Metropolis announces 25th anniversary season

The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre announced its 25th anniversary season commences Sept. 26 with a revival of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s beloved “Cinderella.”

That’s followed by the Arlington Heights theater’s annual play-with-music production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” (Nov. 24-Dec. 23).

In a bit of a departure from its usual musical offerings, Metropolis stages “The Importance of Being Earnest,” Oscar Wilde’s 1895 farce sending up Victorian Era social conventions, particularly those involving courtship and marriage. Artistic Director Brendan Ragan directs the revival, running from Feb. 20 through March 16, 2025.

Next up is “Rock of Ages” (May 1-25, 2025), the 2009 jukebox tuner that sends up 1980s rock cliches (power ballads, big hair and spandex among them) with gleeful self-awareness.

The season concludes with a revival of “Dear Jack, Dear Louise” (July 10-Aug. 3, 2025), playwright Ken Ludwig’s two-hander that details his parents’ World War II-era courtship through the letters they wrote each other.

Performances take place at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Five-show subscriptions are $155-$170; four-show subscriptions are $120-$135. Three-show, flex-pass subscriptions range from $104-$114. They’re available at (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.