33 VARIATIONS & More Set for Southern Rep's 2013-14 Mainstage Season

Southern Rep Theatre is pleased to announce a bold new Mainstage Season full of passion, politics, spirit, sex and satire. Four exceptionally vibrant productions will investigate the voices and histories of an eclectic cast of characters as they grapple with universal issues of love, truth, salvation and self. Featuring a Broadway play, an unforgettable classic, a world-premiere comedy, and the last masterwork of a Louisiana legend, this multifaceted Mainstage Season will challenge and delight audiences as it sheds new light on the colorful spectrum of the human experience.

"Our 27th Season offers such an invigorating mix of stories," said producing Artistic Director Aimée Hayes. "What I was especially drawn to were the many powerful roles for women this season: From the towering strength of Dr. Brandt in 33 VARIATIONS to THE TOTALITARIANS' Penelope Easter, the most unforgettable comic creation since Mama Rose (OK, or maybe Medea) to the romantic intelligence of PRIDE & PREJUDICE's Elizabeth Bennet contrasted with the spiritual purity of Hannah and the bawdy sexuality of Maxine in THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA. These characters will make for unforgettably entertaining evenings at the theatre!"

TO SUBSCRIBE ONLINE - visit www.SouthernRep.com or call the Box Office at (504) 522 - 6545.

2013-2014 MAINSTAGE SEASON

33 VARIATIONS - Tony Award Winner, Regional Premiere
September 11 - September 29
By Moisés Kaufman
Directed by Michael Cooper

Starring Maggie Eldred & Dane Rhodes with Liann Pattison, Mike Harkins, Jessie Terrebonne Thompson, Silas Cooper and Bob Edes, Jr.

In partnership with MESA Production Company, Southern Rep's 2013-2014 season opener is an elegant waltz between past and present, fact and speculation, a mother and daughter, and art and life.

One of classical music's enduring riddles is why Ludwig van Beethoven devoted four years of his diminishing life writing 33 variations, known as the Diabelli Variations (one of the greatest works ever composed for piano) based on a humble waltz. Two hundred years later, a modern-day music scholar is driven to solve the mystery even as her own health and relationship with her daughter crumbles. The result is an extraordinary American play - accompanied throughout by a live pianist performing the variations - about passion, parenthood, and the moments of beauty that can transform a life!

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE - Regional Premiere
October 23 - November 24
Adapted by Jon Jory
Co-Directed by Jeffrey Gunshol and Aimée Hayes

In celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Jane Austen novel of the same name, Southern Rep is thrilled to bring a new life to PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, the beloved story of Elizabeth, a strong-willed, independent woman and Mr. Darcy, a handsome man with a past that is more than meets the eye. Gossip, intrigue, and society snobbery are skewered in this fresh spin on a classic tale. Through wit, dance and music, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE is a playful romp about romance, morality, and the realization that sometimes, the only thing in the way of one's happiness is oneself.

THE TOTALITARIANS - World Premiere Comedy
January 8 - February 2
By Peter Sinn Nachtrieb
Directed by Kenneth Prestininzi

Starring Judith Hawking

Originally commissioned by the National New Play Network in partnership with Full Stage USA at New Dramatists, and made possible by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

In a world of dishonesty, spin and deliberate manipulation, what does it mean to take control of the political process? How can two people believe completely different truths about the same thing? No one is safe in the world premiere production of this ambitious, darkly satirical play that explores the prevalence of lying in our contemporary culture and finds the funny on the both sides of the aisle.

THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA
March 26 - April 20
By Tennessee Williams
Directed by: Phil Karnell

Starring Mike Harkins and Aimée Hayes

A disgraced Reverend seeking refuge in alcohol and carnality. A woman of extraordinary grace who nonetheless feels forlorn and abandoned. In THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA, troubled souls navigate faith, sex and sin in an attempt to save one another before they reach the end of their rope. On stage together for the first time since the award-winning A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, Mike Harkins and Aimée Hayes star in the famous confession drama considered to be Tennessee Williams' last great play.

Southern Rep Theatre enters its 27^th Season as the region's premiere professional theatre and continues to produce bold world and regional premieres under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director, Aimée Hayes. In addition to Southern Rep's ongoing commitment to new play development with exciting programs like the 6X6 Play Slam and its PlayLab, DEBAUCHERY, and our new play award for women of color playwrights, The Ruby Prize, the company's Mainstage work includes the best of Broadway, off-Broadway and classic plays. Southern Rep Theatre offers educational programs such as YO NOLA, free student matinees, $10 student rush tickets and Academy SRT; as well as providing an artistic home to new works in development in the annual NEW PLAY BACCHANAL.

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