4th Wall Theatre Company Proudly Announces 2017-18 Season

4th Wall Theatre Company - Philip Lehl and Kim Tobin-Lehl, Artistic Directors - are proud to announce an exciting line up of four diverse plays for 4th Wall's seventh season.

The main stage season will kick off with the Houston Premier of Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer Prize winning DISGRACED. "DISGRACED was the most performed play in the USA last season, and we feel incredibly honored to be the theatre that brings this timely drama to Houston," said Kim Tobin-Lehl, 4th Wall's Co-Artistic Director. Winner of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, DISGRACED tells the tale of Amir Kapoor, a successful Pakistani-American lawyer who is rapidly moving up the corporate ladder while distancing himself from his cultural roots. Emily, his wife, is white; she's an artist, and her work is influenced by Islamic imagery. When the couple hosts a dinner party, what starts out to be a friendly conversation escalates into the stuff of great drama. In addition to winning the Pulitzer, DISGRACED was the recipient of the 2015 Tony Award for Best New Play, the 2013 OBIE award for playwriting, and the 2012 Joseph Jefferson Award for New Work - Play or Musical.

DISGRACED will run September 7 - 30, 2017, at Studio 101, Spring Street Studios, 1824 Spring Street, Houston, TX 77007.

Craig Lucas's comedy, RECKLESS will hit the stage just in time for the holiday season. Audiences will see Tobin-Lehl reprise the role of Rachel, which she first performed in 2010 with Brave Dog Players. Everett Evans of the Houston Chronicle wrote of that production: "Virtually every Christmas play is either a chestnut or aimed at children more than adults. Wouldn't it be great if there were a holiday play for grown-ups that was fresh, unpredictable, contemporary and entirely original? There is. It's Craig Lucas's wondrously wacky Reckless, and Brave Dog...has gift-wrapped it in a dream rendition that's at once seasonal, unusual and very funny....The lead role demands a comic actress of great character and individuality, and the marvelous Kim Tobin rises to all its opportunities.."

RECKLESS begins with its central character, Rachel, at home on an idyllic Christmas Eve, brimming with the joy of the Season. A split second later, in fear for her life, she must escape through her bedroom window into the wintry night. What follows is Rachel's hilarious journey from terror and insanity to love and acceptance on another, far-away Christmas Eve. Along the way, she meets Lloyd and Pooty Bophtelophti, a couple with almost as many secrets as she has - the host of the inane talk show "Your Mother or Your Wife!" - an embezzling murderer - and a succession of psychiatrists (who may or may not help her.)

RECKLESS will run November 30 - December 16th, 2017, at Studio 101, Spring Street Studios, 1824 Spring Street, Houston, TX 77007.

Spring will bring FAKE NEWS, an adaptation of Richard Brinsley Sheridan's immortal comedy about gossip, manners, and the dangers of marrying a young wife: The School For Scandal. Performed by a small ensemble of actors playing multiple roles, it will feature Spencer Aste, who first joined 4th Wall in the cast of Bedlam Theatre's production of Shaw's SAINT JOAN, in 2016.

FAKE NEWS tells the story of Sir Peter Teazle, who has recently married a young wife from the country. Instead of acting as Sir Peter hopes, Lady Teazle falls in with a group of vicious gossips, headed by Lady Sneerwell and including the young, handsome Joseph Surface. An array of colorful characters join in the ensuing fray, asking us all to consider the role that gossip and news, fake and true, play in our lives.

FAKE NEWS will run February 15 - March 10, 2018, at Studio 101, Spring Street Studios, 1824 Spring Street, Houston, TX 77007.

The 4th Wall season will wind up with the REGIONAL PREMIER of Suzanne Bradbeer's hilarious comedy, SHAKEPEARE IN VEGAS. 4th Wall audiences will remember Bradbeer from the 2014 production of her critically acclaimed political drama, THE GOD GAME. And some will remember SHAKESPEARE IN VEGAS from our 2017 reading series, 4th Wall Reads: Women's Voices. This production will feature 4th Wall's Artistic Directors, Kim Tobin-Lehl and Philip Lehl, and director, Jennifer Dean.

SHAKESPEARE IN VEGAS introduces us to Margot, a talented but underappreciated actress desperate to escape the soul suck of the New York Theater scene. When a mysterious man offers her an entire season of Shakespeare, she jumps at the chance. Unfortunately the season is in Las Vegas, and Vegas, it turns out, may not be the best place for Margot to get back her mojo; or is it?

SHAKESPEARE IN VEGAS will run May 17 - June 9, 2018, at Studio 101, Spring Street Studios, 1824 Spring Street, Houston, TX 77007.

In addition to these four full-scale productions, 4th Wall Theatre Company is also planning its second "4th Wall Reads" series, held over a two-week period during February or March 2018. 4th Wall Reads will give audiences the opportunity to experience three to five new, innovative, or under-served plays in a professional, engaging setting.

For the latest information about 4th Wall Theatre Company's upcoming season, to purchase tickets, or to receive exclusive ticket offers and advance notice of special events, please visit the theatre's new website at 4thwalltheatreco.com.

4TH WALL THEATRE COMPANY'S 2017-2018 SEASON*

DISGRACED (Houston Premiere)

Written by Ayad Akhtar

Directed by: TBA

Featuring: TBA

Studio 101, Spring Street Studios

September 7 - September 30, 2017

"DISGRACED" is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc."

RECKLESS

Written by Craig Lucas

Directed by: Philip Lehl

Featuring: Philip Lehl, Kim Tobin-Lehl

Studio 101, Spring Street Studios

November 30 - December 16 , 2017

"RECKLESS" is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc."

PLAY READING SERIES

Plays: To Be Announced

Studio 101, Spring Street Studios

Dates To Be Announced

FAKE NEWS - an Adaptation of The School for Scandal

Written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Directed by: Philip Lehl

Featuring: Spencer Aste, Philip Lehl

Studio 101, Spring Street Studios

February 15 - March 10, 2018

SHAKESPEARE IN VEGAS (Regional Premiere)

Written by Suzanne Bradbeer

Directed by: Jennifer Dean

Featuring: Kim Tobin-Lehl, Philip Lehl

Studio 101, Spring Street Studios

May 18 - June 9, 2018

Tickets:

Premier $53; Standard $32; Senior $26; Student $17

4th Wall Theatre Co. does not charge any added service fees

There is a Pay What You Can performance of every production on Mondays in the last week of the run

***Season Ticket Packages are available at a discounted price when purchased in advance.

* Please note: play titles and dates are subject to change. Projects at 4th Wall Theatre Co. are funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, and from the State of Texas through the Texas Commission on the Arts.

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