Comedy Play Festival: Nine plays, six shows, in May at the Grange Hall
April 30, 2026 | By Waterbury Roundabout
Poster image courtesy of the New Stage Players.
Local actors and directors with Waterbury’s New Stage Players present their 2026 Comedy Play Festival with nine short plays, May 8-17, at the Grange Hall Cultural Center.
The company will perform six shows over two weekends, including two Sunday matinees.
The program features nine original plays selected from 300 submissions. Director Monica Callan said the local theater group’s call for original works resulted in entries from around Vermont, other parts of the United States, Canada, and as far away as New Zealand.
The chosen plays are in rehearsals now and will be presented by local talent of the New Stage Players.
“The evening of comedy is designed to lift spirits, connect us joyfully, and provide laughter as a medicine to counter whatever it is that ails you,” Callan describes in announcing the shows.
Vermont playwrights whose work will be represented are Rick Boyle and Kevin McElroy from Waterbury, and David Carkeet from Middlesex. From around the U.S., the Comedy Play Fest will present selections by Susan Lerner and Keith Whalen from New York, Alex Dremann from Pennsylvania, Brian Brijbag from Florida, Rand Higbee from Oregon, and Michael Waterson from California.
Along with Callan and Boyle, local directors working on the production are Jeanne Beckwith, Paul Calvaliere, Bob Carmody, Bridget Edwards and Roger Keller.
Cast members for the plays are: Boyle, Adam Cunningham, Bob Fisher, Linda Innauzzi, David Lagala, Susan Loynd, Francis Moran, Jim Sampson, Mary Scripps, Cynthia Seckler, George Seivwright, Mo Seivwright, Dustin Spence, Lila Stratton, Augie Stevens, Meredith Vaughn, Janice Gohm Webster, and Carrie Youngblood.
The plays feature PG-13-rated subject matter. Proceeds from the festival will benefit the Grange Hall Renovation Fund.
Performances will be Friday-Sunday on the weekends of May 8-10 and 15-17. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. for the Sunday performances.
Tickets: $20 suggested donation. Purchase online in advance at Seven Days Tickets. For more information or to reserve tickets offline, email or call: info.acrossroads@gmail.com or 802-244-4168.
The Grange Hall is located at 317 Howard Avenue in Waterbury Center.