THE MAIDS, DRY LAND & More Set for Mildred's Umbrella Theater Company's 2016-17 Season

Mildred's Umbrella Theatre Company today announced that its 2016-2017 season will feature a world premiere, as well as the regional premiere of a Susan Smith Blackburn Prize finalist.

The full season lineup includes Mildred's Umbrella's staging of the French classic THE MAIDS by Jean Genet; the regional premiere of DRY LAND by Ruby Rae Spiegel; the regional premiere of THE JOHNS by Mary Bonnett, which is being produced in collaboration with the National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Houston Section and United Against Human Trafficking; and the world premiere of A HEROINE FREE SUMMER by Janet Lowery. The season wraps up with the company's ninth annual MUSEUM OF DYSFUNCTION short play festival.

"We are thrilled with the productions we have in store for next season, all of which continue to reinforce our mission of bringing female-focused theatrical excellence to the city of Houston," said Artistic Director Jennifer Decker. "I'm especially pleased that we can present a collection of works from such a diverse group of playwrights. From an up-and-coming college graduate with a hit play to a producing artistic director committed to creating theater for social change, each of them has a unique voice and an important story to tell."

THE MAIDS (JULY 28 - AUGUST 13, 2016)

By: Jean Genet

Directed by: Jon Harvey

Where: STUDIO 101 - 1824 Spring Street, Houston, TX 77007

When: July 28 - 30, August 4 - 6, August 11 - 13 at 8 p.m.

Special matinee on August 7 at 3 p.m.

Pay-What-You-Can night on August 8 at 8 p.m.

Written by French dramatist Jean Genet, THE MAIDS tells the story of Solange and Claire, two housemaids who construct elaborate sadomasochistic rituals involving the murder of their mistress (Madame) when she is away. Based on the infamous Papin sisters of Le Mans, France, the play debuted in 1947 and has since been produced in theaters throughout the world - most recently in New York City in a 2014 production starring Cate Blanchett and Isabelle Huppert.

DRY LAND (OCTOBER 20 - NOVEMBER 5, 2016)

By: Ruby Rae Spiegel

Directed by: Julia Traber

Where: STUDIO 101 - 1824 Spring Street, Houston, TX 77007

When: October 20 - 22, October 27 - 29, November 3 -5 at 8 p.m.

Special matinee on October 30 at 3 p.m.

Pay-What-You-Can night on October 31 at 8 p.m.

Written by recent Yale graduate Ruby Rae Spiegel, DRY LAND enthralled critics upon its 2014 premiere, including Ben Brantley of the New York Times, who called the play "tender, caustic, funny and harrowing, often all at the same time." Taking place in a high school girls' locker room, DRY LAND is a play about abortion, female friendship and resiliency. For her debut full-length play, Spiegel was named a 2014 finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn prize, which annually honors outstanding new plays written by women.

THE JOHNS (JANUARY 19 - FEBRUARY 4, 2017)

By: Mary Bonnett

Directed by: Jennifer Decker

Where: STUDIO 101 - 1824 Spring Street, Houston, TX 77007

When: January 19 - 21, January 26 - 28, February 2 - 4 at 8 p.m.

Special matinee on January 29 at 3 p.m.

Pay-What-You-Can night on January 30 at 8 p.m.

Originally produced by Chicago's Her Story Theatre and written by producing artistic director Mary Bonnett, THE JOHNS is a play about the men who buy girls for sex and what it costs. Grace Johnson II has problems: a slipping marriage, a son expelled from Harvard, a daughter who wants to elope...she should be so lucky. What lies between fantasy and fact is a powerful awakening for families and the community. Unflinching and eye opening, THE JOHNS is being produced in collaboration with the National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Houston Section and United Against Human Trafficking.

A HEROINE FREE SUMMER (MARCH 30 - APRIL 15, 2017)

By: Janet Lowery

Directed by: Chesley Krohn

Where: STUDIO 101 - 1824 Spring Street, Houston, TX 77007

When: March 30 - April 1, April 6 - 8, April 13 - 15 at 8 p.m.

Special matinee on April 9 at 3 p.m.

Pay-What-You-Can night on April 10 at 8 p.m.

A HEROINE FREE SUMMER, a world premiere by Houston playwright Janet Lowery, examines what happens when a family becomes divided - the result of two teenaged sons confessing to drug use - while at the family lake house in upstate New York. As the sisters pick where their allegiances lie, one of them has to make the decision whether to try and save the clan or cut and run in this explosive new family drama.

MUSEUM OF DYSFUNCTION IX (JUNE 15 - 24, 2017)

Various Playwrights

Directors: TBD

Where: STUDIO 101 - 1824 Spring Street, Houston, TX 77007

When: June 15 - 17, June 22 - 24 at 8 p.m.

The 2016-17 season will wrap up with Mildred's Umbrella's short play festival MUSEUM OF DYSFUNCTION IX. This year submissions will come exclusively from high school and college level playwrights to highlight the newest talent our region has to offer. The Mildred's Umbrella artistic advisory board will select the top 20, which will then be performed by the professional actors of MUTC. As always, this summer festival of new works is pay-what-you-can.

Tickets are on sale now and available at www.mildredsumbrella.com. For more information, call 832-418-0973 or send an e-mailinfo@mildredsumbrella.com.