Stages Repertory Theatre Announces 40th Anniversary Season
By: A.A. Cristi Apr. 12, 2017
Stages Repertory Theatre's 2017-2018 Season celebrates the theatre's 40^th Anniversary with a mix of world and regional premieres, fan favorites and stories that reflect Houston's vibrant, diverse community. The season features 3 world and 4 regional premieres, collaborations with New York's One Year Lease Theater Company and Houston's Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center, Stages' inaugural Latina/o Theatre Festival, the 10^th anniversary of Stages' hallmark Panto holiday program for children and families, and a return to Miller Outdoor Theatre.
The summer season begins with a revival of Stages' own hit Always...Patsy Cline, created by Stages Founding Artistic Director Ted Swindley in 1988. Susan Koozin reprises her role as Louise Seeger, the Houston resident who befriends Patsy Cline during the star's visit to Texas, and Kelley Peters, previously seen in The Honky Tonk Angels and its holiday sequel, steps into the title role as Patsy. The musical summer continues with the Regional Premiere of Woody Sez: The Life and Music of Woody Guthrie, starring Ben Hope (Hank Williams: Lost Highway) as the iconic folk singer. Then in September, for two nights only, with support from Presenting Sponsor Phillips 66 and the Miller Theatre Advisory Board, Stages will return to Miller Outdoor Theatre and the magical, musical, roller-skating world of Xanadu, featuring the beloved stars from Stages' 2014 hit production, Holland Vavra and Cameron Bautsch. This important investment in community engagement allows more than 5,000 Houstonians to experience Stages' work completely free of charge.
The fall season kicks off with a spectacular theatrical event: The World Premiere of Balls, created in collaboration with New York's One Year Lease Theater Company. This devised theatre piece revisits the famous 1973 "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs which was played in the Houston Astrodome. True to OYL's high-intensity, physical approach, the production bounces back and forth between a shot-by-shot re-imagining of the famous match and a pop culture collage of 1970s sport, sexism and world events. An ensemble of 20 artists associated with One Year Lease Theater Company will be in residence at Stages to create this innovative new work. To support the significant investment required to develop a new play of this scope and scale, key Stages supporters Cynthia and Ben Guill and Jane and Dick Schmitt have provided special underwriting as producers for this unique production.
Stages also will celebrate 10 years of presenting "Panto" holiday musicals in Houston with a return to its very first Panto, Panto Cinderella, with music by Gregg Coffin (Five Course Love). Stages was the first theatre in Houston to present this unique interactive style of entertainment for youth and family audiences, and has grown a loyal audience for this fresh holiday tradition. WINTER / SPRING 2018
Moving into the new year, Stages will explore Latina/o stories with the Regional Premiere of Philip Boehm's Alma en venta, as well as Stages' inaugural Latina/o Theatre Festival Sin Muros. The festival will include the World Premiere of Houstonian Josh Inocéncio's solo show Purple Eyes and developmental workshop readings of new plays by Texas natives Mando Alvarado, Bernardo Cubría, and Tanya Saracho. Keeping the focus on Texas, the spring season will continue with Holland Taylor's lauded one-woman tour-de-force Ann, a hilarious, no-holds-barred look at indomitable Texas Governor Ann Richards. Stages veteran Sally Edmundson will star as Ann. Continuing its commitment to reflecting a diverse range of stories and experiences, Stages will present the Regional Premieres of two powerhouse dramas, Jackie Sibblies Drury's hard-hitting We are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as South-West Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884-1915, which examines an obscure African genocide through the eyes of an experimental theatre troupe, and award-winning actor and writer Jesse Eisenberg's The Revisionist, exploring issues of Jewish identity, history and culture. The Revisionist will be presented at the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center, marking Stages' second collaboration with the ERJCC. In May 2018, Stages will reprise one the most often requested shows in its canon, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, by Betsy Kelso and David Nehls. First produced at Stages in 2006, the original production ran for 9 months and remains one of the longest-running shows in Houston history. Finally, Stages will close the 2017-2018 Season with the World Premiere of a science fiction thriller, Replica, written by television darling Mickey Fisher, creator of the TV series Extant and Mars and the upcoming film Reverie. EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Over the past year, Stages' Board, management and staff have undertaken critical conversations about our role in shaping Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) for all Houstonians through our work and have identified the desire to make a purposeful, consistent institutional commitment to inclusion. Programming for the 2017-2018 Season is aligned with this new focus, featuring stories that explore a range of experiences within marginalized and minority populations. An EDI Task Force has been assembled to shape Stages' first EDI plan. With the plan in place, Stages will work to craft new investments that support inclusion. Through the multi-year implementation of this plan, we expect our organization and all core constituencies (Board, staff, artists, donors, subscribers and patrons) to be more representative of and engaged with our larger community. Stages is working with a committed group of local community leaders with experience in the diversity and inclusion field and will engage national leaders in our planning as well. In February 2017, with special support from the Houston Endowment, Stages engaged nationally recognized firm artEquity, a leader in facilitation, training and consultation for nonprofit arts organizations investing in EDI initiatives, to help shape and guide Stages' EDI efforts. EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Along with our annual performance series, Stages is committed to investing in students and nurturing talent through a variety of educational initiatives, with a focus on emerging artists, including middle, high school and university students as well as early-career professionals. One of these programs is the fully merit-based summer Young Actors Conservatory (YAC) for high school students, offered free of charge to all participants. Applications are open to all interested students, regardless of economic status or experience level, and selection is based on application, recommendations and audition. This four-week full-time intensive program immerses participants in all aspects of theatre production, preparing young theatre practitioners to excel in university-level theatre programs. Over the next two years, Stages will continue a multi-year expansion of the YAC program beginning with this summer's addition of a technical theatre track for students interested In Focusing on
production and design. Now entering its tenth year, Stages' performance and production internship program with the Sam Houston State University Department of Theatre and Dance provides professional training and experience for college students planning a career in the arts. Many of Houston's recognized theatre artists made their professional debuts as part of this program. For the past 15 years, Stages also has participated in a production internship program with Lorain County Community College in Lorain, Ohio. LCCC interns work a full season in Stages' production department, gaining invaluable professional experience in all aspects of technical production. STRENGTHENING HOUSTON'S ARTS ECOSYTEM
With a budget for the 2017-2018 Season of just over $3.8 million, Stages is Houston's leading middle tier theatre, and is the third-largest theatre in Houston. Stages continues to increase the total number of work weeks for professional actors, directors, and stage managers, and increase minimum pay to work towards a livable wage that allows artists to build their careers and lives in Houston rather than leaving to seek more lucrative and fulfilling opportunities. Beginning with the 2016-2017 Season, Stages expanded our union agreement with Actors Equity Association, and is now the highest SPT contractor (small professional theatre-venues under 349 seats) in Houston. As a result, more artists are developing careers through our productions than at any time in the theatre's history. Please read on for a full listing of 2017-2018 productions, authors, dates and descriptions. Press tickets are available for regular performances of all productions. To request seats, email press@stagestheatre.com (mailto:press@stagestheatre.com) . General performance times are Wednesdays & Thursdays 7:30pm, Fridays 8pm, Saturdays 2:30pm and 8pm, and Sundays 2:30pm. Panto performance times are Wednesdays - Fridays 7pm, Saturdays 2pm and 7pm, and Sundays 2pm. Season subscriptions are now on sale and range from $180 to $363. Subscribers save up to 40% on regular ticket prices and enjoy a host of other benefits. Subscriptions are available through the Stages Box Office (713.527.0123, boxoffice@stagestheatre.com (mailto:boxoffice@stagestheatre.com) ) or online at www.stagestheatre.com. Regular tickets will go on sale for the summer shows on June 1, 2017, and for the remaining season in August 2017. Individual tickets start at $21 with savings for groups of 6 or more. To purchase, call the Stages Box Office at 713.527.0123 or reserve online at www.stagestheatre.com. The 2017-2018 Season is presented with generous support from The Brown Foundation, Inc., The Humphreys Foundation, Houston Endowment, The Wortham Foundation, Inc., The City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, and Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts. ** Stages Repertory Theatre's
2017 - 2018 SeasonAlways...Patsy Cline
created and originally directed by Ted Swindley
based on a true story June 28 - August 20, 2017 directed by Kenn McLaughlin Patsy is back in honor of Stages' 40th Anniversary! This internationally acclaimed hit musical written by Stages Founding Artistic Director Ted Swindley is based on a true story of the lifelong friendship between the beloved country singer and a devoted Houston fan. 27 of Cline's unforgettable hits make this an event that audiences clamor for year after year. Susan Koozin returns as Louise-the role that made her a Stages' audience favorite.Always...Patsy Cline had its world premiere at Stages in 1988. It has since become one of the most often-performed productions around the world, including long-running productions in Denver, CO, and Nashville, TN. Ted Swindley also wrote the popular The Honky Tonk Angels series, which Stages has produced to acclaim. Susan Koozin is reprising her role as Louise, which first made her a favorite among Stages audiences. She has appeared in every Stages production of Always...Patsy Cline since 2004. Regional Premiere
** Woody Sez
The Life and Music of Woody Guthrie
devised by David M. Lutken with Nick Corley
and Darcie Deaville, Helen Jean Russell and Andy Teirstein July 26 - September 3, 2017 directed by Nick Corley
music direction by David M. Lutken Legendary singer-songwriter Woody Guthrie transformed folk music into a powerful vehicle for political expression with hits like "This Land is Your Land," "Bound for Glory" and "The Ballad of Tom Joad." In this thrilling new musical, Guthrie's timeless songs reveal this iconic artist's bold vision for the America he deeply loved. Ben Hope, star of Stages' 2011 production of Hank Williams: Lost Highway, returns as Woody. Special Event! In conjunction with Woody Sez, Stages will host two musical hootenannies following matinee performances of the show. Audiences, musicians and anyone else who is interested are invited to bring instruments, noisemakers or just their voices and join the cast for an informal jam session. Free and open to the public. More information to come! Woody Sez has played extended runs at American Repertory Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre and Theatre J in Washington, D.C. Ben Hope, who was widely lauded for his performance in Stages' hit production Hank Williams: Lost Highway, also starred in the popular musical Once on Broadway. Hope is joined by Katie Barton, who also appeared in Stages' Hank Williams: Lost HIghway as well as the national tour of Million Dollar Quartet. Hope and Barton became engaged shortly after their time in Houston and are now married. At Miller Outdoor Theatre
** Xanadu
book by Douglas Carter Beane
music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar September 8 & 9, 2017 directed and choreographed by Mitchell Greco Join us at Miller Outdoor Theatre for a two-night-only revival of Stages' 2014 hit Xanadu. Inspiration and love collide in this hilarious, roller-skating musical that slyly questions the role of art in pop culture. Based on the 1980 cult classic film, Xanadu overflows with joyous high-spirited fun as Kira (Holland Vavra), a beautiful Greek muse, descends from Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach, California, to inspire struggling artist Sonny (Cameron Bautsch) to create the pinnacle of artistic achievement-the Roller Disco! But when Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters conspire to create endlessly entertaining mayhem. Most members of the principal 2014 cast, including leads Holland Vavra and Cameron Bautsch, return for this special event. This important investment in community engagement ensures that more than 5,000 Houstonians are able to experience Stages' work completely free of charge. Presenting Sponsor
Sponsored in part by the
City of Houston through the
Miller Theatre Advisory Board
World Premiere
** Balls
by Kevin Armento and Bryony Lavery October 11 - October 29, 2017 A co-production with One Year Lease Theater Company (http://www.oneyearlease.org/?utm_source=Press+List&utm_campaign=16f070197f-17%2F18+season+announcement+press&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_199b4d8b9f-16f070197f-232490273) directed by Ianthe Demos and Nick Flint
movement direction by Natalie Lomonte It's 1973, and Houston's Astrodome is playing host to one of the biggest pop cultural events of all time as Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs face-off in 'The Battle of the Sexes' tennis match! Created in conjunction with New York's acclaimed One Year Lease Theater Company, Balls is a spectacular new work that bounces one of the most memorable tennis events of all-time off the cultural debates it ignited. True to OYL's high-intensity physical approach, the production features a shot-by-shot re-imagining of the entire match, in a carnival-like atmosphere! This World Premiere is must-see theatre from one of the nation's most promising new companies. 20 artists associated with One Year Lease will be in residence at Stages to develop this innovative new work. One Year Lease Theater Company was founded in 2001 and is based in New York City. They advocate physically powerful, ensemble-based theatre and the importance of theatre as a forum of community enrichment that connects people to each other and our past. Author Bryony Lavery is a British dramatist best known for her award-winning 1998 play Frozen. FOR MATURE AUDIENCES Producers
Cynthia and Ben Guill
Jane and Dick Schmitt
World Premiere
** A Midnight Clear
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A Musical Tale of Christmas book by Kenn McLaughlin
music and lyrics by David Nehls November 8 - December 24, 2017 directed by Kenn McLaughlin
music direction by David Nehls It's Christmas Eve, 1964, and a snowstorm threatens to cancel a concert hosted by the Sisters of the Poor Sacred Heart. But when a mysterious stranger and a stranded motorist arrive at their chapel, the Sisters find that the songs of Christmas have far more power than they had imagined. Stages Artistic Director Kenn McLaughlin and composer David Nehls follow up their smash hit I'll Be Home for Christmas with a joyous new musical commissioned especially for Stages.David Nehls is also represented in Stages' 2017-2018 Season as composer and lyricist for The Great American Trailer Park Musical. Nehls and Stages Artistic Director Kenn McLaughlin have collaborated previously on Panto Mother Goose, Panto Sleeping Beauty and the brand-new holiday musical I'll Be Home for Christmas, which had its world premiere in 2016 at the Arvada Center in Denver, CO.
10th Anniversary Production
** Panto Cinderella
Houston's Original British Panto book by Kate Hawley
music and lyrics by Gregg Coffin
originally conceived and directed by Paul Witworth November 29 - December 31, 2017 directed by Josh Morrison You are invited to the Ball this holiday season! Panto's madcap storytelling style breathes new life into the familiar tale of humble Cinderella, her fairy godmother, her charming prince and her hideous (and hilarious!) stepsisters. Come ready to laugh, cheer and boo along with a crazy cast of fairy tale favorites (and Buttons, of course!). Packed with zany characters, audience interaction and plenty of toe-tapping music, it's spectacular fun for the whole family. In 2008, Stages became the first theatre in Houston to introduce this unique British interactive theatre experience. Since then, Panto has become a cherished holiday tradition for many Houston families, students and audiences. In celebration of our 10^th Panto, we are reviving the show started it all, Panto Cinderella. Composer Gregg Coffin also wrote the book, music and lyrics for Stages' current production, Five Course Love. ------------------------------------------------------------ Regional Premiere
** Alma en venta
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(Soul on Sale)
by Philip Boehm January 24 - February 11, 2018 directed by Philip Boehm Painter Arcadio Rogers Rodríguez has made quite a name for himself crafting images. But what does it take to really bring a canvas to life? A visit from your dead mother? A Faustian deal with a devilish muse? Alma en venta (Soul on Sale) is a lyrical, magical-realist examination of the cost one Latino artist has to pay to save a soul. Writer/director Philip Boehm is the Artistic Director of Upstream Theater in St. Louis, MO. Stages previously collaborated with Upstream to bring their U.S. premiere production of De Kus (The Kiss) to Houston audiences, directed by Stages Artistic Director Kenn McLaughlin. Alma en venta plays in conjunction with Stages' inaugural Latina/o Theatre Festival, Sin Muros. FOR MATURE AUDIENCES SIN MUROS
A Four-Day Festival of Texas Latina/o Voices.
February 1 - 4, 2018 In February 2018, Stages will celebrate the range of Latina/o voices and stories reflecting the diversity of local Texas communities. Sin Muros will include the world premiere of Houstonian Josh Inocéncio's solo show Purple Eyes and developmental workshop readings of new plays by Texas natives Mando Alvarado, Bernardo Cubría, and Tanya Saracho. The festival weekend will be filled with public events for audiences and local theatre-makers, including workshops and networking opportunities. Purple Eyes
By Josh Inocéncio WORLD PREMIERE Directed by Jeff Paden Josh Inocéncio's solo show, Purple Eyes, is an ancestral autobiography honoring four generations of Mexican men through the playwright's own queer imaginings. Mexican machismo collides with understanding and acceptance as Inocéncio explores his heritage and his voice as a queer Chicano in this poetic celebration of familial love and sexual identity. PLAY READINGS
Neighbors
By Bernardo Cubría Directed by Jerry Ruiz Joe lives in a big colorless mansion. His neighbor Jose lives in a colorful shack. When Joe has a business proposition for Jose, their neighborly truce gets a lot more complicated. Songs for The Disappeared
By Tanya Saracho Directed by Mariana Correño King Patriarch Leo Cantú is a successful businessman with a new trophy wife and two adult daughters: one, a strong-willed writer who fled to Chicago, the other a fragile shut-away who spends her time nursing injured animals back to health. When their carefree-and sometimes careless-younger brother disappears at the US-Mexico border, the family is forced to unite in a search. Living Sculpture
By Mando Alvarado Directed by Abigail Vega Michael Todd and Jeremy are three old college friends facing a changing political climate. When Todd buys a "living sculptrue" Michael is horrified and questions the true intention of the purchase while Jeremy fights to reconcile the two men who have developed vastly different views on the world. ** Ann
by Holland Taylor February 14 - April 8, 2018 directed by Kenn McLaughlin Legendary Texas Governor Ann Richards is brought to life by the incomparable Sally Edmundson in a one-woman tour-de-force. This hilarious new play, written by Emmy® Award winner Holland Taylor ("Two and a Half Men"), is a no-holds-barred look at the complex and captivating woman who changed the face of Texas politics. Come on y'all, it's time for a grand night in the theatre! Stages veteran Sally Edmundson is no stranger to one-woman shows, having enjoyed great acclaim for her performances as Vogue editor Diana Vreeland in Full Gallop at Stages. Ann premiered on Broadway in 2013 starring Holland Taylor, who also wrote the play. Taylor was nominated for a Tony for her performance. She is well known to film and television audiences for her roles in Legally Blonde, One Fine Day, The Truman Show, The Practice and Two and a Half Men, among others. ------------------------------------------------------------ Regional Premiere
** We are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as South-West Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884-1915
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by Jackie Sibblies Drury March 14 - April 1, 2018 Six actors gather to tell the story of a rarely-examined African genocide. As rehearsals intensify, the comradery of the ensemble gives way to deep tensions and what seemed like a distant piece of racial history becomes a modern nightmare. This searing and powerful drama has garnered acclaim nationwide for its bold look at race in America and beyond. We are Proud to Present... premiered at the IGNITION Festival of New Plays at Victory Gardens Theatre (Chicago, IL) in 2012, and has since been produced at Soho Rep, The Matrix (Los Angeles, CA) and and InterACT Theatre. The play received a 2013 OBIE Award and was named one of the Top Ten Play of New York in 2012 by New York Magazine. Brooklyn-based author Jackie Sibblies Drury received a 2015 Windham-Campbell Literary Prize in Drama,a 2012-2013 Van Lier Fellowship at New Dramatists, and was the inaugural recipient of the 2012-2014 Jerome Fellowship at The LARK. Jackie is a NYTW Usual Suspect and a 2015 United States Artists Gracie Fellow. FOR MATURE AUDIENCES Regional Premiere At The Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center
** The Revisionist
by Jesse Eisenberg April 10 - 22, 2018 directed by Leslie Swackhamer When young Jewish writer David arrives in Poland with a case of writer's block, he is greeted warmly by his 75-year-old cousin, Maria. Fueled by a desire to reconnect with her American relations, she welcomes him into her home; but as their relationship develops, details about her post-war past challenge each of them to redefine what it means to be family. Stages previously collaborated with The Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center and Black Lab Theatre for the acclaimed production of Bad Jews in 2015. Author Jesse Eisenberg is an actor and writer best known for his roles in The Social Network and Zombieland. The Revisionist is his second play. The drama was premiered by Rattlestick Playwrights Theater at the Cherry Lane Theatre in New York in 2013. ------------------------------------------------------------
**
The Great American Trailer Park Musical
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music and lyrics by David Nehls
book by Betsy Kelso May 2 - June 24, 2018 directed by Mitchell Greco One of the most requested musicals in Stages history, The Great American Trailer Park Musical is back for our 40th Anniversary Season! There's a new tenant at Armadillo Acres, and she's wreaking havoc all over Florida's most exclusive trailer park. The double-wide divas of this fine housing establishment have survived everything from kidnapping to no-good men to bad perms! But when Pippi, a "stripper on the run," comes between agoraphobic housewife Jeannie and her tollbooth collector husband, a storm begins to brew that will shake these manufactured homes right down to their foundations! The Great American Trailer Park Musical is the one of the longest-running shows in Stages and Houston history, second only to The Marvelous Wonderettes. When it was first produced at Stages in 2006, it ran for 9 months and became the highest grossing show in Stages history up to that point. In 2013, Stages produced the World Premiere of Trailer Park's holiday sequel, The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical, which has since gone on to be produced nationwide every holiday season. FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ------------------------------------------------------------ World Premiere
** Replica
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by Mickey Fisher May 23 - June 10, 2018 directed by Seth Gordon In the near future, a woman with a terminal illness volunteers for an experimental procedure that would allow her memories, mannerisms and personality to live on in her "Replica". But what was created as a duplicate soon takes on a life of its own. This World Premiere sci-fi thriller is penned by Mickey Fisher, creator of the television series Extant and Mars and the upcoming series Reverie. Author Mickey Fisher began his career in New York theatre, but is best known as a television creator, writer and producer. His science fiction series Extant, which stars Halle Barry, first caught Steven Spielberg's eye when it was entered in a screenwriting contest. Fisher's other work includes the television series Mars and the upcoming series Reverie. His play Replica was developed through The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis's new play festival Ignite! In 2016. Director Seth Gordon is the Associate Artistic Director at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and has become known to Houston audiences for his work on plays including The Whipping Man, I and You and The Spiritualist. ABOUT STAGES REPERTORY THEATRE Founded in 1978, Stages is a professional Equity theatre that produces new work, presents established work in new ways, nurtures and develops talent, and cultivates and strengthens relationships with Houston audiences. Characterized by courage, generosity, ingenuity and intimacy, Stages works to advance theatre and enliven community to make a more vibrant Houston. Stages presents a broad scope of plays and musicals in an intimate setting, generating critical acclaim and creating powerful connections between plays and people. The third-largest theatre in Houston and the sixth-largest in Texas, Stages performs year-round, one of only a handful of Texas theatres that offers year-round employment for creative professionals. On average, Stages produces 12 productions
per year totaling more than 340 performances and reaching 50,000+ patrons. All of Stages' shows are rehearsed and constructed on-site in Houston, brought to life by an exceptional community of locally- based artists and craftspeople along with occasional guest directors, actors and designers from around the world. For more than a decade Stages has made a strong investment in nurturing emerging artists and craftspeople who have now become field leaders and working professionals. Stages' learning opportunities include performance and production internship programs for college students and
conservatory-style training for middle and high school students. Through this robust scope of activities Stages encourages conversation about important ideas, provides insight into other cultures and viewpoints, and helps develop each new generation of artists, audiences and citizens. For more information visit www.stagestheatre.com.
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