San Jose Rep 2008-09 Season incl. 'Spelling Bee' & 'Kite Runner'

San Jose Repertory Theatre's Artistic Director Timothy Near announced the Rep's 2008-2009 line-up, with five of the six plays of the season, which begins August 20, 2008 and runs through June 7, 2009.  The Rep has assembled an extraordinary season balanced with a bold mix of new and daring work, Tony award-winning entertainment and adventuresome fun for audiences of all ages.

2008-2009 SEASON LINE-UP

The Foreigner
by Larry Shue
August 30 - September 28, 2008
Opening Night September 5, 2008

Winner of two Obie Awards, Best New American Play and Best Off-Broadway Production, The Foreigner is an uproariously inspired comedy that celebrates our curiosity and empathy for "the outsider." Englishman Charlie Baker, self-proclaimed "world's dullest man," takes a vacation at a rural fishing lodge with his eccentric army buddy, Froggy LeSuer.  Froggy concocts an outrageous scheme to save Charlie from his pathologically shy self by introducing him as an exotic "foreigner" who can't speak English. It isn't long before Charlie's guileless persona backfires and the mix of good-hearted, slow-witted and devious lodge guests share their deepest secrets and most sinister plans.  What ensues is a series of hilarious and heartwarming revelations, which lead to the ultimate good guys vs. bad guys climax!

Splitting Infinity
by Jamie Pachino
October 11- November 9, 2008
Opening Night October 17, 2008

West Coast Premiere! In this smart and witty exploration of faith, science, love and ambition, Leigh Sangold, a Nobel prize-winning astrophysicist, takes on the definitive scientific challenge: to use physics to prove whether God exists. Leigh's pursuit of a renewed sense of purpose for her life threatens her closest relationships with Saul Lieberman, a tenderhearted Rabbi who's been in love with her since childhood, and her lover, a competitive post-doctoral student who is the son of a Christian Scientist.  Splitting Infinity tests the boundaries of relationships and zealous ambition. It seeks to answer the questions we have about ourselves, each other, and the universe through the scientific and religious equation.

Around the World in 80 Days
adapted by Mark Brown based on the novel by Jules Verne
November 22 - December 21, 2008
Opening Night November 28, 2008

Stampeding elephants! Raging typhoons! Runaway trains! Unabashedly high-spirited fun! This globe-trotting epic is the original "Amazing Race." Fearless adventurer Phileas Fogg has agreed to an outrageous wager that puts his life and fortune at risk.  With his loyal French manservant, Passepartout, by his side, Fogg sets off to circumnavigate the globe in a mere 80 days. To complicate matters, the bumbling, inept lawman, Detective Fix, has mistaken Fogg for a notorious bank robber and tenaciously dogs Fogg's footsteps around the globe.  The tension builds as danger, romance and hilarious surprises abound in this whirlwind adventure across seven continents.

The Kite Runner
novel by Khaled Hosseini
adapted for the stage by Matthew Spangler
March 21- April 19, 2009
Opening Night March 27, 2009

World Premiere! Adapted from the international best-seller, The Kite Runner is a haunting story of friendship and redemption in modern Afghanistan, from the pre-Russian-invasion glory days through the horrific reign of the Taliban. This eloquent tale is told through the lives of two boys growing up in Kabul in the same household, but in two starkly different worlds. Amir is the son of a wealthy yet emotionally distant businessman, while Hassan is the son of Amir's father's servant who is Hazara, a shunned ethnic minority.  Despite the vast gulf in social positions, the two grow up inseparable until Amir and his father flee the country during the Soviet invasion. Years later, an emotionally crippled Amir returns to Afghanistan to seek out his old friend and atone for his youthful cowardice.  But fate, global politics and historical tragedy threaten Amir's ability to make amends for his past.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Book by Rachel Sheinkin, Music and Lyrics by William Finn
May 9 – June 7, 2009
Opening Night May 15, 2009

Regional premiere! This Tony award-winning Broadway hit musical that recently closed on Broadway after nearly 1,200 performances celebrates the mania of competition as the funniest, most lovable and sardonically nerdy contestants compete for the Spelling Bee title.  Six wacky misfits with steely ambition strive to define themselves apart from their crazy families as they confront the pitfalls of puberty. The quirky mix of determined youngsters, including sheepish Leaf Coneybear, nasally challenged yet smug and confident William Barfee, and Olive Ostrovsky, a sweet, painfully shy girl whose absent mother is on a spiritual quest, discover themselves as they vie for selection in this witty and wise Broadway hit for the entire family!

Subscriptions are now available to renewing subscribers and reservations are being taken for new subscriptions.  Prices begin at $138.00 for a six play subscription. Discounted subscriptions for students, seniors and teachers are available. For subscription tickets, call 408.367.7255 or buy online at www.SJRep.com.

To post a comment, you must register and login.