COSTA MESA, CALIF.: South Coast Repertory has announced its 2016–17 season, featuring reimagined classics and contemporary plays.
“A season of plays should contain variety and surprise representing a broad range of voices telling the most exciting theatrical stories of our day,” said artistic director Marc Masterson in a statement. “We look forward to each one of these productions and can’t wait to share them with our audiences.”
The season on the Segerstrom Stage will begin with Robert Schenkkan’s All the Way (Sept. 2–Oct. 2), about Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency in 1963. Masterson will direct.
Next on the Segerstrom Stage will be Destiny of Desire (Oct. 14–Nov. 13), by Karen Zacarías, about two baby girls in Mexico—one born into poverty and the other to privilege—who are switched by a scheming former beauty queen. José Luis Valenzuela will direct.
Following will be Lookingglass Theatre Company’s Moby Dick (Jan. 20–Feb. 19, 2017), adapted by David Catlin from the novel by Herman Melville, about the captain of a whaler who seeks revenge on a white whale. Catlin will direct.
Next up will be The Siegel (March 24–April 23, 2017), by Michael Mitnick, a comedy about a man who is going to ask the parents of his lover for permission to marry her. There is just one hitch—the couple broke up two years ago, and she’s in a serious relationship with someone else. Casey Stangl will direct
The final play on the Segerstrom Stage will be Amy Freed’s The Monster Builder (May 5–June 4, 2017), about two architects who meet their idol, the world’s most celebrated architect. Art Manke will direct.
The season on the Julianne Argyros Stage will start with Aaron Posner’s District Merchants An Uneasy Comedy (Oct. 2–23), a retelling of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice set in post-Civil War Washington, D.C., with hints of American life today.
Next on the Julianne Argyros Stage will be Jen Silverman’s The Roommate (Jan. 3–22, 2017), about two unlikely roommates who find common ground through their struggles. Martin Benson will direct.
Following will be Orange (March 5–26, 2017) by Aditi Brennan Kapil, about a teenager from India who joins her rebellious cousin on an adventure.
The final selection for the Julianne Argyros Stage will be Lucas Hnath’s A Doll’s House Part 2 (April 9–30, 2017), a continuation of the final scene of Ibsen’s play. The play will headline the 2017 Pacific Playwrights Festival.
The Theatre for Young Audiences selections will begin with Mr. Popper’s Penguins (Nov. 4–Dec. 24), with book by Robert Kauzlaric and music and lyrics by George Howe, based on the novel by Richard and Florence Atwater about a zookeeper and his penguin Captain Cook. The production will be presented on the Julianne Argyros Stage.
The TYA season will also include Flora & Ulysses (Feb. 3–19, 2017), adapted by John Glore from the book by Kate DiCamillo, about the adventures of a 10-year-old girl and a squirrel named Ulysses.
The final TYA show will be Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (May 19–June 4, 2017), adapted by Bruce Mason from Judy Blume, about Peter’s rivalry with his little brother who eats his beloved turtle.
Just in time for the holidays will be Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol (Nov. 25–Dec. 24), adapted by Jerry Patch. John-David Keller will direct.
South Coast Repertory, founded in 1964, brings new plays and theatre for young audiences to Orange County.
