DEATH OF A SALESMAN and More Set for South Coast Rep's 50th Season

South Coast Repertory's 50th season blends five world premieres with classics and modern masterpieces. The slate includes Arthur Miller's American classic Death of a Salesman, the musical The Light in the Piazza and the world premiere of Rest by Samuel D. Hunter. The season concludes with the play that started it all for SCR in 1964: Molière's Tartuffe. Season subscriptions are available now; single tickets go on sale in August.

"South Coast Repertory's first half-century owes its success to both the vision and vitality of our founding directors and to the community that embraced live theatre," said Artistic Director Marc Masterson. "We are celebrating the 2013-14 season in a way that focuses on our commitment to new works and classic plays, and looks ahead to ensure our vitality by connecting with our community in bold new ways."

On the Segerstrom Stage:

• Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, directed by Marc Masterson
• 4000 Miles by Amy Herzog, directed by David Emmes
• The Light in the Piazza, book by Craig Lucas, music and lyrics by Adam Guettel
• Rest by Samuel D. Hunter (world premiere), directed by Martin Benson
• Tartuffe by Molière

The Julianne Argyros Stage: all world premieres

• Fast Company by Carla Ching
• Trudy and Max in Love Or That Forever Feeling (an affair in twenty four scenes) by Zoe Kazan (SCR commission)
• Reunion by Gregory S Moss
• TBA: A World Premiere

Theatre for Young Audiences:

• Ivy + Bean, based on the "Ivy and Bean" series of books by Annie Barrows
  book, music and lyrics by Scott Elmegreen
• James and the Giant Peach, adapted for the stage by David Wood
  based on the book by Roald Dahl
• The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, adapted by John Glore
  from the book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith

The 17th annual Pacific Playwrights Festival will feature five staged readings and two full productions April 25-27, 2014. The three-day festival attracts theatre professionals from across the nation, drawn by the chance to be the first to see some of the best new plays in the country. To date, PPF has presented 98 staged readings of works by 82 playwrights.

The season features the Orange County holiday favorite, A Christmas Carol, with Hal Landon Jr., Nov. 29 through Dec. 26. Single tickets for this show go on sale in late August.

Special events, including an open house and backstage tours, also are part of the 50th season celebration.

"The 50th season builds on the 49 seasons that came before, with a range of plays that reflect our passion for both new work and the classics, but with an emphasis on 'new,'" said Paula Tomei, managing director. "The foundation for SCR was laid by David and Martin and the great Orange County community leaders and audiences over the decades. We're enthusiastic about what the coming years hold in store and, in the spirit of our founders, will continue to dream big."

Founding Artistic Directors Emmes and Benson were fresh out of San Francisco State College in the early 1960s when they created South Coast Repertory. They are the recipients of numerous awards, including LADCC lifetime achievement awards and the Margo Jones Award for lifetime achievement. SCR has received accolades for artistic excellence, including a Tony Award, numerous awards from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, and two SCR-developed works have won Pulitzer Prizes, while another eight were named Pulitzer finalists.

"The 50th season is an exciting time for SCR," said Emmes. "It's an opportunity to reflect on the exciting and creative challenges that have come to us through the years, and it's a time to continue moving forward with SCR's work. Our growth has been a remarkable odyssey in Orange County and is a testament to the wonderful and dynamic audience and community that welcomes the kind of work we do. We're thankful to the community leadership that has supported our efforts and to the long line of extraordinary artists who have brought their wonderful talents to our stages. We're looking forward to undertaking remarkable new plays."

"I am thrilled to be directing another world premiere by Sam Hunter, who is a rising star," said Benson, who earlier directed Hunter's play The Whale. "Works such as his continue our dream to nurture and support new plays and great new playwrights-and this season alone, we will have five world premieres-which has been one of our important goals since the beginning."

Season tickets are currently available by subscription only, and may be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555 or in person at the SCR box office. Packages range from $48 to $300. Single tickets will be available to the public on Aug. 1. All dates and plays are subject to change. More information about the 50th season is available online: www.scr.org.

THE 2013-14 SEASON:

Death of a Salesman

by Arthur Miller

directed by Marc Masterson

Aug. 30-Sept. 29, Segerstrom Stage

Arthur Miller had his first Broadway triumph with this history-making play. Numerous versions followed-on stage, film and television-including SCR's first gripping production more than 45 years ago. Now an exciting revival will hold its audience in rapt attention, as Willie Loman tries to instill in his sons the values he has lived by, clinging tenaciously to his version of the American Dream, even as his family watches it slip away. Stage, screen and television star Charlie Robinson will play Willie Loman. No stranger to characters who struggle with a changing world, Robinson won raves from SCR audiences and critics alike for his portrayal of Troy in Fences and Becker in Jitney.

Fast Company

by Carla Ching

Oct. 6-27, Julianne Argyros Stage

Blue is a student at Brown. H is a sports writer. Francis, an illusionist. On the side, they're grifters, and Blue has a great con going that involves a $1.5 million comic book. Problems arise when the comic is stolen from Blue ... who calls in help from Francis ... who contacts H ... who finds himself face to face with the best career grifter of them all. Fast, funny, dark and dangerous-this skewed look at family and ambition keeps us guessing about who's on top and who's getting conned.

4000 Miles

by Amy Herzog

directed by David Emmes

Oct. 18-Nov. 17, Segerstrom Stage

Vera is 91, an old world Leftie. Her grandson, Leo, is 21, a new age Hippie. After a cross-country trip, Leo turns up at Vera's New York apartment with a backpack, a bike and no money. She agrees to let him spend the night; a few weeks later, he's still there. Leo is at a bad place with his parents, his girlfriend wants to break up, and something terrible happened on his trip. As Vera listens-when her hearing aid is turned on-we listen, with compassion. This odd couple has grabbed our hearts and will not let go. They are, as The New York Times says, "Altogether wonderful."

Ivy + Bean, The Musical

based on the "Ivy + Bean" series of books by Annie Barrows

book, music and lyrics by Scott Elmegreen

Nov. 8-Nov. 24, Theatre for Young Audiences

Ivy is all about ideas; she loves to read. Bean is all about action; she loves to be the center of attention. How could these two second-graders become inseparable friends? Just wait! When they get together, the result is mischief, occasional chaos and non-stop laughter. Along the way, hidden within their plotting and planning, are wonderful lessons about friendship and family.

A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens
Adapted by Jerry Patch

Nov. 29-Dec. 26, Segerstrom
Nineteenth-century London comes to life with all the familiar Dickens characters-Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit, the Fezziwigs and old Ebenezer Scrooge himself. Many of today's family Christmas traditions have origins in this tale which highlights the joy of generosity and caring for those around us.

Trudy and Max in Love or That Forever Feeling (an affair in 24 scenes)

by Zoe Kazan

Jan. 5-Jan. 26, 2014, Julianne Argyros Stage

On rare occasions, you meet someone and everything clicks. But is love a choice? Or does it just happen? Trudy writes young adult fiction; Max is a novelist of celebrity status. And their attraction is anything but convenient. This very funny take on an unconventional romance is the latest from the multi-talented Zoe Kazan. A playwright/screenwriter/stage and screen actor on a roll, she's the author and star of Ruby Sparks, the hit indie film The New York Times called "beautifully written and acted."

The Light in the Piazza

book by Craig Lucas

music and lyrics by Adam Guettel

based on the novel by ElizaBeth Spencer

Jan. 24-Feb. 23, Segerstrom Stage

Filled with sunshine, light as a summer breeze, this exhilarating musical follows the Italian travels of Margaret Johnson and her stunningly beautiful daughter, Clara. When a dashing young Italian captures Clara's heart, Margaret is compelled to reveal the secret about her daughter. Even as she struggles with concern about Clara's future, she must decide whether or not to release her hold-and bravely give the young lovers her blessing. Early in his career, playwright Craig Lucas found a home at SCR, which produced five of his plays in five years. Now he returns for the 50th season with this award-winning play boasting one of the most celebrated scores of the decade by Adam Guettel, grandson of the iconic composer Richard Rodgers.

James and the Giant Peach

adapted for the stage by David Wood

from the book by Roald Dahl

Feb. 7-23, 2014, Theatre for Young Audiences

A rhinoceros ate the parents of James Henry Trott. That was bad enough. Then James was sent to live with his awful aunts. But all is not lost! A giant peach magically appears on the backyard, and James finds a secret way inside. He makes his escape with some of the greatest pals a kid can have-six very funny but fractious bugs, who must learn how to get along as they cross the Atlantic to their new home in Central Park.

Reunion

by Gregory S Moss

March 9-30, 2014, Julianne Argyros Stage

They revert to their childhood names-Maxie, Petie, Mitchie-these three buddies, who haven't seen each other since their high school graduation party 20 years ago. It's time to get wasted and relive the fun-the sunlit days of autumn leaves, moon pies and girls in lambswool sweaters. But it's risky, trying to get in touch with-maybe even understand-their past selves. Memories aren't always reliable, hurt runs deep and apologies come hard in this scathingly funny look at high school reunions and the complex nature of male friendship.

Rest

by Samuel D. Hunter

world premiere directed by Martin Benson

March 28-April 27, 2014, Segerstrom Stage

A nursing home in northern Idaho is shutting down. Only three patients remain-and one of them is lost. Gerald, 91 and suffering from Alzheimers, has wandered off, leaving his wife Etta and her friend Tom. Remaining staff includes a new 20-year-old cook and two longtime employees, women suddenly faced with a crisis of their own. In the midst of a record-breaking blizzard, the search for Gerald takes an unexpected turn-as the others find themselves powerless in the face of an uncertain future. A tender and heartbreakingly funny new work by the playwright who has risen like a meteor on the theatrical scene-author of last season's play The Whale.

World Premiere: TBA

part of the Pacific Playwrights Festival

April 13-May 4, 2014, Julianne Argyros Stage

17th Annual Pacific Playwrights Festival

April 25-27, 2014

With five staged readings and two full productions, this three-day festival attracts theatre professionals from across the nation, drawn by the chance to be the first to see some of the best new plays in the country.

Tartuffe

by Molière

adapted by David Ball

directed by Dominique Serand

May 9-June 8, 2014, Segerstrom Stage

They banned it in Paris. But that was in 1664. Three hundred years later, it would be the play to put SCR on the map. Now, celebrate the landmark 50th Season with a revival of this classic comedy about the man who gave the word "hypocrite" a bad reputation. A family watches in astonishment as the head of the household falls under Tartuffe's spell. While they scheme to get rid of the false prophet, he does himself in, proving that when your thoughts are supposed to be turned heavenward, it's a good idea not to reveal earthly desires, especially when someone is hiding in the closet-or under the table.

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

adapted by John Glore

from the book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith

May 23-June 8, 2014, Theatre for Young Audiences

Familiar fairy tales take on lives of their own, often go beserk right onstage and occasionally burst into song. Rumplestiltskin turns up in Cinderella's story. Jack sends the Giant back up the beanstalk (which he hasn't even planted yet). Chickens can't wait for their cues. The audience can't wait to applaud-and you'll never want it to end.

ABOUT South Coast Repertory: Tony Award-winning South Coast Repertory, founded in 1964 by David Emmes and Martin Benson and now under the leadership of Artistic Director Marc Masterson and Managing Director Paula Tomei, is widely recognized as one of the leading professional theatres in the United States. SCR is committed to theatre that illuminates the compelling personal and social issues of our time, not only on its stages but through its wide array of education and outreach programs. While its productions represent a balance of classic and modern theatre, SCR is renowned for its extensive new-play development program, which includes the nation's largest commissioning program for emerging and established writers and composers. Each year, it showcases some of country's best new plays in the Pacific Playwrights Festival, which attracts theatre professionals from across the country. Of SCR's more than 460 productions, one-quarter have been world premieres, whose subsequent stagings achieved enormous success throughout America and around the world. Two SCR-developed works have won Pulitzer Prizes, and another eight were named Pulitzer finalists. In addition, SCR works have won several Obie Awards and scores of major new-play awards. Located in Costa Mesa, California, SCR's Folino Theatre Center is home to the 507-seat Segerstrom Stage, the 336-seat Julianne Argyros Stage and the 94-seat Nicholas Studio. Today, SCR produces 13 shows and eight public readings each season. More information is available at www.scr.org.