LifeHouse Theater in Redlands is kicking off its 33rd season with a brand-new musical adaptation of “Jack and the Beanstalk,” opening Saturday, October 10, at 7 p.m. and running weekends through November 8, 2026. The world-premiere production reimagines the classic fairy tale as a fantasy adventure with original songs, sending its young hero up a beanstalk into a cloud kingdom controlled by a giant.
According to The Press-Enterprise, the story follows young Jack as he struggles to save his family’s farm, eventually striking a bargain that leaves him holding nothing but a handful of mysterious beans. Those beans, of course, lead Jack to the cloud kingdom of Celbonica, a realm held captive by a giant. The production was written by Samantha Stephenson, a LifeHouse Theater alumna who is also directing the show, per the same report.
Stephenson collaborated with Jason Stephenson and Leslie Burkhart on the musical’s original score, the outlet notes. Speaking about the show, Stephenson said audiences “are going to have fun” with the musical, a sentiment that threads through a production built around songs written specifically for this telling of the tale.
A Faith-Based Spin on a Familiar Tale
LifeHouse Theater describes the show as an allegorical adventure that weaves in spiritual themes, including the idea of faith triumphing over fear, according to LifeHouse Theater. That framing fits the venue’s identity: it calls itself an independent, interdenominational community theater.
LifeHouse Theater stages original plays and musicals with casts built from a pool of more than 500 volunteer actors. “Jack and the Beanstalk” is an original production.
Who's Behind the Curtain
Behind the scenes, Jennifer M. DeWitt serves as assistant director, Jeremy Yeo is musical director, and Sanlyn Carter choreographed the production, per The Press-Enterprise. Beth Derry designed costumes, Jacob Michel built the scenic design, and Josiah Evans handled lighting design and served as technical director, while Julie Stephenson worked with the cast as acting coach.
Onstage, Micah Derry takes on the role of Jack Macaully, with Meigan Karraker playing his mother, Helene Macaully. Jonathan Bushey portrays Marcus Macaully, and Emily Speer plays a character named Bridgette. Jack’s three tormentors are played by Canon Roberston, Lincoln Baptist, and Cyrus Duffy, while Ed Derry takes on the role of a mysterious stranger who figures into Jack’s journey.
The kingdom of Celbonica gets its own roster of citizens, played by Julie Carlson, Suzanne Wood, Rylan Spencer, and Thomas Fletcher, with additional cast members Avonlea Spencer, Rowyn Mogel, Andrew Strachen, and Diana Handy rounding out the production. Perhaps the most distinctive voice in the show belongs to Eric Hollaway, who voices Brodgar the Giant — Hollaway is a professional voice actor known online as ThatBassVoice, according to the same Press-Enterprise report.
Showtimes and Special Dates
Regular performances run Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., with one added Thursday show at 7 p.m. on November 5. There are no performances scheduled for October 31, and the theater will not hold evening shows on October 23 or October 24, since those dates are set aside for a separate Halloween Villains event at the venue.
LifeHouse Theater is located at 1135 North Church St. in Redlands. Ticket information is available through lifehousetheater.com or by calling 909-335-3037.
