This year’s season at American Players Theatre in Spring Green, Wisconsin, is dedicated to actor and director Jonathan Smoots, a Shorewood, Wisconsin, resident who died earlier this year. Perhaps no other actor was so familiar to APT audiences than Smoots, who joined the company in its first sesaon and has appeared in plays ranging from Shakespeare’s King Lear to Arthur Miller’s classic, All My Sons. According to APT managing director Sara Young, this year’s show program will have a page dedicated to Smoots’ contributions to APT.
For those who’ve never visited APT, this summer might be the perfect time to head north and sample some of these artistic treasures. There’s something here for the entire family to enjoy.
Here is a schedule of APT productions, listed by month. The 2025 season runs through mid-November (although the outdoor stage closes sooner, due to cooler fall days).
JUNE
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare. This is the play that started it all at APT nearly 50 years ago. There’s a reason why this play keeps popping up in the repertory. It’s the perfect combination of fantasy, fun and laughter, all set in a mystical forest. It’s almost as if the play was written specifically for the natural setting one finds under the stars at APT. Opens in the Hill Theater June 7.
Fallen Angels by Noel Coward. One of the wittiest playwrights of all time graces the roster this season, with a play that’s new to APT audiences. See how two married women’s emotions are tossed about with the imminent arrival of an old flame. Opens in the Hill Theater June 13.
Picnic by William Inge. A nod to classics of the past, this play explores how lives in a sleepy, Midwestern town are upended by the arrival of a sexy stranger. For some of the women living here, it’s the first time they’ve been tempted to explore the world on the arm of this handsome man. Opens in the Hill Theater June 28.
Art by Yasmina Reza. Remember the recent uproar over a banana taped to a wall with duct tape that sold for millions? Well, here’s a play that examines a similar phenomenon. The friendship of three men is tested when one acquires a seemingly blank canvas. Is it art? Is it trash? Will the friendship survive such a diverse reaction to a work of art? Opens in the Touchstone Theater June 13. You can also see this play now in an excellent production by Remy Bumppo Theatre at Theater Wit.
The Death of Chuck Brown by Gavin Dillon Lawrence. The world premiere of this play explores the relationship of father and son. They lock horns over the future of a family barbershop, to the beat of a homegrown musical style that has been part of this community for generations. Opens in the Hill Theater June 24.
AUGUST
Anna in the Tropics by Nilo Cruz. This poetic and romantic play resonates both warmth and heat beneath the scorching Florida sun. This Pulitzer Prize-winning play takes an unyielding look at the lives of those who toil in cigar-making factories. It explores their passions, their relationships and the unique culture that binds them. Opens in the Hill Theater August 1.
The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare. A bittersweet and human story about the miracle of forgiveness, from one of history’s best-known storytellers. This is an opportunity to see this rarely produced classic, featuring some of APT’s best-known performers. Opens in the Hill Theater August 8.
Tribes by Nina Raine. How does a family stay intact once its secrets bubble to the forefront? For one son, who is deaf, long-held notions are put into a new perspective. Audiences should note that the play contains some spicy language. Some portions of this play are presented in British Sign Language. Opens in the Touchstone Theater August 2.
OPENING IN FALL
The 39 Steps by Patrick Barlow. A fall-down funny thriller, this fast-paced play casts four actors in 100 roles—all of which are hilarious. Opens in the Touchstone Theater October 22.
Tickets are on sale now for the entire lineup of plays at American Players Theatre. For tickets and more information about the venues, visit americanplayers.org, or call the APT box office at 608-588-2361.
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