As the leaves start to turn and the smell of fall starts to waft through the air, local theater companies are springing to life. It’s time for the Perfect Duluth Day theater primer. If it’s on the stage, it’s in our calendar.

In addition to the works of Duluth/Superior theater companies listed below, a smattering of other productions are scheduled around the region, including community theater by the Grand Marais Playhouse, Grand Rapids Players and County Seat Theater Company in Cloquet, along with touring shows at Myles Reif Performing Arts Center. The Zeitgeist Arts Center has also started mounting independent productions with this fall’s The Realistic Joneses.
 

The Duluth Playhouse was founded in 1914 and is one of the nation’s oldest community theaters, producing a year-round season of dramas, musicals and children’s productions.

The Full Monty
Sept. 13-30

Norshor Concert Series
Oct. 19-21

Beauty and the Beast
Nov. 19-Dec. 16

Don’t Dress for Dinner
Jan. 31-Feb. 10

Norshor Concert Series
Feb. 22 and 23

Sweeney Todd
March 28-April 14

The Government Inspector
May 9-19

Grease
July 11-28
 

Lyric Opera of the North channels its collaborative efforts exclusively to the grand art of opera.

“Trouble in Tahiti” and “Filthy Habit”
Oct. 28-30

Home for the Holidays
Dec. 1

L’elisir d’amore
June 14
 

Playhouse Family Theatre produces shows for all ages and has two branches: Children’s Theatre Arts showcases the talents of young artists and Theatre for Young Audiences is an adult, professional company performing for young audiences.

Dr. Doolittle, Jr.
Oct. 26-Nov. 4

Puss in Boots
Jan. 19-Feb. 3

Newsies
Feb. 28-Mar. 10

Winnie the Pooh
May 11-26

Singin’ in the Rain, Jr.
June 28-30

Much Ado About Nothing
August 8, 10, 15 and 17

Xanadu, Jr.
August 9, 11, 16 and 18
 

Renegade Theater Company is committed to introducing the area to the boldest, newest and most imaginative works in theater.

Oklahoma
Oct. 12-27

Dear Elizabeth
Dec. 7-15

Outside Mullingar
Mar. 1-9

Birds of a Feather
April 26-May 4

Sylvia
June 7-22
 

Rubber Chicken Theater was founded in 2008, and produces original theater created by local artists, typically within the realm of comedy.

Rubber Chicken Theater 10th Anniversary Holiday Sketch Comedy Revue Extravaganza and Garden Party
Dec. 21
 

St. Scholastica Theatre performs shows based in the liberal arts tradition of the college.

Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?
Nov. 2-18

Where’s My Money
Feb. 1-10

The Fan
April 5-14
 

UMD Theatre provides academic and professional training in the theater arts.

Dear Finder 2018
Oct. 11-17

Significant Other
Nov. 8-13

Danceworks
Nov. 29-Dec. 1

Love’s Labor’s Lost
Feb. 7-16

Time’s Up
March 7-24

Sister Act
April 18-28
 

The Underground is a satellite theater of the Duluth Playhouse. It hosts Duluth Playhouse productions and performances by other theater groups, as well as serving as a multi-purpose event center and performance space.

Baskerville: a Sherlock Holmes Mystery
Oct. 4-13

Rocky Horror Picture Show
Oct. 31-Nov. 2

The Santaland Diaries
Dec. 6-8

Ruthless! The Musical
Jan. 10-26

What She Said: One-Act Festival
Mar. 21-23

The Fantasticks
April 25-May 4

Eurydice
May 30-June 8

Laughter on the 23rd Floor
Aug. 1-10

Hedwig & the Angry Inch
Aug. 29-31
 

University Theatre at UWS emphasizes active student participation.

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Nov. 9-18

I and You
Feb. 15-24

The Comedy of Errors
(collaboration with Wise Fool Theater)
April 26-28 and May 3-5
 

Wise Fool Theater is Duluth’s classical theater company, specializing in Shakespeare productions.

The War of the Worlds
Oct. 5-14

Wiley and the Hairy Man
March 1-3 and 8-10

The Comedy of Errors
(collaboration with University Theatre at UWS)
April 26-28 and May 3-5