Anything and Everything is Happening

When looking at Emerald Coast Theatre Company’s upcoming season 12, directors Nathanael Fisher and Anna Fisher noted a prevailing theme in the productions — anything could happen. It’s this sense of wonder and “what if” that guides this season’s most anticipated shows: All is Calm, Every Brilliant Thing and Little Shop of Horrors.

The holiday season will be ushered in at ECTC with All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914, which tells the true story of the first Christmas Eve during World War I when soldiers across the Western Front laid aside their weapons and ceased the fight to celebrate Christmas in peace.

Based on first-hand accounts and letters from soldiers, this production brings their stories to audiences through a mix of traditional carols and patriotic songs sung a cappella by the cast of 12. All is Calm spans December 6-22.

All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914

“In the midst of war, fighting can stop, which attests to the beauty and touching nature of this production,” says Nathanael Fisher, producing artistic director of ECTC. “This will particularly resonate with the large military presence in the area.”

With the new year comes a new production, Every Brilliant Thing, on stage from January 9-17. In this moving production, a young boy attempts to ease his mother’s depression by creating a list of all the things in life worth living for. While heart wrenching, there are also moments of humor and hope.

There is a content warning for this production as it contains discussion of depression and suicide.

“Through art, it is often our purpose to bring what may have once been seen as taboo into the conversation,” said Fisher. “Even in the midst of the darkest times, light can be found.”

Every Brilliant Thing

January 24 to February 9, the Little Shop of Horrors (pictured, top) comes to the coast. This beloved cult classic is a horror, comedy, rock musical that tells the tale of plant store attendant Seymour, his co-worker crush Audrey, her sadistic dentist boyfriend, and the man-eating plant that threatens them and the world as they know it.

Audiences are sure to laugh and bop along to the 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop and Motown sounds.

While each show is vastly different in emotion and themes, the common thread is connection.

“The undercurrent of what ECTC does is always using art and the theatre to accomplish community connection,” says Fisher. “We focus on shows that make people feel seen and connected to the larger world around them.”

Emerald Coast Theatre Company

To learn more about ECTC’s upcoming season visit: emeraldcoasttheatre.org. All shows occur Thursdays to Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Wednesdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.