Miller, Kron, Kaufman Part of 2007/8 Arena Stage Season

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith recently announced the lineup for the Arena Stage's 57th theater season, her 10th as Artistic Director. Included in the 2007/2008 season are three world premieres from renowned American writers, two regional premieres, and a celebration of Arthur Miller.

"There is a powerful thematic resonance in this expansive season," comments Smith in the press release. "As Arena reaches out to our own future, as expressed in our plans for a new building, it is appropriate that next season's productions contain elaborate explorations of aspirations and dreams. I am thrilled to be producing three world premieres, The Arthur Miller Festival and our new Arena Presents - this season is a theater lover's dream come true."

The season kicks off in the Kreeger with a world premiere by Moisés Kaufman (The Laramie Project), under the working title 33 Variations. The show, nominated for a 2006 Tony, follows one woman's artistic exploration into Beethoven's inexplicable obsession with Anton Diabelli's simple waltz.

The second production in the Kreeger is also the season's second world premiere and first musical, The Women of Brewster Place. Directed by Molly Smith and based on Gloria Naylor's critically acclaimed novel, Tim Acito's musical adaptation delves into the personal relationships, hopes and desires of a group of African-American women who persevere in the face of life's disappointments. The third world premiere is in the Fichandler: Christmas Carol 1941, a fresh take on Dickens' classic tale by James Magruder that transposes the story from Victorian London to Washington D.C. on the heels of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Tony Award-nominee Tina Fabrique (Arena's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and Crowns) will take on the title role in Ella, a musical in the Kreeger about the life, times and music of the First Lady of Song, Ella Fitzgerald.

For the season's final two Fichandler productions, Arena Stage will see a tribute to one of America's best-loved playwrights, Arthur Miller. Featuring the same acting company, Fichandler will run two of Millwe'a most acclaimed plays, A View from the Bridge (directed by Daniel Aukin) and Death of a Salesman (directed by Timothy Boyd). The festival will also feature Monday evening readings, screenings and lectures exploring Miller's other work.

The 2007/2008 season ends in the Kreeger with the high-camp hijinks of Charles Ludlam's outrageous gothic comedy The Mystery of Irma Vep, co-starring Brad Oscar and J. Fred Shiffman and directed by Rebecca Bayla Taichman.

Arena adds two special attractions to its 8-play season. The first production, Daniel Beaty's one-man show Emergence-SEE!, returns this summer for an encore presentation, having captivated Arena audiences with three sold-out performances in February 2007. By special arrangement, Beaty's July 9 performance kicks off the return of The Hip Hop Theater Festival in D.C. In the spring of 2008, the outrageous musical revue Kiki & Herb: Alive on Broadway, co-created and performed by Justin Bond and Kenny Mellman, makes its D.C. debut in the Kreeger Theater.

Preview the 2007/08 season Monday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m. Join Smith as she presents an evening of scenes from Arena's new season. These staged readings will be performed by Arena's Affiliated Artists and local actors. This event is free to the general public; however, reservations are requested. General public may reserve seats by calling the Arena Stage Sales Office at (202) 488-3300.

Visit www.arenastage.org for more information.

Arena Stage's 2007/2008 Season follows:

33 Variations - world premiere
Co-production with Tectonic Theater Project
Written and directed by Moisés Kaufman
August 24 through September 30, 2007 in the Kreeger

Well - regional premiere
By Lisa Kron
September 14 through October 14, 2007 in the Fichandler

The Women of Brewster Place - world premiere musical
Co-production with Alliance Theater
Music, lyrics and book by Tim Acito
Based on the novel by Gloria Naylor
Directed by Molly Smith
October 19 through December 9, 2007 in the Kreeger

Christmas Carol 1941 - world premiere holiday event
Adapted from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol
By James Magruder
Directed by Molly Smith
November 16 through December 30, 2007 in the Fichandler

Ella - musical/regional premiere
Book by Jeffery Hatcher
Conceived by Rob Ruggiero & Dyke Garrison
Based on an original play by Dyke Garrison
Musical direction & arrangements by Danny Holgate
December 28, 2007 - February 24, 2008 in the Kreeger

Death of a Salesman - The Arthur Miller Festival
By Arthur Miller
Directed by Timothy Bond
Running in repertory with A View from the Bridge
March 14 through May 18, 2008 in the Fichandler

A View from the Bridge - The Arthur Miller Festival
By Arthur Miller
Directed by Daniel Aukin
Running in repertory with Death of a Salesman
March 14 through May 18, 2008 in the Fichandler

The Mystery of Irma Vep - outrageous comedy
By Charles Ludlam
Directed by Rebecca Bayla Taichman
May 2 through June 8, 2008 in the Kreeger

In addition, Arena Presents...

Emergence-SEE! - back by popular demand
Written and performed by Daniel Beaty
Directed by Kenny Leon
July 5 through July 22, 2007 in the Kreeger

Kiki & Herb: Alive on Broadway - musical revue
Created and executed by Justin Bond and Kenny Mellman
March 7 through April 13, 2008 in the Kreeger
 

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