San Diego Repertory Theatre Announces its 2017-18 Season

San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP) Artistic Director Sam Woodhouse and Managing Director Larry Alldredge has just announced their 2017-18 season. The six productions in San Diego REP's Lyceum Stage and Lyceum Space theatres include "EVITA," the well-loved hit from musical theatre legends Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, directed by Sam Woodhouse; the powerful new drama "Roz & Ray" by Karen Hartman and directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg; the San Diego premiere of the Tony-nominated comedy "Hand to God" by Robert Askins, directed by Woodhouse; the soulful play with music "Black Pearl Sings!" by Frank Higgins, directed by Thomas W. Jones II; "Vietgone," the contemporary hit by Qui Nguyen; and the world premiere of "Beachtown," a brand new immersive play by REP Playwright-in-Residence Herbert Siguenza ("Manifest Destinitis," "A Weekend with Pablo Picasso") with Rachel Grossman, directed by Woodhouse.

Explains Woodhouse: "More than ever before, the Lyceum is ready to serve as San Diego's Cultural Town Hall. San Diego REP at the Lyceum welcomes all of the diverse people of San Diego to a safe and open conversation about who we are and what we hold dear. Season 42 at The REP is a bold collection of six provocative entertainments featuring characters taking giant steps towards respect, understanding, trust, forgiveness, acceptance, community, partnership and freedom. And always towards lots and lots of love. Season 42 is our quest towards defining who we are, discovering what we hold most dear and celebrating the journey we are taking together."

To renew or purchase a new subscription, please call the box office at (619) 544-1000 (Monday-Sunday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.); for more information visit www.sdrep.org.

The season will open with "EVITA" (August 3-27, 2017), one of the most celebrated musicals of all time from the legendary songwriting team of such favorites as "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Tim Rice. This new production of the well-loved musical will be directed by San Diego REP Artistic Director Sam Woodhouse and choreographed by Javier Velasco, in collaboration with the San Diego School for Creative and Performing Arts through The REP's Xchange Xperience, on the Lyceum Stage.

"Roz & Ray" (Sep. 7 - Oct. 1, 2017), by Karen Hartman, follows next in the Lyceum Space theatre, directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg (The REP's "My Mañana Comes," "Sex with Strangers"). Set in San Diego, this time bending story sheds a light on a little-known, tragic chapter in medical and queer history. Called "exceptionally powerful, complex and moving" by "The Chicago Tribune," Hartman's play offers a profound story of love, trust, sacrifice and healing.

"Hand to God" (Oct. 19 - Nov. 12, 2017) by Robert Askins is currently the most produced play in America. Sam Woodhouse directs this darkly delightful comedy that received its world premiere at Ensemble Studio Theatre in New York and since then has had audiences in stitches all across the country. Featuring the least family friendly puppet ever seen, this comedy is like "Sesame Street" meets "The Exorcist." "Hand to God" will play on the Lyceum Stage.

"Black Pearl Sings!" (Nov. 23 - Dec. 17, 2017), written by Frank Higgins and directed by Thomas W. Jones II, will be bringing some of the greatest folk and spiritual songs to San Diego audiences. Two strong women strike up an unlikely friendship that balances between race and power, heritage and privilege. Featuring over 20 Folk and Spiritual songs, Higgins's play is a transcendent tale about the bridges that can be built through the power of song. "Black Pearl Sings!" will play in the Lyceum Space.

"Vietgone" (Jan. 25 - Feb. 18, 2018), written by Qui Nguyen, is a love story like no other. This sexy comedy offers a mash-up of comic book aesthetics, martial arts and hip-hop, all while recounting a family's real history of fleeing Vietnam and immigrating to America. "Vietgone" was called a "high energy triumph" by "The Guardian." This new American love story will play in the Lyceum Space.

Closing out The REP's 42nd season will be the world premiere play, "Beachtown" (March 22 - April 15, 2018). Directed by Sam Woodhouse, REP Playwright-in-Residence Herbert Siguenza and Beachtown Mayor Steve Novak invite you to be a part of democracy in action. It's the 100th Anniversary of Beachtown's Time Capsule Celebration, so come ready to discuss and debate issues related to who we are and who we want to be. A completely immersive experience, Beachtown will be holding its town hall meetings in the Lyceum Space.

About San Diego Repertory Theatre

San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP) produces intimate, exotic, provocative theatre. Founded in 1976, San Diego Repertory Theatre is downtown San Diego's resident theatre, promoting a more inclusive community through work that nourishes progressive political and social values and celebrate the multiple voices of our region. The company produces and hosts over 550 events and performances year-round on its three stages at the Lyceum Theatre. Since moving to the Lyceum, The REP has produced 45 main stage productions by Latino playwrights, and more than 40 world premieres. The company has received more than 200 awards for artistic excellence from the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle, Patté Theatre Awards, NAACP, BackStage West, Dramalogue and StageSceneLA. In 2005, the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle presented The REP with the Craig Noel Award "For 30 Years of Artistic Dedication to Downtown and Diversity." San Diego Repertory Theatre feeds the curious soul. To learn more about San Diego Repertory Theatre, to purchase tickets, or make a donation, visit www.sdrep.org. Join us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/sandiegoREP) and follow us on Twitter (@SanDiegoREP).

About San Diego REP's 2017/2018 Season

"EVITA"

Aug. 3 - 27, 2017 (Opening Night, Aug. 9)

International Hit Musical

Lyrics by Sir Tim Rice

Music by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber

Directed by Sam Woodhouse

Presented in association with San Diego School for the Creative and Performing Arts

Eva Peron's ambition and charisma made her a starlet at 22, the President's mistress at 24, First Lady Eva at 27 and dead at 33. Saint to the working-class, reviled by the aristocracy and mistrusted by the military, she left a fascinating political legacy unique in the 20th century. Adored by her people as a champion for the poor, she became one of the most powerful women in the world. Eva's unforgettable story is told in one of the most celebrated musicals of all time. With more than 20 major awards to its credit, "EVITA" features a Latin rock/jazz/pop score with some of the most beloved songs in musical theatre history, including "On this Night of a Thousand Stars," "Another Suitcase in Another Hall" and "Don't Cry For Me Argentina."

"Roz & Ray"

Sep. 7 - Oct. 1, 2017 (Opening Night, Sep. 13)

Powerful New Drama

By Karen Hartman

Directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg

Ray is a devoted single parent with one goal: keep his twin hemophiliac sons alive. In 1976, this means endless hospital visits, rigorous testing and frequent blood transfusions. Then Ray meets Roz-a brilliant doctor who offers a cutting-edge treatment for his boys-and everything clicks. Until they both discover the miracle treatment may lead to very dangerous results.

Set in San Diego, this gripping, time-bending story, sheds light on a little known chapter in medical history during the onset of the AIDS crisis. While navigating through the complexities of the medical establishment, "Roz and Ray" tells a profound story of love, trust and sacrifice that grapples with the messy process of healing the human heart.

"Hand to God"

Oct. 19 - Nov. 12, 2017 (Opening Night, Oct. 25)

National Hit Comedy

By Robert Askins

Directed by Sam Woodhouse

Something devilish is lurking in a church basement puppet show in Cypress, Texas. And his name is...Tyrone. He may look like an innocent sock puppet, but when he infiltrates the angst-ridden church youth group and takes possession of Jason's arm, all hell breaks loose. Spectacularly foul-mouthed and wickedly scandalous, Tyrone shocks the congregation with his outrageous insinuations, exposing their deepest secrets-and teaching us all about love, grief and what it means to be human. A smash success on Broadway and in London, this darkly delightful and wildly funny comedy is the most produced play in America!

"Black Pearl Sings!"

Nov. 22 - Dec. 17, 2017 (Opening Night, Nov. 28)

Soulful Play with Music

By Frank Higgins

Directed by Thomas W. Jones II

Alberta "Pearl" Johnson has inherited from her African and American ancestors a soulful collection of rare folk songs. Stuck behind bars in a Texas prison for murder, her music is her lifeline to her family and future. Enter Susannah, an ambitious collector of songs for the Library of Congress. To advance her career, Susannah wants to record Pearl singing her extraordinary repertoire. Pearl sees Susannah as a possible escort to freedom. Their story is one of two women tied deeply together by their personal search for respect and love. Featuring over 20 distinctive songs, "Black Pearl Sings!" is a transcendent tale about the bridges that can be built through the power of song.

"Vietgone"

Jan. 25 - Feb. 18, 2018 (Opening Night, Jan. 31)

Contemporary Hit

By Qui Nguyen

This is the story of how Quang meets Tong, how they flee from Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War, fall in love in a refugee camp in Arkansas, take a life changing road trip across 1970's America and eventually give birth to a playwright named Qui Nguyen (who happens to have written this play). This love story is like no other. Told through the eyes of a very contemporary young American who loves pop culture, this sexy comedy is a mash-up of comic books, hip-hop, martial arts and Hollywood action movies. Acclaimed as one of the most innovative playwrights in the country, author Nguyen embraces two cultures and two time periods using a uniquely infectious style that "The New York Times" calls "culturally savvy comedy."

"Beachtown"

Mar. 22 - Apr. 15, 2018 (Opening Night, Mar. 28)

World Premiere

By Herbert Siguenza with Rachel Grossman

Directed by Sam Woodhouse

Mayor Steve Novak invites you, as a citizen of Beachtown, to be part of democracy in action. Bring a dessert for the potluck and join your neighbors for the 100th Anniversary of Beachtown's Time Capsule Celebration. We will unlock our city's time capsule to reveal the priceless artifacts inside the capsule that represent the values and history that we hold most dear in Beachtown. New artifacts competing for a place in the time capsule will be presented, debated and voted on by all. As the Mayor noted at a recent press conference: "The 100th Anniversary Celebration is about breaking down the barriers that divide us and discovering our shared dreams for the future of Beachtown. We need the help of each and every Beachtonian in attendance to help define our ever-evolving community. Come ready to voice your opinion, debate vigorously, and vote proudly."

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