The Waterville Opera House (WOH) is excited to announce its 2026 theatrical season. The Opera House, a division of Waterville Creates, produces four community theatrical shows every year—two straight plays and two musicals. While the 2026 season follows this model, there are a few twists in the second half of the year.
The season begins in January with the riotous two-act comedy The Nerd, by Larry Shue. In April, WOH will produce the fairy tale-themed musical comedy Once Upon a Mattress. Auditions for The Nerd will be announced soon at watervillecreates.org.
“I’m thrilled with the 2026 theatrical offerings that the Waterville Opera House will bring to our patrons with the help of our insanely talented community volunteers,” said Michelle Sweet, WOH’s executive director. “The Nerd is an uproarious, laugh-a-minute delight sure to have the audience in stitches. Our spring musical, Once Upon a Mattress, draws its characters from Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Princess and the Pea’ and is one of the most popular plays in community theatres worldwide.”
In August, the Opera House is excited to produce the world premiere of a brand new work, Unabashedly, by Mike Teverbaugh, presented as part of the American Association of Community Theatre’s NewPlayFest. WOH is one of only six theatres in the country to receive this prestigious honor.
“Theatres rarely have a chance to work hand-in-glove with a show’s playwright during the rehearsal process,” Debra Susi, who will direct Unabashedly, said last year upon the initial announcement. “This award provides the Waterville Opera House with the rare opportunity for all creatives—designers, directors, and most importantly our talented Central Maine actors—to work directly with the playwright and play a significant role in the premiere of an award-winning play. It is a unique and exciting experience for our theatre community.”
“I’m deeply honored that the Waterville Opera House has been selected as one of only six theatres nationwide to be part of the American Association of Community Theatres 2026 NewPlayFest, putting a well-deserved national spotlight on our top-notch theatrical productions,” Sweet added.
Another unusual twist for this year’s season announcement: due to contractual obligations we are yet unable to reveal the title of the November musical, which will run for three weeks. Patrons can expect a full announcement later in 2026 (and in the meantime can speculate to their hearts’ content).
In the meantime, enjoy a glance at what 2026 has in store:
January 30–February 8: The Nerd by Larry Shue
Willum Cubbert has often told his friends about the debt he owes to Rick Steadman, a fellow ex-GI whom he has never met but who saved his life after he was seriously wounded in Vietnam. He has written to Rick to say that, as long as he is alive, “you will have somebody on Earth who will do anything for you” —so Willum is delighted when Rick shows up unexpectedly on the night of his birthday party. But his delight soon fades as it becomes apparent that Rick is a hopeless “nerd”—a bumbling oaf with no social sense, little intelligence, and less tact. The Nerd is presented by arrangement with Broadway Licensing LLC, servicing The Dramatists Play Service Collection.
April 24–May 3: Once Upon a Mattress
Many moons ago in a far-off place, Queen Aggravain decreed no couples could marry until her son, Prince Dauntless, found a bride. Princesses came from far and wide to win the hand of the prince, but none could pass the impossible tests given to them by the Queen. That is, until the “shy” swamp princess, Winnifred the Woebegone, showed up. Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the classic tale “The Princess and the Pea” provides some side-splitting shenanigans.
August 28–September 6: Unabashedly by Mike Teverbaugh—a world premiere presented as part of the American Association of Community Theatre’s NewPlayFest
An ancient myth states that we are each connected to our One by a red thread, which stretches, bends and twists but never breaks, eventually drawing us together. Dave, a young editor at a major city newspaper, feels someone tugging at his thread. But Helen, a new beat reporter, is a non-believer. Will the thread hold, and even if it does, what if you don’t like this One once you’ve reeled them in?
November 13–29: A family-friendly winter musical, title to be announced
“Our final production of the year is a family-friendly, winter-themed musical that I trust our community will love,” Sweet said. “It’s top secret for now due to licensing restrictions but stay tuned for this exciting announcement later in the season.”
Season Passes are now on sale at operahouse.org. Audiences can enjoy a 20% discount off their purchase when they reserve tickets to all four productions in one transaction. Visit watervillecreates.org/operahouse/woh-2026-season to learn more.