Keegan Theatre Presents the World Premiere of Midiculous, an Interactive Adventure for Young Audiences

If you've ever survived middle school — or are currently in the thick of it — Keegan Theatre has a show that speaks directly to that gloriously awkward experience. The company is launching the world premiere of Midiculous, a wildly inventive Choose-Your-Own-Adventure play for teens, running February 24 through March 8, 2026 on the Keegan mainstage.

Midiculous at Keegan Theatre

Written by acclaimed DC artists and Keegan favorites Drew Anderson and Dwayne Lawson-Brown, the duo behind previous hits From Gumbo to Mumbo and Push the Button, Midiculous was commissioned through Keegan's Boiler Room Series initiative for new works and the company's education program, Keegan PLAY-RAH-KA. The result is a high-energy, music-driven theatrical experience that puts the audience in the driver's seat.

The premise drops audiences right into the hallways of Midiculous Middle School, a place governed by a laughably lopsided social order where students are sorted into rigid roles — Queen Bee, Jock, Geek, or Goth — and no one dares defy their assigned destiny. Things take a turn for the bizarre when a mysterious zombifying virus begins spreading through TikTok dances, throwing the already chaotic social hierarchy into full meltdown. The only way to survive? The audience decides. In this live interactive experience, theatergoers determine the outcome of a metaphysical game show where only the winner escapes the prison of pre-teen politics.

Director Savina Barini is thrilled to be at the helm. "This show is such a gift to get to work on," she explains. "It's built with middle school students first in mind, and it finds the joy and humor in what can be a hard, confusing time. You can feel the respect and the love Drew and Dwayne have for this age group and this phase of adolescence, and for the teachers guiding students through it. It also goes so hard — the music is fantastic and fun and adds so much to the overall experience. This is a show that talks to young people without condescending to them. It really feels like Theater for Young Audiences at its best. I'm also grateful for this cast, who bring really sharp instincts and a wonderful sense of play into their performances. They all embody the spirit of the show beautifully and it's a delight to share the rehearsal room with them."

The cast features Cynthia Davis as the MC, Cristina Sanchez as Perplexa, Tziah Coli as Lateshia Darkheart, Cayla Hall as L'Apostrophe Johnson, Jordan Essex as Ty Tryhard, Christian Emmanuel as Jacque Le Jock, and Darren Badley as Mr. Robinson. The creative team includes choreographer Kayla A. Warren, costume and hair/wig/makeup designer Anya Peregrino, lighting designer Niya John, properties designer Luke Hartwood, sound designer Brandon Cook, projections designer Jeremy Bennett, sound engineer Nardia "Zhy" Stowbridge, scenic designer and technical director Josh Sticklin, stage manager Gabrielle Busch, assistant stage manager Carter Zgonina, production manager Jared H. Graham, lead electrics technician Dan Martin, and revolve programmer Isabella Tapia.

Performances run Tuesdays through Fridays at 10:00 am, Saturdays at 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for students and seniors.

Keegan has also lined up some special events during the run. On Friday, March 6, don't miss "Cringefest," an evening celebration of all things middle school featuring nostalgic games, classic cafeteria snacks, a silent disco, and a costume contest — so dig out your best middle school outfit for a chance to win prizes. On the closing Sunday, March 8, families can take advantage of onsite matinee child care for just $20 with sibling discounts, provided by Keegan PLAY-RAH-KA Teaching Artists (capacity is limited, so advance registration is required). That same afternoon, a free "Meet the Artists" talkback follows the matinee performance, and Student Night offers discounted tickets for current students with a valid student ID using promo code 29MID, plus the chance to socialize with Keegan staff and leadership.