Lunch Time Theater

The Herberger Theater is proud to showcase the work of diverse and emerging theater companies in our Lunch Time Theater. Read below for information on our 2023-2024 Season.

Lunch Time Theater offers one-act plays lasting 45 to 50 minutes, to which our guests can bring a lunch or pre-order one from the Herberger Theater’s caterer when ordering tickets. Tickets are $10 each, not including lunch, and the short plays and musicals feature some of the greatest rising groups in the Arizona theatre scene.

If when purchasing your ticket, you do not see lunch options we recommend you check back soon for the upcoming lunch options.

Box office will call ticketholders when lunches become available so guests who buy before lunches are on sale still get the option to do so.

Tickets

Tickets may be purchased in advance, online or by calling our box office (602-252-8497). Our Box Office representatives have information about our exciting new pre-ordered lunch options as well. You may bring your own lunch if you choose! To purchase tickets on the day of the show, go to the Kax Stage entrance off of Van Buren & 3rd Street.

Lunch Time Theater After Dark

Lunch Time Theater After Dark takes place on the first Monday of each show’s run at 7:00pm.


 

2023-2024 Season

Frances Smith Cohen’s Snow Queen

Monday, November 27 – Thursday, December 14, 2023
Center Dance Core

Delight in this magical story about the power of true love as young Gerda seeks to rescue Kai from the Snow Queen’s Icey Palace. Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s wintery fairy tale of the struggle between good and evil.

IN CONCERT

Monday, January 29 – Thursday, February 8, 2024
ACT TWO PRODUCTIONS (Musical Concert featuring T.A. Burrows)

In this 50-minute tour-de-force, the “man of a thousand voices” performs some of his favorite pop, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll songs in his own dynamic style. Between the tunes, T.A. will keep you engaged with hilarious anecdotes reflecting his amazing career as a professional entertainer.

THEMES & VARIATIONS…Broadway Ladies

Monday, March 4 – Thursday, March 14, 2024
SCAN Originals

The company that brought you 15 years of original musical revues for Lunch Time Theater now presents a salute to the leading ladies of the musical theatre. Hear the songs made famous by Ethel Merman, Angela Lansbury, Patti LuPone and many more divas of the Broadway musical.

Directed by: Scott Storr and Ann Tully

Two (little) Old Broads

Monday, May 6 – Thursday, May 16, 2024
Judy Rollings and Sydney Davis

The original “Old Broads” starred Judy, and her friend Patti Davis Suarez. However, in the absence of Patti, Miss Davis has signed on. While “old” is still operative and appropriate, “little” (but fierce) is a further defining characteristic of the pair. They will struggle through song and dance to define this new partnership, triumphing finally and happily with the broadway song “Together Again” (like Ginger and Freddy, San Juan and Teddy, meatballs and spaghetti!!).

Raised in War: Wounded Childhoods

Monday, May 20 – Thursday, May 30, 2024
New Carpa Theater Co.

Children of war have existed for as long as war itself. To be raised amidst an armed conflict can mean having to forgo a so-called normal childhood in exchange for basic survival. “Raised In War: Wounded Childhoods” was inspired by the oral histories of survivors of battle-torn countries. Their stories show that, even in the most desolate of situations, love and hope endure.

93 til' infinity: "Furious Styles: A Journey of Brotherhood, Beats, and Dreams"

Monday, June 17 – Thursday, June 27, 2024
Furious Styles Crew

“Furious Styles: A Journey of Brotherhood, Beats, and Dreams” is an inspiring play that chronicles the extraordinary life of J. Edson “House” Magaña and the birth of the legendary Furious Styles Crew (FSC). Set against the backdrop of the vibrant hip-hop culture of the 1990s, the play follows House’s remarkable journey from his humble beginnings in Mexico City to his immigration to Chicago, where he discovers the transformative power of Hip Hop.


 

Welcome from Cescily Wiener

Welcome to the 23-24 season for Lunch Time Theater!

There will be six shows featured this season, some old favorites and some “newbies”, which include dance, drama, musical theatre, and narrative nonfiction. It is indeed a privilege to work with these emerging and talented local theater companies and performers. To the directors and performers, we thank you for sharing your stories and your passion with us!

This season, we utilized audience feedback to curate performances that reflect the unique, diverse, and empowering stories within our communities. This innovative curation effort strengthens Lunch Time Theater’s commitment to helping new and emerging artists succeed in this industry. New to Lunch Time Theater is Dramaturge-in-Residence, Rod Ambrose, who is co-writing/directing the final show of the season, Furious Styles: A Journey of Brotherhood, Beats, and Dreams. This inspiring play chronicles the extraordinary life of J. Edson “House” Magaña and the transformative power of Hip Hop, which is especially poignant as we celebrate the induction of B-Boy and B-Girl Breaking (breakdance) competition in the upcoming 2024 Olympics.

We want to express our sincere gratitude to our wonderful sponsors. They have been essential to the success of Lunch Time Theater programming. I also want to thank Amber Robins, Community Engagement Associate, for her continued enthusiasm and dedication to HTC Outreach programming. Thank you to the HTC staff and volunteers, some of the hardest-working people I know in Arizona show business!

Most importantly, we thank you for coming and spending your lunchtime with us. We can’t do this without YOU!

Cheers! We look forward to seeing you at the next show!

Cescily Wiener, M.Ed
Director of Community Engagement
Herberger Theater Center