Diversionary Sets 2015-16 Season: BRIGHT HALF LIFE, A CIVIL WAR CHRISTMAS & More

Diversionary Theatre has announced their 2015/2016 Season; an impressive hand-selected assortment of five critically-acclaimed productions curated by the theatre's new Executive Artistic Director: Matt M. Morrow. This year's collection of productions feature pieces by ground-breaking award-winning playwrights, five premieres (one world-wide, three West Coast, and one San Diego), several exciting renowned guest artist collaborations, and the impressive return of fan-favorite San Diego artists.

"I am beyond pleased to present a season of nothing but new, forward-thinking premieres for San Diego audiences. The selected playwrights speak to the complicated and dizzying world around us in a profound, exciting and original way. These pieces can help us connect to each other and the ever-changing and beautiful LGBT experience, yet are extremely inclusive to the larger community. The diversity that this season features is really a portal to other perspectives and experiences the world over both politically and emotionally. I believe that our audiences will walk away from this year's assortment of shows informed, inspired, and deeply entertained."- Matt M. Morrow, Diversionary Executive Artistic Director.

The Theatre will be kicking the season off with a West Coast Premiere of Jordan Harrison's Amazons and Their Men. This dark comedy, inspired by the infamous life of Leni Riefenstahl, takes on the politics, artistic process, and persecution of gays in the Holocaust with intelligence and humor. Morrow will make his Diversionary Directing debut with this riveting production.

The fall will bring a West Coast Premiere of Bright Half Life written by Tanya Barfield, and directed by Mo'olelo Executive Artistic Director Lydia Fort. Diversionary is honored to produce the very first regional presentation of the work after its celebrated run Off-Broadway at The Women's Project. The play examines a stunning inter-racial love story between two women that will take audiences on a journey that reveals the humanity of what it means to share a life with another person.

Just in time for the holidays, Diversionary will present the San Diego premiere of Pulitzer-prize winning playwright Paula Vogel's A Civil War Christmas: An American Musical Celebration In Concert under the returning direction of Kim Strassburger (currently at the helm of 'A New Brain' Diversionary's upcoming summer musical). Vogel's panoramic look at American history in this uplifting musical pageant is epic yet intimate, as well hilarious and surprisingly contemporary. This selection is a profound alternative to traditional holiday productions, while truly capturing the spirit of the season.

The fourth show to be presented at the start of 2016 is another West Coast Premiere: Now or Later by Christopher Shinn, also featuring the direction of Morrow who has this to say on the production:

"Ready for election season? I've been in love with Shinn's work since I read his first produced play, Four, back in 2000. Now or Later continues Shinn's remarkable aptitude for melding whip-smart dialogue, sculpted characters and big ideas. Here he whirls together the strained relationship between a father and his Gay son with the searing relationship between free speech and Islamic Faith.The result is a jaw-dropping play that will leave you spinning."

And finally, thanks to grants provided by the California Institute for Contemporary Art and The Arch and Bruce Brown Foundation, Diversionary will be bringing the thrilling World Premiere musical production of The Boy Who Danced on Air by Tim Rosser and Charlie Sohne, directed by guest artist Chay Yew with choreography by Nejla Yatkin. On the production, Co-Playwright Charlie Sohne has this to say:

"We're beyond excited to be premiering The Boy Who Danced on Air at Diversionary. Matt Morrow has put together a season of bold, thought-provoking and theatrical work from writers we've always admired and we're thrilled to be a part of it."

Diversionary Theatre's next season is packed with World and West Coast Premieres bursting with insight, humor and music. Come see what's new!

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