The Cider House Rules, Parts One & Two

An epic two-part event of the beloved novel by John Irving
Both parts playing repertory from May 15 - June 14, 2026
For schedule & ticket info: bit.ly/Tickets-CiderHouse
Save $10 when you buy a Two Part Pass!
The Ringwald Theatre is thrilled to present their next production, the epic, two-part play The Cider House Rules.
Based on John Irving’s beloved, bestselling novel, The Cider House Rules is an epic examination of family, reproductive rights, and what it means to call a place home The play adaptation was conceived by Tom Hulce, Jane Jones and Peter Parnell, and adapted by Parnell.
Spanning eight decades of American life, The Cider House Rules tells the story of Dr. Wilbur Larch, founder of the St. Cloud's, Maine orphanage and hospital. At St. Cloud’s, Dr. Larch delivers babies but he also performs illegal abortions. Into this environment comes Homer Wells, the perennially returned orphan who ultimately stays at St. Cloud’s, thus beginning the complex father-son relationship that develops between the two.. Homer's growth into adulthood begins first at St. Cloud's, and then out in the wide world, where he learns about life and love and must ultimately decide whether to return to St. Cloud's and fulfill the destiny his "father" has always believed in for him.
Part One of The Cider House Rules: Here in St. Cloud’s will open on May 15 and play exclusively for two weekends at which point Part Two: In Other Parts of the World opens on May 29 and plays through May 31. Then both parts will play in repertory from June 5 through June 14 with Part One playing Friday nights at 7:00 pm, Part Two playing on Saturday nights at 7:00 pm, and both parts playing on Sundays (June 7 and June 14) with Part One at 2:00 pm and Part Two at 7:00 pm.
The Ringwald has partnered with their restaurant neighbor Pop’s for Italian, who will offer special discounts for patrons during the dinner break between performances on the two-show Sundays.
The Cider House Rules is directed by Joe Bailey and features Melissa Beckwith, Miles Bond, Chase Bowman, nick Easterling, Karen Kron Dickson, Josiah Martelle, Joel Mitchell, Rachel Paulin, Brandy Joe Plambeck, Linda Rabin Hammell, John Sanford, Rashna “Rashi” Sarwar, Gretchen Schock, and Mycarra Whorton and features the theatre’s first two-level set designed by Jake Turner.
Tickets for The Cider House Rules are $30 for performances Fridays-Sundays and $20 for Monday performances. Audience members can purchase a ticket for each part at once and save $10.00 with a Two-Part Pass. Tickets are currently available at Performances on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays are at 7:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM. The Ringwald is located inside of Affirmations Community Center at 290 W. 9 Mile Road in downtown Ferndale, Michigan.