TUCSON and PHOENIX, ARIZ.: Arizona Theatre Company has announced its 2016–17 season, with six productions. It will include new plays by Marisela Treviño Orta, Mike Bartlett, David Javerbaum, and the world premiere of a new Sherlock Holmes play from Jeffrey Hatcher.
“Next season will be a year-long celebration of a half-century of unforgettable theatre in Arizona,” said artistic director David Ira Goldstein in a statement. “It will be an opportunity for the thousands of professional artists and staff, and the audiences of millions who have joined with us over that time, to take a deep bow. In putting together this Golden Anniversary season, we have tried to assemble an exceptionally ambitious season that reflects many of the strands of our diverse, wide-ranging and exciting history.”
The season will begin with Mike Bartlett’s King Charles III (Sept. 10–25 in Tucson, and Oct. 6—23 in Phoenix), about Prince Charles’ ascension to the throne.
Following will be David Javerbaum’s An Act of God (Oct. 22–Nov. 12 in Tucson, and Nov. 17—Dec. 4 in Phoenix), a comedy that brings God and his devoted angels to answer some of the deepest questions that have plagued mankind.
Next up will be Fiddler on the Roof (Dec. 3–30 in Tucson, Jan. 12–29, 2017 in Phoenix), with book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, about a Jewish man’s efforts to keep his religious and family traditions alive with his five daughthers.
Next, Arizona Theatre Company will present the Oregon Shakespeare Festival production of Marisela Treviño Orta’s The River Bride (Jan. 14–Feb. 4, 2017 in Tucson, and Feb. 2—26, 2017 in Phoenix), about a young woman pining over her sister’s future husband, and a mysterious stranger who offers the two sisters an alluring, but potentially dangerous future.
The season will continue with Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash (March 4–25, 2017 in Tucson, and March 30–April 16, 2017), created by Richard Maltby Jr. and conceived by William Meade, a musical from the songbook of Johnny Cash about love, faith, and success.
The season will conclude with the world premiere of Jeffrey Hatcher’s Holmes and Watson (April 15–May 6, 2017 in Tucson, and May 11–28, 2017 in Phoenix), about Dr. Watson taking on the case of Sherlock Holmes’ supposed death.
The Arizona Theatre Company, founded in 1966, is the professional resident theatre of Ariza. The company produces full seasons in both Tucson and Phoenix to audiences over 150,000.
