Following a landmark 2024 season with critically acclaimed, sold-out productions (The Mad Ones, First Date, and Zanna Don’t), the Old Joint Stock Theatre is raising the curtain on another extraordinary year. Proving that big dreams can thrive in small spaces, this Midlands gem—powered by a dynamic team of just three (James Edge, Emily Susanne Lloyd, and Liam Alexandru)—continues its mission to champion contemporary musicals and showcase bold, lesser-known works.
The 2025 lineup promises to dazzle, starting in April with Ordinary Day, which will transfer to Upstairs at the Gatehouse following its Birmingham debut. Then in August, the cult-favorite Be More Chill will take center stage, followed by the thrilling Bonnie & Clyde in October.
BE MORE CHILL
This summer, the Broadway and West End smash-hit Be More Chill storms the Old Joint Stock Theatre for a 4-week run.
With a loyal global fanbase and iconic cast recordings, this sci-fi-infused coming-of-age musical follows the story of Jeremy Heere, an ordinary high schooler who discovers “The Squip”—a tiny supercomputer that promises to solve all his problems. But as Jeremy achieves his wildest dreams, he begins to question the cost of being “cool.”
Based on Ned Vizzini’s acclaimed novel, Be More Chill is a high-energy musical that explores the price of popularity with humor, heart, and a soundtrack full of unforgettable earworms.
James Edge, Director of Be More Chill: “I’ve loved Be More Chill ever since listening to its original cast recording when it was first released, and it’s been a joy to watch its fan base grow astronomically in the UK in recent years. The show is loud, gutsy, and has a whole lot of heart, with every single song being a total earworm. I think the show will excel in a smaller space, and our ambitions are sky-high with what we hope to achieve creatively with this fringe production. Be More Chill is the perfect show to come and watch this summer if you are a contemporary musical theatre fan.”
BONNIE & CLYDE
THE OUTLAWS ARE BACK! This October, the Tony-nominated musical Bonnie & Clyde brings its gripping tale of love, crime, and legacy to the intimate setting of the Old Joint Stock Theatre.
Set during the Great Depression, the musical follows Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow as they rise from small-town nobodies to infamous outlaws. With a score by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, Dracula), blending blues, gospel, and rockabilly, this electrifying production dives into the passion, ambition, and tragedy that made Bonnie and Clyde legends.
Emily Susanne Lloyd, Director of Bonnie & Clyde: “Bringing Bonnie & Clyde to the intimate Old Joint Stock stage is a dream come true. This space amplifies the grit and raw emotion of their story, making it an unforgettable experience for audiences. The outlaws are back!”
