The Old Globe to Present New Works From Flaherty, Gattelli, Hwang, LaChiusa, and More in 2015-2016 Season
By: Sally Henry Fuller Apr. 18, 2015
In its upcoming 2015-2016 season, The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego will present three world-premiere productions with multiple sophomore productions, and more.
It will begin with the previously mentioned Stephen Flaherty musical IN YOUR ARMS, written by Carrie Fisher, David Henry Hwang, and more prominent entertainment names, and directed by Christopher Gattelli (NEWSIES). In addition, the lineup includes FULL GALLOP, starring Tony Award-winner Mercedes Ruehl, the 18th annual HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, THE METROMANIACS, THE METROMANIACS, John La Chiusa's new musical RAIN, CONSTELLATIONS, CAMP DAVID, and TOKYO FISH STORY. Check out the full lineup below!
In Your Arms
Sept. 16 - Oct. 25, 2015
Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage
Old Globe Theatre
Conrad Prebys Theatre Center
Directed and Choreographed by Christopher Gattelli
Music by Stephen Flaherty
In Your Arms is a sweeping and romantic evening of theatre created by an unprecedented constellation of America's preeminent writers for the stage. Ten dance vignettes tell wordless stories of love, yearning, and romance, and constitute a magical evening of movement and music performed by a cast of 20 talented dancers. Each vignette takes place in a different place and time, and the 10 dances range from duets to large ensemble numbers. Thrilling styles of dance from classical ballet to swing, tap to tango, rock 'n' roll to Charleston, modern to jazz are celebrated with verve and nuance. The emotional canvas of the stories is vast: some are funny, some are sad, and some are enchanting, but all delve deep into that most essential of human emotions: love.
Full Gallop
Sept. 26 to Oct. 25 (opens Oct. 1)
Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre
Directed by Andrew Russell
Written by Mark Hampton and Mary Louise Wilson
First staged at the Old Globe two decades ago, this show returns to its original venue, starring an Oscar and Tony Award-winner. Mercedes Ruehl leads FULL GALLOP as magazine editor and "Empress of Fashion," Diana Vreeland. The Old Globe's artistic director Barry Edelstein calls the show, "a play about fame and the consequences of fame and the American thirst for fame, and what happens when someone who was once famous wants to be famous again."
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Nov. 7 - Dec. 26, 2014
(Opening Night: Thursday, November 20)
18th ANNIVERSARY PRODUCTION
Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage
Old Globe Theatre
Conrad Prebys Theatre Center
Book and Lyrics by Timothy Mason
Music by Mel Marvin
Directed by James Vásquez
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a wonderful, whimsical musical based upon the classic Dr. Seuss book. Back for its 18th incredible year, the family favorite features the songs "This Time of Year," "Santa for a Day" and "Fah Who Doraze," the delightful carol from the popular animated version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Celebrate the holidays as the Old Globe Theatre is once again transformed into the snow-covered Whoville, right down to the last can of Who-hash. This production includes an extra week of performances and a "sensor-friendly" performance to accomodate those with autism.
The Metromaniacs
Jan. 30-Mar. 6, 2016
(opens Feb. 4)
Shiley Stage
Old Globe Theatre
Directed by Michael Kahn
Written by David Ives
Based on 1738 French play LA METROMANIE, by Alexis Piron, THE METROMANIACS made its premiere in February, 2015 at Washington D.C.'s Shakespeare Theatre Co. The premiere's director Michael Kahn returns to direct the Old Globe's production. Edelstein says Kahn is, "arguably the senior classical theater director in the country. He looms incredibly large over all of us who do this work."
The Last Match
Feb. 13 to March 13, 2016
(opens Feb. 18)
White Theatre
Old Globe Theatre
Directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch
Written by Anna Ziegler
This world premiere tennis drama was developed as part of the Globe's 2014 New Voices Festival. Taking place at the U.S. Open semifinals, Edelstein says, "It's about competitiveness, about how competition is one of the great, central American values, and how good that has been for our society but also how complicated it can be in the toll it takes on people." He also says he likes to showcase the works of female playwrights, which are prolific in this season.
Rain
March 24 to May 1, 2016
(opens April 1)
Shiley Stage
Old Globe Theatre
Directed by Barry Edelstein
Music by Michael John LaChiusa
Having gained attention from its Globe workshop in New York in 2014, starring Audra McDonald, this musical will make its official world premiere. RAIN is based on a W. Somerset Maugham tale depicting visitors to a South Pacific Island. "The way the piece is written, the characters break into these long songs that are aria-like in their structure," says Edelstein. "And they feel to me like soliloquies in a traditional play."
Constellations
April 9 to May 8, 2016
(opens April 14)
White Theatre
Old Globe Theatre
Directed by Richard Seer
Written by Nick Payne
Jake Gyllenhaal made his Broadway debut in the American premiere of CONSTELLATIONS in early 2015. Depicting parallel universes, Edelstein says it, "tells this very simple love story between two people by refracting it through different time elements."
Camp David
May 13 to June 19, 2016
(opens May 20)
Shiley Stage
Directed by Molly Smith
Written by Lawrence Wright
Presenting the West Coast Premiere of Wright's play portraying the 1978 Camp David peace accords brokered among President Jimmy Carter, Menachem Begin of Isarael, and Anwar Sadat of Egypt, the play premiered at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. in 2014. "Not only does it feel like a work of history and journalism, but it really is a play," says Edelstein. "(And) what you really get is each of these men wrestling with their ideas about God."
tokyo fish story
May 28 to June 26, 2016
(opens June 2)
White Theatre
Director TBA
Written by Kimber Lee
Edelstein says this restaurant-set play, from the New Voies Festival "brownsville song (b-side for tray)" playwrighting recipient, "has the delicacy of the art of sushi-making to it. It has real purity and efficiency of gestures. It's a beautiful pice, and a piece that's difficult to talk about because it's so different." It premiered at South Coast Rep this past March.
Also on the season schedule is "Globe for All," a program which brings Shakespeare productions to those who cannot normally attend productions of that caliber. The tour will be MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, directed by Rob Melrose, Nov. 10-22.
In addition, the Globe/USD acting program will stage AS YOU LIKE IT, Nov. 14-22 at the White Theatre.
For more information and season tickets, call (619) 234-5623 or visit theoldglobe.org.
Source: UT San Diego
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