THE UNDERPANTS, STUPID F***ING BIRD, BASKERVILLE and More Set for Syracuse Stage's 2015-16 Season

The 2015/16 Season at Syracuse Stage is bookended with comedies. Opening the season in October is Steve Martin's farcical romp The Underpants. The season will close in May 2016 with a brand new madcap comedy spoof of Sherlock Holmes' most famous case in Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: a Sherlock Holmes Mystery.

For the holidays there will be song and satire with two shows running simultaneously. Performances of the high-flying musical adaptation of Peter Pan will start on Thanksgiving weekend in the Archbold Theatre. Simultaneously in the more intimate Storch Theatre, Crumpet the elf returns to jest and entertain in The Santaland Diaries by humorist David Sedaris.

New contemporary works in the 2015/16 Season include the funny and irreverent Stupid F***ing Bird featuring cast members from the critically acclaimed sold-out production in Washington D.C. Later in the season, a live choir will take the stage in The Christians, an engaging new play for people of all faiths. Having caught the attention of major producers, The Christians is slated to run next year in New York and Los Angeles, but Central New Yorkers can see it first in Syracuse.

Finally, To Kill a Mockingbird will grace Syracuse Stage with Harper Lee's cherished story of courage and justice. Throughout the expanded five-week run, weekday matinee performances will be made available to schools wishing to offer their students the experience of seeing an American classic come to life.

"The 2015/16 Season is filled with whimsy, adventure, and imagination," said Timothy Bond, producing artistic director. "We're very proud at Syracuse Stage to be entering our 43rd season of producing professional theatre. We have the people of Central New York to thank, and with that in mind we always strive for serving our community with stories that are relatable and exciting, that speak to the great variety and interests of our region. I can't wait for people to see these shows."

Season Tickets are now available for the 2015/16 Season. Season Ticket Holders have access to the best seats at the best prices, before they are available to the general public, and they receive a number of additional benefits including unlimited ticket exchanges and restaurant discounts. For more information and to purchase Season Tickets, call the Syracuse Stage Box Office at 315-443-3275 or visit www.syracusestage.org.

For Group and School reservations, call the Group Services Office at 315-443-9844. Weekday student matinee performances will be available for Peter Pan, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery.

Tickets for individual shows will be available this fall. Updates will be shared on www.syracusestage.org, Stage e-blasts, Facebook, and Twitter.

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THE SHOWS:

The Underpants

By Steve Martin

Adapted from Carl Sternheim
Directed by Bill Fennelly

October 21 - November 8, 2015

A guffaw inducing comedy from the wild and crazy mind of the incomparable Steve Martin. Dusseldorf, 1910. A very public wardrobe malfunction (a young woman's underpants fall down at a parade-for the King!) becomes the talk of the town in this ribald update of an uproarious German farce. (Yes, there is such a thing.) Chock-full of sexual innuendo, verbal jousting, and non-stop laughter, The Underpants skewers the absurdity of instant fame. Das ist funny! Bill Fennelly (Hairspray, A Midsummer Night's Dream) directs.

Peter Pan

Co-Produced with SU Drama

Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh

Music by Morris "Moose" Charlap

Additional Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green

Additional Music by Jule Styne

Based on the play by Sir James M. Barrie

Directed by Paul Barnes

Musical Direction by Brian Cimmet

Choreographed by Anthony Salatino

November 28, 2015 - January 3, 2016

Journey to Neverland in the high-flying family musical Peter Pan. "All children grow up, except one." So begins the magical adventure that has been delighting youngsters (and oldsters) for more than 100 years. With such songs as "I'm Flying", "I Won't Grow Up", and "Never Never Land", Peter Pan delivers a musical and adventurous treat for the holiday season. Paul Barnes (Irving Berlin's White Christmas, The Miracle Worker) directs with choreography by Anthony Salatino.

The Santaland Diaries

By David Sedaris

Adapted by Joe Mantello

Performed in the Storch Theatre

Directed by Wendy Knox

December 9, 2015 - January 3, 2016

Back by popular demand: David Sedaris' perfect antidote to holiday madness. For those who like a little jeer with their Christmas cheer, The Santaland Diaries offers Crumpet, a 33-year-old starving artist turned Macy's elf. It's the most wonderful time of the year, but who would know it from the bad Santas, naughty elves, cranky kids, and pushy parents who test Crumpet's last elfin nerve. With sardonic wit, Sedaris takes us all playfully to task for plunging into the Christmas $pirit while missing the point. For mature elves only.

Stupid F***ing Bird

By Aaron Posner

Directed by Howard Shalwitz

Sort of adapted from Chekhov's The Seagull

January 20 - February 7, 2016

A ripe mash-up of mock and awe marks this irreverent, contemporary, and very funny remix of Chekhov's The Seagull. Award-winning playwright Aaron Posner wages a timeless battle between young and old, past and present, in search of the true meaning of it all. An aspiring young director rampages against the art created by his mother's generation. A nubile young actress wrestles with an aging Hollywood star for the affections of a renowned novelist. And everyone discovers just how disappointing love, art, and growing up can be. A huge hit for D.C.'s Woolly Mammoth Theatre where it has been revived twice and performed to sold-out houses.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Adapted by Christopher Sergel

From the novel by Harper Lee

Directed by Timothy Bond

February 24 - March 26, 2016

Harper Lee's classic American story of courage and justice. In a small Alabama town, a black man, Tom Robinson, stands falsely accused of raping a white woman. Many townspeople would see him condemned, but attorney Atticus Finch defends Tom and demands justice. Through the trial, Atticus' children Scout and Jem and their friend Dill come face to face with realty of racism in their small town. Dr. Martin Luther King reminds us, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." This inspiring truth underlies To Kill a Mockingbird.

The Christians

By Lucas Hnath

Directed by Timothy Bond

April 6 - 24, 2016

Do you have the courage to change your heart? Pastor Paul is much-loved and much-respected, but he has a difficult sermon to deliver. What will be the impact of his words on his loyal congregation? What consequences for his family? For himself? Playwright-to-watch Lucas Hnath invites people of all faiths, believers and non-believers, to engage in a conversation about the seemingly insurmountable distance between us. Set in a contemporary mega-church and performed as Sunday service with sermons, scripture, and a full choir, The Christians has quickly become one of the most talked about new plays in the country.

Ken Ludwig's

Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery

Based on a novel by Arthur Conan Doyle

Directed by Peter Amster

May 11 - 29, 2016

A madcap comedy spoof of Sherlock Holmes' most famous case. Ken Ludwig (Lend Me a Tenor, Moon Over Buffalo) turns Arthur Conan Doyle's frightening tale into fast-paced, murderously delightful, comedy thriller as five actors take on a multitude of roles, including the famous sleuth and Dr. Watson. Like The 39 Steps (2010) only with a lot more howling!

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ABOUT SYRACUSE STAGE - Syracuse Stage is Central New York's premier professional theatre. Founded in 1974, Stage has produced more than 300 plays in over 40 seasons including a number of world, American, and East Coast premieres. Each season 70,000 patrons enjoy an adventurous mix of new plays, and bold interpretations of classics and musicals, featuring the finest theatre artists. In addition, Stage maintains a vital educational outreach program that annually serves more than 15,000 students from 14 counties. A solid core of subscribers and supporters helps keep Syracuse Stage a vibrant artistic presence in Central New York. Additional support comes from the government, foundations, corporations and Syracuse University. Syracuse Stage is a constituent of the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre, and a member of the Arts and Cultural Leadership Alliance (ACLA), the University Hill Corporation and the East Genesee Regent Association. Syracuse Stage is a member of The League of Resident Theatres (LORT), the largest professional theatre association in the country.

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