Set the stage, it's musical theatre time in Prince William, Virginia! We got some summer musicals for you that you're not going to want to miss. If you're a lover of the theatre or your just looking to support your local community, the next few weeks have a line up thats straight out of the Broadway. Grab your playbill, find your seat, and get ready to be wowed! Here are three must-see musicals happening right here in PWC this summer.
Shrek the Musical - Upper Room Theatre Ministry, Manassas, VA
Founded in 2002, Upper Room Theatre is an award-winning, non-profit program that uses professional-caliber performing arts to inspire and uplift. We annually produce a large-scale summer musical and a Winter Cabaret variety show.
This summer's show? Shrek the Musical!
This larger-than-life story follows a grumpy, green ogre who just wants to be left alone in his swamp. But when a band of misfit fairy tale creatures show up—and an unexpected friendship with a talking Donkey blossoms—Shrek embarks on a wild quest to rescue a princess, challenge a scheming villain, and discover that true beauty comes from within.
With hilarious dialogue, high-energy songs, and show-stopping dance numbers, Shrek is pure fun for the whole family. But at its heart, it’s a powerful story about human dignity, self-acceptance, friendship, and realizing that we all have something special to offer—no matter how we look on the outside.
Dates:
- Tuesday, July 15th - 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 16th - 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, July 17th - 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, July 18th - 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, July 19th - 1:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, July 20th - 1:30 p.m.
Get you tickets here before it sells out!
Hairspray - Prince William Little Theatre, Manassas, VA
Prince William Little Theatre (PWLT) is a community theater organization based in Manassas, Virginia, Prince William County. Providing quality local community theater since 1984, they are an all-volunteer non-profit organization partly funded by grants from the Prince William County Park Authority, the City of Manassas, and private contributions. They provide quality community theater productions (musicals, plays, drama, comedy, and one-act performances) several times a year as well as fundraisers.
Opening on July 11th, hairspray took the big stage at the Hylton Performing Arts Center!
Don't stop the beat! The 1950s are out, and change is in the air! Hairspray, winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, is a family-friendly musical, piled bouffant-high with laughter, romance and deliriously tuneful songs. Set in 1962 in Baltimore, the lovable plus-size teen, Tracy Turnblad, has only one desire—to dance on the popular “Corny Collins Show.” When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob, Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network...all without denting her ‘do!
Dates:
- Friday, July 18th, 2025 - 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday, July 19th, 2025 - 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
- Sunday, July 20th, 2025 - 2:00 pm (SOLD OUT)
Buy your tickets now!
Cabaret - ARTfactory, Manassas, VA
The ARTfactory is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that provides programs in the arts for ages five and above which was founded in 1984 by a group of artists and art lovers with the goal of enriching the quality of life in the Northern Virginia region. In 2002, the ARTfactory relocated to the Hopkins Candy Factory building in Manassas and has become the cornerstone of the downtown arts community.
Cabaret is a bold, evocative musical that takes audiences into the heart of 1930s Berlin, at the height of the Weimar Republic. The story unfolds in the seedy, vibrant world of the Kit Kat Club, a cabaret nightclub where decadence and escapism rule. At its core, Cabaret explores the intersection of personal desires and the political unrest of the time, offering a gritty and emotionally charged experience.
The plot centers around the relationship between an American writer, Cliff Bradshaw, and the enchanting, free-spirited English singer, Sally Bowles, who performs at the Kit Kat Club. Sally’s flirtations with the club’s dark allure and the uncertain political landscape contrast with Cliff’s idealistic dreams of a more stable and secure future. As their relationship develops, so too does the rise of Nazism, a looming threat that casts a shadow over their lives and the world around them.
Dates:
- Friday, July 18th - 7:30 p.m. (SOLD OUT)
- Saturday, July 19th - 7:30 p.m. (SOLD OUT)
- Sunday, July 20th - 2:00 p.m.
- Friday, July 25th - 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, July 26th - 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, July 27th - 2:00 p.m.
Grab your tickets now!
New to the theatre? No problem! All are welcome (as long as you're old enough for certain shows). All these talented actors have worked hard and are waiting for you to come enjoy their masterpiece! So, whether you're belting out the lyrics in your head or soaking up the drama from your seat, these summer musicals are the perfect way to enjoy the arts and support local talent right here in Prince William, Virginia. So grab your tickets before they sell out, bring your friends (and maybe some tissues), and let the show tunes carry you into a summer to remember.
Curtain’s up—don’t miss it!