2022 Season Preview
Take a closer look at the season and hear what Producing Artistic Director, Katy Brown, has to say about each exciting offering.
2022 Season:
Common Ground

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2022 Ticket Release Schedule
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Spring
Subscriber Reservations February 1st | Single Tickets February 8th.
Romeo & Juliet
March 31st – April 16th
Gilliam Stage
Shakespeare’s timeless tale of star-crossed lovers. When Romeo first sees Juliet, he has no idea that she is a Capulet, whose family is a bitter enemy of his own. Determined that love shall conquer all, the young lovers attempt to escape the prison of their families’ dispute, only to be met with tragedy. The perfect play to open up Barter’s Season of Common Ground.
Subscriber Reservations February 1st | Single Tickets February 8th
Kentucky Spring
April 23rd – May 22nd
Gilliam Stage
Becky has worked all her life to get out of the mountains. Then her grandmother Maud decides to sell the family farm, forcing Becky to confront who she is and who she wants to be. This musical fable flashes between the past and the present, revealing “what might have been” and “what still might be.” A story of love, longing, and second chances set in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains.
Subscriber Reservations February 1st | Single Tickets February 8th.
Summer
Subscriber Reservations March 1st | Single Tickets March 8th
Every Brilliant Thing
May 20th – August 20th
Smith Theatre
Could you name a hundred things that make life wonderful? A thousand? How about a million? When he was 7, a boy started a list of things to live for in an attempt to save his mother. As he grows up, the list takes on a life of its own. From “Ice Cream” (#1 on the list) to “Staying up all night talking” (#9,999), Every Brilliant Thing shines a hilarious and compassionate light on dark corners of the human condition. A play about the lengths we will go to for those we love—told in collaboration with the audience.
Subscriber Reservations March 1st | Single Tickets March 8th.
9 to 5
June 3rd – August 21
Gilliam Stage
“What a way to make a living!” Coworkers Violet, Judy and Doralee think they have nothing in common, but when the Boss makes life unbearable, these three ladies join forces to live out their wildest fantasy – and change the world! With a toe-tapping score by the one-and-only Dolly Parton, you’ll never look at going to work the same way again.
Subscriber Reservations March 1st | Single Tickets March 8th.
Always a Bridesmaid
June 17th – August 20th
Gilliam Stage
On the night of their senior prom, Libby Ruth, Deedra, Monette and Charlie promise that they will be bridesmaids in one another’s weddings… no matter what. Now, more than thirty years later, these Southern gals are still making “the long walk” for each other, determined to honor that vow. ‘For better or for worse’ takes on a whole new meaning in this delicious comedy about old friends.
Subscriber Reservations March 1st | Single Tickets March 8th.
Airness
June 30th – August 20th
Smith Theatre
When Nina enters her first air guitar competition, she thinks winning will be easy. But as she befriends a group of charismatic nerds all committed to becoming the next champion, she discovers that there’s more to this art form than playing pretend. Will Nina be able to let go and find the raw joy of air guitar? Following Nina’s mission to shred or be shredded, Airness is an exuberant reminder that everything we need to Rock is already inside us.
- Adult Humor and Language
Subscriber Reservations March 1st | Single Tickets March 8th.
Fall
Subscriber Reservations June 22nd | Single Tickets June 29th
Murder on the Orient Express
September 3rd – November 5th
Gilliam Stage
World famous detective Hercule Poirot is headed to London aboard the luxurious Orient Express, a train packed with the most eccentric passengers ever seen. Trouble begins when a snowdrift stops the Express in its tracks, and the situation quickly spirals from bad to worse when one of the passengers is found murdered in his compartment. Can Poirot solve the crime before it’s too late? This classic murder mystery, adapted by the king of comedy, will have you laughing one moment and gasping the next. Come join us for the ride of your life!
Subscriber Reservations June 22nd | Single Tickets June 29th.
Ripcord
September 16th – November 5th
Gilliam Stage
Join us for a high-stakes comedy about two women locked in a no-holds-barred battle. A sunny room on an upper floor is prime real estate in the Bristol Place Assisted Living Facility, so when the cantankerous Abby is forced to share her quarters with new-arrival Marilyn, she has no choice but to get rid of the infuriatingly chipper woman by any means necessary. A bet between the two quickly escalates into a hilarious game of one-upmanship that reveals the tenacity of these worthy opponents, as well as the adventures that await us at any age, if only we will leap.
Subscriber Reservations June 22nd | Single Tickets June 29th.
The Royale
September 29th – November 5th
Smith Theatre
Jay “The Sport” Jackson dreams of being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world but it’s 1905, and in the racially segregated world of boxing, his chances are virtually nonexistent. Then a promoter hatches a plan for “the fight of the century,” pitting Jay against the reigning white champion… and Jay soon discovers there’s a lot more at stake than a title. An incredibly theatrical look at what it is to climb into the ring with destiny.
Subscriber Reservations June 22nd | Single Tickets June 29th.
Holiday
Subscriber Reservations June 22nd | Single Tickets June 29th
It’s A Wonderful Life
November 12th – December 28th
Gilliam Stage
In this brand new adaptation, written especially for Barter’s resident acting company, ten quick-changing actors bring to life the world of Bedford Falls and its most famous resident. The town’s citizens have relied for years on the Bailey Brothers Building and Loan, and George Bailey has sacrificed his dreams and ambitions to keep it alive against all odds. But on this Christmas Eve disaster strikes, and it takes a guardian angel named Clarence to make George realize that not all is lost, and that no man is a failure who has friends. A beloved holiday classic for the whole family.
Subscriber Reservations June 22nd | Single Tickets June 29th.
Over the River and Through the Woods
November 19th – December 24th
Smith Theatre
Every Sunday, Nick crosses the river to New Jersey and has dinner with both sets of his Italian-American grandparents. But Nick has dreams, and when he receives the perfect job offer from the west coast, he is determined to take it. His grandparents – Frank, Aida, Nunzio, and Emma – are just as determined that he stay put. Thus begins a series of shameless schemes and hilarious shenanigans that will have you roaring in your seat while reminding you of the wonderful zaniness that is family.
Subscriber Reservations June 22nd | Single Tickets June 29th.