BARBECUE, THE LITTLE FOXES, WOLF HALL and More Set for Epic Theatre Company's 2017-18 Season
By: BWW News Desk Mar. 20, 2017
Epic Theatre Company is kicking off its sixth season with a diverse line-up of brand new, innovative and exhilarating work that looks at the relationship between power and the people it affects. The season is made up of nine shows, including a very special Christmas show, and the roll-out of Epic's new logo and a Patreon page for members.
"We really wanted to lean in this season," says Epic Artistic Director Kevin Broccoli, "We were looking for shows that engage the community, take them outside their comfort zones, and ask them to explore stories and perspectives that they might not be aware of. The theme of Season Six is Truth to Power. I, personally, felt that it was our responsibility to create a season that incites-that gets people riled up. Having a bunch of liberal audiences sit around watching plays about how awful things are in Washington so they can shake their heads and sigh seems pointless to me. Instead, we're going to be telling stories about fighting back. Resistance has become the theme of the country since election day, and that's the theme we're going to be tackling this year as well."
The season will kick off in September, but Epic has already launched a Patreon page introducing its new membership program. It plans of introducing more details about it over the next few weeks, but audiences can sign up now to get tickets for as little as $5.
"We're always looking for new models of doing business," says Broccoli, "Patreon has a proven track record of helping patrons support artists and helping artists reward those who support them. Our Artistic Consultant Ashley Arnold has done a great job putting this program together, and we think now is the perfect time to show people what we have to offer."
To sign up, just go to www.patreon.com/epictheatreco, and to find out more information about Epic's new season, go to www.EpicTheatreRI.org.
EPIC THEATRE'S COMPANY 2017 - 2018 SEASON:
HOUSE ARREST
A SEARCH FOR THE AMERICAN CHARACTER
IN AND AROUND THE WHITE HOUSE, PAST AND PRESENT
The foremost chronicler of American life looks at the most powerful office in the land and its relationship to the rest of the country through the words of those in the inner circle and the ones who find themselves outside of it.
September 2017
BARBECUE
By Robert O'Hara
Rhode Island Premiere
Two families are holding an intervention-one is white, one is black. The catch? They're the same family. Are we watching a comedy unfold in two parallel universes or is something even sneakier going on? Robert O'Hara's no-holds barred comedy looks at race, family, and the ties that bind-a little too tightly.
October 2017
RED SPEEDO
By Lucas HnathNew England Premiere
A swimmer on his way to the Olympics is accused of taking performance enhancement drugs. This look at competition and athleticism in America poses fascinating questions about morality and priorities at a time when winning is everything.
November 2017
Special Christmas Event
THE BOYS OF St. MatthewS PRESENT
JESUS CHRIST! AND OTHER CHRISTMAS STORIES
By Kevin Broccoli
World Premiere
The boys are back for their final take-over! In Epic's first (and probably last) Christmas show, the famous schoolboys from the Epic hits Tartuffe and Les Liaisons Dangereuses have been banned from putting on the Christmas show they've written. Of course, there's no stopping the St. Matthew's boys, and they set out to create a Christmas you'll never forget.
December 2017
THE LITTLE FOXES
An American classic. A Southern drama. A brilliant family saga. All these and more apply to Lillian Hellman's story of a family torn apart by greed and privilege. Gender, class, intrigue, and betrayal all collide in this theatrical masterpiece.
January 2018
MILK LIKE SUGAR
By Kirsten GreenidgeRhode Island Premiere
Annie and her friends have entered into a pact that will affect their lives forever, but can Annie go through with her promise? Greenidge's witty and wild look at characters with limited options and opportunities, and how they fight to claim something that can belong only to them.
February 2018
THE HEALING
New England Premiere
A group of friends meet after twenty-five years when one of their own passes away. As children, they were taught by a camp counselor that they could "pray away" their disabilities. Long buried secrets, hidden alliances, and ultimately-healing-all unfold in a play by one of America's brightest and best playwrights.
March 2018
Two Plays in Rep
COLLECTIVE RAGE: A PLAY IN FIVE BOOPS
New England Premiere
Five women named Betty are putting on a play, discovering their genitalia, and getting in touch with their anger in Jen Silverman's rollicking new comedy.
ANGRY FAGS
By Topher PayneNew England Premiere
Bennett is a speechwriter for the only gay state senator in Georgia who's running against a conservative opponent. When Bennett's ex is attacked and the police refuse to classify it as a hate crime, Bennett and his best friend decide to take matters into their own hands in this hard-hitting and hilarious look at revenge and justice.
April/May 2018
WOLF HALL
By Hilary Mantel, Adapted for the Stage by Mike PoultonNew England Premiere
The legendary story of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn gets a fresh examination by the ingenius mind of Hilary Mantel. Her bestselling and critically acclaimed novel comes to the stage in this sprawling and gorgeous play that views power and its machinations through the eyes of Thomas Cromwell as the King turns England-and the world-upside down to get his way.
June 2018
Rhode Island Awards - Live Stats
Best Musical - Top 3
1.
THE WIZARD OF OZ (Stadium Theatre)
14.6% of votes
2.
THE LITTLE MERMAID (Stadium Theatre)
12.3% of votes
3.
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Stadium Theatre)
11.9% of votes
Videos