Patchwork Players Present Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical

WHITEFIELD, NH—Weathervane Theatre’s 2025 Patchwork Players are proud to present Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical. Sponsored by Crosstown Motors, Little Village Toy & Book Shop, and New England Wire Technologies, this award-winning musical celebrating our differences will be performed throughout the North Country July 15 – 25.

Polkadots follows 8-year-old Lily Polkadot (Grace McTier), who just moved to the “Squares Only” small town of Rockaway. As the first Polkadot in an all-Square school, Lily faces an almost impossible task of gaining acceptance from her peers. From daily bullying to segregated drinking fountains, Lily’s quest seems hopeless until she meets Sky (Steven Dias), a shy Square boy whose curiosity for her unique polkadot skin blooms into an unexpected pal-ship. Inspired by the events of The Little Rock 9, Polkadots serves as a colorful history lesson for children, reminding them that our individual differences make us awesome, not outcasts.

Polkadots returns to Weathervane after being performed during the 2020 season, and its relevance is just as strong now as it was then.

“Now is a perfect time for a show like Polkadots,” said Weathervane’s Associate Artistic Director Robert H. Fowler. “It’s a show based on history, the Little Rock Nine, but not a history lesson. As a theater and as artists, our mission remains to entertain, as well as push the current narrative. Hopefully, this show empowers the audience to feel comfortable having an open dialogue about people’s differences and embracing those differences, rather than being fearful of them.”

Polkadots is directed and choreographed by Marisa Kirby, Intern Program Director at Weathervane. It is music directed by Bronwen Chan. Polkadots also features designs by Connor von Rentzell (sound design), Solveig Hammon (scenic charge), Gabbie Flores (props design), and Hannah Showalter (costume design). Additional creative team: TessaMarie Beard (production stage manager), AP Pikiben (co-costume design and production manager), and Vero Villalobos (technical director).

Composing the cast of Polkadots are the 2025 Patchwork Players, nine early-career artists selected from a highly competitive nationwide search. The 2025 Patchwork Players are Eli Butler (Ouachita Baptist University), Steven Dias (Emerson College), Mack McCloud (New York University Tisch), Brady McGuire (Indiana University), Grace McTier (The Norwalk Conservatory), Emmie Pack (The Norwalk Conservatory), Lindsey Ross (Oberlin Conservatory of Music), Joshua Thompson (University of North Carolina School of the Arts), and Jake Van Eycken (Oberlin College).

For the sixth consecutive season, performances at the Weathervane will be held outside as part of the popular Picnic with Patchwork series. Picnic with Patchwork performances are every Friday at 11 AM through August 22nd. Bring a blanket, pack a snack, and enjoy a fantastic, pet-friendly show that’s fun for the whole family — even your dog! In the event of rain, alternate arrangements will be made (check facebook.com/weathervanetheatre for the latest updates). 

In addition to performances at the Weathervane (July 18 and 25), Polkadots will also play on the road at Groveton’s GDK Field (Tuesday, July 15), Bethlehem’s Colonial Theatre (Wednesday, July 16), the Lions Club Community Field in Lisbon (Thursday, July 17) and Colebrook’s Great North Woods Center for the Arts (Wednesday, July 23). All performances are at 11 AM.

Patchwork performances at Weathervane’s outdoor stage will be sold at the door for $9. For touring performances, please check with the venue for ticket pricing and ordering information. For more information, call 603.837.9322, email boxoffice@weathervanenh.org, or visit www.weathervannh.org. 

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ABOUT THE WEATHERVANE

The Weathervane Theatre was founded in 1965 by Gibbs Murray and the late Tom Haas and is under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Ethan Paulini. It has presented high-quality professional productions of plays and musicals for over half a century. One of the few remaining alternating rep companies in the United States, the Weathervane is recognized as a historical institution nationwide, boasting among its alums 2021 Tony nominee Elizabeth Stanley, Tally Sessions, four-time Tony nominee Judy Kuhn, and recent Tony Award Winners Sam Pinkleton and Ari’el Stachel.  

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Media Contact: Carrie Greenberg
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