Wheaton Drama preparing to launch new season

Wheaton Drama is preparing for its 2015-16 season that opens later this month in Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale St. in downtown Wheaton.

Here's a quick look at this season's productions:

• "Play It Again, Sam" is one of the most appealing and funny romantic comedies written by Woody Allen. Set in San Francisco, the story features the main character, Allan Felix, who is trying to recover from a recent divorce.

His romantic ideals are totally shaped by movies. To cope with his relationships with women, he turns to a fantasy Humphrey Bogart for advice and support. It runs Sept. 18 through Oct. 11.

• "Hairspray" is about tolerance, integration and acceptance of others. The musical looks at the racial divide between blacks and whites. It lampoons bigot, and reserves specific devastation for ultraconservative religious zealots, figures of authority, and WASPs. It runs Nov. 20 to Dec. 13.

• "Rabbit Hole" will grab at your gut and help you understand what a family goes through after the loss of a child. This is a tricky and very observant story of how a married couple is getting along eight months after losing their 4-year-old. "Rabbit Hole" is entertaining and surprisingly amusing under the circumstances. It runs Jan. 29 to Feb. 14.

• "Quartet" is a charming, romantic comedy about four retired opera singers who are living in Beecham House, a palatial residence for aged artists. Wilf and Cissy performed Rigoletto "back in the old days," and hope that Jean and Reginald might reunite to sing that opera's famous third-act Quartet at the gala. However, Jean and Reginald, once married, are not sure this is a good idea. It runs March 18 to April 3.

• "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" is a book written by Charles Dickens. This musical mystery allows for audience participation. The story is told by a rowdy ensemble of actors from a Victorian music hall. Everyone on stage is a suspect. The audience will be instrumental in deciding the outcome of multiple storylines. It runs May 20 to June 12.

To subscribe, call (630) 260-1820 or visit www.wheatondrama.org.