Town Hall Theatre Announces Season 2017-2018: Generations

Town Hall Theatre Company (THT) is excited to announce four dynamic plays in the lineup for its 2017-2018 Season: Generations. Town Hall's Season opens with the musical The Song of the Nightingale by local playwright/composer Min Kahng; continues with the local premiere of A Civil War Christmas: An American Musical Celebration by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel, followed by Alan Ayckbourn's dark comedy Woman in Mind; and closes with Kate Hamill's sparkling new adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility. Subscription package sales are now available.

The remarkable plays in the 2017-2018 Town Hall Theatre Season are all stories about Generations. Artistic Director Evans says: "Each of our plays next season are about the relationships between the old and the young, past and present, whether it's a Chinese Emperor gaining wisdom from a young kitchen maid, a mother and daughter fleeing to freedom at the end of the Civil War, a suburban English housewife ping-ponging between two families, or Jane Austen's romping story of a family's fall from fortune and two sisters' love affairs - these are all stories linking one human history to another, and about the connections and bonds between us."

SEASON 2017-2018

Town Hall Theatre Season 2017-2018 kicks off in September with the local premiere of The Song of the Nightingale - A Musical Fairy Tale with book, music and lyrics by award-winning Bay Area playwright Min Kahng. This enchanting new pop musical for the whole family had its world premiere at Altarena Playhouse in 2013, and is newly revised by the playwright for the Town Hall Theatre stage. Based upon a Hans Christian Andersen fairy-tale, The Song of the Nightingale is a magical, musical romp that reminds us that true beauty and worth is always found within. Directed by Michael Mohammed; Music Direction by Margaret Halbig. Starts in September 2017.

THT's 2017 holiday offering is A Civil War Christmas: An American Musical Celebration by Pulitzer Prize-winner Paula Vogel, with music by Daryl Waters. Set on Christmas Eve, 1864, in Washington, D.C., and featuring hymns and carols of the period, this warm and deeply moving musical play masterfully interweaves stories of lives from both sides of the Civil War. Directed by Dawn Monique Williams, 2016 Princess Grace Award Winner and current OSF Resident Artist, with music direction by Margaret Halbig. Starts November 30, 2017.

Woman in Mind, by "the comic poet of middle class life" Alan Ayckbourn, arrives at Town Hall in March 2018. The Telegraph called this dark comedy "perhaps the most daring and poignant" of all the British playwright's works. The play follows the tribulations of a humdrum English housewife who accidentally conks herself unconscious, then finds herself suddenly surrounded by the ideal fantasy family. When her real and imaginary worlds collide, those fantasies take on a comical and nightmarish life of their own. Directed by Dennis Markam. Starts March 2018.

Rounding out the season is the rollicking new adaptation of Sense and Sensibility by Kate Hamill, based on the novel by Jane Austen. Called "perhaps the greatest stage adaptation of this novel in history" and "an unconditional delight" by the critics, Hamill's adaptation is full of humor and inventive theatricality, while staying remarkably faithful to the beloved classic tale of the Dashwood sisters - sensitive Elinor and hypersensitive Marianne - in gossipy late 18th century England. Directed by Susan E. Evans. Starts May 2018.

Town Hall Education continues to provide the kind of exceptional training that the Lamorinda community has come to expect over the last 50+ years. This Season THE's shows also feature stories about Generations. New this year: Performance classes in a new location, Orinda Square.

At Town Hall's Music & Comedy events, audiences enjoy the musical power of an arena with the intimacy of a private concert. This year will see the return of some of hottest music and comedy in the East Bay, including the hilarious political satirist Will Durst and bands Petty Theft and Dream Posse.

For the 2017-18 season, THT recognizes the generosity of our community and foundation donors, including The Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation, The Pure Dana Fund, The Downes Family Foundation, the Bill Graham Memorial Foundation, the Lafayette Community Foundation, and a myriad of others.

Subscribers to Town Hall Theatre get substantial savings, and enjoy free ticket exchange privileges as well as priority seating. New this Season: subscribers may exchange tickets by text messaging our box office. THT's 4-play Full Season package guarantees tickets for the full slate of shows with prices ranging from $72 to $100; 3-show Main Season packages range from $54 to $75; and 2-show packages range from $36 to $55. Additional subscription discounts are available for senior citizens and youth.

New for 2017-18: Under 35 Package! Patrons 18 - 35 receive 26-36% percent off 2-Show and 3-show subscription packages.

ABOUT TOWN HALL THEATRE COMPANY

Established in 1944 as the Dramateurs, Town Hall Theatre turned 73 this year, making it the oldest continuously active theatre in Contra Costa County. Town Hall Theatre was awarded Best Theatre Troupe 2016 in Diablo Magazines, Best of The East Bay, and is the past recipient of numerous Shellie Awards, and four regional 2016 Theatre Bay Area Awards. THT is also home to an extensive children's educational program, twice voted the "Best Children's Theatre Company" by Bay Area Parent Magazine. THT's 102-year old historical building is managed by the Lafayette Association (LIA).

Town Hall Theatre Company, 3535 School Street, in Lafayette, CA 94549. The Box Office is open Tuesday through Friday, 4:00 to 6:00PM and Saturday 2:00-4:00 pm and can be reached at 925.283.1557. Information is also available at www.TownHallTheatre.com.

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