American Repertory Theater of WNY announces the 2017-18 Season

American Repertory Theater of WNY will roll out the company's eleventh season with an artistic direction emphasizing three productions by Western New York playwrights, presenting a contemporary comedic adaptation on a dramatic classic bore, and bringing a legendary rock-opera to ART/WNY's stage.

The Curtain Up! September production features Artie Award winning playwright Mark Humphrey's weaving tale of honesty and loyalty in his work ROOMMATES. Directed by Artie nominated Drew McCabe, this original works features ART/WNY alumni Michael J Starzynski (fresh from the recent hit show THE UNDERPANTS) and Victor Morales (who exception work was seen in the company's production of THE GUYS) with ART/WNY newcomer, Brett Klaczyk. ROOMMATES is schedule to open on September 7th and run to the 23rd.

Alumni director Michael Lodick (JESUS HATES ME) returns to ART/WNY to oversee the production of Aaron Posner's STUPID f-ing BIRD in October. Highlighting the ideological clash between classic and new expression of art, this delightfully quirky adaptation of Chekov's THE SEAGULL will feature an outstanding ensemble lead by ART/WNY alumni Diane DiBernardo (Artie nominee for THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES) as 'Emma Arkadina', KILLER JOE's Scot Kaitanowski as 'Doctor Eugene Sorn', and ART/WNY alumni (BEHANDING IN SPOKANE, HELLO, AGAIN) Thomas LaChiusa as 'Doyle Trigorin'. Other ART/WNY alumni include THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES Rick Lattimer as 'Dev', Emily Yancey (CARRIE, THE MUSICAL) as 'Nina', (HELLO, AGAIN, THE UNDERPANTS, A BEHANDING IN SPOKANE) Candice Kogut, and making his ART/WNY acting debut Connor Graham will portray the beguiled 'Con'. STUPID f-ing BIRD is scheduled to October 19th and run to November 11th.

The New Year will also bring a new play to the ART/WNY stage. 2013 Young Playwright Showcase finalist, David Moran, will see his full-length work, AN INCH SHORT & A DAY LATE. Drew McCabe picks up his second directorial job with ART/WNY overseeing this work reflecting Millennial rockers falling in and out of love. The production features the 2017-18 season return of Rick Lattimer, Brett Klaczyk, Diane DiBernardo but also see alumni Nick Lama (A BEHANDING IN SPOKANE), Ben Caldwell (THE UNDERPANTS) and Lisa Miller (THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES) as well as finally making her ART/WNY debut, Becky Globus. The current production days are scheduled for January 4th-20th.

In one of most anticipated and widely discussed productions going into the 2017-18 season, ART/WNY was able to utilize the company's non-LORT/semi-professional status to secure the performance rights to Andrew Lloyd Weber's legendary musical, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Director Matthew LaChiusa and Choreographer Clarissa Maloy (known for her outstanding choreography on AMERICAN IDIOT) assembled an outstanding cast-list for this rock-opera which includes the return of Christopher Teal (AMERICAN IDIOT) to ART/WNY's stage in the role Ted Neeley made famous, 'Jesus Christ'. As his counterpart in this production, Anthony Alcocer will make his return to ART/WNY as well (DEAD ENGLISH) in the role of 'Judas Iscariot'. In the role of 'Mary Magdalene' the company went with ART/WNY alumni standout Candice Kogut. Rounding out some of the leads include ART/WNY alumni Billy Horn (BLOODY BLOODY Andrew Jackson & AMERICAN IDIOT) as 'Pontius Pilate' and Nick Lama in the classic role of 'King Herod'. Making their ART/WNY debut in other roles include Elliot Fox as 'Caiaphas' and The Disco Duck Band fronter Casey Moyer as "Simon Zealot'. An talented ensemble will feature ART/WNY newcomers Melinda Capeles Rowe, Jennel Pruneda, Caira Davie, Anthony Lafornara, Amy Feder and Nate AnDrew Miller alongside ART/WNY alumni Timothy Goehrig & Jasmine Fiero (CARRIE, THE MUSICAL), Preston Williams (AMERICAN IDIOT), Katherine Parker (THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES) and Rich Kraemer (FLOYD COLLINS & BLOODY BLOODY Andrew Jackson) are rounding out the rest of the ensemble. Donny Jenczka and Billy Horn will be teaming up to oversee the musical direction of the production. The production will also feature student interns Madalyn Teal and Quinn McGillion. Currently JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is slated for March 8th to March 31st.

The final show of the 2017-18 is the local playwright showcase THE RAIN DOG PROJECT which will feature original works based on the music of Tom Waits. Directorial overseeing of this presentation will be handled by Nick Lama and Catherine Burkhart. The list of local playwrights and actors featured in the showcase is scheduled to be released in July.

American Repertory Theater of WNY will return to their 330 Amherst location for the third straight season with showtimes at 8 pm and showdates Thursday through Saturday. Season tickets will go on sale August 1st. For more information on the 2017-18 season contact 716-697-0837 or visit www.artofwny.org.

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