THE TEMPEST, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, MR. WOLF and More Set for South Coast Rep's 2014-15 Season

South Coast Repertory's 2014-15 season moves from the Mediterranean island in Shakespeare's The Tempest to Cornwall in a new take on the classic Tristan & Yseult, from Mecca in Zealot by Theresa Rebeck to an updated look at the Land of Oz in OZ 2.5 by Catherine Trieschmann. SCR will present classic, contemporary and new works, including Mr. Wolf by Rajiv Joseph, Of Good Stock by Melissa Ross and Peter and the Starcatcher by Rick Elice. Season subscriptions are available now; single tickets will go on sale on Aug. 1. Find more information online at www.scr.org.

"South Coast Repertory's 2014-15 season features sparkling new productions by some of the most talented theatre-makers in the world," said Artistic Director Marc Masterson. "We have innovative re-imagined classics-Shakespeare's The Tempest, seen through the magical lens of Teller (from Penn and Teller), and Kneehigh's Tristan & Yseult-and fresh new plays that will soon move onto the world stage. This season will have something for everyone."

On the Segerstrom Stage:

· The Tempest by William Shakespeare, adapted and directed by Aaron Posner and Teller

· Zealot by Theresa Rebeck, directed by Marc Masterson

· Kneehigh's Tristan & Yseult, adapted and directed by Emma Rice

· Of Good Stock by Melissa Ross

· Peter and the Starcatcher by Rick Elice, directed by Art Manke

On the Julianne Argyros Stage

· Venus in Fur by David Ives, directed by Casey Stangl

· The Whipping Man by Matthew Lopez, directed by Martin Benson

· A To-Be-Announced Production

· Mr. Wolf by Rajiv Joseph, directed by David Emmes

Theatre for Young Audiences

· Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, adapted by Joseph Robinette.

· The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Dwayne Hartford, adapted from the book by Kate DiCamillo.

· OZ 2.5 by Catherine Trieschmann, inspired by The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. An SCR commission.

"The scope and range of work is fresh and exciting, and it kicks off the next 50 years of South Coast Repertory in a bold way," said Managing Director Paula Tomei. "We look forward to the experience that our audiences and artists will have when they come together next season."

The 18th annual Pacific Playwrights Festival will feature five staged readings and two full productions, April 24-26, 2015. The three-day festival attracts theatre professionals from across the nation, drawn by the chance to be the first to see some of the best new plays in the country. To date, PPF has presented 112 staged readings of works by 86 playwrights.

The season also features the 35th annual production of an Orange County holiday favorite, A Christmas Carol, with Hal Landon Jr. and directed by John-David Keller. Both men have been with the production since its first performance. Single tickets go on sale to the public in late August.

Season subscriptions are on sale now and may be purchased by phone at (714) 708-5555 or in person at the SCR box office. Packages range from $48 to $549. Single tickets will be available to the public on Aug. 1. All dates and plays are subject to change. More information about the 51st season is available online: www.scr.org.

THE 2014-15 SEASON-CHRONOLOGICAL LISTING:

All dates and plays are subject to change.

The Tempest

by William Shakespeare

adapted and directed by Aaron Posner and Teller

songs by Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan

choreography by Matt Kent, Pilobolus

Aug. 29-Sept. 28, Segerstrom Stage

Transformed onstage into a travelling tent show, this is The Tempest unlike anything you-or the Bard-ever envisioned! As the wizard Prospero plots revenge on the enemies who banished him, the exuberant epic takes on a new life-thanks to the music (haunting ballads by the inimitable Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan), the magic (by Teller, of the legendary Penn and Teller duo) and the movement (by Pilobolus, the dance troupe Newsday called "mind-blowing...wildly creative...and physically daring"). Produced in association with American Repertory Theater.

Venus in Fur

by David Ives

directed by Casey Stangl

Oct. 5-26, Julianne Argyros Stage

Auditions are over for the day and Thomas still hasn't found the perfect actress for his adaptation of a 19th-century erotic novel. Vanda stumbles into the bare rehearsal studio, soaking wet and hours late. She dons a white Victorian-era dress and mysteriously-hilariously-becomes the elusive leading lady. But the battle for sexual dominance that follows is not limited to the script in what The New York Times called "90 minutes of good, kinky fun."

Zealot

by Theresa Rebeck

directed by Marc Masterson

Oct. 17-Nov. 16, Segerstrom Stage

Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The British consul pours tea for the American undersecretary of state, avoiding her questions-with answers to ones she hasn't even asked. In the street below, a group of Saudi women set in motion a carefully-planned protest. The results are devastating enough to ignite a battle of wills and wits-now that a life hangs in the balance. This is a riveting story by a prolific Broadway veteran and Pulitzer Prize finalist.

Charlotte's Web

by E.B. White

adapted by Joseph Robinette

Nov. 7-23, Theatre for Young Audiences, Julianne Argyros Stage

The sounds of morning tell of something exciting that happened during the night. A pig was born. His name is Wilbur. And he's destined to become tomorrow's bacon-until a spider with amazing skills hatches a plan. This beloved children's fable about love and friendship comes alive onstage-in a warm and witty production that helps young people understand the ever-changing cycle of life.

A Christmas Carol

by Charles Dickens

adapted by Jerry Patch

directed by John-David Keller

Nov. 28-Dec. 27, Segerstrom Stage

A holiday tradition your family loves! Join us and celebrate the 35th annual production of this Orange County seasonal favorite, featuring the beloved Hal Landon Jr. Single tickets go on sale in mid-to-late August.

The Whipping Man

by Matthew Lopez

directed by Martin Benson

Jan. 4-25, 2015, Julianne Argyros Stage

The Civil War has ended, leaving destruction in its wake. As a raging storm illuminates what's left of a once majestic plantation home, three Jewish men prepare for Passover-the owner's son, and his family's former slaves. Only one of them, Simon, remains strong in his faith, but it is threatened with truths about what happened in this house-and in their lives-during its antebellum days. Stage and television star Charlie Robinson plays Simon in this Obie Award-winning drama The New York Times proclaimed "haunting and powerful."

Kneehigh's Tristan & Yseult

adapted and directed by Emma Rice

writers: Carl Grose and Anna Maria Murphy

Jan. 23-Feb. 22, 2015, Segerstrom Stage

A cabaret band plays high above the stage as this classic myth about star-crossed lovers unfolds. King Mark is victorious in battle, and Yseult is destined to be his bride. But when he sends Tristan to bring her back, trouble begins. It's played out with wild exuberance-and a touch of Tarantino-by Kneehigh, the English company that thrilled audiences with productions like The Wild Bride and Brief Encounter. This is the play that wowed critics (The Huffington Post: "Utterly timeless, delightful and engrossing") and catapulted Kneehigh into the international spotlight.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

by Dwayne Hartford

adapted from the book by Kate DiCamillo

Feb. 6-22, 2015, Theatre for Young Audiences, Julianne Argyros Stage

Edward Tulane is a very dapper china rabbit-a birthday present for 10-year-old Abilene, who loves him almost as much as Edward loves himself. But when he gets lost at sea, Edward finds he has a lot to learn. Caught in a fisherman's net, he lands in a garbage dump, travels with a happy hobo and comforts a sick child, bouncing along from person to person through decades until he discovers the transformative power of love.

TBA

March 8-29, 2015, Julianne Argyros Stage

It might be a recent hit coming out of New York or London-or a world premiere by one of our commissioned playwrights. Stay tuned.

Of Good Stock

by Melissa Ross

March 27-April 26, 2015, Segerstrom Stage

Part of the 18th Annual Pacific Playwrights Festival

Growing up as the three daughters of an acclaimed writer was cool, until he got really famous-and emotionally distant. But the girls adjusted. Years later, the men in their lives face their own challenges. It's not easy keeping up with the smart and very funny Stockton women, especially during a weekend of dramatic encounters-and surprising confessions. But good scotch helps. And, in the end, what matters is family in this new play by the writer whose work Time Out New York called "zesty, muscular and quick-witted."

Mr. Wolf

by Rajiv Joseph

directed by David Emmes

April 12-May 3, 2015, Julianne Argyros Stage

Part of the 18th Annual Pacific Playwrights Festival

Theresa is 17 years old, and she can map out the solar system. She understands the universe-how and why it came to be. She has a man named Mr. Wolf to thank for that. Now the only life she has ever known is coming to an end. She's being taken away-turned over to people who are strangers to her. They can't possibly understand her needs, when they seem to be lost, too. And they're all asking the same questions: What is home? Where do I belong?

Peter and the Starcatcher

by Rick Elice

based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

directed by Art Manke

May 8-June 7, 2015, Segerstrom Stage

They call him Boy, the orphan without a name. One day he's whisked onto the good ship Neverland, and the century-old legend of Peter Pan gets its hilarious, exhilarating and wildly imaginative prequel. Sail with us across the seven seas as Boy becomes Peter in a swashbuckling tale of yesteryear, infused with pop culture imagery of today. Backstage called this winner of five Tony Awards "more fun than the proverbial barrelful of monkeys."

OZ 2.5

By Catherine Trieschmann

inspired by The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

May 22-June 7, 2015, Theatre for Young Audiences, Julianne Argyros Stage

Oz was never like this! That's because it's OZ 2.5: brighter, bolder, customized for every player, surprises around every corner-yes it's a children's classic set in a video game world! Dee's moniker is Dorothy 14, and with the help of Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion, she gets through each level on her way to defeating the Witch of the Western Realm. But what happens when she wins the game and wants to go back to Kansas? Log on and find out.

ABOUT SOUTH COAST REPERTORY: Tony Award-winning South Coast Repertory, founded in 1964 by David Emmes and Martin Benson, is led by Artistic Director Marc Masterson and Managing Director Paula Tomei. SCR is widely recognized as one of the leading professional theatres in the United States. SCR is committed to theatre that illuminates the compelling personal and social issues of our time, not only on its stages but through its wide array of education and outreach programs. While its productions represent a balance of classic and modern theatre, SCR is renowned for its extensive new-play development program, which includes the nation's largest commissioning program for emerging and established writers and composers. Each year, it showcases some of country's best new plays in the Pacific Playwrights Festival, which attracts theatre professionals from across the country. Of SCR's more than 480 productions, one-quarter have been world premieres, whose subsequent stagings achieved enormous success throughout America and around the world. Two SCR-developed works have won Pulitzer Prizes, and another eight were named Pulitzer finalists. In addition, SCR works have won several Obie Awards and scores of major new-play awards. Located in Costa Mesa, California, SCR's David Emmes/Martin Benson Theatre Center is home to the 507-seat Segerstrom Stage, the 336-seat Julianne Argyros Stage and the 94-seat Nicholas Studio. Today, SCR produces 13 shows and eight public readings each season. More information is available at www.scr.org.

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