LOUISVILLE, KY.: Actors Theatre of Louisville has announced its 2016–17 season, the company’s 53rd, which will feature seven productions in addition to the annual Humana Festival of New American Plays.
“The 2016–17 season affirms Actors Theatre’s commitment to bringing compelling stories to Louisville,” said artistic director Les Waters in a statement. “I’m delighted to showcase vivid imaginations and vital voices that explore and define the world we live in now. The season promises to surprise and thrill our wonderfully loyal audiences. You won’t want to miss a single production this year.”
The season will begin with The 39 Steps (Aug. 30–Sept. 18), adapted by Patrick Barlow from the book by John Buchan and the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film. The play features four actors portraying multiple characters—heroes, villains, classy dames, and sneaky spies. Nathan Keepers will direct.
Next will be Shakespeare’s Macbeth (Oct. 4–23), a tragic play about betrayal, ambition, and murder. Waters will direct.
An Actors Theatre fixture, Dracula (Sept. 9–Oct. 30), will return for Halloween.
Following will be Dominique Morisseau’s Detroit ’67 (Nov. 15–Dec. 11), about a brother and sister whose lives are changed by a surprise visitor during the race riots of 1967 in the Motor City.
Just in time for the holidays, another Actors Theatre favorite, A Christmas Carol (Nov. 22—Dec. 23), will return to the stage.
The season will continue with Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill (Jan. 3–29, 2017), by Lanie Robertson, which chronicles one of Billie Holiday’s last performances at a cabaret in Philadelphia. Bill Fennelly will direct.
Next up will be Annie Baker’s Circle Mirror Transformation (Jan. 24–Feb. 12, 2017), a comedy about class of adult students learning lessons through theatre games. Associate artistic director Meredith McDonough will direct.
The season will conclude with the 41st Humana Festival of New American Plays (March 1–April 9, 2017). Titles and dates are yet to be announced.
Actors Theatre of Louisville, founded in 1964, presents classic and contemporary works that reflect the world. Brown-Forman supports the theatre’s season.
