HILLSBURGH – Starting Sept. 7, Century Church Theatre, starts their 2025/2026 season with The Melville Boys, a dramedy by celebrated Canadian playwright, Norm Foster.
Directed by Peter King, The Melville Boys is a “warm, funny, and emotionally resonant story that follows brothers Lee (Josh Oatman) and Owen (Galen Armbruster),” said officials.
The pair head to a quiet lakeside cabin for a weekend of fishing, beer, and male bonding. Lee is the more mature and responsible brother, and Owen, his carefree and cocky little brother.
Their plans take an unexpected turn when they meet two local sisters, Mary, older, sensible, and more grounded (Jenessa Doherty), and Loretta, spontaneous, playful, and flirtatious (Sarah Whitehead).
As the weekend unfolds, flirtations turn into meaningful conversations, and light-hearted banter gives way to deeper connections and revelations.
By exploring themes of family, love, mortality, and the complexities of sibling relationships, what ensues between this quartet leads to laughter, tears, and a strong dose of reality.
Norm Foster’s sharp dialogue and relatable characters allow audiences to laugh at life’s absurdities while quietly confronting its more serious truths.
Set designer Debbie Flear, an ACT-CO nominee for best set design for last year’s production of Twist, “brings the story to life with an immersive and relatable scene that captures all the charm of a Canadian lakeside cabin,” stated officials.
Stage manager Jason Riedel “masterfully enhances each magical moment with expertly timed lighting and music,” stated officials.
The Melville Boys is on stage Sept. 7 to 21. Tickets are available at centurychurchtheatre.littleboxoffice.com Audiences should be aware that the show contains references to life, loss, illness and infidelity, which may be sensitive for some viewers.
