Five Reasons to See Gooseberry Lane
Written by Jordan Matt-Zeitler
Harbor Theatrics is preparing to open its inaugural season with the world premiere of Gooseberry Lane, a new comedy by St. Louis playwright Jim Danek.
Set in 1935 at the once-fashionable summer estate of playwright Lawrence Gooseberry, the play gathers a delightfully dysfunctional group of theatre people for what is supposed to be a relaxing weekend in the country.
Of course, nothing about these people—or this weekend—is going to be relaxing.
If you’re still deciding whether to join us on Gooseberry Lane, here are five reasons you won’t want to miss it.
1. You’ll Be Among the First Audiences to See It
Every production is unique, but a world premiere carries a different kind of excitement.
There is no famous film version of Gooseberry Lane. There aren’t decades of past productions for our cast to imitate. This company is creating the first fully staged version of Jim Danek’s comedy, and Harbor audiences will be the first to experience it.
You’ll be among the first people to meet these characters, discover their secrets, and hear every joke delivered before a live audience. Your laughter and reactions become part of the play’s earliest history.
A world premiere only happens once. You get to say you were there when Gooseberry Lane first came to life.
2. The House Is Filled with Unforgettable Characters
The estate at Gooseberry Lane was once a glamorous retreat for theatre artists. The Great Depression has changed its fortunes, but the people who gather there are determined to maintain the appearance of those glorious days—even if the glamour is beginning to crack around the edges.
There is Warren Trent, a once-successful producer who remains every bit as bombastic as he was at the height of his career. Lady Bella Van Wermiskerkin Steiner is a grand theatrical diva who still sees herself as the perfect choice for every ingénue role. Unique Monique is another actress who has waited long enough for her chance to take center stage—and has no intention of being gracious about it.
They are joined by Billy Leach, Monique’s long-suffering secretary and traveling companion; Valiant and Constance, the household staff who have seen far too much over the years; the mysterious Elbert H. Loovebug; and Luna Moonglow, an actress whose unexpected arrival sends the entire weekend spinning in a new direction.
Each character arrives carrying an ego, an agenda, or a secret. Some arrive with all three.
3. It Is a Comedy Made for People Who Love Theatre
Gooseberry Lane has a great deal of fun with theatre people—and nobody is spared.
The play is filled with fading stars, frustrated understudies, struggling producers, temperamental divas, questionable casting choices, backstage gossip, professional jealousy, and artists who remain absolutely convinced that their greatest triumph is still just around the corner.
There are references to Shakespeare, Hedda Gabler, The Wild Duck, Our American Cousin, theatrical censorship, the rise of motion pictures, and the eternal struggle to get someone’s entire name onto a Broadway marquee.
Theatre lovers will recognize the personalities, rivalries, and absurd conversations immediately. But you don’t need to know your Ibsen from your Shakespeare to enjoy the show. At its heart, the comedy comes from people trying desperately to protect their pride while their carefully constructed lives begin falling apart.
Anyone who has ever spent time around actors will understand.
4. The Story Keeps Getting More Ridiculous
The play begins with the staff preparing for the return of their annual guests. It doesn’t take long before old rivalries resurface, bottles begin disappearing, unwanted romantic advances are made, identities are questioned, and nearly everyone threatens to leave.
Then Luna Moonglow arrives.
We won’t tell you what happens from there, but we can promise that the evening becomes increasingly complicated. Long-buried secrets begin coming to light, unlikely connections are revealed, and one supposedly quiet weekend turns into something resembling a theatrical comedy written during a full moon.
This is the kind of show where every new arrival adds another layer to the chaos. Just when the characters think they understand what is happening, someone walks through the door and changes everything.
5. Beneath the Chaos, There Is Real Heart
The characters of Gooseberry Lane may be ridiculous, but they aren’t empty caricatures.
These are artists living through difficult times. The Great Depression has taken away their financial security, closed theatres, ended careers, and left them wondering whether their best days are behind them. They cling to old rivalries and former successes because those memories remind them of who they once were.
Behind all the insults, exaggerations, and theatrical posturing are people searching for connection. Some are trying to reclaim lost careers. Others are trying to repair damaged relationships, find love, build a family, or finally tell the truth.
That heart gives the comedy something deeper. We laugh at these characters because they are outrageous, but we care about them because their fears and hopes are surprisingly familiar.
Join Us on Gooseberry Lane
Harbor Theatrics could not have chosen a more fitting production with which to open our inaugural season. Gooseberry Lane celebrates theatre, local artists, new work, and the wonderfully complicated people who dedicate their lives to telling stories.
We are honored that Jim Danek trusted us to bring his comedy to the stage for the first time. Now we can’t wait to share it with you.
Gooseberry Lane runs September 18–27, 2026.
Tickets are on sale now at www.harbortheatrics.org.
Come meet the residents and visitors of Gooseberry Lane. Just don’t get too close to the pond.
