When the musical “Showing Up” had its first workshop performance at Middlebury’s Town Hall Theater, it drew prolonged standing ovations — and a lot of passionate comment. 

“The audience was completely absorbed in the piece,” said director Douglas Anderson.  “They sensed how unusual it was — a truly delightful musical, entertaining in every way, that explores serious women’s issues.”

That first workshop in November of 2019 was followed by an intensive revision of the show. 

Addison County natives Miranda Ferriss Jones and Vanessa Dunleavy, the writers and performers, worked with THT artistic director Anderson and orchestrator Simon Broucke to sharpen the piece, clarifying the issues and tightening scenes.

“It was a terrific creative process, informed by that first workshop,” said Anderson, “We couldn’t wait to present the new draft to audiences.”  The group went into rehearsal again in March 2020, but just days before the performance, it was cancelled due to Covid.  Tickets were refunded and the group separated, waiting for the day the show could return to Middlebury. The extra year gave them time for more fine-tuning, and the much-anticipated new draft will finally be presented at Town Hall Theater from Nov. 18-20.

Showing Up will be presented at Town Hall Theater on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 18-19, at 7:30 pm, followed by a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Nov. 20.  For tickets, visit townhalltheater.org, call 802-382-9222, or come to the THT Box Office (Mon-Fri, 12-5 p.m.) Tickets are $20.