Past Performances
The past performances at the Dolphin Playhouse, and also in life go beyond merely entertaining whispers on an empty stage. They are the creations that have shaped our theatre, as well as ourselves, and the audiences we’ve shared them with. Each performance is a journey that binds the talents of people; actors, directors, crew, and their ability to make the performances come alive in the hearts and minds of those present to witness them. It is the passion that drives us and the collective experiences that move us all forward. We celebrate this patchwork quilt of creativity and connection that continues to inspire and connect all the souls who enter into the walls surrounding our stage.
Moments in Time
The Dolphin Players
Performances Held:
May 9 – May 11, 2025
4 New directors each chose a one-act play for this show. Ailya Rose with Impromptu, Alyson Lyons with Long Ago and Far Away, Michael Matheson with A Matter of Husbands, and Jason Grabinger with Suppressed Desires.
Hollering Place Radio
The Dolphin Players
Performances Held:
May 5 – May 14, 2023
The Hollering Place Radio Hour is a an original radio production featuring stories about early Empire and Coos County. Performed by the Dolphin Players. It is a great way to celebrate the history of our community through entertainment.
Sherwood
by Ken Ludwig
Performances Held:
June 23 – July 9, 2023
Ken Ludwig’s action-packed retelling of Robin Hood, full of swashbuckling, humor, and romance. This adventurous play captured the spirit of heroism while delivering unexpected twists on the legendary outlaw’s story.
Salute to Journey
The Dolphin Players
Directed by Alice Carlson
July 14 – July 30, 2023
A thematic musical revue exploring the concept of journeys, both physical and emotional, through a selection of meaningful songs from stage and screen. A heartfelt and inspiring theatrical experience performed by local musicians.
Works of Shakespeare
by William Shakespeare
Performances Held:
October 14 – October 30, 2023
A fast-paced, comedic romp through William Shakespeare’s plays, presented in a hilariously condensed and irreverent format. Witty, chaotic, and full of unexpected twists, this production makes classic literature delightfully accessible.
Sci-Fi Film Festival
The Dolphin Players
Performances Held:
September 1 – September 3, 2023
A celebration of iconic science fiction films, featuring screenings, discussions, and insights into the genre’s cultural impact. Fans of sci-fi relish the deep dive into cinematic storytelling and imaginative worlds provided by this show.
Beauty and the Beast
by G.S. Barbot de Villeneuve
Directed by Barbara Booth Nixon
December 1 – December 17, 2023
A British-style pantomime of the classic fairy tale, infused with quirky humor, colorful characters, and energetic performances. A talking French poodle, an enchanted castle, and a feisty heroine made this production uniquely entertaining.
Sci-Fi Film Festival
The Dolphin Players
Performances Held:
March 1 – March 3, 2024
Another thrilling installment of the Empire Classic Sci-Fi Film Festival, showcasing influential science fiction films that have shaped storytelling and cinematic innovation. Featuring the films of Ray Harryhausen and George Pal.
Tales from the Kitchen
by Corrie Gant
Performances Held:
June 7 – June 9, 2024
An exploration of female perspectives. Tales from the Kitchen Table follows a writer’s journey through archetypal female identities, guided by a mysterious old woman. Lemonade offers a heartfelt and humorous look at resilience and reinvention.
Salute to Heroes
The Dolphin Players
Directed by Alice Carlson
August 2 – August 11, 2024
A musical revue paying homage to legendary heroes and villains from stage and screen, highlighting the dramatic contrast between noble aspirations and sinister motives through song. Performed by talented local singers and musicians.
Hollering Place 150th
The Dolphin Players
Performances Held:
August 23 – September 1, 2024
The Hollering Place Radio Hour is a an original radio production featuring stories about early Empire and Coos County. Performed by the Dolphin Players. It is a great way to celebrate the history of our community through entertainment.
39 Steps
by Patrick Barlow
Performances Held:
October 11 – October 20, 2024
A fast-paced comedic thriller based on Hitchcock’s classic, blending espionage, mystery, and slapstick humor. With a small cast playing multiple challenging roles, the production is a whirlwind of clever staging, humor, and intrigue.
Aladdin
by Hanna Diyab
Directed by Alice Carlson
December 6 – December 22, 2024
A spectacular interactive pantomime version of Aladdin, featuring two genies, a mischievous monkey, dazzling costumes, and some audience participation. A fresh and hilarious take on the Arabian Nights legend for kids of all ages.
Uncorked
by Lewis Carroll
Directed by Jan Rice
February 14 – February 23, 2020
A unique adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, blending classic tales with a modern twist. This surreal and humorous production transported audiences into a dreamlike world of imagination.
Seven
by Carol Mack
Directed by Barbara Booth Nixon
March 6 – March 14, 2020
A compelling documentary play featuring the true stories of seven courageous women from around the globe who fought against oppression and injustice. This powerful performance highlighted their resilience in the face of adversity.
Sleeping Beauty
by Ben Crocker
Directed by Alice Carlson
December 10 – December 19, 2021
A fresh, comedic retelling of the classic fairy tale in the style of British pantomime. Featuring a lovable cast of eccentric characters and witty dialogue, this production delivers humor and enchantment for all ages.
Unforgettable Songs
The Dolphin Players
Directed by Alice Carlson & Luanne May
August – August 14, 2022
A musical celebration of the most memorable and enduring songs from Broadway and Hollywood, performed with passion and nostalgia. From heartfelt ballads to show-stopping numbers, this revue honors those timeless melodies. More Info…
Savannah Sipping Society
by Jones, Hope, & Wooten
Directed by Alice Carlson
October 14 – October 30, 2022
A witty and heartfelt comedy about four Southern women who, through friendship and a love of cocktails, rediscover joy and purpose in their lives. With sharp dialogue and touching moments, it’s a testament to resilience and second chances.
Rapunzel
by The Brothers Grimm
Directed by Lisa Peterson
December 2 – December 18, 2022
A lighthearted and engaging pantomime version of Rapunzel, bringing fresh comedic elements and audience participation to the beloved fairy tale. The story was transformed into a high-energy, hilarious adventure for all ages.
Strange Tales
by Emily Flynn and Tyler Dwiggins
Directed by Cheri Valentine
April 13 – April 29, 2018
Strange Tales is two hilarious, family-friendly one-act plays; The Magic Pot and Orange is the New Glass. These two parodies add a twist to your favorite fairy tales featuring characters like Officer Tortoise and the Blue Fairy.
Salute to British Musicals
The Dolphin Players
Directed by Alice Carlson and Luanne May
Date 14 – Date 3, 2018
A tribute to the legacy of British musical theater, featuring songs from classics like Brigadoon, My Fair Lady, Oliver!, Phantom of the Opera, and Les Misérables. Experience a journey through the melodies that shaped musical history.
Hollering Place Radio
The Dolphin Players
Performances Held:
August 24 – September 2, 2018
The Hollering Place Radio Hour is a an original radio production featuring stories about early Empire and Coos County. Performed by the Dolphin Players. It is a great way to celebrate the history of our community through entertainment.
Cabaret
by Joe Masteroff
Performances Held:
October 19, 2018
Set in 1930s Berlin, this musical explores the glamour and grit of the Kit Kat Klub as Germany teeters on the brink of fascism. With unforgettable songs like Willkommen and Maybe This Time, the production captured the era’s tension and intrigue.
Holiday Radio Show
The Dolphin Players
Directed by Alice Carlson
December 7 – December 16, 2018
A delightful homage to old-time radio, bringing to life classic comedy sketches from Abbott and Costello, Blondie, Fibber McGee and Molly, and more. Enjoy the charm of vintage radio, complete with sound effects and audience interaction.
The Phantom Tollbooth
by Name
Performances Held:
February 15 – March 3, 2019
When a tollbooth mysteriously appears, Milo is transported to the strange Land of Wisdom and begins a quest to rescue the Princesses of Rhyme and Reason. This leads to a wondrous adventure with endless possibilities—and lessons learned.
Outside Mullingar
by John Patrick Shanley
Performances Held:
April 12 – April 28, 2019
John Patrick Shanley’s heartwarming romantic drama follows two lonely Irish farmers entangled in family disputes and unspoken love. Witty, poignant, and full of Irish humor, it showcases the struggle between personal dreams and familial duty.
Salute to Child Musicals
The Dolphin Players
Directed by Andrea Green
June 14 – June 30, 2019
A lively revue celebrating the magic of children’s musicals, with songs from beloved productions that have delighted young audiences for generations. A charming and nostalgic show for all ages. Featuring performances by local artists and musicians.
Hollering Place Radio
The Dolphin Players
Performances Held:
August 9 – August 18, 2019
The Hollering Place Radio Hour is a an original radio production featuring stories about early Empire and Coos County. Performed by the Dolphin Players. It is a great way to celebrate the history of our community through entertainment.
Fools
by Neil Simon
Performances Held:
October 11 – October 28, 2019
This whimsical comedy is about a teacher who arrives in a cursed village where everyone is, quite literally, a fool. He must find a way to break the spell within 24 hours, or become a fool himself. Filled with hilarious wit and misunderstandings.
Cinderella
by Name
Directed by David Fleeshman
December 13 – December 29, 2019
A wildly entertaining British-style panto that reimagines Cinderella with slapstick humor, outrageous characters, and plenty of audience participation. Traditional fairy tale meets irreverent comedy in this delightful theatrical romp.
Love, Loss…
by Nora and Della Ephron
Performances Held:
February 12 – February 28, 2016
A play of monologues and ensemble pieces about women, clothes, and memory by Nora and Della Ephron. It covers all the important subjects; mothers, prom dresses, mothers, buying bras, and… mothers. Based on the bestselling book by Ilene Beckerman.
The Hiding Place
by Jeff Whitty
Performances Held:
Apeil 22 – May 8, 2016
A romantic “dramedy,” by Coos Bay’s own Tony Award winning Jeff Whitty, it is a bittersweet tale of an affair between a renowned playwright and a waitress who aspires to be a playwright. Love, laughs and heartache ensue.
Hollering Place Radio
The Dolphin Players
Performances Held:
June 10 – June 26, 2016
The Hollering Place Radio Hour is a an original radio production featuring stories about early Empire and Coos County. Performed by the Dolphin Players. It is a great way to celebrate the history of our community through entertainment.
Salute to Hollywood
The Dolphin Players
Directed by Alice Carlson & Luanne May
July 8 – July 17, 2016
A celebration of the music in movies of the past 60 years, as part of the Oregon Coast Music Festival. With a cast of 16 and a theme of a Pops Concert, the music is from some 30 movies ranging from “Casablanca” to “Star Wars,” with a few spoofs thrown in.
The Giver
by Lois Lowry and Eric Coble
Directed by: Maureen Jungbluth
August 12 – August 28, 2016
The Giver, the only person who holds the memories of real pain and real joy learns the truth about life, and the hypocrisy of his utopian world. This moving adaptation, depicts what it means to grow up, grow wise, and take control of your own destiny.
Ha!
by Rich Orloff
Performances Held:
October 14 – October 30, 2016
HA! is a collection of Rich Orloff’s 3 most popular one-act comedies, including Oedi (a spoof of Oedipus Rex), The News from St. Petersburg, and The Whole Shebang (which asks, “What if the universe was simply a student science project?”).
Fabulous Festive ’50s
The Dolphin Players
Performances Held:
December 2 – 17, 2016
This holiday radio show is the best of 1950s radio comedians’ holiday shows and songs including Abbott and Costello, Dragnet, and Stan Freberg. Celebrate the season by enjoying live theatre and reminisce with the Dolphin Players.
The Vagina Monologues
by Eve Ensler
Directed by Alice Carlson
February 10 – February 19, 2017
The Vagina Monologues, as performed by the Dolphin Players, sheds light on unseen struggles and delights of the many intersections of womanhood across different races, nationalities, ages, sexualities, and gender identities through their voices.
Taking Steps
by Alan Aykbourn
Directed by Levi Goodman
April 21 – May 7, 2017
The fast-paced British comedy is set in a rundown, haunted, 3-story mansion, and features eccentric characters with conflicting agendas. The play gives laughs on multiple levels; literally the 3 levels of the Victorian house which was once a brothel.
Salute to Dance Songs
The Dolphin Players
Directed by Alice Carlson & Luanne May
July 14 – July 23, 2017
Timeless tunes from classic song and dance and movies are celebrated including such standards as “Dancin’ in the Dark,” “I Got Rhythm,” and “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” Ballroom dancers add to the entertainment, with projected scenery setting the stage.
Divas
The Dolphin Players
Directed by Alice Carlson & Luanne May
August 10 – August 13, 2017
A night of classic Broadway tunes that only Divas can perform! This limited engagement features the Divas; three local vocalists that you have most likely heard sing in the area. They are (in alphabetical order) Amelia Edd, Jane Stebbins, and Jeneveve Winchell.
Hollering Place Radio
The Dolphin Players
Directed by Kevin Gowrylow & Zoe Shields
September 8 – September 17, 2017
The Hollering Place Radio Hour is a an original radio production featuring stories about early Empire and Coos County. Performed by the Dolphin Players. It is a great way to celebrate the history of our community through entertainment.
Is He Dead?
by Mark Twain & David Ives
Directed by Alice Carlson
October 13 – October 29, 2017
With elements of burlesque, farce, and social satire, Mark Twain’s play centers on a group of poor artists who stage the death of a friend to drive up the price of his art through hilarious plots involving cross-dressing, a fake funeral, and much more.
Inspecting Carol
by Daniel Sullivan
Directed by Kevin Furkow
December 1 – December 17, 2017
Get your holiday cheer with this hilarious, madcap comedy! Behind the scenes of a struggling theatre’s annual production of A Christmas Carol, rehearsals are at a standstill. Tim is no longer Tiny, Scrooge wants to do the play in Spanish, and their funding is on hold pending an inspection.
Murder, Magic, & Mayhem
by The Dolphin Players
Performances Held:
February 14 – March 2, 2014
Murder, Magic, and Mayhem Celebrates the works of renowned Irish writer and dramatist, Lord Dunsany, (Edward John Moreton Drax Plunkett) known for his stories featuring magic and fantasy. Presented by The Dolphin Players.
The Cemetery Club
by Ivan Mendell
Directed by Alice Carlson
April 11 – April 27, 2014
This drama-comedy follows 3 Jewish widows who meet to visit their husband’s graves together. That is, until a romance with a widower at the cemetery threatens their friendship. It explores the themes of love, loss, and moving forward from grief.
Hollering Place Radio
The Dolphin Players
Directed by Barbara Booth Nixon
May 30 – June 8, 2014
The Hollering Place Radio Hour is a an original radio production featuring stories about early Empire and Coos County. Performed by the Dolphin Players. It is a great way to celebrate the history of our community through entertainment.
The Bad Children
by S. Jackson and A. Friedman
Directed by Maureen Jungbluth
July 20 – August 10, 2014
A humorous modern fairly tale that reimagines Hansel and Gretl, The Bad Children tells a version of the much-loved tale in which the children are the problem, and the witch is a charming old woman with a college degree in witchcraft.
The School for Lies
by David Ives
Directed by Alice Carlson
October 24 – November 9, 2014
The School for Lies tells the comic tale of Frank, who harbors a hatred for the hypocrisy that surrounds him. Borrowing from Shakespeare and adapted from Moliere’s ‘The Misanthrope’, The School for Lies offers inspired entertainment.
It’s a Wonderful Life
by Philip Stern & The Dolphin Players
Directed by Steve Wilson
December 5 – December 21, 2014
This play, like the Frank Capra/Jimmy Stewart movie, is based on the original 1939 story by Philip Stern. All the magic of the tale is performed in old-time radio style including live sound effects, live commercials, scripts-in-hand, and more.
Art
by Yasmina Reza
Performances Held:
April 3 – April 19, 2015
Set in Paris, 3 friends who find their solid, 15-year friendship on shaky ground when one of them buys an expensive painting and disagree about it’s worth. But they end having learned much about themselves along the way.
Hollering Place Radio
The Dolphin Players
Directed by Barbara Booth Nixon
June 12 – June 28, 2015
The Hollering Place Radio Hour is a an original radio production featuring stories about early Empire and Coos County. Performed by the Dolphin Players. It is a great way to celebrate the history of our community through entertainment.
Salute to Broadway
The Dolphin Players
Directed by Alice Carlson & Luanne May
July 10 – July 26, 2015
These musical performances will bring back memories of Broadway’s golden age, including songs from, “The King and I,” “Oliver,” a Disney medley including “The Little Mermaid,” “Lion King” and “Mary Poppins,” among others.
A Wrinkle in Time
by Madeleine L’Engle & John Glore
Directed by Maureen Jungbluth
September 11 – September 27, 2015
From Madeleine L’Engle’s book, 3 friends take a perilous journey through time and space to rescue a scientist from cosmic evil. They will discover the value of love, individuality, and courage; and use them to fight the darkness of the Universe.
The Real Inspector Hound
by Tom Stoppard
Directed by Alice Carlson
October 23 – November 8, 2015
A classic mystery parody, it follows two theatre critics, Moon and Birdboot, as they watch a ludicrous house murder mystery styled as a whodunit. By chance, they engage through a series of events that parallel the play they are viewing.
A Holiday Radio Show
The Dolphin Players
Performances Held:
December 6 – December 21, 2015
The Dolphin joined the best of early radio comedians’ holiday shows with holiday songs you may never have heard before. It’s not your typical sentimental holiday fare, so bring your sense of humor and prepare to enjoy the absurd.
The Guys
by Anne Nelson
Directed by Dick McMahon
September 11, 2011
On the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and performed at the Coos Bay Fire Station, The Guys explores the way the 9/11 attacks broke down the ordinary barriers between different groups in the first few weeks afterward.
The Liar
by Anne Nelson
Directed by Alice Carlson
August 10 – August 25, 2012
Quick-witted Dorante can’t tell the truth and must navigate a whirlwind of mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, outrageous lies, and more with sharp dialogue, clever twists, non-stop laughter, and fun, theatrical magic.
A Holiday Radio Show
The Dolphin Players
Performances Held:
November 30 – December 16, 2012
The Holiday Radio Show is a terrific way to get into the spirit of the season. The Dolphin Players recreate famed, golden-age holiday radio shows, including live music and nostalgia to bring holiday cheer and celebrate the holidays in style.
Love Letters
by A.R. Gurney
Directed by Alice Carlson
February 14 – March 3, 2013
This two-character tragi-comedy is filled with nostalgia, and follows the relationship and missed opportunities between Andrew and free-spirited Melissa throughout their lives from cradle to grave, as chronicled in the letters they write to each other.
Rabbit Hole
by David Lindsay-Abaire
Directed by Amy Katrina Bryan
April 12 – April 28, 2013
Rabbit Hole is a drama about a suburban New York family coping with the loss of their son in a tragic accident. The play explores the themes of grief, love, marriage, and healing through the perspectives of Becca, Howie, and others.
Greater Tuna
by J. Williams, J. Sears, and E. Howard
Directed by Bob Stack
June 7 – June 29, 2013
Greater Tuna is a comedy about a small town named Tuna, Texas. The wacky inhabitants of this town; men, women, children, and animals, are all played by two skillful, actors who must change parts at a breakneck speed.
Hollering Place Radio
The Dolphin Players
Performances Held:
August 10 – August 25, 2013
The Hollering Place Radio Hour is a an original radio production featuring stories about the early Empire area and Coos County. Performed by the Dolphin Players. It is a great way to celebrate the history of our community through entertainment.
20th Century
by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur
Performances Held:
October 18 – November 3, 2013
Set in 1933, 20th Century focuses on an egomaniacal producer Oscar Jaffee and his volatile relationship with ex-chorus girl and film actress Lily Garland. With his theatre foreclosed upon, he hopes to lure Lily back to the stage to salvage it.
Radio Through the Years
The Dolphin Players
Performances Held:
November 22 – December 8, 2013
Radio Through the Years is a performance filled with holiday radio stories from past to present including Orson Welles’ 1939, A Christmas Carol, and Santa Skits from Prairie Home Companion to ring in the season and deliver holiday cheer.