

Bound for Albania
written by Johnrick Hole
produced by Original Productions Theatre

Jill, a retired nurse, is inspired to help Syrian refugees. The Syrians are fleeing their war-torn country and are separated from their families. Jill is assigned to a refugee camp in Albania, where she works with the staff to help these refugees. Will her family understand her desire to go on an epic journey of her own? Even if it means leaving them behind?

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the show Nov. 4, 2021.

 

 

Two Ones
produced by Evolution Theatre Company

Evolution Theatre Company and the Abbey Theater of Dublin proudly present the in-person premieres of two one-man productions that received their virtual premieres during the COVID-19 pandemic:

  • Navigation
    Written and performed by Monty Almoro
    A poignant coming-of-age story, “Navigation” explores what it means to be a gay immigrant youth in America.
  • The Sissy Chronicles
    Written and performed by Mark Phillips Schwamberger
    A highly relatable exploration of the life experiences of a gay man, “The Sissy Chronicles” is filled with pathos, humor and heart-warming first-hand accounts of the societal structures and patterns which confront, shape and ultimately define the lives of those deemed “other” or “different.”

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the show Oct. 21, 2021.

The Story of My Life
music and lyrics by Neil Bartram, book by Brian Hill
produced by Evolution Theatre Company

This heart-warming musical follows the friendship of Alvin and Thomas, two men from a small town. These lifelong friends are reunited after Alvin’s mysterious death. In the abstract world of his mind, Thomas struggles to write Alvin’s eulogy while recounting the many turns that their lives have taken since meeting as children. Through music and song, these two friends recount their adventures, explore their past dissonance and ultimately discover what is at the base of every strong friendship … love.

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the show Oct. 7, 2021.

CONTROL
produced by J&J Productions

CONTROL examines the common fear of giving our whole self to one person. Maya is struggling to determine where she stands with her ex-girlfriend while also trying to sort out where her relationship with her best friend is going. Carter is trying to balance two romantic relationships with two very different women.

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the show Aug. 19, 2021.

PLAYS IN THE PARKS
Les Misérables – School Edition

“Les Misérables” is the world’s longest running musical — a true modern classic based on Victor Hugo’s novel and featuring one of the most memorable scores of all time. Epic, grand and uplifting, Les Misérables School Edition packs an emotional wallop that has thrilled audiences all over the world.

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the show Aug. 11, 2021.

PLAYS IN THE PARKS
The Irish… And How They Got That Way
in connection with Dublin Irish Days presented by the Dublin Irish Festival
this production is presented by Giant Eagle Market District

“The Irish… and How They Got That Way” is an Off-Broadway musical written by Frank McCourt. The production features an eclectic mix of Irish music ranging from the traditional “Danny Boy” to U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” An irreverent but affectionate history of the Irish in America that mingles laughter and sentiment in a tapestry of classical songs and stories. The production encapsulates the most tumultuous times of the past century with vibrant humor and bitter irony. Download the Digital Program.

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the show Aug. 4, 2021, in the Coffman Park Amphitheater as part of the Dublin Irish Days event.

Sons & Lovers
produced by Evolution Theatre Company

Coming out has never been more fabulous in this uproarious comedy. Ellen knows the score – but it’s so much easier to pretend than to talk about it. It takes fantasy, farce, and one fabulous makeover before Ellen realizes the reality she’s been avoiding most is her own.

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the show July 22, 2021.

PLAYS IN THE PARKS
Madagascar — A Musical Adventure JR.

“Madagascar — A Musical Adventure JR.” follows all of your favorite crack-a-lackin’ friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar.

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered the show July 15, 2021.

Columbus Black Theatre Festival
presented in association with Mine 4 God Productions

The Abbey Theater of Dublin is proud to partner with Mine 4 God Productions to present the 9th annual Columbus Black Theatre Festival. This 2021 Festival theme was “Say something, it might change something.” The Festival was comprised of 11 powerful plays that were written by award-winning playwrights, directed by nine brilliant directors and performed by talented and experienced actors. Visit Mine 4 God Productions for more information.

The Abbey Theater of Dublin hosted the Festival July 9-11, 2021.

Otterbein Playwrights Collective
presented in association with Otterbein University

The first collaboration between Otterbein University and the Abbey Theater of Dublin! Abbey Theater Supervisor Joe Bishara selected three one-act productions written by Otterbein playwrights that were workshopped, rehearsed and performed by Dublin-based teens.

The Abbey Theater of Dublin premiered this collective with Otterbein University June 25, 2021.

From White Plains
by Michael Perlman
produced by Evolution Theatre Company

In an emotional Academy Awards acceptance speech, Dennis publicly denounces Ethan, the high school bully who he believes pushed his gay best friend to suicide, and who, fifteen years later, inspired the screenplay that garnered the Oscar. As the speech escalates from internationally televised to viral, a now more mature Ethan must confront what he did as a teenager. Thrust into the court of public opinion, their closest relationships begin to unravel. When old actions have unforgivable consequences, how can the world be expected to move forward, and does anyone ever outgrow who they were in high school?

The Abbey Theater premiered the show with Evolution Theatre Company May 13, 2021.

 

How To Be A Trainer
by Robert Cooperman

Dr. John leaves no stone unturned imparting his wisdom (with no filter) about the ins and outs of being a trainer. An irreverent one-man comedy written and performed by Robert Cooperman.

The Abbey Theater premiered the show April 16, 2021.

 

Songs for a New World

It’s about one moment. It’s about hitting the wall and having to make a choice … or take a stand … or turn around and go back. These are the stories and characters of today, the Songs for a New World. The first musical from Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown, this moving collection of powerful songs examines life, love and the choices that we make.

The Abbey Theater premiered the show March 19, 2021.

 

Bound for Broadway — Frozen KIDS

Frozen KIDS is a 30-minute adaptation of the 2018 Broadway musical, which was based on the 2013 Walt Disney Animation Studios film. Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Sven and all of your favorite characters embark on an epic, ice-filled journey of self-discovery, camaraderie, and the real meaning of true love. Frozen KIDS proves that “some people are worth melting for.”

The Abbey Theater premiered the show March 13, 2021.

About Abbey Theater of Dublin

Located in the Dublin Community Recreation Center (5600 Post Rd.), the 200-seat Abbey Theater of Dublin offers a wide variety of theatrical and musical performances, movies and lectures at community prices. The intimate venue is perfect for Central Ohio-based performing arts groups to produce outstanding entertainment. Under the direction of Joe Bishara, the Abbey Theater of Dublin has become a destination for theater companies and artists to premiere diverse and inclusive productions featuring artists of all ages for patrons of all ages. Support the arts in your community.

Tickets are available online, at the door, or by calling 614.410.4550. All major credit cards are accepted.

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Bocce Ball Courts
Two regulation bocce ball courts are available for public use, subject to senior adult programming and league play. Bocce ball sets may be checked out at the Welcome Desk by players 18 and older.

Classrooms
The classrooms house a variety of programs, including pottery and arts & crafts—meeting the needs of preschoolers, children, teens, adults and senior adults.

Community Hall
The Community Hall provides space for parties, receptions, meetings and community events. The facility seats up to 300 or can be divided into smaller rooms.

Abbey theater of Dublin
A 200-seat theater can be used for musical, theatrical and dance performances; film/video; lectures; and seminars.

Computer Lab
Equipped with workstations and a variety of software programs, the computer lab provides high-speed Internet access and opportunities for beginning and intermediate instruction. Open to ages 18 & up.

Family Locker Rooms
Each family locker room has its own shower, restroom and lockers. One locker room, designed for people with special needs, features a dressing table.

Fitness Area
Looking for free weights and cardiovascular equipment? Check out the fully equipped fitness area on the first floor. You will find treadmills, elliptical machines, bicycles and stair steppers along with free weights, Nautilus and a complete set of Cybex strength equipment.

Group Fitness Studios
If you enjoy group fitness, check out the myriad of classes offered. Two state-of-the-art studios feature suspended floors to help reduce impact and injury. Several pass options are available, allowing participants to choose from a weekly schedule of classes that include Spinning®, Pilates and TRX.

Jogging/Walking Track
Joggers and walkers on the second floor track can cover a mile in 13 laps. An expanse of windows provides views of the pools and the outdoors.

Multi-Purpose Pool
The competitive/lap pool measures 25 yards by 25 meters and has two one-meter diving boards. This pool often is divided for activities such as aqua aerobics, open swim, swim team practice and instruction. Bleachers provide ample seating and a separate entrance makes it perfect for area swim meets. The natatorium walls in both the lap and leisure pools are lined with sound-absorbing material.

Leisure Pool
A unique feature of the DCRC is the leisure pool, which includes a lazy river, clam slide for children, double helix slide for those a little more daring and a zero-foot entry point for cautious tots. The warmer water and 3.5-foot maximum depth make this pool perfect for children, adults and senior adults.

Senior Adult Lounge
An elegant, cozy lounge welcomes senior adults to our center. Enjoy playing cards with friends, reading by a fireplace or simply relaxing in this peaceful environment.

Teen Lounge
A teen lounge offers space and a variety of programming opportunities for Dublin teens.

Wee folk/Youth Lounge
While moms and dads are working out, attending a class or relaxing in the hot tub, they can rest assured that their children—from ages 6 weeks to 12 years—are nearby and safe. Children can play in the indoor or outdoor area or engage in age-appropriate games and activities.

Courtesy & Rules

Hours of Operation
Our parks are open for your enjoyment from dawn to dusk, unless otherwise noted at the park or during certain special events.

Shelters/Pavilions
A number of our shelters and pavilions are available to reserve on a first-come, first serve basis. Please be courteous of your neighbors and abide by your reservation times.

Keep it Clean
We’re sure you’ll find Dublin’s parks and bikeways to be clean, beautiful places to enjoy with your family. The City strives to keep its parks, playgrounds and bikeways clean and free of litter. Please leave the parks as clean as you find them so that others will enjoy them as much as you do. Disposal of litter in public places is prohibited unless placed in public trash containers or using City-authorized containers as part of the City’s refuse, recycling and yard waste collection programs.

Pets
We know your furry friends enjoy nature as much as you do. We ask you to be safe and courteous with your pets.

Animals may not run at-large in our parks. All animals must be under the owner’s control at all times. All pets must be securely leashed, kept in a vehicle or suitably caged.

Animal owners also must pick up and properly dispose of any fecal matter left by their pets. It’s not just courteous — it’s the law!

Horses
Horses are allowed in designated areas of Glacier Ridge Metro Park.

Hunting and Fishing
For the safety of our residents, hunting is forbidden in the City. Fishing is permitted in designated areas, including certain City park ponds and in the Scioto River (with a license). Please fish only in ponds where signs prohibiting fishing are not posted.

Respect our Parks
Plants and animals also are part of the Dublin community. Please respect the plant and animal life and ecosystems of our natural areas. Enjoy the flowers, trees and other flora without picking or damaging plants. Touching or disturbing wildlife, including animal and bird nesting areas and eggs can be dangerous to humans — not to mention our flora and fauna! And please do not damage or remove any property or natural feature, including stones and minerals, earth, wood, and nuts. Take only pictures and leave only footprints in our parks.

Rules & Regulations

Dublin Recreation Services is committed to providing quality recreation programs and facilities for the Dublin community. Use of the facilities by families and citizens is strongly encouraged. The following policies have been established to operate the DCRC and to ensure our patrons quality and safe recreation experiences:

  • Proper and valid identification is required to gain access to the DCRC. Users of the DCRC need to check in at the front desk and provide annual pass, resident card, temporary pass or pay the daily pass rate for admittance.
  • Annual pass holders who do not present their annual pass will only be admitted if an alternate form of photo identification is produced.
  • Resident card holders must present their Dublin Resident ID card each visit to receive the daily pass discount rate.
  • Annual passes are not transferable and will be deemed void when in the hands of those other than the proper registrant.
  • The DCRC and its grounds are smoke- and alcohol-free environments by City ordinance.
  • Eating and drinking is permitted in designated areas only.
  • Children ages 9 and under must have adult/guardian at least 16 years of age supervising at all times.  Supervising adults must keep children ages 4 and under within arm’s reach; there must be at least one adult for each two children in this age group. Children ages 5 through 7 must be within sight of their attending adult at all times. Children ages 8 and 9 must have an adult in the facility at all times. For children ages 5 through 9, there must be one adult for every five children. Children ages 10 years and over may enter the facility without an adult supervisor.
  • Youth must be 16 years of age or older to be on the fitness floor.  Youth ages 12 – 15 years are permitted on the fitness floor if directly supervised by an adult or if they have passed the Junior Fitness Card Program (see Fitness Program Section). Youth under the age of 12 years are not permitted on the fitness floor area at anytime.
  • Youth must be 13 years of age or older to be on the track or in the track stretching areas.  Youth ages 8 – 12 years are permitted on the track if directly supervised by an adult or if they have passed the Junior Track Program (see Fitness Program Section). Youth may enroll in the Junior Track Program if they are ages 10-12.  Youth under the age of 8 years are not permitted on the track at anytime unless utilizing the pool observation area with an adult.
  • Changes in recreation schedules may occur without notice. Staff will post changes in the schedule with as much advance notice as possible. Current pool, aerobics and open gym schedules are available at the Front Desk.
  • Dublin Recreation Services is not responsible for lost or stolen articles. It is strongly recommended that you lock your possessions in a locker during your visit to the DCRC.
  • Lockers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Locks may not be left on lockers overnight. Locks which are left overnight will be removed by staff.
  • All participants must observe the rules and regulations relating to the safety and operation of the facilities. Any passholder who fails to comply with the rules and regulations of the DCRC will be subject to the following penalties:
  • One week’s suspension from use of the facilities upon the first incident;
  • Thirty days suspension from use of the facilities upon the second incident;
  • One year suspension from use of the facilities upon a third violation; and
  • Permanent suspension from use of the facilities upon any subsequent incident.

The following activities, although not an exhaustive list, are examples of behaviors that will result in disciplinary action and police reports when applicable:

  • Fighting
  • Stealing
  • Property Damage
  • Disorderly conduct
  • Criminal damage
  • Verbal abuse of staff and/or patrons
  • Not following posted policies and rules

DCRC Regular Building Hours

  • Monday – Friday: 5:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
  • Saturday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Sunday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

2024 Modified Hours

  • New Year’s Day: Monday, Jan. 1 open from 8 a.m. to noon
  • Easter: Sunday, March 31 – CLOSED
  • Memorial Day: Monday, May 27 open from 8 a.m. to noon
  • Independence Day: Thursday, July 4 open from 8 a.m. to noon
  • Labor Day: Monday, Sept. 2 – CLOSED
  • Thanksgiving: Thursday, Nov. 28 open from 8 a.m. to noon
  • Christmas Eve: Tuesday, Dec. 24 open from 5:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Christmas: Wednesday, Dec. 25 – CLOSED
  • New Year’s Eve: Tuesday, Dec. 31 open from 5:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • New Year’s Day: Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 open from 8 a.m. to noon

2024 Dublin Irish Festival Special Hours

  • Friday, Aug. 2 open from 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, Aug. 3 open from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
  • Sunday, Aug. 4 – CLOSED

2024 Annual Cleaning, Maintenance & Repairs

The Dublin Community Recreation Center (DCRC) will be closed from Saturday, Aug. 24 through Monday, Sept. 2, 2024 for annual cleaning, maintenance and repairs. The DCRC will reopen at 5:30am Tuesday, Sept. 3. Offices will be staffed for phone calls from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Parks & Recreation

Recreation Services
614.410.4550

Parks, Shelter Houses & Kaltenbach Rentals
614.410.4510

24-Hour Information Hotline:
614.410.4946

Dublin Community Recreation Center Rentals
614.410.4550

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Dublin, Ohio, USA

5555 Perimeter Drive
Dublin, Ohio, 43017

City Hall Hours

Mon – Fri: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Phone: 614.410.4400

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