The Battle of the Exes Begins: Weathervane Theatre Presents Noël Coward’s Private Lives
The classic comedy of love, lust, and spectacularly bad decisions is directed by Broadway’s Christina Sajous and will run in alternating repertory July 5 - 24, 2026.
WHITEFIELD, NH—Producing Artistic Director Ethan Paulini and New Hampshire’s award-winning Weathervane Theatre are pleased to present Noël Coward’s classic comedy PRIVATE LIVES. PRIVATE LIVES is directed by Broadway’s Christina Sajous.
Sajous, an accomplished Broadway performer whose credits include OTHELLO, THE WHO’S TOMMY (revival), SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK, AMERICAN IDIOT, BABY IT’S YOU!, HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, made her directorial debut at the Weathervane in 2021 when she directed GREEN DAY’S AMERICAN IDIOT. Since then, she’s directed regionally, Off-Broadway, and on Broadway, where she co-directed last year’s A WONDERFUL WORLD–THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG MUSICAL.
Sajous reflects on returning to the White Mountains after being on the main stem.
“I love building shows in this community,” said Sajous. “The enthusiasm Weathervane audiences have for the art created in that beautiful theatre is inspiring. I am inspired by the Weathervane team on how fast shows are being built, and the commitment that every department has (creatives, actors, and faculty/staff, etc.) in making the best possible show to wow its audiences.”
PRIVATE LIVES opens July 5 and runs in alternating repertory through July 24, 2026. When the glamorous, wealthy, and incorrigibly reckless Elyot and Amanda—now divorced—accidentally find themselves honeymooning in adjoining suites with their new spouses, old sparks ignite, tempers flare, and chaos ensues, igniting an epic battle of the sexes. Sophisticated, worldly, and wickedly entertaining, PRIVATE LIVES is as acerbic, catty, and delightfully mischievous as only Coward could make it.
Sajous is not the only Weathervane veteran bringing Noël Coward’s comedic masterpiece to life. PRIVATE LIVES reunites Shinnerrie Jackson and Robert H. Fowler, previously seen together on the Weathervane stage as Dolly Gallagher Levi and Horace Vandergelder in HELLO, DOLLY! as quarreling ex-lovers, Amanda and Eloyt, and Ethan Paulini (Weathervane’s ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS) and Kelly Strandemo (Weathervane’s WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME) as their unwitting new spouses. Rounding out the cast is Weathervane newcomer Shai Vaknine as Louis.
In addition to Sajous’ direction, PRIVATE LIVES features design by Cass Burgess (properties), Chris Payne (lighting), Alexander Pikiben (sound), and Rien Schlecht (costume and set). Additional creative team: Sam Powers (production stage manager), Reed Davis, Rien Schlecht, Hannah Showalter, Aasrith Veerapaneni (assistant stage management), Vero Villalobos (technical director), Kaitlyn Lied (assistant technical director), Christa LeBlanc (scenic charge), and Jeremy Baldauf and AP Pikiben (production management).
Performing in alternating repertory, PRIVATE LIVES opens July 5 and runs in alternating repertory through July 24, 2026. Special events for PRIVATE LIVES include an opening-night champagne reception on July 5th, where patrons can mix and mingle with the cast and creative team at this intimate, ticketed event. This opening night reception is particularly special as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of Weathervane’s very first performance. Patrons do not need to attend the performance to purchase a ticket to the lightly catered reception.
Single tickets for PRIVATE LIVES are available for purchase at weathervanenh.org or by calling 603-837-9322. Group rates are available for parties of 15 or more. Contact info@weathervanenh.org for more information.
Weathervane’s 61st season runs June 30 – October 11. Additional season 61 productions include TICK, TICK…BOOM!, RENT, XANADU, COME FROM AWAY, PETER PAN GOES WRONG, GLOCK 17., PUTTING IT TOGETHER, PAPERBOY, and ANYTHING GOES. Single tickets are available at www.weathervanenh.org. Season 61 tickets start at $34.
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ABOUT THE WEATHERVANE
The Weathervane Theatre was founded in 1965 by Gibbs Murray and the late Tom Haas and is led by 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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