The Castle Craig Players was founded in 1992 by the late Warren M. Stephan. The group performs at the Almira F. Stephan Memorial Playhouse, an intimate venue in the heart of downtown Meriden that allows for close interaction between performers and the audience. The venue supports a cabaret-style format where patrons are invited to bring their own food and beverages to enjoy before and during the performances.
Run largely by volunteers, Castle Craig Players depends on the talents and skills of local actors, directors, musicians and technicians to bring five (5) live stage productions to life each season. Each season typically features a mix of comedies, dramas, and musicals, giving both experienced and newcomers opportunities to participate in all aspects of production.
The Castle Craig Players organization is a non-profit 501c(3), relaying on donations and sponsorships to help bring live stage art to the community. The arts continue to emerge as a potent force in the economic life of cities and rural areas nationwide and assuming an important role as a direct and indirect contributor to local and state economies.
A defining characteristic of our group is our emphasis on community engagement and affordability. Ticket prices are kept relatively low, and the theater fosters a welcoming, informal atmosphere that encourages repeat attendance and local support. For over three decades, Castle Craig Players has become a key part of Meriden’s cultural landscape, contributing to the vitality of the city’s downtown arts scene and providing a creative outlet for residents and performers across central Connecticut.
Doors open one-hour prior to curtain time. Due to the size our of space, most performances sell out in advance of opening. We encourage patrons to purchase tickets online, as we rarely have ticket availability at the door.
The Castle Craig Players is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.
PRODUCTION HISTORY:
2025 – 2026
God of Carnage
One Night at The Evergreen Mall
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change
Harvey
2024 – 2025
Bram Stoker’s Dracula
What The Dickens?
Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver
How The Other Half Loves
Little Women: The Musical
2023 – 2024
The Night of January 16th
Who’s Holiday!
The 39 Steps
Forever Plaid
Spring Awakening
2022 – 2023
California Suite
Every Christmas Story Ever Told, And Then Some!
Doubt – A Parable
The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On
Into The Woods
2021 – 2022
You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown
Steel Magnolias
All Together Now!
Who’s Holiday!
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Clue: On Stage (CT Premiere)
2019 – 2020
The Star Spangled Girl
Almost, Maine
The Santaland Diaries
Next To Normal
(remainder of season cancelled, due to COVID-19)
2018 – 2019
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Experience
The Winter Wonderettes
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)
Lend Me A Tenor
Gypsy
2017 – 2018
Let’s Start At The Very Beiginning: Our 25th Anniversary Gala
The Santaland Diaries
The Drowsy Chaperone
Vagina Monologues
Rumors
Company
2016 – 2017
Blithe Spirit
The Santaland Diaries
The Curse of the Hopeless Diamond
The Marvelous Wonderettes
Monty Python’s Spamalot
2015 – 2016
The Santaland Diaries
Trouble at the Tropicabana
The Wizard of Oz
Cabaret
2014 – 2015
The Man & His Music: A Tribute to Warren M. Stephan
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
Nunsense A-Men!
Murder on the S.S. Amore
Hello, Dolly!
2013 – 2014
Dial M for Murder
Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some)!
The Wedding From Hell
The Sound of Music
You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown
2012 – 2013
And Then There Were None
Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical
Win, Lose or Die!
South Pacific
Avenue Q
2011 – 2012
Our Town
An Old Fashioned Christmas
Pinky in Space
Guys and Dolls
Godspell
2010 – 2011
Twelve Angry Jurors
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Steel Magnolias
Oliver!
Little Shop of Horrors
2009 – 2010
You Can’t Take It With You
A Broadway Christmas Carol
Nunsense
A Fatal Fifties Affair
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
2008 – 2009
Arsenic and Old Lace
The Last Christmas Carol
Love Letters
Pinky at Sea
The Secret Garden
Grease
2007 – 2008
The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail
Nuncrackers
Three Staged Readings
Audition For Murder
Oklahoma!
Into The Woods
2006 – 2007
The Odd Couple
The One & Only Santa Claus
Murder at the Toe Main Café
Fiddler on the Roof
Snoopy! The Musical
2005 – 2006
A Christmas Carol
Our Favorite Broadway
Laura
You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown
2004 – 2005
My Fatal Valentine
Three Staged Readings
2003 – 2004
Nunsense II
Christmas All Around
The Secret Garden
2002 – 2003
The Mousetrap
Coming Home for Christmas
Two Guys & Their Music
Carousel
The Secret Garden
2001 – 2002
Come Blow Your Horn
All The Gifts of Christmas
Nunsense
1999 – 2000
Twelve Angry Men
Scrooge The Musical
Broadway: A Celebration
Deathtrap
1998 – 1999
The Sound of Music
No Christmas Like A Home Christmas
Murder Country Style
The Fantasticks
1997 – 1998
A Touch of Broadway
Broadway Our Way
Murder by the Book
1996 – 1997
Arsenic & Old Lace
Christmas Memories
Guys and Dolls
1995 – 1996
A Touch of Broadway
A Christmas Carol: Scrooge & Marley
Rumors
1994 – 1995
No, No, A Million Times, No!
All About Christmas III
The Best of Broadway
1993 – 1994
God’s Favorite
All About Christmas II
Plaza Suite
1992 – 1993
All About Christmas
A Touch of Broadway