The Old Globe Announces 2018-19 Season; TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS, FAMILIAR, and More

The Old Globe today announced its 2018-2019 Season, a marvelous array of world, American, and West Coast premieres that features hilarious, heartwarming, and provocative works that span eras and continents, genres and cultures, personal experiences and big national themes...and Shakespeare, of course!

"The Old Globe's 2018-2019 Season showcases the wonders and excitements of American theatre at its very best," said Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein. "Our slate of shows once again demonstrates why this is one of our country's preeminent theatres. The season includes powerful and engaging world premieres, musical theatre of the highest caliber, hilarious comedy, and deep feeling, all created by artists of national and international renown. This remarkable body of work continues to demonstrate the Globe's commitment to programming a diverse lineup, in every sense of that word. There are works in many genres that tell stories through varied theatrical forms. And there are stories that range across history and the full spectrum of the human experience as they model on our stages the pluralistic America in which we live. This is theatre that matters: witty, engaging, fun, tuneful, thoughtful, and provocative. There's something for every San Diegan in this season, and I am thrilled to bring the bounty of all of these works to our great, loyal, and growing audience."

The 2018-2019 Season kicks off with the previously announced world premiere of the dynamic and hilarious new musical The Heart of Rock & Roll, an electrifying musical comedy inspired by the songs of one of pop music's most beloved bands. After trading in his guitar for a stable job "Workin' for a Livin'" in corporate America, will Bobby take a last shot at rock-and-roll glory with his old band, or risk it all for "The Power of Love"? Rediscover classic songs in this musical inspired by the music of Huey Lewis and the News, featuring a book by Jonathan Abrams and story by Tyler Mitchell and Jonathan Abrams. It will be directed by Gordon Greenberg with choreography by Lorin Latarro and music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations by Brian Usifer. Presented by special arrangement with Tyler Mitchell and Tamar Climan, The Heart of Rock & Roll will run September 6 - October 21, 2018 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, opening on September 14.

Expanding the Globe celebration of the holidays for 2018 is a world premiere American musical about family, loyalty, and the magic of Christmas. Looking for Christmas: The New Clint Black Christmas Musical is inspired by the country music legend's 1995 chart-topping holiday album. As Staff Sergeant Mike Randolf returns home from Afghanistan, his young daughter's search for the true meaning of Christmas helps him make peace with his past on the battlefield. With music and lyrics by Clint Black, book by James D. Sasser with Black, based on an idea by Sasser and Black, music supervision by Charles Vincent Burwell, and directed by Kent Nicholson, Looking for Christmas will run November 13 - December 16, 2018 in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, opening on November 20.

2019 will begin with a funny, warmhearted look at tradition, marriage, and what it means to be an American family, Familiar by Tony Award nominee Danai Gurira(Broadway's Eclipsed, Black Panther, "The Walking Dead"). The New York Times calls it "an engrossing, fiercely funny comedy-drama that probes with subtlety and smarts." Familiar will run January 26 - March 3, 2019 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage, Old Globe Theatre, Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, opening on January 31.

Making its West Coast premiere is Tiny Beautiful Things, based on the best-selling book by Cheryl Strayed, adapted for the stage by Academy Award nominee Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding). Tiny Beautiful Things follows the relationships between an anonymous advice columnist named Sugar and the many real-life readers who pour out their hearts to her, in an enrapturing and uplifting play that surges with emotion and is called by Variety "a theatrical hug in turbulent times." Co-conceived by Marshall Heyman, Thomas Kail (Hamilton), and Vardalos and directed by Globe favorite James Vásquez (American Mariachi, The Grinch), Tiny Beautiful Things will run February 9 - March 10, 2019 in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, opening onFebruary 14.

Crossing the border for its American premiere is Life After, a rapturously beautiful and stirring new musical with book, music, and lyrics by Britta Johnson. The Globe's own Barry Edelstein directs this bittersweet, witty, and life-affirming new musical that explores the mess and beauty of loss and love. The Toronto Starcalls its composer "a startlingly talented emerging voice." BroadwayWorld dubs Life After "musical theatre perfection...exquisite from start to finish." Life After will run March 22 - April 28, 2019 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage, Old Globe Theatre, Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, opening on March 29.

Our first of two world premieres in the season that were developed in the Globe's Powers New Voices Festival, Laurel Ollstein's They Promised Her the Moon, wowed 2018 Festival audiences. In vividly theatrical terms, They Promised Her the Moon tells the unknown true story of Jerrie Cobb, an exceptional and unjustly overlooked woman-skilled aviator, world-record-holding pilot, successful business executive-who underwent the same rigorous psychological and physical NASA testing in 1960 as the famed "Mercury Seven," and the powerful forces that kept her from reaching orbit. Directed by Giovanna Sardelli, They Promised Her the Moon will run April 6 - May 5, 2019 in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, opening on April 11.

"Save me, gods of ancient Greece!" Comic playwright Ken Ludwig, who delighted Globe audiences with Robin Hood! and Baskerville, returns with a knockaboutworld premiere: Ken Ludwig's The Gods of Comedy. Directed by three-time Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall (the Globe's Love's Labor's Lost) and presented in association with McCarter Theatre Center, Ken Ludwig's The Gods of Comedy will run May 11 - June 16, 2019 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage, Old Globe Theatre, Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, opening on May 16. The Ivy League will never be the same as a pair of screwball deities encounters the carnal complexity of college coeds, campus capers, and conspicuous consumption.

What You Are is the second of the world premieres developed in the Globe's Powers New Voices Festival, this one in 2017. The Globe-commissioned new play by JC Lee is a riveting, of-the-moment exploration of the personal struggles that accompany sweeping social change. Feeling adrift in a changing America he no longer recognizes, Don scrapes together a living and struggles to support his family through hard work and good intentions. What You Are will run May 23 - June 23, 2019 in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, opening on May 30.

Everyone's favorite Green Meanie is back to celebrate the holidays as Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! returns to the Globe for its 21st incredible year, featuring the songs "Santa for a Day," "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," and "Welcome, Christmas (Fah Who Doraze)," the delightful carol from the popular animated version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! James Vásquez once again directs this wonderful, whimsical holiday musical, based upon the classic Dr. Seuss book, November 3 - December 29, 2018, opening November 8 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage, Old Globe Theatre, Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! has a book and lyrics by Timothy Mason, music by Mel Marvin, original production conceived and directed by Jack O'Brien, and original choreography by John DeLuca. As in years past, The Grinch will be performed on Saturday, December 1 for children on the autism spectrum and their families, as well as families with special needs that appreciate the welcoming and supportive environment this performance provides.

"Lord, what fools these mortals be!" No Globe season would be complete without William Shakespeare! The fifth annual Globe for All Tour will bring a free professional production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Patricia McGregor (Globe for All's Measure for Measure, Hamlet at The Public Theater), to diverse, multigenerational audiences who may not have regular access to the performing arts. Fall under the spell of Shakespeare's most uproarious and popular comedy. Filled with magic, humor, music, and magnificent poetry, this dream unfolds in an enchanted forest where fairies play tricks on unsuspecting lovers, and bumbling actors are transformed beyond their wildest imaginings. Add to this a secret potion that grants love at first sight, and anything can-and does-happen! This year's 20-stop tour, which will culminate in two low-cost performances at The Old Globe, will run October 30 - November 18, 2018.

Globe for All is the centerpiece of The Old Globe's commitment to creating public value by making theatre matter to more people. The tour, along with workshops and talkbacks, reaches thousands of people across San Diego County twice a year. Over the past four years, the Globe for All Tour has performed in military bases, homeless shelters, centers for the elderly, correctional facilities, recreation centers, libraries, and other community-based venues for more than 4,800 audience members, many seeing theatre for the first time.

"Cowards die many times before their deaths / The valiant never taste of death but once." The illustrious The Old Globe and University of San Diego Shiley Graduate Theatre Program will present Shakespeare's classic Julius Caesar. The Globe's intimate Arena Stage will give you an up-close seat for Shakespeare's masterful tale of cunning diplomacy, fast-shifting alliances, and the unpredictable consequences of betrayal. The classical actors of tomorrow will expertly perform one of the world's great plays. Julius Caesar will run October 20 - 28, 2018 in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, Conrad Prebys Theatre Center.

A joint venture of the Globe and USD, the Shiley Graduate Theatre Program nationally recruits seven students each year to participate in an intensive two-year course of graduate study in classical theatre. Private funding for the Master of Fine Arts in Theatre program has been contributed through a generous endowment established by Donald and Darlene Shiley. Additional support for the program is provided by the Dorothy Brown Endowment Fund and the Louis Yager Cantwell Foundation.

SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS offer substantial savings with special subscriber benefits. Subscription packages can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE [234-5623], or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. Subscriptions to the Globe's 2018-2019 Season range from $112 to $717. Single tickets for most shows begin at $30. Discounts are available for full-time students, patrons 29 years of age and under, seniors, military members, and groups of 10 or more.

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus