Theatre NOVA Sets 2017-18 'Super Season' of Michigan & World Premieres

Theatre NOVA, Ann Arbor's only resident nonprofit professional theater, is thrilled to announce its 2017-2018 Super Season of Michigan and World Premieres.

Proud to produce the best shows at the best prices in Michigan, Theatre NOVA offers a new subscription program replacing its member-based admissions as the best way to see quality programs at a discounted price. Subscribers can save up to 25% off single ticket prices and guarantee their seats for all our plays through June 2018.

Artistic Director Carla Milarch said, "Now in our third season, we've decided to transition to a more traditional theatre season running September through August. In doing so, we have selected some of the most exciting and timely plays from the strongest playwrights we could find. We're also super-psyched to be able to feature five brand new plays by Michigan playwrights over the course of the next year and a half."

Theatre NOVA's 2017-2018 Super Season opened January 20 to rave reviews, with the brand-new "Popcorn Falls" by James Hindman, which runs through February 12. "Waiting for Guffman" meets "Greater Tuna" in this wacky backstage comedy about the mishaps and mayhem of putting on a play. Welcome to Popcorn Falls, a small American town, whose only claim to fame - their namesake waterfall - has dried up. Now bankrupt, their last chance is a large grant that can only be used if the town produces a play in a week. Led by the Mayor and the local handyman, the enterprising townsfolk try to rise to the challenge and prove that art can save the world. Jeff Priskorn and JoNathan Jones play 15 roles in this hilarious new play by Michigan native and Broadway actor James Hindman and directed by Daniel C. Walker. Ann Arbor's Pulp Magazine called it "An energetic romp, full of impressions, wit, and (slightly manic) charm."

The season continues March 24 through April 16, with the World Premiere of "Clutter" by Michigan playwright Brian Cox. In this funny and stylized play about marriage, a man sits at a desk, sorting through the clutter of his life - a book, a flashlight, a wedding ring. Sifting through the relics of his failed marriage, he attempts to piece together some understanding of where things went wrong, with the help of two actors who play younger versions of himself and his wife. As he relives and reenacts each moment, from hilarious to heart-wrenching, he must ultimately take stock of his life and his marriage, and decide whether the story to tell is a tragedy or a triumph. Directed by Diane Hill, featuring Phil Powers, Tory Matsos, and Artun Kircali.

From June 9 through July 9, Ann Arbor area audiences can see what Ferndale audiences have been raving about as The Ringwald's highly successful production of Matthew Lopez's "THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE" is transferred to the Theatre NOVA space. He's young, he's broke, his landlord's knocking at the door, and he's just found out his wife is going to have a baby. To make matters even more desperate, Casey is fired from his gig as an Elvis impersonator in a run-down, small-town Florida bar. When the bar owner brings in a B-level drag show to replace his act, Casey finds that he has a whole lot to learn about show business, walking in heels, and himself. Featuring Nick Yocum, Vince Kelley, Richard Payton, Meredith Deighton, and Joe Bailey and directed by Brandy Joe Plambeck. "Yes, there are many laughs. But there also are some very serious and poignant moments that, dare I say, might cause the audience to shed an involuntary tear or two?" -EncoreMichigan

Theatre NOVA's 2017-2018 season kicks off from August 25 through September 17, 2017 with the Michigan Premiere of "THE REVOLUTIONISTS" by Lauren Gunderson. Four beautiful, bad-ass women lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution. At the height of the Reign of Terror, playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, activist Marianne Angelle and former queen Marie Antoinette hang out, plot murder and try to beat back extremist insanity in Paris. This political fantasia by the author of "I and You" considers how far we should go to keep society from sliding off of the rails. Directed by David Wolber.

The season continues October 27 through November 19 with the World Premiere of "RESISTING" by David Wells. From the playwright of the smash-hit "Irrational" comes this hard-hitting and topical play about systemic racism in the American legal system. Based on a true story, a young black woman who begins to film an incident of police brutality is subjected to shocking treatment herself and becomes embroiled in a legal case that never should have been. As the case unfolds, she and her idealistic, white public defender must decide whether the personal cost of justice is one they are willing to pay.

For the holidays, Theatre NOVA presents the World Premiere of "THE YEAR WITHOUT A PANTO CLAUS" by Carla Milarch & R. MacKenzie Lewis, running December 1-31. The annual Theatre NOVA holiday tradition continues with the newest, silliest, and most-fun-yet romp from the team that brought you "An Almost British Christmas" and "Sugar Plum Panto." Bring the whole family to laugh, boo, hiss, and sing your way through another fun-filled night of heroes and villains, updated popular songs, holiday favorites, and merriment. It's the most unique way to celebrate the season, a mixed-up mash-up of musical comedy, slapstick, vaudeville and fun.

The show that opens the New Year January 26 through February 18, 2018 is also an exciting new Michigan Premiere, but Theatre NOVA is busy acquiring the rights before it can be announced. Directed by Carla Milarch.

March 30 through April 22, 2018 will mark the Michigan Premiere of "CONSTELLATIONS" by Nick Payne. This spellbinding, romantic journey begins with a simple encounter between a man and a woman. But what happens next defies the boundaries of the world we think we know-delving into the infinite possibilities of their relationship and raising questions about the difference between choice and destiny. "Who knew that higher physics could be so sexy, so accessible-and so emotionally devastating?" -New York Times

Finally, Theatre NOVA's ninth show in it Super Season will be the World Premiere of "MRS. FIFTY BAKES A PIE" by Linda Ramsay-Detherage, running June 1 through June 24, 2018. Stuck in an abusive marriage, a middle-aged 1960s housewife stumbles into a dominatrix's session and discovers a source of personal power that surprises everyone around her. Bondage and baking mix in a hilariously twisted revenge fantasy as her alter-ego "Mrs. Fifty" doles out the punishment her husband deserves and helps her discover that a woman's place isn't just in the kitchen. Directed by Daniel C. Walker.

In addition to the Super Season, Theatre NOVA will continue to produce its series of staged readings of new plays in the Michigan Playwrights Festival, children's theater performances, classes, workshops, and more.

Performances are on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm, with the exception of the Panto which will have a unique schedule of shows to accommodate families with school-age children. General admission tickets are $20 for plays and $25 for musicals, and Theatre NOVA continues its commitment to make theatre accessible by offering pay-what-you-can tickets for those who need them. Tickets, memberships and subscriptions may be purchased online at www.TheatreNOVA.org or by calling the box office at 734-635-8450. Tickets may also be purchased in person one hour prior to each performance. Seating in the theatre will begin 30 minutes prior to each performance. There is ample free parking. For more information, visit www.TheatreNOVA.org.

Theatre NOVA, Ann Arbor's only resident nonprofit professional theater company, is located at 410 W Huron St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Its mission is to raise awareness of the value and excitement of new plays and playwrights and to provide resources for playwrights to develop their craft by importing, exporting, and developing new work.

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