THE NIGHT ALIVE, 'BRIGHTER DISTANCE' Premiere, SEX WITH STRANGERS and More Set for City Theatre's 2015-16 Season

City Theatre Artistic Director Tracy Brigden has announced the full lineup for the 2015-2016 season, scheduled to kick-off October 10, 2015. City's 41st season features six exciting new works as well as one City Event special presentation. All six plays are Pittsburgh premieres, including one world premiere, and, continuing City's long tradition, over half of its season writers, directors, and designers are women artists.

"The six plays we are announcing today represent the best new work from these terrific contemporary storytellers who have a keen pulse on the world around us. They are immediate, important, smart, and entertaining," said Ms. Brigden. "They are captivating stories with gripping human moments, impassioned debate, and intriguing suspense - along with lots of humor and joy as well. Choosing a season is one of the most important duties of an Artistic Director; it's a responsibility I take seriously, but also with tremendous pride and anticipation. I cannot wait to share them with our patrons."

About the individual plays, Ms. Brigden made the following comments:

"We had great success with Conor McPherson's The Seafarer a few seasons ago, so I jumped at the opportunity to program The Night Alive and kick-off our 41st season with it on our Main Stage. It's a lyrical and riveting portrayal of a few down-and-out Dubliners. It has all that wonderful Irish sensibility-lots of laughs, startling events, and a dash of angst all bundled up in a gripping story with a lot of heart.

"Next, we'll be converting the Hamburg Studio into a gritty Brooklyn apartment with Sunset Baby-an edgy, sexy, absorbing drama by Dominique Morisseau -one of the most prolific and powerful emerging voices writing today. With Sunset Baby, she has created a character that is tough, smart, and on a mission to get her life in order, but the past just won't let her escape. I've been tracking Dominique's career for a while now and I cannot wait to produce her here at City. We're in for a real treat-her plays pack a punch.

"The absolutely intriguing historical drama Some Brighter Distance is in our third slot next season. This world premiere brings City Theatre favorite Keith Reddin back to work with us, and I'm thrilled that we get to present - for the very first time - this remarkable true story. Keith's new play is about 'Operation Paperclip' and examines America's involvement in recruiting German scientists to help win the Space Race during the Cold War. It's a mysterious, time-bending journey that's not to be missed.

"Despite its provocative title, Sex with Strangers is really a smart and funny take on human connection in the modern world. Laura Eason has given us a play about the art of writing with a unique and genuine voice in an era when it's hard to be heard above all the noise of society and technology. Our audiences are really going to enjoy this sexy romp through the digital age next March.

"One of the most exciting plays we're bringing to life next season is The Last Match. Imagine the high-speed, back and forth volley of a professional tennis match - that's this play! Anna Ziegler has given us a glimpse into the on- and off-court lives of two amazing athletes in very different stages of life and career. We get to witness both the intense competition of the game, as well as the emotional toll of a life played out in the spotlight.

"We'll end the season with a fantastic new solo show that's coming to Pittsburgh after huge success in London and New York. The Lion is the remarkable story of a young man and his family, told through music. This city is going to fall in love with Benjamin Scheuer, who is an absolute superstar-in-the-making. I'm delighted that he will be here to perform his musical memoir, and help end our season on a real high note. The Lion has a ton of heart, and I can't think of a better way celebrate what's sure to be an amazing year for City Theatre."

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CITY THEATRE 2015/2016 SEASON:

THE NIGHT ALIVE by Conor McPherson
Directed by Tracy Brigden
October 10 - November 1, 2015 (Main Stage)
Pittsburgh Premiere

Tommy has made a mess of things: he's living low in Dublin, just getting by on odd jobs, and doing his best to avoid his ex-wife and kids. But when he rescues a mysterious woman, an escape out of the squalor is possible-if only they can shake their checkered pasts. This award-winning play from the author of The Seafarer (City '09) ripples with humor and heart and wrestles with the complicated task of being human.

SUNSET BABY by Dominique Morisseau
Directed by Jade King Carroll
November 7 - December 13, 2015 (Hamburg Studio)
Pittsburgh Premiere

For Nina, it's easy to be hard. She's a smart and sexy hustler who has rejected everything her parents fought for in the black liberation movement. When her estranged father wants to reconcile-but then tries to run a hustle of his own-negotiating her past and present becomes a revolutionary act. From one of the most exciting young voices in the American theatre, this dynamic new play about fathers and daughters sears with wit and wisdom and the brutal politics of freedom.

SOME BRIGHTER DISTANCE by Keith Reddin
Directed by Tracy Brigden
January 23 - February 14, 2016 (Main Stage)
World Premiere

At the height of the Cold War, German rocket scientist Arthur Rudolph was instrumental in helping America win the Space Race. But when he is forced to confront his dark Nazi history, Rudolph and his wife are cast out of the country he has diligently served for nearly 40 years. Written by award-winning author and City Theatre favorite Keith Reddin (Human Error, The Missionary Position), this time-bending world premiere explores the untold (and true) story of "Operation Paperclip" and questions the cost of burying the past in pursuit of the future.

SEX WITH STRANGERS by Laura Eason
Directed by Jenn Thompson
March 12 - April 3, 2016 (Main Stage)
Pittsburgh premiere

When 40(ish) Olivia, a talented but unrecognized novelist, gets snowbound at a writers' retreat with 20-something Ethan, superstar sexcapade blogger and king of the Twitterverse, the chemistry is hot and the sex electric. But when each desires what the other has, and online and offline personas meet, how strong is the connection? This sensuous and provocative comedy about fame, cyber identity, and big ambitions asks: what would you do, and who would you become, to get what you want?

THE LAST MATCH by Anna Ziegler
Directed by Tracy Brigden
April 9 - May 15, 2016 (Hamburg Studio)
Pittsburgh premiere

Played out under the bright lights of the U.S. Open semifinals, The Last Match is a battle for the ages. Rising Russian star Sergei Sergeyev is pitted against American great Tim Porter in an epic showdown that follows two tennis titans through pivotal moments in their lives both on-and-off the court. Anna Ziegler's gripping, fast-paced story captures the intense world of competitive sports-and human rivalry-in the ultimate clash where only one champion will prevail.

THE LION written and performed by Benjamin Scheuer
Directed by Sean Daniels
May 14 - June 5, 2016 (Main Stage)
Pittsburgh premiere

In Pittsburgh after hit runs in London and New York ("The best musical I've seen this year!" - The Huffington Post), The Lion is a mesmerizing musical memoir that candidly illustrates one man's journey to find his inner roar. Through song and story, we follow musical sensation Benjamin Scheuer as he discovers that scars can fade into gifts, and that a family's love spans not only decades, but continents. This poignant coming-of-age tale gives us an authentic look at the redemptive power of music and proves some stories just have to be sung.

CITY EVENT
Limited engagement special presentation:

SISTER'S EASTER CATECHISM: WILL MY BUNNY GO TO HEAVEN?
By Maripat Donovan, featuring Kimberly Richards
February 17 - March 20, 2016 (Hamburg Studio)

The next installment of this wildly popular series makes its Pittsburgh DEBUT and invites you to celebrate the Easter Season with Sister as she answers the time-worn questions of the season like "Why isn't Easter the same day every year like Christmas?" and "Will My Bunny Go To Heaven?" Part pageant, and wHOLY hysterical, this latest of the sinfully funny Late Nite Catechism event unearths the origins of Easter... bunnies, eggs, bonnets, baskets, and, of course, those yummy Peeps. Classroom participation is a must, so don't forget to wear your Easter bonnet and join Sister for this seasonal treat!

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Season subscriptions are now available by phone or mail (purchase info below). Online subscription sales will begin on July 6, 2015. All subscribers save 25% or more.

Three Ways to Purchase:

On-site: City Theatre Box Office, 1300 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203

By phone: 412.431.CITY (2489)

Mail-in order form: Available at: CityTheatreCompany.org

Season Subscription Packages:

$162 (Tuesday 7:00pm; Wednesday 1:00pm or 7:00pm; Thursday 8:00pm)

$252 (Friday 8:00pm; Saturday 5:30pm)

$189 (Saturday 9:00pm; Sunday 2:00pm and 7:00pm)

Flex packages-choose your own schedule:

$216 (six Basic Flex vouchers, good for Tuesday through Thursday performances)

$276 (six Premium Flex vouchers, good for any performance, any day)

Single tickets for season plays range from $36 to $59 and go on sale September 8, 2015.

City Event (Sister's Easter Catechism: Will My Bunny Go to Heaven?) pre-sale tickets for subscribers are available by phone through July 2 at a discounted price of $45 each. Beginning July 6, tickets will be available to purchase at the regular $49 price.

Group sales for all 2015-2016 season productions also begin July 6. Please contact our Box Office Manager at 412.431.4400 x286 for pricing and details.

City Theatre is now in its 40th anniversary season which has one production remaining: Midsummer (A Play with Songs) by David Greig & Gordon McIntyre (May 9 - 31). Its "40th Birthday Bash" annual gala and silent auction is May 18 at the Heinz Field East Club Lounge. Located on Pittsburgh's historic South Side, City Theatre specializes in new plays, commissioning, and producing work by playwrights such as Daniel Beaty, Jessica Dickey, Christopher Durang, Michael Hollinger, Willy Holtzman, Tarell McCraney, and Madeleine George. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Tracy Brigden, Managing Director James McNeel, and a 35-member Board of Directors, City Theatre's mission is to provide an artistic home for the development and production of contemporary plays of substance and ideas that engage and challenge a diverse audience. For more information, visit CityTheatreCompany.org.

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