Mildred's Umbrella's 2015-16 Season to Feature 'DROWNING GIRLS,' DRACULA & More

Mildred's Umbrella Theatre Company today announced that its 2015-16 season will include a world premiere, as well as a return engagement of one of its earliest shows. The full season lineup includes the Houston premiere of THE DROWNING GIRLS by Beth Graham, Charlie Tomlinson and Daniela Vlaskalic; a reprise of Mac Wellman's DRACULA; the world premiere of DOLLFACE by Katharine Sherman; and a special surprise show to be announced later this fall. The season wraps up with the company's eighth annual MUSEUM OF DYSFUNCTION.

"This is one of our most ambitious seasons yet," said Artistic Director Jennifer Decker. "Not only does it represent an even stronger commitment to producing bold, fresh, innovative works, but it also serves to help further solidify Mildred's Umbrella as Houston's premiere female-focused theater company."

THE DROWNING GIRLS (JULY 16 - AUGUST 1, 2015)
By: Beth Graham, Charlie Tomlinson and Daniela Vlaskalic.
Directed by: Jon Harvey
Where: STUDIO 101 - 1824 Spring Street, Houston, TX 77007
When: July 16 - 18, July 23 - 25, July 30 - August 1 at 8 p.m.
Special matinee on July 26 at 3 p.m.
Pay-What-You-Can night on July 27 at 8 p.m.

Based on the "Brides in the Bath" murders in early 20th century England, THE DROWNING GIRLS recounts the stories of Alice Burnham, Margaret Lofty and Bessie Mundy - three women who recreate through poetic and graphic language the almost ritualistic, psychological abuse they suffered at the hands of their common husband and murderer George Joseph Smith. Mildred's Umbrella is mounting this production on the 100-year anniversary of Smith's trial and execution.

MAC WELLMAN'S DRACULA (OCTOBER 15 - 31, 2015)
By: Mac Wellman
Directed by: Jennifer Decker
Where: STUDIO 101 - 1824 Spring Street, Houston, TX 77007
When: Oct. 15 - 17, Oct. 22 - 24, Oct. 29 - 31 at 8 p.m.
Special matinee on Oct. 25 at 3 p.m.
Pay-What-You-Can night on Oct. 26 at 8 p.m.

Mac Wellman's bizarre and offbeat version of DRACULA completely re-vamps Bram Stoker's classic novel. Campy and fun, it is the story of two sexually repressed women who find freedom and passion in the vampiric world in the late days of Victorian London. The show was one of Mildred's Umbrella's earliest productions and was originally staged by the company in 2004.

SECRET SURPRISE SHOW (JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 6, 2016)
Directed by: Ron Jones
Where: STUDIO 101 - 1824 Spring Street, Houston, TX 77007
When: Jan. 21 - 23, Jan. 28 - 30, Feb. 4 - 6 at 8 p.m.
Special matinee on Jan. 31 at 3 p.m.
Pay-What-You-Can night on Feb. 1 at 8 p.m.

While Mildred's Umbrella's first show of 2016 has yet to be revealed, there will be several hints posted throughout the fall on its Facebook and Twitter pages, leading up to the show's announcement on Nov. 20, 2015. The company is encouraging its patrons to follow these clues and guess the show as part of an ongoing social media campaign.

DOLLFACE (APRIL 28 - MAY 14, 2016)
By: Katharine Sherman
Directed by: Jacey Little
Where: STUDIO 101 - 1824 Spring Street, Houston, TX 77007
When: April 28 - 30, May 5 - 7, May 12 - 14 at 8 p.m.
Special matinee on May 8 at 3 p.m.
Pay-What-You-Can night on May 9 at 8 p.m.

DOLLFACE, a world premiere by Katharine Sherman, explores the double standards and rape culture in our society today, and how the fairy-tale narrative with which we are presented in our childhoods contributes to this culture, with a patchwork of found text, news stories, film clips, rape jokes and statistics. It will involve toy theatre puppetry, movements and sound bites of everything from fairy tales to CNN online to Men's Rights advocacy forums.

MUSEUM OF DYSFUNCTION VIII (JUNE 23 - JULY 2, 2016)
Various Playwrights
Directors: TBD
Where: STUDIO 101 - 1824 Spring Street, Houston, TX 77007
When: June 23 - 25, June 30 - July 2 at 8 p.m.

The 2015-16 season will wrap up with Mildred's Umbrella's short play festival MUSEUM OF DYSFUNCTION VIII, which will feature brand new short plays by local, national and international playwrights.

Tickets and Umbrella Pass subscriptions are on sale now and available at www.mildredsumbrella.com. For more information, call 832-418-0973 or send an e-mail info@mildredsumbrella.com.

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