Sister Rosetta Tharpe story and ‘Come From Away’ highlight IRT schedule

Arkansas native Sister Rosetta Tharpe was known as the “godmother of rock ’n’ roll.” (Photo provided by Gibson)

A play inspired by “godmother of rock ’n’ roll” Sister Rosetta Tharpe and the regional premiere of the musical “Come From Away” highlight the 2025-26 season announced Wednesday by the Indiana Repertory Theatre.

The six-production lineup also includes “English,” which was presented earlier this year on Broadway, and August Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.”

The season is scheduled to open Sept. 16 with “The 39 Steps,” a story that Alfred Hitchcock adapted as a film in 1935.

“From deeply moving dramas and new stories to thrilling performances and a heartwarming musical, this lineup promises to challenge perspectives, spark important conversations and create lasting memories,” said Benjamin Hanna, Indiana Repertory Theatre’s artistic director, in a written statement.

For season ticket information, visit irtlive.com. The IRT’s 2025-26 season:

“The 39 Steps,” Sept. 16 to Oct. 12
This Patrick Barlow adaptation of a 1915 novel written by John Buchan will showcase four actors in more than 40 roles billed as a madcap romance thriller. “The 39 Steps” was presented on Broadway from 2008 to 2010.

“Marie and Rosetta,” Oct. 28 to Nov. 23
The artistic collaboration between Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a guitar-playing gospel singer who emerged in the 1930s, and vocalist Marie Knight inspired this story by playwright George Brant that debuted off-Broadway in 2016. Lizzo is scheduled to portray Tharpe in an upcoming Hollywood biopic.

Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” Nov. 15 to Dec. 24
The Indiana Repertory launched its tradition of presenting “A Christmas Carol” each season in 1996—a streak only interrupted by the pandemic in 2020.

August Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” Jan. 27 to Feb. 22
“Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” will become the sixth play of August Wilson’s “Century Cycle” to be staged by the IRT. Of Wilson’s 10 stories mostly set in Pittsburgh during the respective decades of the 20th century, the IRT produced “Gem of the Ocean” (set in the 1900s) in 2007, “The Piano Lesson” (1930s) in 2008, “Fences” (1950s) in 1996 and 2016, “Jitney” (1970s) in 2004 and “Radio Golf” (1990s) in 2012. “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” is set in 1911.

“English,” March 10 to April 4
In 2023, playwright Sanaz Toossi won the Pulitzer Prize in Drama for “English.” The story is set in an Iranian classroom where four adults prepare for an English language exam. The actors speak English throughout the play, with fluent English indicating that Farsi is being spoken while choppy diction indicates that English is being spoken.

“Come From Away,” April 7 to May 10
This musical by Irene Sankoff and David Hein won one Tony Award (for direction) and three Drama Desk Awards (including best musical) in 2017. The story was inspired by 7,000 airline passengers being stranded in Newfoundland following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.