CREEDE — Get ready for a season to remember as the Creede Repertory Theatre rolls out the red carpet earlier than ever before and welcomes audiences to experience repertory theatre with a side of mystery, fairy tales, heart wrenching love, drama and dreams come true. This whimsical season is going to be one theatre lovers wont’s want to miss.

“This is going to be a really great and big season for us. We are opening earlier than we ever have or at least earlier than we have in a very long time on May 19 with a play that just had to come back,” said CRT Director John DiAntonio. “We are really excited, and we have so much planned.”

“Dear Jack, Dear Louise” captivated audiences outdoors in 2021 and is back to bring love onto the stage. Directed by Michael Perlman, this beloved play will bring audiences coming back for more through a tale of love from a long distance.

Sparks fly and love blossoms from a world away when US Army doctor, Jack, begins a correspondence with aspiringactress Louise, during WWII. Based on the story of his parents’ courtship during WWII, Tony Award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig (Sherwood, Moon Over Buffalo, Lend Me a Tenor) explores love, isolation, and hope over great distance. This certified hit of the 2021 outdoor season heads to the Mainstage, starring Caitlin Wise and Graham Ward.

Next up is the world premiere of “Mountain Octopus,” a play that will intrigue, transform, and bring reality to audiences. “Mountain Octopus” follows with an opening during Memorial Day weekend and the start of the busy season in Creede. Written by Beth Kander and directed by Betty Hart, “Mountain Octopus” brings perspective with a side of comedy. The May 27 showing will include a Q&A with Steven Quiller who helped create a painting the play is set around.

One year after a tragic loss, a small town full of quirky characters gathers together to patch up what’s broken. Nothing goes quite as planned…but ultimately each person finds something unexpected within their old familiar world or something that feels like home in a new and unfamiliar place. Funny and heartwarming with a touch of magical realism, Mountain Octopus will remind you of the simple power of a good story. This world premiere by Beth Kander (Hazardous Materials) features CRT favorites Christy Brandt and Kate Berry.

With summer well underway, CRT opens a beloved cult classic “Clue” on June 10.

Based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn, written by Sandy Rustin with additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price, based on the Paramount Pictures motion picture and based on the Hasbro board game CLUE. Original music by Michael Holland and directed by DiAntonio.

It’s a dark and stormy night, and you’ve been invited to a very mysterious dinner party at the ominous Boddy Manor. Each of the guests has an alias, the butler offers a variety of weapons, and the host is, well, dead. Join the iconic cast of characters known as Scarlet, Plum, White, Green, Peacock, and Mustard as they race to find out whodunnit before the body count stacks up. Based on the cult classic film and popular board game, “Clue” will keep you guessing (and laughing) all the way to the end.

June ends with the opening of “Cinderella” on June 30. This play features a 13-actor principal with returning cast members from other notable plays from previous years. Music by Richard Rodgers with Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and based on the new book by Douglas Carter Beane that adds a twist to the original book by Oscar Hammerstein II and directed by Brittni Shambaugh Addison, “This 2013 Broadway adaptation of the classic story crackles with sweetness and freshness and features new characters, a hilarious libretto by Tony-award winning playwright Douglas Carter Beane, exciting twists, and the classic score by Rodgers and Hammerstein featuring unforgettable songs such as “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago.”

“Cinderella” comes with a new addition this year which includes Royal-Tea Parties where attending youth receive a copy of the new book by Beane before the showing.

This year brings back two plays, and this one was missed by audience members as well as cast. “The Royale” opens July 15 which begins a five-week period in the theatre’s schedule where people can go “Full Rep” and catch a showing of each play in repetition.

Written by Marco Ramirez and directed by Kyle Haden, “The Royale” is a transformational piece that will bring audiences back just to have a chance to see it. Jay “The Sport” Jackson dreams of being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. But it is 1905, and in the racially segregated world of boxing, his chances may be as good as being knocked out. But when the fight of his life comes calling, Jay must face both his future and the shadow of his past. Inspired by the life of Jack Johnson, “The Royale” brings to explosive life the ultimate fight for a place in history.

The rest of the season includes Boomtown, musical performances, a new KID Show and the 40^th anniversary of the Young Audience Outreach Tour. For a full schedule of performances, special events and more, visit www.creederep.org.