EAST HADDAM, CT – Two-time Tony Award-winning Goodspeed Musicals proudly announces its 2025 season at the Goodspeed Opera House. It will be a sensational season with a sweeping American saga, the 20th anniversary production of a Broadway show that got its start at The Terris Theatre, the 50th anniversary production of a nine-time Tony-winning musical, and a world premiere stage musical  from a beloved Golden-Age composer.
 
The season will open with Ragtime, the musical adaptation of E.L. Doctorow’s novel of the same name and winner of four 1998 Tony Awards, featuring a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. The production will run from April 25 – June 15. Next will be the 20th anniversary production of Broadway’s All Shook Up, which began at The Terris Theatre. Inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley with a book by Joe DiPietro, the production will run from June 27 – Aug. 17. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the fall production will be A Chorus Line, which will run Sept. 5 – Oct. 26. Conceived and originally directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett, it features a book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban, and was originally co-choreographed by Bob Avian. Closing the season is the world premiere stage musical, Jerry Herman’s Mrs. Santa Claus, running Nov. 14 – Dec. 28. With music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and a book by Alexis Scheer, Mrs. Santa Claus is based on the Halcyon Television television film and the teleplay by Mark Saltzman.
 
Beginning her fifth season as Goodspeed’s Artistic Director, Donna Lynn Hilton shared, "This is a blockbuster season for our audience, and I’m sure that everyone will find plenty to enjoy. I am excited to welcome creative team members new to Goodspeed, alongside some of our veteran artists. Each of these productions will help us continue to grow our audience and attract the next generation of theatregoers. The message is loud and clear: Everyone is welcome at Connecticut’s home for musical theatre!"
 
Goodspeed, Connecticut’s leading producer of musicals, invites theatre fans from near and far to come and enjoy this exciting array of productions and experience all that this world-renowned theatre and its neighboring shops, restaurants and attractions have to offer. In 2025 we will offer something for everyone, so plan ahead and make it a Goodspeed day!
 
Season tickets for all four shows at The Goodspeed start at $156. Advance season ticket packages are on sale now through the Box Office (860.873.8668), open weekdays at 10 a.m. and weekends at 11 a.m. Goodspeed Memberships for 2025, which provide many benefits to donors, are also available now.  More information can be found at www.goodspeed.org. Single tickets go on public sale beginning Feb. 23, 2025. 
 
A season of new musicals at Goodspeed’s Terris Theatre will be announced at a later date.
 
ABOUT GOODSPEED MUSICALS:

Goodspeed Musicals has achieved international acclaim and is the first theatre in the nation to receive two Tony Awards for outstanding achievement in musical theatre. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Donna Lynn Hilton, Goodspeed Musicals is dedicated to the celebration, development and advancement of musical theatre. Goodspeed creates powerful, world-class productions of enlightening new and established works to delight, inspire and challenge audiences on its two stages – The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn., and The Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn. From Goodspeed, 21 musicals have gone to Broadway (including Man of La Mancha, Annie, Shenandoah, All Shook Up and Holiday Inn) and 89 world premieres have been launched. Goodspeed’s Festival of New Musicals, GoodWorks commissioning program and the Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Grove at Goodspeed are distinguished cornerstones of the organization that highlight its commitment to nurture creators and the creative process. Goodspeed also maintains The Scherer Library of Musical Theatre and The Max Showalter Center for Education in Musical Theatre. The organization is supported in part by the Burry Fredrik Foundation; the Connecticut Office of the Arts, which also receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; The Richard P. Garmany Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving; The Hoffman Auto Group; Masonicare; The Shubert Foundation; and WSHU Public Radio. Additional support is provided by Comcast, the 2025 ticketback sponsor; Sennheiser, the official audio sponsor; and United Airlines, the official airline of Goodspeed Musicals. For more information, visit www.goodspeed.org.

Ragtime:
Directed by Christopher Betts
Choreographed by Sara Edwards
• • •
20th Anniversary Production!
All Shook Up
Directed by Daniel Goldstein
• • •
50th Anniversary Production!
A Chorus Line
Directed by Rob Ruggiero
Choreographed by Parker Esse
• • •
Jerry Herman's
Mrs. Santa Claus
 
MORE ABOUT GOODSPEED MUSICALS 2025 PRODUCTIONS

Ragtime
The Musical
April 25 – June 15
Book by Terrence McNally
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Based on the novel “Ragtime” by E. L. Doctorow
Choreographed by Sara Edwards
Directed by Christopher Betts
 
Set in the volatile melting pot of turn-of-the-century New York, Ragtime weaves together the stories of three fictional families striving for the American Dream. As an affluent society woman, an imaginative Jewish immigrant, and an optimistic Harlem pianist navigate a changing world, they confront history’s timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair. With a Tony Award-winning score which blends ragtime, blues, jazz and show tunes, it’s a powerful, sweeping saga of America!
 
Ragtime is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
 
All Shook Up
20^th Anniversary!
June 27 – August 17
Inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley
Book by Joe DiPietro
Directed by Daniel Goldstein
 
The legendary songs of Elvis Presley ignite a rockin’ romp set in the Fabulous ’50s. When a guitar-playing stranger on a motorcycle roars into a sleepy town, nothing will be the same. Boy meets girl and soon everybody can’t help falling in love. Mistaken identity, mismatched lovers and the magic of romance come together in a free-wheeling rock and roll comedy. Celebrate the 20^th anniversary production of a show that began at Goodspeed with non-stop classics, from “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Hound Dog,” to “Love Me Tender” and “Don’t Be Cruel.”
 
All Shook Up is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036.  www.theatricalrights.com
 
A Chorus Line
50^th Anniversary!
September 5 – October 26
Conceived and Originally Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett
Book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante
Music by Marvin Hamlisch
Lyrics by Edward Kleban
Co-Choreographed by Bob Avian
Choreographed by Parker Esse
Directed by Rob Ruggiero
 
The singular sensation of musicals makes its Goodspeed debut in a dazzling 50th anniversary production! A Chorus Line pulls back the curtain and reveals the hopes and hurts of 17 professional dancers vying for a job in a Broadway chorus. Heartbreak, talent, and passion are center stage in this Pulitzer Prize-winning, show business classic for anyone who’s ever had a dream and put it all on the line.
 
A Chorus Line is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark, LLC. www.concordtheatricals.com
 
Jerry Herman’s
Mrs. Santa Claus
World Premiere Stage Musical!
November 14 – December 28
Music & Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Book by Alexis Scheer
Based on the Halcyon Television television film and the teleplay by Mark Saltzman
 
The woman behind the biggest name in Christmas takes the reins in a sparkling world premiere holiday musical! Seeking new challenges away from a distracted St. Nick, Mrs. Santa Claus and her reindeer crash-land their sleigh in 1910 New York. Before long she finds herself mixed up with kids toiling in the factory of a corrupt toymaker. Can she help the children, untangle herself and get back to a worried Santa in time for Christmas Eve? A sleigh full of show tunes from the songwriter of Hello, Dolly!; Mame and La Cage aux Folles and a heartwarming book by Alexis Scheer promise a merry yuletide for the whole family.