MRT Announces 19-20 Season - MILL GIRLS, LULLABY, and More!

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) today announced the 2019-20 Season, which features seven plays by women, a world premiere historical drama, two East Coast premieres, and three provocative plays with music, according to Artistic Director Sean Daniels and Executive Director Bonnie J. Butkas.

The seven-play season begins September 11 and includes the world premiere of The Lowell Offering, a play about the Lowell "Mill Girls" and the world's first magazine written solely by women.

The season comprises Tiny Beautiful Things, the critically acclaimed stage adaptation of the Cheryl Strayed novel, adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos, directed by Jen Wineman; the East Coast premiere of Lauren Yee's Cambodian Rock Band, directed by Marti Lyons; the sequel to Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley - The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon; the romantic-comedy Maytag Virgin by Audrey Cefaly, directed by Eleanor Holdridge; the world premiere of The Lowell Offering by Andy Bayiates and Genevra Gallo-Bayiates; Nina Simone: Four Women by Christina Ham, directed by Kenneth Roberson; and the East Coast Premiere of Lullaby by Michael Elyanow, featuring music and lyrics by Garrison Starr, Chris Dallman, Curt Schneider, and Michael Elyanow.

The 19-20 Season includes co-producing partnerships with City Theatre in Pittsburgh and Victory Gardens in Chicago for Cambodian Rock Brand and Northlight Theatre in Chicago for Nina Simone: Four Women.

"This year features New England artists returning home - from Lowell born Andy Bayiates writing about the 'Mill Girls' to South Shore's Michael Elyanow bringing us a musical that takes place there. It's always exciting when nationally known New England-born artists return home," said Daniels. "In addition we have Lauren Yee's incredibly hot musical that delves into the long term effects of the Cambodian genocide, and MRT favorite Lauren Gunderson is back with a sequel to last year's hit Christmas at Pemberley. We're proud that the best in our country considers MRT and Lowell their artistic home."

Butkas said, "I am thrilled about our 41st Anniversary Season-the breadth of the work, the diversity of stories, the talented artists, and our new partnerships with theatres across the country. We read dozens of plays in preparation for the 2019-20 Season, and Artistic Director Sean Daniels has selected a brilliant mix of plays and musicals to share with the Greater Merrimack Valley region. Lowell has such a rich history and vibrant artistic life, and it is our privilege to reflect those same qualities in our upcoming season. I continue to be grateful to our community for supporting MRT; we are here because of volunteers, donors, audiences, businesses, and staff members, who believe that great art makes a great city."

Season Subscriptions for all seven plays range in price from $133 to $357 with student subscriptions at $70. Current prices increase April 19. To purchase, visit www.mrt.org or contact the MRT Box Office at 978-654-4678.

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) celebrates 40 years this season as the Merrimack Valley's professional theatre. With a steadfast commitment to contemporary voices and new plays, MRT produces seven works, including several world premieres, each season.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Sean Daniels and Executive Director Bonnie J. Butkas, MRT strives to fulfill its mission "to share theatrical stories of human understanding that reflect and engage our community." The company guarantees that shows are accessible to audiences of all incomes; partners with businesses and non-profit groups to fully engage the community; and contributes to the economic vitality of Lowell by attracting diverse audiences from throughout the region.

Recent acclaimed productions include Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, the bestselling production on MRT history (directed by Daniels); Daniels' own autobiographical play, The White Chip; I and You (Off-Broadway transfer) and Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson, the most produced playwright in America; Women in Jeopardy! by Wendy MacLeod (directed by Daniels); KNYUM by Cambodian playwright and actor Vichet Chum; and The Lion, singer-songwriter Benjamin Scheuer's award-winning musical memoir (also directed by Daniels), which launched its national tour from MRT in August 2015, following critically acclaimed runs in New York and London.

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