| | 11 Things From Steve | Jan. 6, 2026 | Issue 2 | |
Happy January 6th
The date where historically all of my New Year’s resolutions have officially expired.
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THEM'S MY SEATS and MEMBERSHIPS, SELLING FASTERER THAN MY BROKEN RESOLUTIONS! | |
As we write this we still have a few Them's My Seats options available in all three sectors of our theatre seating; box seats, high tops, and our standard seating downstairs and middle section of the balcony. This is a great way to secure your seating for the entire season, which is also very helpful if you are hoping to still get into some of our bigger name concerts that are nearly sold out. And while we always hope you will consider taking out a Murphy Membership, our THEM'S MY SEATS promotion does not require you to become a member. Learn more about both by clicking here.------->
(look below on mobile devices.)
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Phil Dirt and the Dozers are Back! But did they ever really leave us?
Our HUGE 2026 concert season is about to begin, and tradition dictates we kick things off with our dear friends Phil Dirt and the Dozers celebrating their third 35th Anniversary tour, Saturday, January 17 at 7:30. Great seats still remain for this great night of music. Welcome back boys!
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The art of YES...anding, moving things forward, performing in the positive, not only helpful in performing, but in everyday life as well.
We’re resuming LAUGH-You improv classes in 2026, and our first meeting to get a sense of what this fun craft is all about will be held Wednesday, January 21, at 6:30 at the theatre.
LAUGH-You is taught by me, (Steve) a humble graduate of Chicago’s Second City Conservatory, and founder of a number of improv and sketch comedy groups including the CIA, (Comedy Improv Alliance), Shtick People, and The Chamber of Comedy just to name, well to name three.
There is no cost for this first ninety-minute informational workshop, and ages 14 and up are welcome to attend. We currently have about a dozen adults returning. Classes will then meet once a week for five week sessions. Cost for the five-week sessions will be $60.00, but January 21 is free, to learn, relax, watch, and try, only if you’re comfortable.
The hope is to once again draw from this ensemble and create a performance troupe that will present improv and original sketch comedy shows, as part of our resident theatre group, The Murphy Stage Company.
Hope to see you there on Wednesday, 1/21 at 6:30.
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Click HERE For Membership
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Click HERE For
Them's My Seats
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2026 CINEMA –
To Kill a Mockingbird
Our Friday Night Films will now be our First Friday Films, shown the first Friday of the month. Charlie’s will be open 60 minutes prior to our movies. This leaves other Fridays available to accommodate requests we get from other organizations wishing to rent the theatre
for their own fundraiser.
But these aren’t our only films…in 2026
Every-other month on a Sunday afternoon we will be showing a thought-provoking, conversation-worthy film. We’re calling this series, Coffee and Cheesecake Cinema. Our first film will be Harper Lee’s 1962 classic courtroom drama,
To Kill a Mockingbird, starring Gregory Peck, on Sunday, January 18 at 1:00. Admission is $10.00 and includes coffee and cheesecake afterwards. Murphy Members receive free admission as well as the complimentary
coffee and cheesecake.
Following the film attendees will be invited to gather in Charlie’s for coffee, cheesecake and friendly conversation. The bar will be closed. Those participating in our post-film chat will vote on the next Cheesecake Cinema movie from a list of films we will provide.
We hope you will give serious consideration to giving this a try. If you intend to attend,
drop me an email so I get
a sense of how much cheesecake
I need to have on hand.
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Remember, there is NO SMARTY PANTS TRIVIA this month.
You will have to attend a well-rounded, thought-provoking, yet nonchalant and mildly amusing event, hosted by "unique and interesting" individuals, where you can display your knowledge of all things useful, elsewhere.
We wish you the best of luck! We will miss you!
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If you have something happy to say about your time at the theatre, please tap the button and share. Reviews, follow-up, check-ins, and feedback of our events on Google boost us to the top of search engines, which helps fight the ticket bullies and AND we like hearing from you.
Thank you for your help in spreading the word about The Murphy Theatre and for sharing your stories!
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| | | It’s Mayhem at the Murphy! | No, it’s not the staff looking for Steve’s missing hair plugs, again, it’s the return of high school wrestling, the Downtown Takedown Part 2 hosted by Clinton Massie High School. It was so much fun last year we all thought we should do it again. If you have not been to a high school wrestling match in a while, get yourself some culture and come witness some of the finest high school grapplers in the county on Thursday, January 22 starting at 6:00. Doors open at 5:00. Participating High School and Middle Schools are Clinton Massie, Wilmington, and East Clinton, boys and girls. Tickets are just $10.00 in advance (coming soon) or at the door, and Charlie’s concessions will be open serving snacks, pop, pizza and subs for purchase. | | | |
And the winner is…well you’re all winners in our book, some are just more winnier than others
The C-4 Awards and CCCVB Annual meeting return to the Murphy, Friday night, January 23, at 7:30. Witness the best of the best as the Chamber of Commerce and the Clinton County Convention and Visitors Bureau acknowledge those who make a difference in the community, a positive difference that is, based on the votes from the public. Get all gussied up in your best 50’s attire as this year’s theme is Jukebox Jubilee. Tickets are $50.00 for VIP admission which includes dinner and open bar at the Eagles before the awards ceremony, or just $10.00 to attend the ceremony without the dinner or open bar.
Tickets can be purchased in advance or the night of the show.
Doors and Charlie’s will open at 6:30.
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Who wants to groove tonight?
Or every night for that matter?
I know I do. Well Friday, January 30th it will officially be time to “get your groove on” as the kids say, as we host the Nation’s Number One Earth Wind and Fire Band, Let’s Groove Tonight. Not only do they recreate all of those great EW&F hits, the first half of the concert they also pay tribute to none other than Kool and the Gang.
It’s gonna be an awesome night of R&B and Soul you won’t want to miss.
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Country, When Country was Cool
The Dukes of Country, an amazing, light-hearted country music tribute band officially endorsed by The Dukes of Hazzard’s own John Schneider plays The Murphy Theatre on Saturday, February 7 at 7:30. They cover them all, from Dolly to Garth and all points in-between.
Get your tickets here.
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Got Plans for Valentine’s Day? | Me neither. On Saturday, February 14th at 7:30 there is no better way to tell your loved one he/she has your heart than by treating them to our concert Heart By Heart, featuring Steve Fossen and Michael Derosier from the band, HEART. Enjoy the great hits of HEART as they celebrate the 50th Anniversary of their Dreamboat Annie album. Yeah, the 50th Anniversary, I know. Great seats remain, so get your Heart on and snag your tickets here. |
Did you know February is
the most popular month in Scotland?
Yes, that’s the month the Scots celebrate their independence from Florida. Could have my facts wrong, but help us celebrate anyway as we welcome the internationally acclaimed Scottish group Skerryvore to The Murphy Theatre on Friday, February 20, for a special 7:30 concert. Filled with original and traditional Scottish tunes, this was a late addition, and not included in our Murphy Membership brochure. All seats, just $40.00 each.
YOU REALLY NEED TO WATCH THIS VIDEO!
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Our normal weekly office hours are now
Tuesdays from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm,
and Wednesday through Friday
from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
We will remain closed
on Sundays and Mondays,
and our box office will open ninety minutes prior to our concerts and other live events,
and one hour prior to our movies,
unless otherwise noted.
| Our next board meeting will be Tuesday, January 27, at 5:00 in Charlie’s. All are welcome to attend, and bring us treats. | |
Thank you to our 2026 Full Season Partners, so far…
Merchants National Bank,
The Clinton County Convention and Visitors Bureau,
Uptown Printing,
The Hampton Inn,
For the Love of Ink,
Ohio Arts
Professionals Network,
and the Ohio Arts Council
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Are you interested in getting in on the 2026 Partnership action, or maybe a show sponsorship? Perhaps advertising in our seasonal program that reaches the hands of more than 30,000 good looking folks, and includes a year-long presence on our website? Drop me a note and we’ll get the ball rolling.
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Hot Diggity Dog
Dinner Theatre!
| Our first family-friendly fun show is coming, Saturday February 21, at 5:00, and we are sooo excited. Get your winter hibernating stink off, and get out of the house with the kids to enjoy the national touring duo Buckets and Boards. Percussion and high energy family-friendly comedy hijinks make up this wonderful early evening out for the entire family. Tickets are just $25.00, $10 for kids and include a hot dog, bag of chips or small popcorn, and a non-alcoholic beverage. Tickets are on sale now, and please note the start time is 5:00. | |
Sing with some pals
We’re looking to create a Murphy Theatre Adult Choir that will meet to rehearse once a week, and present possibly two concerts each year, and perform as a guest choir in other events held at The Murphy. But before we start this, we need a choir leader. If you are interested in this position and you have experience in choir directing, please drop me a note before the end of January.
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AND THE LIST JUST KEEPS ON GROWING…
DO NOT PURCHASE YOUR MURPHY THEATRE CONCERT TICKETS FROM THESE WEBSITES.
MegaSeats BAD
GoTickets BAD
StubHub BAD
Event Tickets Center BAD
Seat Geek BAD
Vivid Seats BAD
JamBase BAD
Viagogo BAD
AXS Markteplace BAD
Ticket Network BAD
TicketSales.com BAD
UNation BAD
ConcertFix BAD
BANDSINTOWN is a site often used by artists and their ticket links
should direct you to our website.
Still, we advise using caution; it's always safest to go directly to our site.
With the quality and quantity of our shows in 2026 these sites will sell overpriced tickets and we will not be able to accommodate your purchasing error in the future, because in some instances your tickets will be fake and these seats simply won’t exist.
This is happening to venues
all over the country.
You must physically type in www.themurphytheatre.org,
to get to our site and proceed with your online ticket purchases. If you just type in,
“The Murphy Theatre”, and/or the name of the concert you want to attend, WE PROMISE YOU, YOU WILL BE DIRECTED TO THE WRONG SITE!
When in doubt, just give us a call.
(937) 382-3643.
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In appreciation for their support in promoting the arts and our mission, through continued generous funding for programming and marketing, The Murphy Theatre thanks
the city of Wilmington and the Clinton County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
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Interested in volunteering? We’re always looking for additional help with ushering for our concerts and shows or help with some daytime office and facilities tasks. Just drop Jean Black our volunteer coordinator a note, at Jean65black@yahoo.com. | We wish to thank George F. and Charlene Bush, longtime friends and ardent patrons of The Murphy Theatre. The Bush family’s generosity to so many deserving, non-profit and educational organizations proves their commitment to leaving this community in a better, kinder, more hopeful place. Their lasting gift to The Murphy Theatre, through The Clinton County Foundation is truly appreciated and will be used to further their vision and commitment. | |
Have questions about the theatre? You can always drop us a line at boxoffice@themurphytheatre.org.
Thank you again for your time and all your generosity, and remember when you are giving to The Murphy, you’re giving to an organization that is giving back to the community.
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