CRT presents an adventure of discovery with its 2024 summer season

CREEDE — Beginning May 25, Creede Repertory Theatre (CRT) will produce its 59th season, which includes mystery, comedy, a classic, a world premiere with local ties, and a concert series with Creede Musical Arts Collective. CRT will continue to champion its flourishing educational and audience engagement programming.

The 2024 season starts May 25 at the Ruth Humphreys Brown Theatre with Ken Ludwig’s “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery.” From the award-winning mastermind of mayhem, Ludwig (“Sherwood”; “Dear Jack, Dear Louise”), comes a fast-paced comedy about everyone’s favorite detective solving his most notorious case. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson must crack the mystery of "The Hound of the Baskervilles" before a family curse dooms its newest heir. Watch as five actors deftly portray more than forty characters. Does a wild hellhound prowl the moors of Devonshire? Can our heroes discover the truth in time? Get your deerstalker cap on – the play’s afoot!

CRT’s historic Mainstage Theatre will feature Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein,” with a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, and based on the story and screenplay by Gene Wilder and Mel Brooks. The grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced "Fronk-en-steen") inherits his family's estate in Transylvania. With the help of his sidekick, Igor (pronounced "Eye-gore"), and sultry lab assistant, Inga, Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity continuously abounds. “Young Frankenstein” has all of the panache of the classic film with a dose of theatrical flair, so you'll be "Puttin' on the Ritz" and having a monstrously good time! Starring CRT favorites Anne Faith Butler as Frau Blücher and Matthew Tyler Horn as The Creature. “Young Frankenstein” opens June 8.

Also on the Mainstage is the classic comedy, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” the  most renowned of Oscar Wilde’s comedies which tells the story of two bachelors, John ‘Jack’ Worthing and Algernon ‘Algy’ Moncrieff, who create alter egos named Earnest to escape their tiresome lives. They attempt to win the hearts of Gwendolyn and Cecily, two women who, conveniently, claim to only love men called Earnest. The pair become tangled in a tale of deception, disguise and misadventure. This classic comedy of manners pokes fun at Victorian sensibilities with some of the best loved characters to be found on the modern stage. Creede Rep’s production features Christy Brandt as Lady Bracknell in her 50th season, and Anne F. Butler as Miss Prism. Performances begin June 28.

The second play in the Ruth Humphreys Brown is the world premiere of “Prima’s Guide to Funerals” by New Mexico-based playwright Leonard Madrid (Cebollas). Three cousins (primas), an urn, and one really long day. It’s the day of her mother’s funeral and Arcie is in a rut. But her cousins Nando and Clara are having none of it. A quick-witted world premiere comedy set along the waters of the Rio Grande in the San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado, “Prima’s Guide to Funerals” tells the story of family, laughter, grief, and love that is only possible with the ones who know you the best: your primas. The world premiere was commissioned and developed as part of the Headwaters New Play Program. This exciting new play opens July 12.

The Mainstage will also feature a concert series featuring artists from both Creede Rep and Creede Musical Arts Collective (CMAC), which brings in world-class artists from around the world. Each unique concert will feature a variety of songs and performers throughout July and August.

Creede Rep will also continue its dynamic education programs; Boomtown! Improv comedy, now in its 18th year; and its biennial Gala on Aug. 2 at the Rio Grande Club and Resort in South Fork.

Flex Passes for the 2024 season are currently on sale and will again offer pass holders an exclusive booking window beginning in January before single tickets go on sale to the general public on Feb. 1.

And don’t miss Creede Rep’s holiday show, “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol” starring Lavour Addision and running Nov. 24 to Dec. 16 at the Ruth Humphreys Brown Theatre. For tickets, information, or to purchase 2024 Flex and VIP passes, visit www.creederep.org, call the box office at 719-658-2540, or email [email protected].

 Founded in 1966, Creede Repertory Theatre (CRT) is a professional theatre company located at 9,000 feet of elevation in the historic town of Creede, which offers beautiful mountain views, hiking trails and stunning campsites in a county comprising 97 percent public land. From its Rocky Mountain roots, CRT serves as an artistic home to our rural community and beyond, through the creation of repertory seasons, dynamic educational programs and compelling new works. With deeply rooted values in equity, diversity and inclusion, CRT is committed to being a haven for artistic excellence, belonging, and intrinsic joy.