The Melon Patch Theatre in Leesburg has declared its season for 2021-22, which will feature original writing, family-friendly classics and months of fun.
According to Dustin Lavine, the theatre’s executive director, this season’s focus is on having the crowd laugh and enjoy themselves. The theatre intended to put on shows that were encouraging, intellectual and, of course, incredibly entertaining, because many inhabitants in the town had been touched by the pandemic.
“After last year we’re trying to keep it lighthearted with a season that doesn’t get into anything too deep,” Lavine said. “It’s a season with more laughter and a mixture of lighthearted comedy and drama. Dramedy, if you will.”
Two of the plays this season are brand new. In Thomas Kline’s “Overdue Bills,” a 14-year-old kid is grounded for the summer and is forced to live with his elderly grandfather, who suffers from dementia. Stan Zimmerman and Christian McLaughlin’s “Yes, Virginia” is about two older women navigating the dangers of ageing after one of them is paralyzed in an accident.
The theatre will also be hosting a performance of “A Christmas Carol,” which Lavine is conducting and which is one of his favorite holiday classic stories.
The Melon Patch Theatre celebrated its 70th birthday recently. The theatre was founded to provide a theatre presence in the region, and it was given its name since Leesburg was formerly the world’s melon center. There are various ways to get engaged with the 2021-22 season because all of the actors and technicians are volunteers. Volunteers are needed as crew, set designers, ushers and customers for the theatre. For each future play, there are also open auditions.
“Take a chance and come out to see us when you can,” Lavine said. “This is a year we need the community’s support the most.”
Melonpatchplayers.org has information about tickets and audition dates. Leesburg’s Melon Patch Theatre is located at 311 N. 13th St.
