STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

It started with a phone call.

"I'm trying to get tickets for your movie tonight, but I don't see it listed anywhere on your website."

"Well, you have actually called the Liberty Theatre Company."

Hannah Nye sang a hauntingly beautiful rendition of Doris Day’s “Once I Had a Secret Love” as Wood River Rep prepared to announce its July musical “The Marvelous Wonderettes.”

"Yes, I know. I got your phone number from your website. I'm staring right at it."

"It made sense at the time," the skit's harried receptionist kept insisting as he fielded calls from increasingly baffled patrons who just wanted to see the Sandgators.

That exchange, along with other examples of how The Liberty Theatre Company has been confused with The Liberty Theater provided a comic look at why members of The Liberty Theatre Company felt the time had come to change their name. Even though, as they pointed out, they spelled their name “Theatre” while the theater owners spelled theirs “Theater.”

Indeed, the Liberty Theatre Company is no more. Welcome to Wood River Rep.

Andrew Alburgur, Aly Wepplo, Emily Meister and Pete Vallimarescu, the real-life general manager of The Liberty Theater, grill the receptionist on why The Liberty Theatre Company’s name was so similar to that of The Liberty Theater, a totally different entity.

The name change has been months in the making, said Emily Meister, who joined the company as its executive and artistic director just over a year ago. Meister said the theater company named itself The Liberty Theatre Company in hopes of purchasing the historic theater built in the 1930s and once owned by Bruce Willis and Demi Moore.

But, eventually, a small group with a plan to save the theater purchased it allowing the theater company to continue to call it home while also using the theater for community events, films and musical acts. And confusion between the two organizations became an ongoing obstacle--for donations, for event inquiries, for community perception.

"We are separate entities, and yet almost everyone thinks we are one and the same," Meister told the crowd. "Most straightforwardly, we needed to create a clear identity to move forward with."

The renaming process included surveys, a dedicated committee of board members and a marketing consultant. Considerable discussion ensued before Wood River Rep emerged as the choice. The new name anchors the company firmly in the geography it serves while signaling something broader in scope.

As Alexis Lindberg looks on, Emily Meister told the audience that it’s a new beginning: “We can’t do it without you. We have arrived at this moment with you and because of you.”

"Theater that moves in the Heart of the Valley," Meister said, reading the company's new tagline.

She also quoted the company’s newly stated mission: “Wood River Rep is a professional theater company dedicated to the art of live performance, bringing together extraordinary artists to create main stage productions, new works, educational programs, and community initiatives that enrich and connect the Wood River Valley through the arts.”

And, with that, Wood River Rep pulled the wraps back on its inaugural season, delivered with theatrical flair that featured little skits announcing the plays that will take the stage through May 2027.

The theater company also unveiled an ambitious lineup of community enrichment initiatives, including a six-week storytelling workshop and a workshop using theater as a tool for personal growth that Meister said would be free for the community.

Andrew Alburger and David Janeski pondered the mysteries happening all around ahead of the announcement that the September/October mystery play will be revealed soon.

The season opens July 1 with a lighthearted musical full of 1950s and ‘60s hits and runs through early May 2027 with a comedy about efforts to save a town on the brink of bankruptcy. In between is a play heralding the true story of an early female astronomer and a mystery that offers audience members a chance to try their hand at sleuthing.

Meister also introduced five new community programs, all free to the public.

Voices of the Valley is a six-week storytelling workshop open to anyone who has a story — which, as Meister pointed out, is everyone. La Chispa, meaning "the spark," is a Hispanic theater development workshop launching with a summer camp the last week of July.

The Whole Artist combines theater and mental health support in a six-week workshop developed in partnership with a mental health professional. The Lab offers intensive craft workshops for both professional artists and complete beginners. And Searchlight is the company's ongoing search for an undiscovered play worthy of a world premiere in the Wood River Valley.

“Every single one was planted with intention and the idea that arts have the power to change lives,” Meister said.

Educational programming continues as well, including a teaching artist partnership with Wood River High School and a new apprenticeship program placing high school students alongside professional staff throughout the full production process.

"This season is the beginning," Meister said. "We are planting seeds."

Board president Alexis Lindberg closed the evening with a fundraising appeal, describing the financial reality --actors, designers, show rights, sets, lights — behind what had just been announced and inviting the audience to become part of what comes next.

The new website launched during the Big Reveal is https://woodriverrep.org/. Season passes and premium packages are on sale now at https://woodriverrep.org/. And in June, all main stage tickets will be released at once.

Meanwhile, if you call looking for movie tickets, the members of what was formerly known as The Liberty Theatre Company will very gently redirect you.

WOOD RIVER REP’s 2026-27 SEASON

“THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES,” July 1-12.

This jukebox musical comedy by Roger Beaen follows four friends as they sing classic 1950s and ‘60s hits, including “Lollipop” and “Stupid Cupid,” at their 1958 Springfield High School prom.

“TO BE REVEALED,” Sept. 23-Oct. 4

"Tonight is all about reveals, and we've saved one for later," Meister teased about the mysterious mystery production.

“THE WITCHING TABLE,” Oct. 30-31.

An immersive murder mystery theatre experience.

“HOLIDAY BENEFIT,” Dec. 11

An original show full of holiday cheer woven into a big benefit event.

“SILENT SKY,” Feb. 17-28

This witty and emotional play by Lauren Gunderson is based on the groundbreaking work that 19th century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt and her women “computers” did at Harvard Observatory. They changed the way we see the universe as they charted stars while struggling for recognition in a male-dominated field.

“THEATRE FEST,” April 4

The fourth annual 24-hour theatre festival invites community members to come together to  write and stage a skit in 24 hours,

“POPCORN FALLS,” April 21-May 2

This comedic play by James Hindman revolves around a mayor who joins hands with a handyman to produce a play in one week to save their small bankrupt town.

COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT INITIATIVES

VOICES OF THE VALLEY, a six-week community storytelling workshop, will bring people of all walks of life together to find their voice and share their experience in a workshop that purports that everyone has a story worth telling.

LA CHISPA, a Hispanic Theatre workshop will be held in partnership with The Space summer camp.

THE WHOLE ARTIST, a six-week community wellness program that uses theatrical tools to achieve personal growth.

THE LAB, a six-week intensive workshop blending improv, acting, physical theatre, writing and directing for both professional and amateur artists who want to develop and sharpen their skills.

SEARCHLIGHT, an ongoing national search to bring the next big undiscovered work to a full mainstage world premiere in the Wood River Valley.

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

WRRep EDUCATION sends professionals to Wood River High School to mentor students in the craft of live theatre.

WRRep APPRENTICESHIP offers apprentices the chance to work alongside professionals on mainstage productions.