Following a landmark 2024 season with critically acclaimed, sold-out productions (The Mad Ones, First Date, and Zanna Don’t), Birmingham’s Old Joint Stock Theatre is raising the curtain on another extraordinary year, which will feature cult favourite Be More Chill and Bonnie and Clyde the Musical.

Proving that big dreams can thrive in small spaces, this Midlands gem—powered by a dynamic team of just three (James Edge, Emily Susanne Lloyd, and Liam Alexandru)—continues its mission to champion contemporary musicals and showcase bold, lesser-known works.

The 2025 lineup promises to dazzle, starting in April with Ordinary Days, which transfers to Upstairs at the Gatehouse following its Birmingham debut. This is followed by the Broadway and West End smash-hit Be More Chill, which storms the Old Joint Stock Theatre for a four-week run from 6-31 August.

With a loyal global fanbase and iconic cast recordings, this sci-fi-infused coming-of-age musical follows the story of Jeremy Heere, an ordinary high schooler who discovers “The Squip”—a tiny supercomputer that promises to solve all his problems. But as Jeremy achieves his wildest dreams, he begins to question the cost of being “cool.”

Based on Ned Vizzini’s acclaimed novel, Be More Chill is a high-energy musical that explores the price of popularity with humour, heart, and a soundtrack full of unforgettable earworms.

Director of Be More Chill, James Edge, said: “I’ve loved Be More Chill ever since listening to its original cast recording when it was first released, and it’s been a joy to watch its fan base grow astronomically in the UK in recent years. The show is loud, gutsy, and has a whole lot of heart, with every single song being a total earworm. I think the show will excel in a smaller space, and our ambitions are sky-high with what we hope to achieve creatively with this fringe production. Be More Chill is the perfect show to come and watch this summer if you are a contemporary musical theatre fan.”

Then…THE OUTLAWS ARE BACK! From 1-26 October, the Tony-nominated musical Bonnie & Clyde brings its gripping tale of love, crime, and legacy to the intimate setting of the Old Joint Stock.

Set during the Great Depression, the musical follows Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow as they rise from small-town nobodies to infamous outlaws. With a score by Frank Wildhorn, blending blues, gospel, and rockabilly, this electrifying production dives into the passion, ambition, and tragedy that made Bonnie and Clyde legends.

Director of Bonnie & Clyde, Emily Susanne Lloyd, said: “Bringing Bonnie & Clyde to the intimate Old Joint Stock stage is a dream come true. This space amplifies the grit and raw emotion of their story, making it an unforgettable experience for audiences. The outlaws are back!”

For more info on the upcoming season, please click here.