Most productions at Olney Theatre Center come with a quick rating that corresponds to those used by the Motion Picture Association of America. Since those ratings are imperfect and different patrons have different concerns, we created this more in-depth guide. It allows you advance knowledge of specific content that may or may not be deemed problematic or triggering. Do not hesitate to contact us with questions prior to purchasing tickets if you have concerns. Please note that all ticket sales are final.
2023-24 Season Content Guidance
ISLANDER: A NEW MUSICAL
Language: Scottish insults, heavy Scottish dialect and slang for some characters
Violence: references to the death of a whale
Adult Behavior: n/a
Sexual Content: n/a
If this were a film it would be rated G for all families
LONG WAY DOWN
Language: damn, piss, pee pee, nigga, many mentions of death, killing, blood, shooting, and guns
Violence: depictions of bullet wounds, references to death, child deaths, gun violence, and gang violence
Sexual Content: references to being “felt up” and “X-rated stuff,” kiss on cheek and lips
Adult Behavior: references to drugs and drug use, depictions of smoking tobacco
Other: strong plot points of planning murder, mourning, loss of loved ones, talking with ghosts
If this were a film it would be rated PG for violent themes
BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL
Language: damn, hell, asshole, Jesus, crazy, shit
Violence: verbal aggression towards partner, reference to putting a woman in chains
Sexual Content: frequent passionate kissing, a male character taking off his shirt, allusions to an extramarital affair
Adult Behavior: teen pregnancy, alcohol consumption, a tumultuous marriage and divorce, reference to “smoking grass,” references to extramarital affairs
Other: joking reference to suicide, depiction of a nervous breakdown
If this were a film it would be rated PG for adult themes
Past 23-24 Shows
INK
Language: Fuck, fucking, goddamn, damn, bullshit, bastard, bollocks, Jesus, bloody, cock, bloody hell, hell, idiot, masturbate, pussy, helluva, smutty
Adult Behavior: Drinking and references to drinking, smoking and references to smoking
Violence: references to death, reference to murder, reference to blood, reference to beating,
Sexual Content: references to kissing, references to nudity, sexual innuendos, references to sex
If this were a film it would be rated PG-13 for strong language, sexual references, adult behavior, and violent themes.
THE BROTHERS PARANORMAL
Language: Ass, hell, shit, dear Lord, goddamn, crap, "oh, my God", Jesus Christ, "schizoid"
Violence: References to a fatal car accident and witnessing death as a paramedic. Depictions of: multiple attacks by a ghost (jump scares, flying objects, macabre apparition in a horror-movie style); a heart attack; lethal smothering with a pillow.
Sexual Content: Depiction of a couple cuddling in bed and kissing once.
Other: Depression and suicide, altered states, caring for loved ones with mental illness, and the trauma of displacement are central topics throughout. References to displacement from Hurricane Katrina; schizophrenia and hallucinations; alcohol abuse; funerals, especially Thai funeral traditions; and gambling addiction. Depictions of ghosts and grief.
If you or someone you love is in crisis, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8.
If this were a film it would be rated PG-13 for violent themes, discussions of mental illness and suicide, supernatural violence, and strong language.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Language: n/a
Adult Behavior: Drinking, drunkenness, and references to drinking
Violence: Threats and acts of anti-Semitic violence, song references to domestic violence, reference to death of a character, an intense supernatural dream scene that some children might find frightening
Sexual Content: n/a
Other: Themes of religious intolerance of Jewish culture, challenges to patriarchal authority
If this were a film it would be rated G.
A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas
Synopsis: Ebenezer Scrooge lives a dismal life without family, friends, or a love for anything but money. One Christmas Eve, he is visited by the ghost of his former business partner and then three spirits urging him to examine the state of his past, present, and future life. Based on the classic story by Charles Dickens.
Language: This production is a one-man show using the original text of Dickens' short story. The Victorian-era language may take some getting-used-to for younger audience members. The word “ass” is used in reference to a donkey. There is a lot of discussion surrounding death, including the death of the protagonist and a child.
Adult Behavior: Smoking, Drinking, and Gambling: Mention of beer, punch, and wine.
Sexual Content: None.
Violence: None.
For which audiences: Ages 11+
If this were a film: It would be rated G, although because of the format and Victorian language we recommend it for ages 11 and up. View Frequently Asked Questions about this production.
KEN LUDWIG'S LEND ME A SOPRANO
Language: Italian insults (pazzo, strega, idiota, puttana), tramp, boobs, crazy, lunatic, sexiest, dammit, madwoman, idiot, hell, made love
Violence: threats of violence about stabbing and strangulation and self-harm, drugging someone,
Adult Behavior: drinking, pills, references to extramarital affairs
Sexual Content: heavy kissing, many sexual innuendos, allusions to nonconsensual sex, stripping down to underclothes, allusions to nudity, “fade to black” sex scene
Other: references to suicide and self-harm, references to death and dead bodies (character is mistaken as dead but is merely unconscious), stereotypical depictions of Italian and Dutch people, references to police arrest
If this were a film, it would be rated PG-13 for sexual content.
AVAAZ
Language: "oh my Gd" (without the "o"), ass, fuck, hell, hooker, dumb, bastard, motherfucker, shit, stupid, anal. In Farsi: chaye, aghaboftadeh, and haroomzadeh.
Violence: References to death, murder, beating, domestic abuse, political and faith-based violence (ie., Iranian Revolution), suicidal thinking, and gun violence.
Sexual Content: References to dating and marriage, kissing, and sexual harassment. Brief reference to anal sex and intercourse.
Adult Behavior: References to smoking, drinking, and alcohol abuse.
Other: References to Anti-Semitism and gender discrimination.
If this were a film it would be rated PG-13 for adult references.
