LaChiusa's 'Giant' to Debut at Signature; plus 'Whistle,' 'Little Dog' & 'Inishmore'

Eric Schaeffer, Artistic Director of Signature Theatre, today announced the 2008-2009 season, which runs from August 26, 2008 through May 31, 2009 and features five productions as well as the special concert presentation of Anyone Can Whistle.  Mainstage season subscriptions are now on sale and range in price from $229 to $383. For more information call the Signature Box Office at (703) 820-9771or visit www.signature-theatre.org

SIGNATURE'S 2008-2009 SEASON

ACE
Broadway-Bound Premiere
A Musical Adventure
Book and Lyrics by Robert Taylor and Richard Oberacker
Music by Richard Oberacker
Directed by Eric Schaeffer

August 26 – September 28, 2008
In The MAX

Set in 1950s heartland America, Ace is the epic story of one boy's journey to come to terms with his past, find his place in the present, and unlock his future. When 10-year-old Danny Lucas receives a toy plane as an unexpected gift from his foster parents, a parallel world of dreamtime adventures begins to unfold. With an ace fighter as his guide, Danny is transported back in time — flying into the gathering storm over Europe during aerial dogfights of WWI and soaring with the daring Tiger squadrons of WWII in the skies above Southeast Asia. A Tale of triumph, transcendence, humor, and heart as seen through the prism of a child's eyes, Ace magically explores the heroic lives and unforeseen legacies of the men and women of our greatest generations.

THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE
By Martin McDonagh
Directed by Jeremy Skidmore
With John Lescault, Joe Isenberg, and Casie Platt
Washington Premiere

September 23 – November 9, 2008
In The ARK

On a lonely road on the island of Inishmore, someone killed an Irish Liberation Army enforcer's cat. Padraic may be a terrorist, but he loves that cat more than life itself, and someone is going to pay for kitty's execution…just as soon as Padraic returns from his stint of torture and chip-shop bombing in Northern Ireland. This witty, ironic, and wild look at the hypocrisy of violence escalates from mayhem to a hilarious surprise ending that leaves audiences gasping for breath.

THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED
By Douglas Carter Beane
Directed by Michael Baron
Two-time Helen Hayes Award winner Holly Twyford in
Washington Premiere

January 13 – March 1, 2009
In The ARK

Sure, we love the cinema for its great "auteurs," its glorious faces, and its daring images. But in this tabloid age where big stars go on Oprah and make such spectacles of themselves, what we really love is all that dish! The Little Dog Laughed follows the adventures of Mitchell Green, a movie star who could make it big if it weren't for one teensy-weensy problem— his hard-driving agent, Diane (Twyford), can't seem to keep him in the closet. Trying to help him navigate Hollywood's choppy waters, the devilish Diane is doing all she can to keep Mitchell away from the cute rent boy who's caught his eye…and the rent boy's girlfriend! (Wait....the rent boy has a girlfriend?) Will there be a happy ending when the final credits roll?

The American Musical Voices Project

PART ONE: Michael John LaChiusa

In 2006, Signature Theatre was the proud recipient of a remarkable one million dollar grant from The Shen Family Foundation. The money allowed Signature to launch the American Musical Voices Project, which will commission and develop three brand new musicals from three of the country's most exciting emerging composers: Michael John LaChiusa, Ricky Ian Gordon, and Joseph Thalken. Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer will oversee each composer's project and will direct a full production on Signature's stage in the coming seasons. As part of our 2008-2009 season, Signature is delighted to present the first American Musical Voices Project production, Giant, by acclaimed composer/lyricist Michael John LaChiusa.

GIANT
World Premiere
Music and Lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa
Book by Sybille Pearson
Based on the novel by Edna Ferber
Directed by Eric Schaeffer

April 28 – May 31, 2009

Adapted from the American classic by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edna Ferber (Showboat), Giant is a daring new musical, already acknowledged as one of the most promising contemporary theater debuts. Epic in vision and scope, swept with passion and violence, touched by humor and sorrow, Giant is the powerful story of a Texas rancher and his Virginia-born wife as they face increasing challenges in their marriage and family in an ever-changing American landscape. Two-time Tony Award nominee (Marie Christine, The Wild Party), LaChiusa is the first recipient of the American Musical Voices Project Award to present a new work on Signature's stage. Giant is the recipient of The Kennedy Center's Fund for New American Plays.

SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE
Washington Premiere
Words and Music by Michael John LaChiusa
Based on short stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa
As translated by Takashi Kojima
Directed by Matthew Gardiner

April 7 – May 24, 2009
In The ARK

See What I Wanna See, a musical about lust, greed, murder, faith, and redemption, was named one of the Best Musicals of 2005 by New York Magazine. Nominated for nine Drama Desk Awards, including Best Musical, the show is based on three short stories that unfold like a Japanese screen painting. In Kesa and Morito, set in medieval Japan, two lovers sing of the ecstasy and torment of their affair. R Shomon, set in 1951 New York City, follows the investigation of a crime of passion and the witnesses' contradicting versions of the event. Gloryday, set in present day New York, presents a priest during a crisis of faith after a terrible tragedy strikes the city. See What I Wanna See asks the question, "what is truth?" You'll be amazed by the kaleidoscope of answers.

ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Sondheim. Signature's Signature.
 Second Annual Great American Musicals Concert
ANYONE CAN WHISTLE
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Arthur Laurents
Directed by Eric Schaeffer

October 6, 2008
Performed at Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center

Wacky, intelligent, and highly unconventional, Anyone Can Whistle has become a legendary cult classic. An absurdist fantasy-cum-political satire, the musical tells the story of a corrupt mayoress who fakes a miracle to revitalize her bankrupt town, the rational nurse who's determined to expose the fraud, and the easy going doctor who intends to sit back and enjoy the chaos. With its poignant message about the role of the individual in conformist society, and its still-relevant barbs aimed at government, religion, and science, Anyone Can Whistle is a command performance for any Sondheimaniac.

An extension of Signature's commitment to musical theater, the Cabaret series provides a distinct entertainment experience. Presented in Signature's style with cabaret-table seating, drinks, and food from our full-service bar, the Cabaret series creates a lively night-club atmosphere. Join the brightest artists from Washington and New York for special evenings of popular show tunes, jazz numbers, and ballads intertwined with spirited storytelling and live accompaniment.

THE LOST SONGS OF BROADWAY 1940 – 1950
September 3 – 6, 2008
In The ARK

Like this season's sold-out Cabaret opener, we'll once again highlight The Lost Songs of Broadway with a varied collection of terrific tunes from lesser-known shows that are still deserving of center-stage attention. This season we'll focus the attention on shows from the 1940s-1950s and bring to your attention some of Broadway's best but lost music.

DECEMBER DIVAS II
December 17 – 20, 2008
In The ARK

Missed out on this season's holiday hit? Now you'll have a second chance to celebrate the season with a newly crafted December Divas cabaret. Join these DC Divas for a delightful evening of holiday classics and humor.

LaCHIUSA'S LADIES
March 18-21, 2009
In The ARK

Audiences will be treated to a special evening of composer Michael John La Chiusa's songs written from the perspective of some of musical theater's most interesting, complex women. And boy, does LaChiusa know how to write a sure-fire hit song! It's a Cabaret evening you won't want to miss. Part of the American Musical Voices Project: Part One – Michael John LaChiusa.

PARTIAL ECLIPSE
June 10 – 13, 2009
In The MAX

Delve into the musical world of Nevermore composer and Signature favorite Matt Conner. Conner's world premiere song cycle reveals the want of love and the never-ending search to find that perfect partner.

The 2008-2009 Signature season kicks off on August 2 with our annual FREE Open House. Come enjoy performances and classes followed by a Grand Finale Broadway-style Concert on the Plaza. It's a perfect event for the whole family!

Signature Theatre is just 10 minutes from downtown Washington, DC in Arlington's Shirlington Village.  The new theater complex is located at 4200 Campbell Avenue (22206), just off I-395 at the Shirlington exit.  For directions visit www.signature-theatre.org. Free parking is available in the adjacent public garage.

Michael John LaChiusa