| WORLD PREMIERE! Part of our 2026/2027 Season
Funny, moving, and filled with warmth, this world premiere explores friendship, family, and the question we all face sooner or later: does anybody ever truly grow up?
Brenda is a waitress at a small-town diner where a group of senior men calling themselves the Pancake Club regularly meet. As she struggles with the sudden death of her oldest friend, the Club members squabble over the eulogy, the widow refuses to grieve, a mysterious stranger threatens the town’s equilibrium, and her only daughter teeters on the brink of a meltdown.
A hit in our Script In Hand Series, the play will star two-time TONY winner Judith Ivey.
Meet Judith Ivey
MORE INSIGHTS. MORE FUN.
Get more from your experience at the Playhouse by joining us for one of our pre- or post-show events!
Taste of Tuesday 🍽️🍷
Tues, April 20 at 6PMA fun reception pairing food from a local restaurant partner + wine. Available only as part of our season ticket package.
Buy Package
Pride Night 🌈
Thurs, April 22 at 6PMA fun, pre-show cocktail party for the LGBTQ+ community and friends! Drinks and appetizers from local restaurants.
Opening Night 🥂
Sat, April 24 post-showCelebrate the opening of each production along with the cast, crew, and creative team. Free with ticket to the show. Sponsored by Hightower Signature Wealth.
Sunday Symposium
Sun, April 25 post-showJoin us after the show for an exclusive talkback!
Backstage Pass
Wed, April 28 matinee, post-showLearn how the Playhouse technical staff brought each show to life. No ticket necessary — open to all.
Open Captions
Sun, May 2 matineeDeaf and hard of hearing audiences can enjoy the performance while watching an easy-to-read digital screen with the actors' dialogue.
Thursday Talkback
Thurs, May 6 post-showJoin us for a lively Q&A with members of the cast.
MORE
MAKING THEATER OPEN TO ALL.
The Playhouse offers a variety of accessible ticket pricing options, including pay-what-you-will performances, first responder discounts, free tickets for Indigenous peoples, and more.
See ticketing discounts
THANK YOU
Production Sponsor: Cherie Flom Quain
Opening Night Post Show Reception Sponsor: Hightower Signature Wealth
2026 Programming & Season Sponsorship is generously provided by Barbara Streicker.
Media Sponsorship for the 2026 season is generously provided by Moffly Media and WSHU Public Radio.
OUR 2026/27 SEASON
World Premieres. Old Favorites. And More.
The Playhouse’s 2026–2027 theatre season is an exciting lineup filled with a vibrant balance of comedy, drama, and plenty of heart. From plays revisiting classic characters from literature to contemporary stories about friendship, identity and transformation, the season continues the Playhouse’s tradition of honoring the past while keeping an eye on the future.
The upcoming season features two world premieres, including a sparkling new play by acclaimed playwright Ken Ludwig, directed by theatre legend Emily Mann, and a new American comedy requested by popular demand following its appearance in the Playhouse’s Script in Hand series, starring two-time Tony Award winner Judith Ivey. Rounding out the Mainstage season is a high-energy, crowd-pleasing comedy that celebrates identity, transformation, and imagination.
Come home to the Playhouse. There’s a red seat waiting for you.
Learn more about the season hereMAINSTAGE SUBSCRIPTION
Enjoy the Playhouse and all of our live theater shows with ease today!
A annual subscription that ensures you’ll always have a ticket to to our theater season with benefits including savings, priority, discounts, flexibility, and more! Click below to read about all the perks our Mainstage Subscription has to offer and get yours today!
Get your subscription here
All titles, dates, and artists are subject to change.
Directed by Mark Shanahan
Starring Judith Ivey
English 
Spanish