TRIBES, ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS, ANN and More Set for ZACH Theatre's 2015-16 Season

ZACH Theatre is pleased to announce the 2015-16 season with reinventions of contemporary musicals, boundary-breaking plays, and holiday entertainment for those naughty and nice.

The season kicks off with a new production of the seven-time Tony-winning musical Evita, followed by a thought-provoking and transformative production of Tribes starring Austin native, deaf actor Russell Harvard, in partnership with the Texas School for the Deaf. Riotously funny British comedy One Man, Two Guvnors follows, with a direct from Broadway, ZACH-exclusive production of the inspiring, one-woman play about Governor Ann Richards, Ann.

The summer of 2016 will bring an exquisitely original and creative take on Mary Poppins sweeping Austin audiences into the magic of childhood in a Magritte inspired physical design.

Two fan-favorites will return as holiday season extras-ZACH's most popular show ever, the beautiful new modern musical production of A Christmas Carol: A Rockin' Musical and the ever-irreverent The Santaland Diaries, starring beloved Austin acting duo Martin Burke and Meredith McCall.

ZACH Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley says, "I relish the opportunity to walk in another person's shoes through the stories we tell and this new season creates many opportunities to do just that. I am thrilled that we will be producing Nina Raines' remarkable family drama Tribes, which explores the ways we communicate in our families. The way this show theatrically immerses us in the experience of being deaf is unforgettable. Eva Peron and Ann Richards were two powerful women who each shaped their respective eras in ways that have and will last for generations. One Man, Two Guvnors is one of the absolute funniest nights I've ever had in a theatre, and its' live musical accompaniment by a four-person band will feel very at home in Austin. Mary Poppins is a personal favorite from my youth which we will be reimagining in an all-new production that springs forth from the imagination of a child, in an artistic design inspired by the surrealist artist Rene Magritte."

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ZACH's 2015-16 SEASON:

EVITA
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Musical Direction by Allen Robertson

Experience passion and seduction in the seven-time Tony-winning musical Evita, in an all-new production created by ZACH. Revered by her people as an advocate for the poor, Eva Perón climbed meteorically from the slums of Argentina to her role as beloved First Lady at the age of 27, and became one of the most powerful women in the world. Evita tells Eva's passionate and unforgettable true story through some of theatre's most beautiful songs, including the unforgettable "Don't Cry for Me Argentina."

TEXAS PREMIERE!
TRIBES
By Nina Raine
Starring Russell Harvard and Lauren Lane

As the only deaf member of his sharp-tongued British family, sweet-natured Billy has spent much of his life feeling out of place. But when he meets a young woman on the brink of deafness, he finds out what it means to belong for the first time. This provocative and touching new play is as much about the tyranny of language, as it is about the challenge of not being able to hear it. ZACH's production will be staged on our intimate Kleberg Stage starring deaf, Austin actor Russell Harvard, who won a 2012 Theatre World Award for Outstanding Debut Performance, and Drama League, Outer Critics Circle and Lucille Lortell Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor.

REGIONAL PREMIERE!
One Man, Two Guvnors
By Richard Bean
Directed by Abe Reybold

It's the Swingin' Sixties and the easily-confused Francis Henshall attempts to keep his two employers - local gangster Roscoe Crabbe and upper class criminal Stanley Stubbers - from meeting and learning of his dual-employment. This Tony-Award winning comedy is a modern take on Goldoni's classic play A Servant of Two Masters. It's a laugh-out-loud satirical romp of slapstick and one-liners, with a live Beatles-era Liverpool band that keeps the party rockin'!

A ZACH US EXCLUSIVE!
ANN
Written by Emmy-winner and Tony-nominee Holland Taylor
Directed by Benjamin Endsley Klein

Tough as nails. Funny as hell. Ann brings our brassy blue Governor Ann Richards back to vivid life in a tour-de-force performance direct from Broadway. Ann is an inspiring and hilarious new play that brings you face to face with a complex, colorful, and captivating character bigger than the state from which she hailed. This Texas-sized story is a perfect fit for ZACH's Karen Kuykendall Stage where you'll be treated to an up close and personal visit with one of the most unforgettable personalities in Texas politics. "I do not want my tombstone to read, 'She kept a really clean house.' I think I'd like them to remember me by saying, 'She opened government to everyone.'"

Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's
MARY POPPINS
A Musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film
Original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
Book by Julian Fellowes
New songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe
Directed by Dave Steakley
Musical Direction by Allen Robertson

Everyone's favorite, practically perfect nanny, Mary Poppins, soars into the Topfer Theatre as ZACH's 2016 summer musical. Drawn from the groundbreaking 1964 Disney film and the brilliant series of books, this delightful family musical features the unforgettable songs "A Spoonful of Sugar" and "Chim Chim Cher-ee." Dave Steakley and the creative team who brought you The Who's Tommy and A Christmas Carol will reinvent this beloved musical for a sublimely "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" new production - jam-packed with unforgettable theatrical magic!

DIRECTOR'S SURPRISE

This slot on our season is yet to be announced and will surely delight. Holding a spot open on the season allows us to bring you late-breaking titles not yet released - such was the case with the Texas premiere of All The Way this spring at ZACH.

HOLIDAY EXTRAS:

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A Rockin' Musical
By Charles Dickens
Adapted and Directed by Dave Steakley
Musical Direction by Allen Robertson

The most popular show in ZACH's history returns to rock the holidays! ZACH's fresh take on A Christmas Carol features three soulful Ghosts making a joyful noise, while moving our hearts with the Cratchit family's love and Ebenezer Scrooge's miraculous transformation. New hit songs and reimagined carols create an infectious holiday spirit that has you dancing in the aisles. ZACH's inspired adaptation of Charles Dickens' beloved classic juxtaposes a traditional Victorian setting and gorgeous period costumes, with a modern musical score that spans genres and eras. Come celebrate the season in true ZACH style with this new Austin holiday tradition!

THE SANTALAND DIARIES
By David Sedaris
Adapted for the stage by Joe Mantello
Directed by Abe Reybold
Starring Martin Burke and Meredith McCall

He's baaaaaaaack! Don't miss the hilarious Martin Burke as the ever-irreverent elf Crumpet. David Sedaris' outlandish and true tale comes to life on the Whisenhunt stage as Crumpet shows what it takes to juggle tiny tots and staggering Santas during a painfully festive time of the year. And to kick off the evening, chanteuse Meredith McCall and Martin Burke take you on a sensational sleigh-ride of an all-new cabaret show created especially for ZACH. This merrily subversive and laugh 'til you cry evening will delight any adult audience.

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For Season Subscription information call ZACH's box office at 512-476-0541, x1 or go to zachtheatre.org. ZACH's box office is located inside The Topfer Theater, 202 S. Lamar Blvd.

A non-profit organization, ZACH creates intimate theatre experiences that ignite the imagination, inspire the spirit, and engage the community. As Austin's leading professional producing theatre, ZACH employs more than 300 actors, musicians, and designers annually to create its own diverse array of nationally recognized plays and musicals under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley and Managing Director Elisbeth Challener. Each year, ZACH serves nearly 115,000 Central Texans - 50,000 of which are children and youth who participate in our education and outreach programs, as well as inspiring camps and classes. ZACH Theatre is honored to host private and community events across the beautiful rental-ready spaces on our three-stage campus located in the heart of Austin. Founded in 1932 and in its 82nd season, ZACH is the longest continuously running theatre company in the state of Texas, and one of the ten oldest in the country. Visit zachtheatre.org for more information.

Pictured: Holland Taylor in ANN on Broadway. Photo by Ave Bonar.

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