Michael Donald Edwards, Asolo Repertory Theatre's producing artistic director, announced today his selections for the 2010-2011 season. A major highlight of Asolo Rep's 52nd season is the pre-Broadway try-out production of Bonnie & Clyde opening on November 19, 2010.
In addition to Bonnie & Clyde, Edwards unveiled a strong line-up for the repertory season that includes the Drama Desk Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated drama Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose; recec Broadway revival success Boeing Boeing by Marc Camoletti the Outer Critics Circle Award and Olivier Award winning comedy La Bête (The Beast) by David Hirson; the most successful and popular whodunit in history Deathtrap by Ira Levin; Las Meninas (The Waiting Women), a hilarious and heart-wrenching play by Pulitzer Prize winning African American playwright Lynn Nottage; and the delightfully entertaining one man show George Gershwin Alone by Hershey Felder, being performed during the 75th anniversary of Porgy and Bess. Completing the season, Asolo Rep will later announce two additional titles.
"From the outrageously theatrical La Bête with its brilliant and current articulation of the time honored tension between art and commerce, to the passionately argued positions of 12 Angry Men, to the breathtaking hilarity of Boeing Boeing, the devilish thrill ride that is Deathtrap, the beautifully imagined world of politics, race, and sexuality in Lynn Nottage's Las Meninas, to a world premiere production and a new and urgent version of a classic in Antigone Now all the way through to the gorgeous music of George Gershwin in Gershwin Alone, our 2010/11 season reflects the high level of artistic achievement for which our company is recognized as well as the quality and diversity of our productions. I am particularly pleased that we are once again kicking off a landmark season with a major new musical in its pre-Broadway run. Bonnie & Clyde is a thrilling beginning to a bold, uplifting, dynamic and hugely entertaining season." -- Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards.
Bonnie & Clyde premiered in 2009 at La Jolla Playhouse in California, where it captivated audiences and garnered national attention. With music by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel), lyrics by Tony Award-winner Don Black (Sunset Boulevard, Song and Dance), book by Ivan Menchell (The Cemetery Club, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), and direction and musical staging by Tony Award winning Jeff Calhoun (Deaf West's Big River and Pippin, Grease!), this seductive and cinematic new musical has a thrilling new score that combines rockabilly, blues and gospel music. Casting and additional details for this production, including a major talent search contest slated for April, will be released as they are confirmed.
Edwards added, "With the economic nightmare that was the Great Depression suddenly seeming less remote, Bonnie & Clyde could not be timelier. Their dreams were totally American: freedom, money and fame. It was their plan that got in them into trouble. Their story struck a chord with so many who felt betrayed by the system and that chord will resonate again in this most American of theatre forms: the musical. We are thrilled to be working with such an extraordinarily talented group of creative artists. Our production is the final step before Bonnie & Clyde goes to New York and we are so proud to join the process at such a critical stage in the evolution of this exciting new Broadway-bound musical."
Additionally, Asolo Rep's New Stages project, launched in 08-09 with The Giver, will return with Antigone Now by Melissa Cooper. New Stages showcases the talents of the third year class of the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training in exciting productions specifically chosen to enrich the lives of young and multi-generational audiences. Opening in October 2010, Antigone Now is slated to tour schools and reach communities throughout the region much like Asolo Rep's touring company of the 1970s through 1990s.
