CENTERSTAGE Announces 2011–12 Season, Featuring AMERICAN BUFFALO And More

CENTERSTAGE announces today the lineup for its 49th Season, featuring a dizzying array of 11 events from a world-premiere adaptation to a classic romantic romp, from a fairy tale musical adventure to the darkly comedic bite of Mamet and McDonagh-along with a highly acclaimed new work and rounded out by three Cabarets and two Play Labs.

As if this weren't enough, CENTERSTAGE will welcome back the improvisational experts of The Second City in September. Returning by popular demand after their sell-out run this season, the crew from the Windy City will arrive with a fresh new take on Charm City.

The season starts with the return of a frequent collaborator, director David Schweizer. Fresh off the hauntingly beautiful Snow Falling on Cedars, Schweizer will tackle Richard Brinsley Sheridan's The Rivals-one of the original romantic comedies and source for the delightful Mrs. Malaprop, who gave her name to the habitual and hilarious mangling of English. Next, we explore the tension and desperation of three hapless hopefuls struggling to get ahead at any cost in American Buffalo, the play that put David Mamet on the map.

The new year brings in the much-anticipated Jazz, a world-premiere staging of Toni Morrison's landmark novel, a multi-generational epic of jazz-age Harlem told in the fluid syncopations of jazz itself. Jazz will be adapted and directed by longtime CENTERSTAGE Associate Artist Marion McClinton-a playwright also known as one of the premier interpreters of August Wilson's work. McClinton was personally entrusted by Ms. Morrison to bring this adaptation to the stage, and CENTERSTAGE proudly presents its debut.

With A Skull in Connemara, Martin McDonagh-author of The Beauty Queen of Leenane and Pillowman-takes us into a twisted mystery, set in his signature version of Ireland's wild West and packed with merriment, mayhem, and maybe even murder. Directing will be BJ Jones, Artistic Director of Chicago's Northlight Theatre and veteran of numerous other McDonagh productions.

Then spring dances in with a 25th-anniversary revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's classic musical, Into the Woods, directed by the award-winning Mark Lamos (who previously directed CENTERSTAGE's production of A Little Night Music). Into the Woods will be a co-production with Westport Country Playhouse, where Lamos serves as Artistic Director. Join folktale favorites Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack as they reach Happily Ever After-only to discover what comes next.

We're still working out details of the final full production for the spring's sixth slot; stay tuned for something that will celebrate our history and challenge our assumptions in profound and unexpected ways.

In addition to the six fully produced plays of the Classic Series, we will continue our Cabaret Series with three fabulous performances in the intimate Head Theater, and continue to explore new works in development with readings of two new Play Labs. Artists and titles for these two series will be announced in the next few months.

Details on all shows and artists will be updated as information becomes final or new information becomes available; updates can be found by visiting www.centerstage.org or calling the CENTERSTAGE Box Office at 410.332.0033. Renewal materials are on their way to current Members now, and new Memberships will be available April 18.

2011-12 Season:

Special Return Engagement:
The Second City
Sep 15-Oct 16, 2011

CLASSIC SERIES:
The Rivals
By Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Directed by David Schweizer
Sep 28-Oct 30, 2011

American Buffalo
By David Mamet
Nov 2-Dec 11, 2011

Toni Morrison's Jazz
Adapted and Directed by Marion McClinton
From the novel by Toni Morrison
WORLD PREMIERE
Jan 4-Feb 5, 2012

A Skull in Connemara
By Martin McDonagh
Directed by BJ Jones
Jan 25-Mar 4, 2012

Into the Woods
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by James Lapine
Directed by Mark Lamos
Mar 7-Apr 15, 2012

TBA
Apr 4-May 13, 2012

Since 1963, CENTERSTAGE has been committed to producing and developing an eclectic repertory of challenging, bold, and thought-provoking work, representing a varied array of theatrical styles and forms, in collaboration with leading artists. Each year, a consistently broad range of productions in two intimate performing spaces attracts highly diverse audiences-including thousands of fiercely loyal subscriber members, many of whom have been with the theater during its entire history. Additionally, CENTERSTAGE offers a variety of dramaturgical, community, and educational programs to broaden access and enhance the theatergoing experience, earning its honorary designation as the official State Theater of Maryland.

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