SALT LAKE CITY: Salt Lake Acting Company (SLAC) has announced its 2016–17 season, featuring four world premieres, a children’s play, and the annual summer musical satire.
“Our commitment to excellence will deepen in the 16/17 season as we bring to our stage these diverse stories and experiences,” said artistic director Cynthia Fleming in a statement. “A huge thank you to our most open and adventurous audiences who support and inspire SLAC to produce, develop, and realize original and relevant work.”
The season will begin with the world premiere of Bull Shark Attack (Sept. 7–Oct. 16), by University of Utah alum Troy Deutsch. The play was developed in SLAC’s New Play Sounding Series and Playwrights’ Lab, and follows three lost and lonely people whose stories collide one fateful night on a beach in North Carolina. University of Utah professor Sandra Shotwell will direct.
Next up will be Winter (Oct. 12–Nov. 13), by Julie Jensen, about the right to die and its impact on freedom and family dynamics. The play was inspired by University of Utah professor Margaret Pabst Battin’s book Rebeck. Anne Cullimore Decker will star, and Tracy Callahan will direct.
Following will be Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Fly (Dec. 2–30), adapted by Joan Cushing from the books by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Harry Bliss, a musical adventure about life from a bug’s perspective. Penelope Caywood will choreograph and direct. SLAC will bring eight elementary schools to the production for free, in addition to touring the performance to local libraries, schools, and bookstores.
The season will continue with the world premiere of Salt Lake City-based playwright Kathleen Cahill’s Harbur Gate (Feb. 8–March 12, 2017), about the haunts and heroism of female soliders. Tamilla Woodard will direct.
Next will be Hand to God (April 12–May 14, 2017), by Robert Askins, a dark comedy about a teenager and the foul-mouthed puppet he creates at a Christian puppet ministry that teaches him about faith, family, and morality. Christopher DuVall will direct.
The season will conclude with the world premiere of Saturday’s Voyeur (June 21–Aug. 27, 2017), created by Allen Nevins and Nancy Borgenicht. The annual summer musical satire returns with a new, raucous lineup of hilarity. Fleming will choreograph and direct.
Salt Lake Acting Company, founded in 1970, is dedicated to developing and mounting new plays, and producing contemporary works featuring local artists.
