Fort Wayne Civic Theatre announced their 2025-26 season during a reveal party on Saturday, Jan. 25, at Parkview Physicians ArtsLab, with the opening show sure to draw in plenty of parrotheads.

During the festive evening, officials with Fort Wayne Civic Theatre announced their 98th season would kick off July 11-13 at The Clyde Theatre with Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville. Directed by Gavin Thomas Drew, auditions will be Sunday, May 25.

Following the feel-good times of that show, things take a darker turn with Stephen King’s Misery from Sept. 12-28 at PPG ArtsLab. The show will be directed by Ranae Butler.

Directed by Executive Director Phillip H. Colglazier, Frozen: The Broadway Musical will mark the Civic’s return to the renovate Arts United Center from Nov. 8-23. 

The rest of the season includes The Shawshank Redemption, directed by Leslie Beauchamp,from Feb. 6-15, 2026, at Arts United Center; Footloose, directed by Gavin Thomas Drew in collaboration with Fort Wayne Dance Collective, from March 7-22, 2026, at Arts United Center; and Aida, directed by Dianne Shaw, from May 8-17, 2026, at Arts United Center.

Until then, audiences can see the musical Waitress at Embassy Theatre, Feb. 8-9. Get tickets at fwcivic.org.

Menopause aid from Wellness Empowered

Wellness Empowered is holding two events focused on menopause this month in Fort Wayne. 

The first is a film screening at the downtown Allen County Public Library at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8. 

The (M) Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause explores the hidden impact of menopause on women’s lives. Menopause has ramifications beyond just an individual woman’s well-being. The far-ranging results of women enduring untreated menopause include billions of dollars in lost wages, upended careers, family disruptions, and emotional chaos. With evidence-based information, the film empowers women to make informed health decisions and aims to remove the stigma surrounding menopause and aging. 

The film runs 3:30-4:30 p.m. with a Q&A discussion from 4:30-5:30 p.m. The panel will include Dr. Vishal Veerula, MD Board Certified in Integrative Medicine and Primary Care at FW Primary Care; Sheryl Etalier-Colon, NP in Advanced Oncology at Parkview Cancer Center; and Jennifer Fisher, OT/L with Wellness Empowered LLC.

Wellness Empowered will also host a monthly Menopause and Mocktails meet-up for people experiencing the joys and challenges of menopause. 

Each month will focus on a different topic, but everyone will improve their understanding of how menopause and aging may impact their lives with others who can relate and understand. 

This month’s meetup is at Swizzle Market, 4130 W. Jefferson Blvd., at Jefferson Pointe Shopping Center from 5:30-7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10.

Literacy Alliance hosts play at Arena

The Literacy Alliance and Arena Dinner Theatre have partnered to present an annual fundraiser production benefiting the Literacy Alliance. 

Tomás and The Library Lady will run Friday-Sunday, Feb. 7-9, at Arena Dinner Theatre. 

This bilingual production celebrates the transformative power of stories and the joy of discovery through reading. 

Follow Tomás, the young son of migrant farm workers, as he shares his Papa Grande’s cherished stories and encounters a kind librarian in Iowa who introduces him to the magical world of books. Through tales of dinosaurs, tigers, and daring explorers, Tomás’ imagination soars, showing us all the boundless possibilities that books can unlock.

Based on Pat Mora’s beloved book and inspired by a true story, this play is a celebration of reading, imagination, and creativity that English and Spanish speakers can enjoy together, reminding us of the impact of storytelling and the beauty of embracing new worlds through books.

Directed by Jenn Rothenbush, the play stars Elijah Perez as Tomás, Hazel Stream as the Library Lady, as well as Rosalina Perez, Mo Vergara, Brenda Juarez, and Angel Narvaez, with narration by Justin Dirig, Brian Wagner, and Gloria Minnich.

Catering for the show will be provided by Walnut Hill Catering and Events. The menu includes black bean salad, grilled citrus and herb chicken breast (or grilled citrus and herb portobello as the vegetarian option), rice, roasted sweet corn, cornbread and butter, and Mexican wedding cookies.

For more information and tickets for the show, go to literacyalliance.org/tomas.

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