San Diego Rep Announces Season 44 - THE HUMANS, HOLD THESE TRUTHS, and More!

San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP) announced today the line-up for its 2019/2020 season at the Lyceum Theatre. For its 44th season, San Diego REP invites audiences to sing along to the top-40 hits made at Gold Star Recording Studios in the 1950s and 60s in the world premiere musical 33 1/3: House of Dreams by Jonathan Rosenberg and Brad Ross. Enjoy the om pa pa of Banda music from Mexico in Playwright-in-Residence Herbert Siguenza's new comedy Bad Hombres/Good Wives. Delve into powerful dramas with the tour-de-force solo performance of Hold These Truths by Jeanne Sakata and the 2016 Tony Award-winner for Best Play, The Humans by Stephan Karam. Get swept away in a mash-up of classical Indian music and contemporary hip-hop from India in the action-packed House of Joy by Madhuri Shekar; and relish in the genius of Hershey Felder, with A Paris Love Story, featuring the music of Claude Debussy. Season 44 tickets are currently available by subscription only and can be purchased by calling the box office at (619) 544-1000.

"We set our sights high for our current Season 43, which has been lauded as one of our best. Season 44 promises a new set of theatrical adventures in virtuosity, comedy, romance and history," said REP artistic director Sam Woodhouse. "Steeped in diversity, Season 44 will travel ambitiously through history. Three of our playwrights of color-Herbert Siguenza, Jeanne Sakata, and Madhuri Shekar-share stories of everyday heroes who are striving, reaching, even leaping towards freedom and justice. This is perhaps most emblematic of what makes a REP play unique."

Opening Season 44 is the debut production of 33 1/3: House of Dreams (August 1-25, 2019), which chronicles the success of Gold Star Recording Studios through the history of rock 'n' roll. Written by local San Diegans Jonathan Rosenberg and Brad Ross with contributions by Javier Velasco and Steve Gunderson, the production will also feature direction and choreography by Javier Velasco with musical direction and arrangements by Steve Gunderson. This production marks the sixth Xchange Xperience collaboration between San Diego REP and the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SDSCPA). 33 1/3: House of Dreams shares songs and stories from the recording studio with a young Phil Spector and his Wall of Sound, The Beach Boys, Sonny and Cher, Tina Turner, The Righteous Brothers, Ritchie Valens and many, many more.

What happens when you mix The Importance of Being Earnest, The School for Wives, and a Narco Telenovela? You get Bad Hombres/Good Wives (October 3-27, 2019), a hilarious new comedy from Culture Clash co-founder and REP Playwright-in-Residence Herbert Siguenza. Set in the heart of Sinaloa, Mexico, Sam Woodhouse directs this irreverent comedy where lust, love and war are in the air, with Banda band songs to sing along to.

The riveting drama Hold These Truths (November 14 - December 8, 2019) by Jeanne Sakata tells the inspiring true story of American hero Gordon Hirabayashi resisting Japanese internment during WWII. Directed by Jessica Kubzansky, The REP production will feature the tour-de-force solo performance by stage and screen actor Ryun Yu, who plays Gordon and 37 other characters.

In 2020, REP associate artistic director Todd Salovey will direct the 2016 Tony Award-winner for Best Play, The Humans (January 9 - February 2, 2020). In this intimate and homegrown production, playwright Stephen Karam (Sons of the Prophet, Speech & Debate) takes a fresh look at the hilarity and heart of the modern American family.

Inspired by the epic legends of Indian history, House of Joy (March 5 - 29, 2020) by Madhuri Shekar is a swashbuckling action-adventure romance centering on strong women who battle each other as well as a world threatening to enter their sacred space. Directed by Sam Woodhouse and Arpita Mukherjee, this wildly entertaining story of palace intrigue and betrayal features sword fights, narrow escapes, and sparks of revolution that culminates in a breathtaking conclusion.

After his record-breaking performance of Beethoven in Season 43, Hershey Felder will return to San Diego REP in Hershey Felder: A Paris Love Story (May 8 - June 7, 2020). Directed by Trevor Hay, piano virtuoso Hershey Felder shares his personal journey while also exploring the life and music of Impressionist composer Claude Debussy.

Season 44 Calendar: 33 1/3: HOUSE OF DREAMS (Aug 1-25, 2019); BAD HOMBRES/GOOD WIVES (Oct 3-27, 2019); HOLD THESE TRUTHS (Nov 14 - Dec 8, 2019); THE HUMANS (Jan 9 - Feb 2, 2020); HOUSE OF JOY (March 5 - 29, 2020); Hershey Felder: A PARIS LOVE STORY (May 8 - June 7, 2020).

Tickets to Season 44 are currently available by subscription only. For more information or to purchase a subscription, please call the box office at (619) 544-1000. Single tickets will be available May 15 at www.sdrep.org.

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