Summer Musical

While we also produce a Winter Cabaret and One-Act Play each year, the cornerstone of Upper Room Theatre Ministry is our summer musicals. Started in 2002, our award-winning July shows have been playing to sold-out audiences, so don’t miss out!

Our 2025 summer musical will be announced by the end of 2024. Stay tuned to our website, Facebook page, and Instagram page for the latest updates and announcements!

Prepare for an epic adventure full of heart, humor, and unforgettable characters! Join us July 15-20, 2025, as we bring Broadway’s Shrek the Musical to life on the award-winning Upper Room Theatre stage.

Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks animated film and adapted by a powerhouse team—including Tony Award-winning composer Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Caroline, or Change) and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole, Kimberly Akimbo)—Shrek brings sidesplitting humor, a dynamic score, and plenty of fairy tale twists to the stage, making it a celebrated Broadway hit worldwide!

“Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek…”

And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who just wants to be left alone in his swamp. But when a band of quirky fairy tale creatures invades his peaceful home—and a hilarious, unlikely friendship with a talking Donkey blossoms—Shrek is forced onto a wild quest to rescue a feisty princess who’s anything but the typical damsel-in-distress. Along the way, he faces a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude, and more than a dozen wacky fairy tale misfits in an adventure that calls for a true hero. And luckily, there’s one on hand… and his name is Shrek.

With hilarious dialogue, high-energy songs, and show-stopping dance numbers, Shrek the Musical is pure fun for the whole family.

But it’s more than just an entertaining tale….

At its heart, Shrek the Musical is a powerful story of human dignity, self-acceptance, friendship, and discovering that true beauty is found within. This message of embracing our unique gifts and using them to lift others will resonate with audiences of all ages, leaving smiles and warmth in everyone’s hearts.

We can’t wait to see you in July for this magical, larger-than-life musical that will leave you laughing, singing, and feeling inspired! Mark your calendars for July 15-20, 2025.  Online ticket sales begin June 24, and auditions will be held mid-May.

Our Awards

We feel blessed and honored that our productions have been recognized not only by our audiences, but also by our Washington, DC Regional Theatre peers.

Winner of BroadwayWorld's "Favorite Local Theatre" (2022, 2023)
Prince William Arts Council Seefeldt Award for "Outstanding Arts Organization" (2021)
Winner of BroadwayWorld's "Community Theatre of the Decade" (2020)

Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella

Eight BroadwayWorld Awards for
“Best Ensemble Performance”
“Best Performer in a Musical”
“Best Supporting Performing in a Musical”
“Best Direction of a Musical”
Best Music Direction & Orchestra Performance
Best Choreography
“Best Costume Design”
“Best Lighting Design”
Plus DC Theater Arts Staff Favorite Honors for
“Outstanding Production”
“Outstanding Creative Components”
“Outstanding Ensemble Performance”

West Side Story

Nine BroadwayWorld Awards for
“Best Musical of 2022”
“Best Direction of a Musical”
“Best Choreography”
“Best Ensemble Performance”
“Best Music Direction & Orchestra Performance”
“Best Supporting Performer in a Musical”
“Best Costume Design”
“Best Scenic Design”
“Best Lighting Design”

HONK!

Five BroadwayWorld Awards for
“Best Non-Professional Musical of 2021”
“Best Actor in a Musical”
“Best Supporting Actress in a Musical”
“Best Director”
“Best Costume Design of a Play or Musical”

No One is Alone

BroadwayWorld Award for
“Best Streaming Production of 2020”

Mary Poppins

BroadwayWorld Award for
“Best Community Theatre Production of 2019”

Hello, Dolly!

Five BroadwayWorld Awards for
“Best Sound Design of the Decade”
“Best Costume Design of the Decade”
“Best Community Theatre Production of 2018″
“Best Community Theatre Actress”
“Best Community Theatre Actor”

Into the Woods

 DC Metro Theater Arts Honors for
“Best Musical of 2016”
Three “Best Performances in a Musical”
“Best Director”
“Best Music Director”

Peter Pan

DC Metro Theater Arts Honors for
“Best Musical of 2015”
“Best Actress”
“Best Featured Actor”
“Best Director” 
BroadwayWorld Award for
“Set Design of the Decade” (Non-Equity)

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

ShowbizRadio’s “Standout Performance”

Our Summer Productions

2023

CinderellaBroadway_Logo

2022

West Side Story

2021

HONK-logo

2020

No-One-Is-Alone-Color

2019

2018

Hello, Dolly!

2017

2017 Beauty and the Beast

2016

2015

2015-pp

2014

Les Misérables Upper Room Theatre Ministry

2013

The Wizard of Oz

2012

2012 Man of La Mancha

2011

2011 Annie

2010

2010-guys-and-dolls_1-01

2009

2009 Seussical

2008

2008 The Music Man

2007

2007 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

2006

2006 - Pippin

2005

2005-fiddler-color

2004

2004 HONK!

2003

2003 The Sound of Music

2002

2002-godspell