RICHMOND, VA.: Firehouse Theatre has announced its 2016–17 season, which will be themed “Breaking Through.” The theatre will program the following three series: Firehouse Plays, Firehouse Fringe, and Firehouse Studio.
The Firehouse Plays series will begin with the musical American Idiot (performances begin June 25), created by Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer, and codirected by producing artistic director Joel Bassin and associate producer Adam B. Ferguson. Based on the Green Day album of the same name, the show follows three young men fleeing the suburbs and parental restrictions.
Next will be the world premiere of Ubu 84 (performances begin September 24), adapted and directed by James Ricks . The play will be a mashup between Alfred Jarry’s DADA play Ubu Roi and George Orwell’s 1984.
Bo Wilson’s The Boatwright (performances begin Feb. 4, 2017) will be next, as part of Wilson’s yearlong residency at Firehouse. The play is about two men who build a boat together. Gary Hopper will direct.
The Firehouse Fringe series will contain experimental works presented in short runs. The lineup includes: Classical Revolution RVA (June 1–2); Nocte Covina Burlesque (June 3); comedian Lucas Bohn (June 11); 24 Hour Alarm, a 24-hour play festival (July 3); Raymond Goode’s Through Their Eyes (performances start July 6); Nu Puppis’s deconstruction of the classic American musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (performances start July 10,); the Weinstein JCC’s Jewish Family Theatre’s Les Miserables: School Edition, (performances start Aug. 24); K Dance’s Yes! Dance Invitational (performances start Dec. 2); The Big Burly Project’s Bravely Bare (July 24 and July 31), and Bare in the Woods (performances start Dec. 10).
Some of Firehouse’s Fringe shows from 2015–16 will return, including a bimonthly performance by Firehouse Radio Players of War of the Worlds (performances start Oct. 29); Rant Storytelling; folk/heritage music from the Porch; Words on Fire: Happy Hour Poetry; Tickle Me Tuesday stand-up comedy; Firehouse play reading roundtable curated by Janet B. Rodgers; magic shows from the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Ring 180; Lunchtime Theatre with the Not Ready for Dinner Players; and Starlet Knight’s Cabaret starring Anthony Dowd.
Firehouse also announced the artists who will receive work-in-progress showings next season as part of the theatre’s Studio series. Directors Brandon Bruce, Jeff Clevenger, and Kelsey Schneider will present the Directors Project Festival, and as resident playwright, Wilson will write a new play. Wilson will also develop three one-act Fringe plays: Food Clothing and Shelter (an immersive/interactive dance marathon), The Parish (a storytelling experience with a church choir), and The Pantry (a live cooking competition).
