2007-2008 Season At Lyric Stage
On the heels of two of its most successful and well-attended
seasons, The Lyric Stage Company of Boston has unveiled
its 2007-2008 season.
The
line-up will feature: the Tony Award-winning musical, "Man
of La Mancha;" the New England premiere of "Dying
City", a powerful new play by Christopher Shin that explores
the deep and powerful impact historical and political events have on
the individual; and the East Cost premiere of Steve Murray
and Mark Setlock’s one-man piece "This
Wonderful Life", a re-imagining of Frank Capra’s
beloved 1946 classic film "It’s a Wonderful Life."
In January the season continues with the New England premiere
of "Adrift in Macao," a new musical homage
to film noir by playwright Christopher Durang ("Miss
Witherspoon") and Peter Melnick; Theresa
Rebeck’s Off-Broadway brutal comedy "The
Scene;" "Three Tall Women,"
the Pulitzer prize-winning drama by Edward Albee ("The
Goat or, Who Is Sylvia?") exploring the humor and challenges
of living and dying; and Oscar Wilde’s stylish
comedy of manners, "The Importance of Being Earnest."
Producing Artistic Director Spiro Veloudos, celebrating
his 10th season with Lyric, commented, "I look forward to sharing
these powerfully engaging stories with our audience. Everything we produce
continues in our tradition of entertaining, challenging, and provoking
our audience, using the very best actors and designers in Boston, all
in our wonderfully intimate theatre."
Veloudos is particularly proud to have so many Boston-area professional
actors and designers consider The Lyric Stage Company their artistic
home. "They may not work here exclusively, but they return to The
Lyric season after season," he explained. “I've aimed to
foster a creative environment that celebrates the community in which
we have chosen to live and work. Of all of my accomplishments over the
last ten years, nurturing this sense of community, is the one of which
I am most proud.”
The season will include:
“Man of La Mancha”
September 7 - October 13, 2007
This beloved 1965 Tony Award-winning musical tells an epic story of
chivalry and compassion. Imprisoned during the Spanish Inquisition,
tax collector and author Miguel Cervantes and his servant Sancho are
put on trial by their fellow inmates. In their defense, they perform
the tale of idealistic knight Don Quixote de La Mancha’s romantic
and noble quest to right the world’s wrongs. The inspiring story
reminds us all to dream the impossible dream. The production will featuring
Lyric Stage Company favorites Christopher Chew (Cervantes)
and Robert Saoud (Sancho).
“Dying City”
October 19 - November 11, 2007
When an Iraq war widow is unexpectedly visited by her dead husband’s
twin brother, the two are forced to explore the repercussions of their
loss, confront the secrets of the past and admit the truth about the
tragic legacy that connects them. Called “an achingly compassionate
new play” by Variety, this off-Broadway hit explores
the profound impact historical and political events have on the individual.
The New York Times credits playwright Christopher Shinn, author
of this “transfixing tale of grief and violence,” as “among
the most provocative and probing of American playwrights today.”
“This Wonderful Life”
November 23 through December 22, 2007
The hope and humor of Frank Capra’s beloved 1946 classic Christmas
film “It’s A Wonderful Life”
return in this re-imagining as George Bailey comes to realize that life
really is worth living and that the actions of one person do make a
difference in the world. Lyric favorite Neil A. Casey
(“The Underpants,” “When Pigs Fly”)
portrays Bailey, Clarence the Angel, Mary, Old Man Potter, and twenty
more of Bedford Falls’ finest citizens.
“Adrift in Macao”
January 4 - February 2, 2008
Playwright Christopher Durang (“Miss Witherspoon”)
sends up the beloved film noir genre in this boisterous new musical
parody, mixing farce, camp, and tongue-in-cheek wit in his trademark
style. It’s 1952 in the Far East - an era of shadowy settings,
sultry women, and mysterious, trench-coated villains in back alleys.
Peter Melnick, grandson of composer Richard Rodgers, contributes a pastiche
score that evokes the sounds of Kurt Weill, big bands, and smoky nightclubs.
“Adrift in Macao is so delicious!” –Variety
"The Scene"
February 15 - March 15, 2008
by Theresa Rebek
Desperately clinging to his fading dignity, Charlie, a middle-aged,
out-of-work actor, can't bring himself to engage in the games required
to succeed in the cutthroat entertainment industry. When he embarks
on a destructive relationship that makes him feel empowered anew, he
learns what is truly at stake. Award-winning playwright Theresa Rebeck
("Mauritius," "Bad Dates," "Law and
Order") examines the shifting power dynamics of personal
relationships and the empty narcissism of American culture in this brutal
comedy. "The most accomplished and rewarding play in the 2006 Humana
Festival -- a searing, sharply observed, and often blisteringly funny
play." -- The New York Times
"Three Tall Women"
March 28 - April 26, 2008
by Edward Albee
Considered one of Albee's best, this Pulitzer prize-winner, told with
humor, explores the challenges of living and dying. As a 92-year old
woman struggles with disorientation and senility, she reflects on her
youth, marriage and estrangement from her gay son with a mixture of
satisfaction and regret. From the author of "Who’s
Afraid of Virginia Wolfe" and "The Goat or, Who Is Sylvia,?"
"Three Tall Women" is Albee’s most intentionally
autobiographical work to date. “A truly moving work.” –
The New York Times
"The Importance of Being Earnest"
May 9 - June 7, 2008
by Oscar Wilde
Hailed as “Wilde’s masterwork” by The New York
Times, this stylish comedy of manners is the story of assumed names,
mistaken lovers and preposterous enchantment. A delightfully witty and
light-hearted romp through Victorian society, two young bachelors pretend
to be earnest — and Ernest — as they aim to win their ladies’
hearts.
Season Ticket packages for The Lyric Stage Company’s
2007-2008 Season are now available at a variety of prices and multi-show
assortments. Single ticket sales for all 7 mainstage shows begins August
14th. For information, call 617.585.5678, stop by The Lyric Stage
Company Box Office at 140 Clarendon Street, or visit www.lyricstage.com.
In addition to its seven mainstage productions each season,
The Lyric Stage Company offers the special programs: Growing Voices,
a new play development program to develop and nurture local writers
and their work and to contribute to the body of American plays and musicals;
Lyric First Stage, a 5-week educational summer program for teens; and
Lyric First Curtain, to provide theatre access and enrichment experiences
to youth. Throughout the year, The Lyric Stage Company also hosts
Once Upon A Time, participatory theatre for children ages 2-8.
The Lyric Stage Company is supported in part by a grant
from The Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, and the Boston
Cultural Council, a program of the Mayor’s Office on Arts, Tourism,
and Special Events, a municipal agency which is supported by the Massachusetts
Cultural Council.
--
OnStage Boston
"Dying
City" logo from Lincoln Center production
