Two River Theater Announces Fall Schedule

Two River Theater Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces new information about its fall schedule for the 2012-13 Season. The eight-play season will begin in September with Suzan-Lori Parks directing her own play Topdog/Underdog on the 10th anniversary of its winning the Pulitzer Prize. The fall lineup will also include Ethan Lipton’s Obie Award-winning No Place to Go, directed by Leigh Silverman; Shakespeare’s Henry V, directed by Michael Sexton; and a world-premiere musical, A Wind in the Willows Christmas, which has been developed at the theater and will debut in December, written by composer Mike Reid, lyricist Sarah Schlesinger, and bookwriter Mindi Dickstein, under the direction of Amanda Dehnert.

TOPDOG/UNDERDOG
Written and Directed by Suzan-Lori Parks
September 8-30, 2012
Opening: Friday, September 14, 2012
Rechnitz Theater

Topdog/Underdog is one of the most powerful dramas of our time, acclaimed for its taut theatricality and surprising humor. In 2002, the play was honored with the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and Suzan-Lori Parks made history as the first African-American woman to receive the award. To launch Two River’s season she will, for the first time, direct a production of this darkly comic tale of two brothers, Lincoln and Booth—names given to them as a joke by their father. Obsessed with a street con game, three-card monte, the brothers are haunted by their own pasts—and our country’s history. Two River’s production will star brothers Brandon J. Dirden and Jason Dirden as Lincoln and Booth. Topdog/Underdog contains adult language and content and is recommended for mature audiences.

NO PLACE TO GO
Written by Ethan Lipton
Music Composed and Performed by Ethan Lipton & His Orchestra
Directed by Leigh Silverman
October 6-November 4, 2012
Opening: Friday, October 19, 2012
Marion Huber Theater

The corporation where he’s worked for the past 10 years is moving to another planet, and Ethan Lipton doesn’t want to go. Commissioned and originally produced by Joe’s Pub, No Place to Go is Lipton’s irreverent, deeply compassionate musical ode to America’s work force—and a love letter to friends, family, and country. Ethan Lipton & His Orchestra received a 2012 Obie Award for No Place to Go, which will be performed with cabaret-style seating in Two River’s Marion Huber Theater, directed by Obie-winner Leigh Silverman.

HENRY V
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Michael Sexton
October 20-November 11, 2012
Opening: Friday, October 26, 2012
Rechnitz Theater

Having inherited the throne, Henry must live down his wild adolescent past and unite his people in Shakespeare’s epic tale of leadership and ambition. Youthful and vigorous, Henry commits his troops to war—and must then examine the cost of glory as he moves among friends and enemies, noblemen and ordinary soldiers alike. Brimming with intrigue, battles, comedy, and romance, Henry V will feature a 14-actor ensemble under the direction of Michael Sexton, the Artistic Director of The Shakespeare Society in New York.

WORLD-PREMIERE MUSICAL
A WIND IN THE WILLOWS CHRISTMAS
Based on the Novel by Kenneth Grahame
Music by Mike Reid Lyrics by Sarah Schlesinger Book by Mindi Dickstein
Directed by Amanda Dehnert
December 8-30, 2012
Opening: Saturday, December 15, 2012
Rechnitz Theater

Continuing its tradition of engaging audiences of all ages during the holiday season, Two River has commissioned and will premiere A Wind in the Willows Christmas. Based on the children’s classic, this new musical will follow the adventures of Mole, the Water Rat, Dr. Badger, and Mr. Toad. The theater will also offer its county-wide “One Book, One Community” series, interactive activities, and special events throughout the run. A Wind in the Willows Christmas is the fifth collaboration between Grammy-winner Mike Reid and Sarah Schlesinger; their musical In This House had its world premiere at Two River last season. Mindi Dickstein wrote the lyrics for the Broadway musical Little Women. Amanda Dehnert has been nationally acclaimed for reimagining classic musicals including My Fair Lady and Annie.

Two River Theater’s season will continue in the spring with Noël Coward’s Present Laughter, starring Michael Cumpsty; The Electric Baby by Stefanie Zadravec, directed by May Adrales; 2.5 Minute Ride, written by and starring Lisa Kron, directed by Mark Brokaw; and August Wilson’s Two Trains Running, directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson.

Plays, artists, and dates are subject to change.

Ticket Information

New this season, Two River has introduced a limited number of $20 tickets for every performance throughout the season, with no restrictions on when or by whom the tickets can be purchased. Patrons are encouraged to buy early in order to take advantage of this price point. Patrons 30 and under can purchase $24 tickets for every performance, with no restrictions on seating.

Other tickets for all productions except A Wind in the Willows Christmas start at $37 to $65, with discounts available for groups.

Tickets for A Wind in the Willows Christmas are $25 for children and $50-$55 for adults. Through July 31, patrons can purchase four tickets to A Wind in the Willows Christmas for a discounted package cost of $120.

Season ticket packages (ranging from three to seven productions) are also available; prices range from $88.80 to $318.50.

All tickets are available from www.trtc.org or 732.345.1400. Prices are subject to change.

Two River Theater Company is supported in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division within the Department of State and a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, The Hickory Foundation, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, The Stone Foundation of New Jersey, Monmouth University, Durso Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, OceanFirst Foundation, Springpoint Senior Living Foundation, and many other generous foundations, corporations and businesses.