Professional theater, featuring many local talents in the industry, is returning very soon to Thunder River Theatre Company (TRTC) for its 2026-2027 season.
Ahead of TRTC diving into its full-length plays lineup, it’ll kick things off with a First Friday Comedy Night, coming right up on Sept. 4 at 8pm. The event is the result of a collaboration between El Vecino Shows’ Diego Gonzalez and five other local comedians: Zoe Rom, Michael Robinson, Julie Gillespie, Michael Coyle and Garrett Hall.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to TRTC,” Gonzalez said. “I am here to invite all of you to join us for a great show full of great comedians. I’m looking forward to seeing more and more comedy in Carbondale.” He noted that he and his wife have had many date nights at the theater over the years, and how he performed in his first play there.
The first feature show of the season, running Sept. 11-27,
will give audiences a look into the human experience of helping loved ones navigate mental health struggles. “Every Brilliant Thing” stars Cassidy Willey and is directed by Mike Monroney. The one-person show follows the story of an unnamed narrator whose journey to create a list of what’s worth living for begins at the age of 7, following their mother’s suicide attempt. The play has been making the rounds on Broadway, with big-name actors like Tracee Ellis Ross, Mariska Hargitay and Daniel Radcliffe having stepped into the role.
“I already knew of the play and was fascinated by it. I was thrilled to see that [Artistic Director] Missy [Moore] had picked it for the season,” Monroney said. “I like how the role can be played by either a man or a woman, and in this case I am excited to collaborate with Cassidy Willey.”
Monroney and Willey both happen to be a part of the Valley’s notorious Consensual Improv troupe, which will benefit the piece, according to Monroney.
“I think Missy chose us because there’s a huge element of improvisation in the show,” he said. “I’m looking forward to exploring some very serious themes in the play. At the same time, it’s incredibly funny and energetic.”
World premiere
The second show of the season will be the world premiere of a play written by local playwright Kristen “K.D.” Carlson, “Beyond Reason.” Moore will direct the show, running Nov. 13-29, and looks forward to seeing the play, which was tailored during one of The Workshop play development series offered by TRTC, come to fruition.
“The exciting thing about it is, as an artistic director, I’m putting my money where my mouth is, because it was the first show we developed through The Workshop,” Moore said. “For many years I’ve been saying, ‘If we develop and workshop new shows, at some point it would be great if we’re able to do the world premiere.”
Carlson worked on the play for more than five years. It tells the story of the father of American psychology, William James, and two psychic mediums who spend an evening together trying to pin the distinction between séance and science. It takes place in 1885, but, according to Moore, rings true today.
“[Kristen] has done a lot of research and work on this show, and I think it is a part of American history a lot of people are not really aware of,” she said.
Christmas run
In time for the holidays, “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some)” will run Dec. 11-20, and marks the directorial debut of TRTC’s Emily Henley. The show follows a group of three actors who decide to tell every classic Christmas story, while blending holiday traditions from around the world.
“I feel excited to be directing our holiday show, for such a myriad of reasons. To be taking on a full production is such an honor,” Henley said. “Another exciting piece is that TRTC hasn’t had holiday programming in a couple of years, so bringing that back to our patrons is exciting.”
‘Jaws’
Starting off 2027, Jennifer Austin Hughes will direct “The Shark is Broken,” which will run Feb. 12-28, telling the story of Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider as they go through the process of shooting a 1975 blockbuster hit: “Jaws.”
Hughes said that she hopes to evoke some nostalgia.
“I saw the play near Colorado Springs last year, and I was absolutely fascinated watching the story of the men who created these characters I’m so obsessed with,” she said. “I’m excited to get a chance to dive into it and be a part of that legacy in my own way.”
‘The Revolutionists’
Finally, “The Revolutionists” will run April 30 to May 16. Directed by Kate Gleason, this farcical comedy follows Olympe de Gouges, Charlotte Corday, Marie Antoinette and Marianne Angelle as they navigate the landscape of the French Revolution.
“We’re going to have a lot of great conversations with this show,” Gleason said. “I think about the dynamics of feminism, female friendship across different cultures and social classes and what liberation looked like for these women… what revolution really meant for them.”
For tickets and showtimes, visit thunderrivertheatre.com