Here’s a Folsom Times look at what’s to come at the community theatre celebrating 20 strong years
As live theatre continues to thrive in out region, Historic Folsom’s Sutter Street Theatre is embarking on one of the most expansive and active seasons yet, the older this venue becomes the harder they work to continue to impress audiences and develop young talent. Celebrating its 20th anniversary season, Sutter Street Theatre has announce nearly two dozen productions scheduled throughout the 2026 season, spanning musicals, comedies, mysteries, family favorites and long-running audience traditions, the nonprofit community theatre is offering a full year designed to keep its stage active and its community engaged from January through December.
The season opens with the return of the Old Tyme Radio Show, a production that has become one of the theatre’s most recognizable and enduring offerings. Presented on the second Saturday of every month at 4 p.m., beginning Saturday, Jan. 10, the live series celebrates the golden age of radio, when stories were told entirely through voice, music and carefully crafted sound effects. Performed live on stage, actors recreate classic radio broadcasts while Foley artists generate sound effects in real time, offering audiences a rare look at a performance style that predates television.
Each monthly installment features a rotating lineup of familiar programs such as Fibber McGee and Molly, Gunsmoke, Our Miss Brooks, The Bickersons, Abbott and Costello, Sherlock Holmes and My Friend Irma. The series is produced by Sherri Anderson, Richard Foneseca and Cassandra Krupansky, with support from benefactor Allen Schmeltz and corporate sponsors including Intel, Arts + Culture City of Sacramento and Choose Folsom.
Later in January, the mainstage season begins with I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, running Jan. 24 through Feb. 15. With music by Jimmy Roberts and book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro, the long-running musical revue explores modern relationships through a collection of short scenes and songs that trace love from first dates through long-term commitment. Directed, choreographed and music directed by Connie Mockenhaupt, with co-direction by Eileen Beaver, the 105-minute, PG-13 production blends humor and honesty in ways that have resonated with audiences for decades.
Running concurrently, the Family Series opens with Alice in Wonderland from Jan. 24 through Feb. 22, bringing Lewis Carroll’s imaginative world to the stage through colorful characters and playful storytelling created for audiences of all ages.
From late February into March, the schedule continues with Murder on the Orient Express, running Feb. 27 through March 29. Adapted from Agatha Christie’s iconic mystery, the production places audiences aboard a snowbound luxury train as detective Hercule Poirot works to uncover the truth behind a murder in which every passenger is a suspect. During that same period, families can enjoy Dorothy Meets Alice or The Wizard of Wonderland from March 7 through March 29, blending two classic literary worlds into a single imaginative stage adventure.
April brings the musical farce A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, running April 10 through May 10, delivering fast-paced comedy inspired by Roman farce, complete with mistaken identities and physical humor. Shortly after, the Family Series presents Hadestown: Teen Edition from April 18 through May 17, offering a youth-focused adaptation of the modern musical inspired by Greek mythology.
Late spring continues with Escanaba in da Moonlight from May 22 through June 21, a regional comedy favorite centered on family traditions and an annual deer hunting trip, while the Family Series also features Cinderella from May 30 through June 21.
As summer begins, Grease: School Version takes the stage from June 27 through July 26, followed closely by one of musical theatre’s most iconic works, A Chorus Line, running July 10 through Aug. 9. The production pulls back the curtain on dancers auditioning for a Broadway show, blending demanding choreography with deeply personal monologues about ambition, insecurity and sacrifice.
August remains busy with Aristocats Kids from Aug. 1 through Aug. 16, followed by the high-energy comedy Noises Off, running Aug. 14 through Sept. 13. The late-summer Family Series continues with Les Misérables: School Edition from Aug. 29 through Sept. 27, offering a youth-appropriate adaptation of the epic musical.
October ushers in darker seasonal favorites with Evil Dead: The Musical running Oct. 2 through Nov. 8, blending horror, comedy and music into an intentionally over-the-top theatrical experience, alongside The Legend of Sleepy Hollow from Oct. 10 through Nov. 8. November continues with Arsenic & Old Lace from Nov. 13 through Nov. 29, the classic dark comedy about two charming sisters whose charitable tendencies conceal a shocking secret.
The year concludes with two holiday traditions as Holiday in the Hills returns from Dec. 4 through Dec. 23 with extra weekday performances, followed by A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail from Dec. 12 through Dec. 29, also featuring additional weekday performances during winter break.
Most productions are staged at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 4:30 p.m. Sundays, while Family Series performances are generally held at 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Doors open 30 minutes before performance time.
In addition to individual tickets, Sutter Street Theatre offers Flex Passes that allow patrons to build a personalized season while saving on admission. Flex Passes are available in four- and eight-ticket packages for both series and can be redeemed throughout the year by calling ahead to reserve seats. Off Broadway Flex Passes may also be used for Family Series performances, while Family Series passes may not be used for Off Broadway shows. Off Broadway Flex Passes are not valid for Evil Dead: The Musical.
As the theatre looks ahead to one of its most ambitious seasons, it is also celebrating a milestone that underscores its place in the community. Sutter Street Theatre is marking two decades of live entertainment in Historic Folsom. Founded in 2006 as Stage 9 Theatre by Mike Jimena and Connie Mockenhaupt, the company opened its first production on Nov. 3, 2006. The building itself dates back to 1897, when it served as a telephone hub before eventually becoming a performance venue. Over the past 20 years, the theatre has grown from a newly launched local stage into a cornerstone of Folsom’s arts scene.
More than just shows at Sutter Street Theatre
While its performance calendar keeps the stage active year-round, Sutter Street Theatre’s role in the community extends far beyond ticketed productions. Through its Academy programs, youth workshops and a broad selection of ongoing classes, the theatre has become a place where residents of all ages are invited not just to watch theatre, but to actively participate in creating it.
At the heart of that effort is the Sutter Street Theatre Academy, which offers structured education programs designed to introduce young performers to live theatre through hands-on experience. Teen Workshop programs for ages 12 to 18 are immersive, production-based experiences that mirror the expectations of professional theatre, emphasizing acting technique, vocal performance, choreography, script analysis and audition preparation. Each workshop culminates in a fully staged public performance. Kids Workshops for ages 7 to 12 focus on stage presence, memorization, movement, teamwork and creative expression, also concluding with costumed performances for family and friends.
Beyond the Academy, Sutter Street Theatre offers a wide range of ongoing classes at the Sutter Street Theatre Annex at 710 Figueroa Street in Historic Folsom. Payment is due at the first session of each month and covers four sessions, with a 10 percent discount available for additional students from the same family. Except for private lessons, a minimum of five students is required for a class to be held, and showcase performances are presented periodically.
Visual arts instruction includes oil painting classes taught by Mike Jimena, an award-winning artist with decades of experience, offered in a self-paced workshop format. Improv classes for ages 12 to 18 are taught by Allen Schmeltz, an award-winning director with 25 years of experience, focusing on confidence, creativity and teamwork through theatre games and exercises. Musical theatre dance classes taught by Jeannie Larson focus on stage movement and fundamentals for young adults and older students. Younger children are introduced to performance through the Bright Stars program taught by Lindy Mallonee, which emphasizes acting techniques, drama activities, stage movement, music, vocal projection, crafts, costuming and peer interaction, with opportunities for informal performances built into each session.
Located at 717 Sutter Street in the heart of Historic Folsom, Sutter Street Theatre continues to serve as a creative home for performers, educators, volunteers and audiences alike. Those interested in attending performances, enrolling in classes or workshops, purchasing Flex Passes, volunteering or becoming members can contact the theatre at (916) 353-1001 or visitwww.SutterStreetTheatre.com.
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