Mel Chomsky's History Of The World
A new play written and directed by Dic Wheeler
Mel Chomsky’s History of the World is an original comedy written and directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Dic Wheeler. This high-energy play blends theater, circus, and Commedia dell’Arte. Beginning in Melilli, Sicily in 1626, three performers are swept into a wild time-travel adventure led by a dead philosopher-comedian, Mel Chomsky, journeying from Melilli to Mattabasset, ancient Greece, the American Revolution and beyond. It’s a bold, slapstick ride through history that explores the ongoing tension between democracy and authoritarianism.
Writer/director Wheeler, who will be leaving the Playhouse in June, says about the production: “I wanted my final show at Oddfellows to celebrate my life-long love of physical comedy, Commedia and circus, but also be a commentary about the current state of the world. The play combines the broad comedy of Mel Brooks with the world view of Noam Chomsky, throwing in a dollop of Dr. Who. The cast includes familiar characters like Socrates, George Washington, Marie Antoinette and Pope Leo X, plus many others throughout time and space, but at the heart are three archetypes of Commedia - the Miser Pantalone, the hungry servant Arlecchino, and his love and protector Colombina - all led by their tour guide Mel Chomsky.”
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Our next mini production "ROVERandom" by J.R.R Tolkien
June 11 & 12
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Upcoming Events
& Information
Oddfellows Playhouse:
Spring 2026
March 23 - May 21 (8 weeks - no class April vacation week, 13-17)
***Early Dismissal days: Tuesday April 7 & May 19.
***Oddbridge Extended Day Program is available to Middletown Public School students for all after-school classes, providing transportation direct from your school, snacks, and supervised activities before classes start.
Stage I
(ages 6 - 8; all classes meet 4:50 - 5:50pm)
Mondays: Garden Play with T'challa Williams
Tuesdays: Circus I with Maegan Fuller
Wednesdays: A Pirate's Life For Me! with Megan Berritta
Thursdays: Character Creations with Madelyn McBryde
Stage II
(ages 9 - 11; all classes meet 4:50 - 5:50pm)
Mondays: Krazy Krafts! with Renee Soares
Tuesdays: Circus II with Kayla Bucholz
Wednesdays: Brave Stories, Big Characters with Leland Williams
Thursdays: Hip Hop Dance with Shamara Shuff
Stage III
(ages 12 - 14)
Mondays: Stage and Screen with Jerry Persaud
Tuesdays: Circus Two+ with Kayla Bucholz
Wednesdays:Stage Combat with Ethan Crane
Thursdays: Hip Hop Dance with Shamara Shuff
Friday Special: Scenic & Prop design with Dan Schmidt
Spring Mini Production: TBA May 26 - June 5 (shows June 4 & 5)
Dan Schmidt (Director) Meagan Fuller Assistant Director)
Saturday Classes:
taught by Megan Berritta
Saturdays, March 21-
-
May 16
(no class April 4)
Acrobabies
(15 months to under 3 with caregiver): 9:15 - 9:55 am
Super Faerie Tale Theater Presents: (ages 3 - 6): 10:00 - 10:55 am
Circrobatics (ages 3 - 6): 11:00 - 11:55 am
Circrobalance (ages 5 -8): 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Teen Rep Company/ Circophony Spring Performance:
Mel Chomsky's History of The World written and directed by Dic Wheeler
Teen Repertory Company & Circophony Teen Circus are combining this Spring to produce an original piece, created & directed by Dic Wheeler, which will combine Theater, Circus, and Commedia dell’ Arte, Mel Chomsky's History of The World
Teen Repertory rehearsals begin March 16 on Mondays and Thursdays from 6-9 PM
Performances on May 14 - 16 at 7pm.
May 22 at 7 pm. May 23 at 2 pm & 7 pm
Contact us at info@oddfellows.org or (860) 347-6143
