THE MOUNTAINTOP, 'MIDSUMMER' & More Set for Trinity Rep's 2016-17 Season
By: Tyler Peterson Mar. 23, 2016
"The driving force of this season is the 50th Anniversary of our Project Discovery program. We knew we wanted to inspire, challenge and delight our student audiences, while presenting the thought provoking and timely work we're known for," explains artistic director Curt Columbus. "The result is a powerful selection of plays that asks us to face the past while dreaming into the unknown of the future."
The season kicks off with Beowulf: A Thousand Years of Baggage by Jason Craig with music by Dave Malloy, helmed by artistic director Curt Columbus in the upstairs Chace Theater. Based on one of the most famous pieces of literature of all time, Beowulf: A Thousand Years of Baggage is a re-telling of the blood-soaked Old English poem. With music The New York Times called "catchy and pop-infused with echoes of Tom Waits," Beowulf: A Thousand Years of Baggage is the epic legend seen in a visceral, brutal, and tender new light. "We wanted to open the season with something huge, something epic, something mythic. Beowulf: A Thousand Years of Baggage is an ancient story told as a rock 'n' roll extravaganza," said Columbus.
Next up in the Dowling Theater, winner of the 2014-2015 Obie Award for Best New American Play, is Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Appropriate, directed by Brian Mertes. In this biting comic-drama, the estranged members of the Lafayette family return home to their run-down Arkansas estate after the passing of the family patriarch. As they sort through a lifetime of mementos, they discover a gruesome relic that turns their reunion into an escalating series of shocks, showdowns and revelations. "Jacobs-Jenkins is one of the most exciting young American playwrights working today and this show wowed New York audiences. We can't wait to bring it to Rhode Island for the first time," said Columbus.
Back again after a sold-out run last season is Southeastern New England's holiday classic - Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol - now available to subscribers for purchase. Ebenezer Scrooge is a greedy businessman infamous for his lack of Christmas cheer. When three ghosts pay him a visit, Scrooge is given the opportunity to examine his life. Perfect for the whole family, A Christmas Carol will start performances in November and will run throughout the month of December.
Kicking off 2017 will be Katori Hall's The Mountaintop. April 3rd, 1968. Martin Luther King, Jr. returns to room 306 in the seedy Lorraine Motel after delivering one of his most famous speeches. Suddenly, he is visited by a spirited young maid who challenges him to confront the truth of his life, the question of his legacy, and his ultimate destiny. "This is a play about one of America's most beloved icons, Martin Luther King, Jr. It transcends a traditional history play and challenges audiences to feel Dr. King's presence today," said Columbus.
2017 marks the 50th anniversary of Trinity Rep's Project Discovery student matinee program. In celebration of this landmark, the educational centerpiece of the season will be a return to one of the first Project Discovery productions, Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream directed by associate artistic director Tyler Dobrowsky. In one of Shakespeare's most romantic comedies, four fantastic stories are woven together in a single fanciful night: the wedding of an Athenian Duke to his Queen; the comic misadventures of four lovers lost in the forest; an uproarious throw-down between the King and Queen of the Fairies; and the hilarious antics of a group of amateur actors. "A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of Shakespeare's most popular and most beloved plays. Its buoyant humor mixed with fascinating social politics creates a complicated and magical text," Columbus said.
Honoring a commitment to bringing new work to New England, the fifth play of the season will be the world premiere of Faithful Cheaters by Trinity Rep resident playwright Deborah Salem-Smith. Poppy and Theo are always working. Neither has time to pay attention to their marriage. Luckily, now there's a nose spray for fidelity! One dose daily and presto: enhanced monogamy! Or so Theo hopes.... This uproarious farce dares to take a serious look at contemporary marriage and how to be happy now. "Deb nearly always tackles complicated social issues in her plays. Faithful Cheaters is no exception, except this time, it's a fall-down, show-your-drawers farce," Columbus said. Deborah Salem Smith's work has been praised as "lucid, deeply nuanced and fearless" by The New York Times, and "first-rate, a gem" by The Boston Globe.
Rounding out the season will be the Rhode Island premiere of Lope de Vega Carpio's Fuente Ovejuna (The Sheep's Well). Spain, 1476. The Catholic monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, are caught in a dynastic war for the throne of Spain with the Portuguese king. In this power vacuum, many villages have fallen under the thumb of rich nobles, including the small town of Fuente Ovejuna, recently overtaken by the villainous Commander Fernán Gómez de Guzmán who has imposed a series of cruel laws on the townspeople. Can the town band together in the face of such oppression? "In this time of division, it's important to us to tell stories about people coming together and overcoming difference, and how that changes the life of a community. Producing Fuente Ovejuna encapsulates what we want to do as an institution," said Columbus.
The company is pleased to offer a variety of subscription packages for the 2016-2017 season, with options for any for theater-goer. Full season packages start at just $114.
Visit the website at www.trinityrep.com to explore the season and subscription choices, or call the box office at (401) 351-4242. Subscribing now also gives patrons immediate access to pre-sale tickets for A Christmas Carol. Additional subscriber benefits include free ticket exchanges, parking and dining discounts, and invitations to special backstage events. The Trinity Rep box office is located at 201 Washington Street, Providence, RI, 02903, and can be reached by calling (401) 351-4242.
2016-2017 Season | September 2016 - June 2017
Beowulf: A Thousand Years of Baggage
September 8-October 9, 2016
Written by Jason Craig
Music by Dave Malloy
Directed by Curt Columbus
With Charlie Thurston as Beowulf
Based on one of the most famous pieces of literature of all time, Beowulf: A Thousand Years of Baggage is a raucous rock 'n' roll re-telling of the blood-soaked Old English poem. With music by Dave Malloy (Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812), the swaggering hero Beowulf defends the great hall of Heorot against the monster Grendel, Grendel's mother, and a fire-breathing dragon...as a panel of academics over analyzes his every move. With music The New York Times called "catchy and pop-infused with echoes of Tom Waits," Beowulf: A Thousand Years of Baggage is the epic legend seen in a visceral, brutal, and tender new light.
Appropriate
October 6-November 6, 2016
Directed by Brian Mertes
In this biting comic-drama, the estranged members of the Lafayette family return home to their run-down Arkansas estate after the passing of the family patriarch. As they sort through a lifetime of mementos, they discover a gruesome relic that turns their reunion into an escalating series of shocks, showdowns and revelations. Winner of the 2014-2015 Obie Award for Best New American Play, Appropriate is-on the surface-an homage to the classics of the American theater canon. Look deeper into Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' "remarkable and devious" (The New York Times) new play, though, and discover what familial ghosts await.
The Mountaintop
January 12-February 12, 2017
By Katori Hall
Directed by Kent Gash
With Joe Wilson, Jr. as Martin Luther King, Jr.
April 3rd, 1968. Martin Luther King, Jr. returns to room 306 in the seedy Lorraine Motel after delivering one of his most famous speeches. Suddenly, he is visited by a spirited young maid who challenges him to confront the truth of his life, the question of his legacy, and his ultimate destiny. With surprising theatricality, this soul-stirring re-imagining of one night in the life of one of America's greatest heroes reaches a summit that will leave audiences breathless. Opens on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Winner of the Olivier Award for Best Play and a hit in London and on Broadway.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
February 9-March 26, 2017
Directed by Tyler Dobrowsky
With Rachael Warren as Puck
And Fred Sullivan, Jr. as Bottom
In one of Shakespeare's most beloved romantic comedies, four fantastic stories are woven together in a single fanciful night: the wedding of an Athenian Duke to his Queen; the comic misadventures of four lovers lost in the forest; an uproarious throw-down between the King and Queen of the Fairies; and the hilarious antics of a group of amateur actors. Magical and fun, A Midsummer Night's Dream is a celebration of love, innocence, and imagination perfect for audiences of all ages.
This production is dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Project Discovery, Trinity Rep's landmark student matinee program which has introduced over one million Rhode Island students to live theater.
Faithful Cheaters
April 20-May 21, 2017
A World Premiere
By Deborah Salem Smith
Directed by Melia Bensussen
Starring Annie Scurria as Marion
Poppy and Theo are always working. Neither has time to pay attention to their marriage. Luckily, now there's a nose spray for fidelity! One dose daily and presto: enhanced monogamy! Or so Theo hopes.... With the relationship on the rocks, will a weekend vacation with Poppy's meddling mothers, hordes of mosquitoes, vodka, and a surprise guest go so wrong it ultimately goes right? This uproarious farce dares to take a serious look at contemporary marriage and how to be happy now.
Fuente Ovejuna (The Sheep's Well)
May 11-June 11, 2017
By Lope de Vega Carpio
Spain, 1476. The Catholic monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, are caught in a dynastic war for the throne of Spain with the Portuguese king. In this power vacuum, many villages have fallen under the thumb of rich nobles, including the small town of Fuente Ovejuna, recently overtaken by the villainous Commander Fernán Gómez de Guzmán who has imposed a series of cruel laws on the townspeople. Can the town band together in the face of such oppression? Packed with song and dance, and resonating with themes of loyalty, justice, and the meaning of honor, Trinity Rep presents the Rhode Island premiere of Fuente Ovejuna by one of Spain's greatest and most influential Golden Age dramatists.
Non-subscription Holiday Programming
A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens
November 7, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Trinity Rep's annual production of this holiday classic has completely sold out the past four years. Ebenezer Scrooge, a greedy, sour businessman is infamous for his lack of holiday cheer. When three ghosts pay him a visit, Scrooge is given the chance to examine his life. He is inspired to change his ways and is wholly transformed by the spirit of Christmas. Perfect for the whole family!
Titles, dates and directors are subject to change.
The State Theater of Rhode Island, Trinity Repertory Company is now in its 52nd season. Since its founding in 1963, Trinity Repertory Company has been one of the most respected regional theaters in the country. Featuring the last permanent resident acting company in America, Trinity Rep presents a balance of world premiere, contemporary, and classic works for an estimated annual audience of approximately 145,000. In its 52-year history, the theater has produced 63 world premieres, mounted national and international tours, and, through its MFA program, trained hundreds of new actors and directors. This season marks the 49th year of Project Discovery, Trinity Rep's pioneering educational outreach program. Last season, Trinity Rep's educational programs reached over 16,000 Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut students through matinees as well as in-school residencies and workshops. Brown University/Trinity Rep offers professional training for actors and directors in a three-year MFA program.
Tickets are available for the remainder of Trinity Rep's 2015-2016 Season, which includes To Kill a Mockingbird adapted by Christopher Sergel and based on the book by Harper Lee, the world premiere of Arnie Louis and Bob by Katie Pearl and Oklahoma! music by Richard Rodgers, book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. For more information, call the box office at (401) 351-4242 or visit Trinity Rep's website at www.trinityrep.com.
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