MAMMA MIA! to Launch Playhouse on the Square's 2016-17 Season
By: BWW News Desk Feb. 23, 2016
The Circuit Playhouse season will begin with the regional premiere of the Pulitzer prize-winning drama Disgraced. This dramatic and thought-provoking show is the story of Amir Kapoor, a Muslim-American lawyer and his wife, Emily. When a co-worker and her husband come to dinner, what begins as polite conversation explodes leaving everyone's relationships and beliefs about identity irrevocably damaged.
The controversial King Charles III is next on the Playhouse on the Square stage; this brand new drama takes us to an alternate reality where, after a lifetime of waiting, Great Britain's Prince Charles has ascended to the throne. Opposite at The Circuit Playhouse is the nostalgic Sisters of Swing which brings to the stage the story of LaVerne, Maxene, and Patty Andrews: better known to the world as the Andrews Sisters. Sisters of Swing follows the women on their meteoric rise to the top, and their bittersweet demise.
The holiday season at Playhouse on the Square offers something for every member of the family. Peter Pan is back on the Playhouse on the Square stage, while The Circuit Playhouse will be playing host to everyone's favorite first grader, Miss Junie B. Jones in Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!. Back by poplar demand (for the adults), everyone's favorite cranky elf will be thrilling you with his tales of surviving Macy's during the holiday season. Join Crumpet and all of his friends for The Santaland Diaries in The Memphian Room at The Circuit Playhouse
January 2017 brings the first of two world premiere productions that will be staged as part of the POTS@TheWorks Series at TheatreWorks. Audience feedback in the staged readings, along with other production considerations, led to the two winners of the 2015 NewWorks@TheWorks Playwriting Competition. The first is Other People's Happiness by Adam Seidel, which shows us the portrait of a family in chaos, and asks the question "When you give up your happiness for everyone else, what is your breaking point?" The second winner, Victory Blues by Alan Brody, is set in the 1940s following the end of WWII and explores how we, as Americans, transitioned from a time of war, to a time of peace. Victory Blues will premiere in July 2017.
January 2017 will also see the regional premiere of Rock of Ages at Playhouse on the Square. This rockin' musical is set at the tail end of the 1980s and is centered around the fight to keep one of the Sunset Strip's last legendary music venues from being turned into a strip mall. Rock of Ages features music from some of the 1980s most popular musicians and one-hit-wonders. The hilarious and shocking comedy Hand to God makes its regional premiere at The Circuit Playhouse in late January. Causing shockwaves when it premiered last year on Broadway, Hand to God introduces audiences to what might be the most vulgar, irreverent, and downright funniest puppet you've ever met.
At Playhouse on the Square, the classic story Lord of the Flies takes center stage. After a devastating plane crash leaves them stranded on an island, a group of young boys finds themselves in a dangerous situation when the normal rules of society collapse, and primitive instincts take over. Opposite at The Circuit Playhouse is Stephen Sondheim'sCompany, a wildly funny and entertaining look at relationships, vulnerability, and "being alive."
In the spring, Playhouse on the Square is proud to bring the Million Dollar Quartet back home! Bringing to life one of the most iconic moments in Memphis music history,Million Dollar Quartet gives you a front row seat to the only collaboration between legends Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, and Carl Perkins.
The hilarious comedy Ripcord will close The Circuit Playhouse stage for the 2016 - 2017 season. A sunny top floor room at The Bristol Place Assisted Living Facility is considered prime real-estate, and foul tempered Abby is not happy she has to share it with new arrival Marilyn. Abby knows that Marilyn has got to go, and what begins as a harmless bet turns into a game of one-upsmanship. Heartfelt and deliciously inappropriate, this is one battle royale you won't want to miss.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical will close Playhouse on the Square for the 2016 - 2017 season. Based on the hit movie, Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musicalis the heartwarming uplifting adventure of three friends who make up a glamorous Sydney based performing troupe. When they agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback, they hop aboard a battered old bus (nicknamed Priscilla) searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they ever dreamed.
There is one additional show scheduled at The Circuit Playhouse that will be announced at a later date.
Season subscriptions will go on sale in May. For more information, visit www.playhouseonthesquare.org.
2016 - 2017 Season by Venue in Order of Production:
Playhouse on the Square:
Mamma Mia!
August 12 - September 4
Regional Premiere
King Charles III
September 23 - October 9
Regional Premiere
Peter Pan
November 11 - December 30
Rock of Ages
January 20 - February 12
Regional Premiere
Lord of the Flies
March 10 - March 26
Regional Premiere
Million Dollar Quartet
May 5 - May 28
Regional Premiere
Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical
June 16 - July 9
Regional Premiere
The Circuit Playhouse:
Disgraced
August 19 - September 4
Regional Premiere
Sisters of Swing
October 7 - October 30
Regional Premiere
Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!
November 25 - December 23
Regional Premiere
The Santaland Diaries
December 2 - December 23
Hand to God
January 27 - February 19
Regional Premiere
Company
March 17 - April 9, 2017
TBA
April 21 - May 14
Ripcord
June 2 - June 25
Regional Premiere
POTS@TheWorks:
Other People's Happiness
January 6 - January 29
World Premiere
Victory Blues
July 7 - July 30
World Premiere
Playhouse on the Square is Memphis' only professional resident theatre. Founded in 1969, Playhouse on the Square remains committed to its mission to produce a challenging and diverse repertoire of theatrical work, to provide a nurturing artistic home where artists can practice their craft and share their talent, and to make all productions available through access, outreach, & education.
For more information, visit www.playhouseonthesquare.org or call 901-726-4656.
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