MET Sets 2015-16 Mainstage Season: 'TWO GUVNORS,' TRIBES & More

Maryland Ensemble Theatre has announced its 2015-2016 Mainstage season. MET's 18th Mainstage season will run from September of 2015 through June of 2016 and will feature a cheeky English comedy, an original twist on a horror classic, a traditional holiday musical, and contemporary crowd pleasers. Two of this season's shows feature original works, including a World Premiere musical. MET Artistic Director Tad Janes is thrilled to share this incredible collection of plays with MET audiences, "At MET, we really want to bring a diverse season of exciting works to our community, and I believe the 2015-2016 season positions itself to become one of the most interesting and challenging seasons we have ever produced."

The season will open in September with the Maryland premiere of the award-winning comedy "One Man, Two Guvnors" by Richard Bean. The play, which premiered in London in 2011, is an English adaptation of "Servant of Two Masters", a 1743 Commedia dell'arte style comedy by the Venetian playwright Carlo Goldoni. Set in Brighton in 1963, this show presents slapstick humor at its finest, with actors falling down stairs, slamming doors, making double entendres and interacting with the audience. Tad Janes will direct this play that The Daily Mail called, "The funniest show on the planet."

Next up on the Mainstage is the World Premiere of Maryland Ensemble Theatre's originally devised "Frankenstein", based on the book by Mary Shelley. Julie Herber, Associate Artistic Director of the MET, will direct this chilling and classic tale of a mad scientist's experiment gone wrong.

The MET then transitions from horror to heart-warming with the classic Christmas tale, "The Gifts of the Magi". Based on the short story by O. Henry, with music by Randy Courts and lyrics by Mark St. Germain and Randy Courts, this sentimental story focuses on a young married couple, who in their efforts to buy Christmas gifts for each other, discover the true meaning of the holiday. Called, "A bright and beguiling musical," by the New York Tribune, it will be directed by REP Stage co-Artistic Director Suzanne Beal.

In February of 2016 Maryland Ensemble Theater will present the Drama Desk Award Winner for Outstanding Play, "Tribes". Written by Nina Raine, the story focuses on a comically dysfunctional Jewish family. The family's youngest son, Billy, is deaf but was raised to read lips and to speak. His life is changed when he meets a hearing woman who is slowly going deaf herself. She begins teaching him how to sign and also instructs him on the importance of language, beliefs, and the hierarchies of the deaf community. Co-founder of the Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble and recipient of the United States Artist Fellow Award, Gerard Stropnicky, will return to MET to direct following his work on last season's, "The Arsonists".

In April, MET Artistic Director Tad Janes will direct the World Premiere of Maryland Ensemble Theater's "Oedipus Rox". Although based on the tragedy by Sophocles, "Oedipus Rox" is more than just the tragic story of a famous King. The play goes beneath the surface and explores Oedipus the man and the decisions he makes that lead to his demise. It is both heartwarming and raunchy. We watch Oedipus do everything he can to save the two things he loves the most; his family and his city. However, in saving one he will destroy the other. The musical features a script by MET Company Member Sarah Shulman, original music by MET Company Member Thom Huenger, and lyrics by Sarah Shulman and Thom Huenger. Shulman and Huenger previously collaborated on the award-winning play "The Young Olympians", which premiered at Maryland Ensemble Theater in 2012.

The final show in Maryland Ensemble Theatre's upcoming season is "Superior Donuts", a comedy-drama that follows two men whose stories overlap to produce a thrilling outcome. Although Arthur and Franco come from very different walks of life, both men come to realize that they must face their pasts and come to terms with the memories that haunt them. Along with a strong sense of nostalgia, this play features an elegant blend of laughs and emotion that will be sure to please theatergoers. The play was written by Tracy Letts, Pulitzer Prize winning playwright of "Killer Joe", which was produced by MET to great acclaim in 2008. "Superior Donuts" will open in late May with Gené Fouché, MET Associate Artistic Director, directing.

All shows will run for sixteen performances over four weeks except "The Gifts of the Magi" which will run for five weeks due to the holidays. Shows will run every Thursday through Sunday at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, located at 31 W Patrick Street in downtown Frederick's historic FSK Hotel. The first Thursday performance of each show will be a $5 preview night.

Maryland Ensemble Theater's 18th Mainstage season is made possible in part through the support of MET's season sponsors including Comcast, The Frederick Gorilla, Key 103, Eagle 106.9, Ausherman Family Trust, Maryland Oral Surgery Associates, The Frederick News Post, Frederick Magazine and both the Frederick and Maryland Arts Councils.

In addition to the Mainstage season, Maryland Ensemble Theatre's family theatre, The Fun Company, will be producing a full season of theater for all ages in addition to the artist residency programs for public schools and the summer Fun Camp. The MET will also be offering two semesters of classes through The Ensemble School and exciting new work through its MET-X productions. The Comedy Pigs return to build on their twenty-one years as one of the region's best sketch and improv troupes. A Christmas Carol will also be returning to Weinberg Center for the Arts and Carroll County Arts Center for another year in what has become a downtown holiday tradition. For more information on the MET's upcoming season you can visit marylandensemble.org or call 301-694-4744.

2015-2016 MAINSTAGE SEASON

One Man, Two Guvnors
By Richard Bean
Directed by Tad Janes
September 11 - October 4
Thursday - Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 3pm.

Frankenstein
Maryland Ensemble Theater Originally Devised Adaptation
Directed by Julie Herber
October 23 - November 15
Thursday - Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 3pm.

The Gifts of the Magi
Written by O. Henry
Music by Randy Courts
Lyrics by Mark St. Germain and Randy Courts
Directed by Suzanne Beal
December 4 - January 3 except December 24, 25, and January 1
Thursday - Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 3pm.

Tribes
By Nina Raine
Directed by Gerard Stropnicky
February 12 - March 6
Thursday - Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 3pm.

Oedipus Rox
Script by Sarah Shulman
Music by Thom Huenger
Lyrics by Thom Huenger and Sarah Shulman
Directed by Tad Janes
April 8 - May 1
Thursday - Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 3pm.

Superior Donuts
By Tracy Letts
Directed by Gené Fouché
May 20 - June 12
Thursday - Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 3pm.

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