Madison Lyric Stage Announces 2018 Season

Madison Lyric Stage, an award-winning, professional theater company serving the Connecticut Shoreline, announced that its 2018 mainstage season will include the religious thriller Agnes of God in April, the Stephen Sondheim/George Furth musical comedy Company in July, and the Benjamin Britten suspense opera The Turn of the Screw in October. For the first time, the company will produce, in May, a young artist production of the Stephen Schwartz musical Godspell.

Madison Lyric Stage also announced a new partnership with the Deacon John Grave House in the Madison historic district, and will present two of its productions, Company and The Turn of the Screw, under a big-top tent on the grounds of the historic home. The company's first two shows, Agnes of God and Godspell, will be presented at Madison Lyric Stage's previous home, the Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society, located on the Boston Post Road in Madison.

"As we enter our seventh season, we are thrilled to see our company continue to grow both creatively and in its visibility in the community," said Marc Deaton, Artistic Director of Madison Lyric Stage. "In addition to the wonderful black box studio theater that we have created at Shoreline Unitarian, we now are adding an immersive outdoor venue at the Deacon John Grave House. By launching this new relationship with this historically relevant institution in Madison, we are fulfilling our motto of taking our audiences 'into the woods and under the stars'."

"We are pleased to welcome Madison Lyric Stage to our historic House in the center of Madison," said Terry Roberts, President of the Deacon John Grave Foundation. "Our mission is to educate, and to preserve this Madison treasure. By cultivating the arts in our very own backyard, we are ensuring that the House remains relevant and vital in the community."

Money-saving subscriptions now available

Madison Lyric Stage will offer money-saving subscriptions for its three mainstage shows, Agnes of God, Company and The Turn of the Screw. While individual tickets will continue to be priced at $35, season ticket bundles are currently available for $90 at madisonlyricstage.org or by calling 203-215-6329. Individual tickets for Godspell are $25.

The 2018 mainstage season, which will include evening and matinee performances, features:

Agnes of God: April 20-29
Based on a true story, a court-appointed psychiatrist is sent to evaluate Sister Agnes, a young nun who has secretly given birth to a baby that has been found strangled. With Agnes claiming a virgin conception and having no memory of giving birth, the psychiatrist and the audience must uncover the truth. Are miracles still possible in the modern world? Agnes of God is a Tony Award-winning play and Oscar-winning film.

Company: July 18-29
Madison Lyric Stage travels back to its Stephen Sondheim roots, to present the Tony Award-winning musical comedy Company. Set in the swinging 1970's, the plot revolves around Bobby (a single man unable to commit fully to a steady relationship, let alone marriage), the five married couples who are his best friends, and his three girlfriends. A romp through the pre-disco era, Company includes the hit songs "Being Alive" and "Ladies Who Lunch."

The Turn of the Screw: October 5-14

Based on the Henry James novella, The Turn of the Screw is a chamber opera, in English, composed by Benjamin Britten with a libretto by Myfanwy Piper. It tells the story of a young governess who is hired to care for two children in an old manor house. After her arrival, she begins to hear footsteps outside her door and cries in the night. She soon discovers that the ghosts of the former governess and valet have not left the premises and are out to possess the children.

New Young Artist Production

Godspell: May 18-26

As a way of giving back to the community, Madison Lyric Stage will present a youth production of Godspell, featuring gifted area high school students, along with members of its young artist's program. Based on the Gospel of St. Matthew, Godspell presents a whimsical view of the teachings of Jesus, as his followers and disciples re-enact parables and scenes from his life. Composed by Stephen Schwartz, the musical features the hit song "Day by Day."

Award-Winning

Madison Lyric Stage is a recent winner of a Broadwayworld Connecticut award for its 2017 production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Madison Lyric Stage is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity and arts collective for the Shoreline of Connecticut. Its mission is to present affordable, professional-quality entertainment from the worlds of opera, musical theater and drama. Past productions include: A Little Night Music, Blithe Spirit, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Macbeth, Peter Grimes, Salome, The Glass Menagerie, and many others.

For more information about Madison Lyric Stage, visit madisonlyricstage.org