THE CURIOUS SAVAGE to Open at City Theatre Austin

City Theatre Austin will continue the 2026 fall theatre season with John Patrick's celebrated comedy The Curious Savage. Directed by Payton Trahan with show dates November 6 – 22 at Genesis Creative Collective.

“People say I love you all the time — when they say, 'Take an umbrella, it's raining,' or 'Hurry back,' or even 'Watch out,” you'll break your neck!' There are hundreds of ways of saying it. You just have to listen for it, my dear.”– Ethel Savage

When Ethel Savage's late husband leaves her a small fortune, she creates a fund to support dreamers with whimsical ambitions. But her three greedy stepchildren commit her to a mental institution, hoping to bring her to her senses. At the sanitarium, a warm and welcoming place called The Cloisters, Ethel befriends the other “guests,” a colorful group of kind, generous, and delusional souls, while her stepchildren search for her fortune. With warmth, humor, and dignity, John Patrick's masterful comedy celebrates those often overlooked and reminds us of the power of kindness, affection, and empathy in a world where too often it is overlooked.

The Playwright and Cast. Renowned American playwright John Patrick is celebrated for his prolific contributions to theatre, film, and radio. Throughout his career, he wrote fifty plays, thirty screenplays, and over a thousand radio plays, and is praised for his warm-hearted comedies with sharp wit, well-drawn characters, skillful storytelling, and a compassionate perspective on humanity. His notable plays include The Hasty Heart, The Willow and I, The Curious Savage, and his most successful work, The Teahouse of the August Moon, which received the Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award for Best Play. The production is under the direction of guest director Payton Trahan (City Theatre's Tartuffe, Picnic, and Dancing at Lughnasa). The production features the cast of Kristen Fern Johnson, Darren Scharf, Shanaya Dixon, Graham Childers, Marc Carlson, Emily-Ann Patterson, Leland Miles, Sara Barber, Chris Cook, Savannah Martinez, and Regina Grimes.

THE CURIOUS SAVAGE by John Patrick

• November 6 - 22. Thursday – Saturday 8:00 pm. Sunday 3:00 pm.
• Genesis Creative Collective. 1507 Wilshire Blvd. Austin, TX 78722
• General Seating $20-25. Center Reserved $30-35. Group, senior, and student discounts.
• TIX: citytheatreaustin.org Info: 512-470-1100 or info@citytheatreaustin.org