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American Repertory Theater of WNY Announces 2012-13 Season
By: Kelsey Denette Jul. 03, 2012
The American Repertory Theater of WNY has announced its 2012-13 season with an exciting lineup filled with WNY debuts, an original musical and a tip o' the hat to Decision 2012. ART will also be operating out of new home as the sixth season will be producing five shows at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 16 Linwood Ave (corner of North Street), where the Allentown and Linwood districts connect.
The Curtain Up! September show focuses on the human element of 9/11 as ART presents Anne Nelson's THE GUYS. October show finds ART in collaboration with Theatre Jugend and Steven E Sitzman for a mod-music adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic Dracula entitled THE DEAD ENGLISH. 2013 brings a January existential Americana comedy, JESUS HATES ME, written by Wayne Lemon. Making a WNY debut in March is Michael John LaChiusa four-piece chamber piece, FIRST LADY SUITE. Concluding the season, in April, is the hilarious comedy by Richard Hutchinson, MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS
Anne Nelson's THE GUYS written shortly after the fateful terrorist attack is based on true experiences. A NYC writer finds herself in a position to offer her penmanship to a fire captain in need of composing and reading 8 eulogies for men he lost in the Towers. In the process, she begins to fully understand the human side of this national tragedy.This emotional, gritty and semi-autobiographical account reminds us of the humanity and not the politics of 9/11. The piece is directed by Matthew LaChiusa and features the acting talent of Victor Morales and Andrea Andolina.
Taking a unique look at the classic story of a Transylvania bloodsucker by the name of Vlad and puts a mod-musical spin on it, ART in collaboration with Theatre Jugend presents a refreshing mod-musical take on a moldy classic. With composition and lyrics by Steven E Sitzman and librettist Justin Karcher adding his unique writing style, the original musical THE DEAD ENGLISH will be an enjoyable, intriguing look at Bram Stoker's timeless character. Directed by Drew McCabe with Anthony Alcoler as the famed Count and Jacob Albarella as his bug-eating sidekick, Reinfeld.
The New Year finds a strange but hilarious Americana comedy entitled JESUS HATES ME by Wayne Lemon. In the backdrop of a putt-putt golf course (called the "Blood of the Lamb") with a religious theme, five Texans take a existential journey to try to see their lives more clearly, or before the booze and drugs kick in. Directed by Michael Lodick.
Last season, ART made local theater history by producing the acclaimed (and awarded) FLOYD COLLINS by Adam Guettel. This season ART is proud to be presenting the Buffalo debut of Michael John LaChiusa's FIRST LADY SUITE. Described by The Guide to Musical Theatre, FIRST LADY SUITE is a "four chamber pieces, ranging from riotously funny to hauntingly lyrical focusing on celebrated First Ladies and the people surrounding them." Broken into four musical vignettes, Over Texas reflects a premonition of impending doom on an airplane bound for Dallas, Where's Mamie has Mamie Eisenhower on a strange time-travelling trip where she meets some interesting characters, Olio finds Margaret Truman is a comedic sing-off against First Lady Bess, and the final piece, Eleanor Sleeps Here, delves into the relationship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Journalist Lorena "Hick" Hickok as they are being flown by the famed aviator, Amelia Earhart. Directed by Thomas Dooney.
The 2012-13 season concludes with Ron Hutchinson's rip-roaring MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS. Reknown film producer David O Selznick is desperate to finish the screenplay to Margaret Mitchell's epic novel Gone With The Wind, so locking the door and stocking the room with bananas and peanuts, he hijacks the "Shakespeare of Hollywood" screenplay writer, Ben Hetch and Wizard of Oz director Victor Flemming to finish the script of what was destined to become one of the greatest American films of all time. Directed by Thomas LaChiusa.
Subscriptions are on sale as ART makes theater affordable for all with a special 4 shows for $50/patron. Visitwww.artofwny.org for more information on ordering subscriptions or single ticket prices. ART is not offering single-ticket purchases until August 1st. All showtimes are schedule to begin at 7:30 pm.
American Repertory Theater of WNY is also excited to be presenting in the Church of the Ascension with full intention to use both the nave as well as the quaint community room for productions. The move allows ART more artistic flexibility in productions yet will maintain the unique environment patrons have grown to like with ART.
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