Hamilton-Gibson Productions is thrilled to announce its 35th Season, offering a rich array of shows, community engagement and educational programs. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Thomas Putnam, the Main Stage line-up has been planned featuring seven productions, plus additional regular seasonal offerings, special events, long-running activities for all ages and theater arts camps for kids. The 2025 season’s theme is igniting HG’s 35 birthday candles and holding them high to light the way into the future. 

In more recent years HG has expanded its line-up of Main Stage directors to include more community members who have gained experience at HG and other places, and who are able to take the helm. For 2025 seven different directors will take the lead on various projects. Putnam shares, “Those who are interested in directing may submit one or more titles they’d like to direct as part of our process for building a season. The titles that are submitted are not always chosen for the season, but there’s a certain strength and health if it works out for a director to direct a play about which they are passionate.”

Kicking off the Main Stage season in February is Miss Holmes Returns written by Christopher M. Walsh and directed by Gabe Hakvaag, inspired by the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. After HG’s wildly successful production of Miss Holmes in 2019, the two iconic characters Miss Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Dorothy Watson return to save the day in this Victorian sequel full of mysterious characters, adventure and intrigue. Cast members who originated many of the lead roles in the 2019 production will return to reprise them, and there are also lots of fun new roles for newcomers. “Gabe has a unique taste in plays and it’s clear when a play comes along that fits his tastes completely. He had such fun and success with the 2019 Miss Holmes production that when the playwright created an all new case for the sleuth and her cohort we jumped at the chance for Gabe to direct it.” says Putnam.

In April, audiences will be treated to the play, Birthday Candles directed by Putnam himself, a poignant and funny play that takes its audience through the extraordinary moments that make up one woman’s ordinary existence. The play eloquently conveys the many stages and experiences of life — births, deaths, love, despair, and the vast array of human feelings and thoughts. “I’ve had this play on my to-do list since I saw it performed two years ago. Not only is it an artfully written script, I knew it was something our audiences would love.” shares Putnam. 

Next up in June, Yolie Canales directs the beloved How I Became A Pirate produced by the HG Women’s Project with a focus on casting more females in all roles. This musical show is a family-friendly treasure by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman, based on Melinda Long’s children’s book by the same name. “When we produced How I Became a Pirate back in 2012, there were a number of women and girls eager to join in the fun. They are getting their chance under Yolie’s lively direction.” says Putnam.

Taking center stage as the summer musical is the beloved American classic Annie, directed by Jessie Thompson, with musical direction by Putnam who says, “When Annie was mentioned as a possible musical for our 35^th season, Jessie offered to direct.”  Though she has other experience in musical theater, this will be the first time she directs the summer musical with Putnam. “Already we can feel the fresh life Jessie is enfusing into this family favorite about the spunky girl who prevails against all odds.” observes Putnam. With music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and a book by Thomas Meehan Annie ran for nearly six years on Broadway, setting a record for the Alvin Theatre in NYC where it was housed.  

The summer fun continues with The Hobbit, a stage version by Patricia Grey based on the renowned J.R.R. Tolkien book. Cosy Losinger of Wellsboro directs this charming and fast-paced journey through the compelling world of Middle Earth. Performances of this adventure are featured in August and take place alongside the Wellsboro Comic Con. “Following his success with Puffs during the Comic Con weekend, Cody will be back with The Hobbit. We’re looking forward to seeing what magic he can create with this sprawling epic all on the Warehouse Theater stage.” shares Putnam.

September brings us a revival of Underneath the Lintel featuring Artistic Director Putnam reprising the role from HG’s 2008 production as the reclusive librarian who discovers a 113 year old book in the night slot and sets out to find the borrower. The librarian takes us 2,000 years into the past on an unforgettable odyssey with astonishing twists and turns. This one man show is written by Glen Berger and will be directed and performed by Putnam, who has offered this and other well-received solo pieces over the years. 

A spooky spoof titled Hotel Frankenstein is slated for October, written by Michael L. Goodman to be directed by Titus Himmelberger. Artistic Director Putnam offers, “From his first experience in the title role in The Trial of Walter Goodwin, Titus has been involved in just about every aspect of HG. After a few acting gigs, he was eager to try out the directing role and since then has tackled a show just about every year. He’s been at the helm for all of our Laurel Festival family shows, and this year he’s shifting to the Halloween slot with the zany, quirky Hotel Frankenstein.” Dr. Frankenstein’s buffoonery ignites mystery and mayhem in this send up with secret passageways, diabolical plots and young love, just in time for Halloween!

2025 will also include a seasonal series of choral concerts with HG’s children’s Treble Choir and younger Choir Too singers, the annual twin productions of A Christmas Carol, and our beloved Messiah Sing in December. Other one-night-only popular special events will also return with January’s MLK concert celebrating social justice, racial equality and human kindness led by Putnam, and the outdoor summer send-off Broadway Under the Stars directed by Kacy Hagan featuring musical showstoppers – both favorites and hidden gems. Of this project Putnam says, “The logistics of pulling off a show like Broadway Under the Stars is no small feat, but with her organizational skills, creative talent, and passion for the project, Kacy is poised to do it again.”

With each extraordinary production planned for 2025 comes exciting opportunities for the community to both participate and spectate. The children’s youth choirs are happily rebuilding after a break during the Covid-19 pandemic, and opportunities to perform, design, create and volunteer in all of the shows and projects are always available and open to all. 

“We want Hamilton-Gibson to be an essential institution in Tioga County dedicated to the audiences and the enrichment of the people who participate. Our mission is to create empowering theatrical and musical experiences for all ages that foster connection, understanding, and transformation. We want to produce work that makes a positive impact, and to be a deeply inclusive home for our community.” says Executive Director Jessie Thompson.

Thompson also emphasizes the need for community support to keep HG up and running. “We have already started our efforts to encourage folks to contribute to help keep the performing arts alive in Tioga County for 2025.” HG relies on grants, awards from local and national foundations, and local businesses and individuals who generously donate to meet their operating needs.  “We are lucky to have had enthusiastic support, both financially and in many other ways over the years. We work very hard to earn that support – to continue to strive to offer the best programming we possibly can for our community.”  says Thompson. “If you are someone who hasn’t been a sponsor of a show yet, please consider it for our 35th anniversary season and reach out to us,” she says, “it’s a great way to help create something wonderful that uplifts us all.” Any individual or business interested in sponsoring for 2025 can reach out to Thompson directly at 570-724-2079, or JessieThompson570@gmail.com. 

For those interested in participating, auditioning, donating or volunteering there is information available at www.hamiltongibson.org, or call the office at 570-724-2079.