Arlington Common Revives Community Theater with a Night of “Perfectly Scripted Disaster.”
Director Tim Rice and a local ensemble bring the West End hit ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ to Arlington this June.
Arlington, VT – May 11, 2026 – The Arlington Common Community Theater is roaring back to life with a production that is purposefully falling apart. Directed by local theater veteran Tim Rice, the celebrated ‘play within a play’ disaster comedy, The Play that Goes Wrong–by arrangement with Concord Theatrics on behalf of Dramatists Play Service and written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields–runs from Friday, June 5th, until Saturday, June 13th at the Arlington Common Performance Hall.
This production marks a milestone for the Arlington Community Performance Hall, signaling a riotous return to live, local storytelling. For Rice, the choice of play was intentional: a high-energy, physical comedy that celebrates the grit of local performers who refuse to quit, even when the walls are literally coming down.
“There is a unique magic in community theater where neighbors come together to create something ambitious,” says Rice. “In this show, the challenge is twofold: our local cast has to be incredibly precise to make this ‘controlled chaos’ look accidental. It is a testament to the talent we have right here in the Arlington area.”
The ‘play within a play’ follows the well-meaning but accident-prone Cornley University Drama Society as they attempt to stage a 1920s murder mystery. As the night progresses, a dedicated troupe of local actors battles a collapsing set, malfunctioning props, and internal squabbles to ensure the show reaches its hilarious end.
The performance will run for four evenings in the Arlington Common Performance Hall on June 5th, 6th, 12th, and 13th, 2026, at 7:30 pm, with a matinee on Sunday, June 7th, at 2 pm. A special dinner and a show will take place on Saturday, June 6th, at the Watkins House, starting at 6 pm. Seating is limited. To purchase tickets, go to arlingtoncommon.org
The revival of community theater is a vital part of the Arlington Common’s broader mission to make the arts accessible, inclusive, and vibrant for all members of the Arlington community. This production of The Play That Goes Wrong is just one example of the Common’s ongoing commitment to fostering creativity and connection.
Contact: info@arlingtoncommon.org, https://www.arlingtoncommon.org