LITTLE ROCK, ARK.: Arkansas Repertory Theatre has announced its 2017-18 season, featuring seven productions.
“The Rep has a long and happy history of producing a widely eclectic program of plays each season,” said producing artistic director John Miller-Stephany in a statement. “I’m thrilled with the roster we’re offering during my first full season as producing artistic director and sincerely hope you’ll join us for all seven of our productions—it’s sure to be a remarkable year!”
The season will start with Rebecca Gilman’s The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (Aug. 23-Sept. 10), a haunting drama about a handful of misfits in a 1930s mill town in Georgia. Miller-Stephany will direct.
Next up will be The School for Lies (Oct. 11-29), adapted by David Ives from Molière, about an expatriate’s transition back to life in France after spending years in England.
Following will be the world premiere of The Gift of the Magi (Nov. 29-Dec. 24), by Jeffrey Hatcher, Maggie-Kate Coleman, and Andrew Cooke, about a couple in search of the perfect holiday gifts for each other. Miller-Stephany will direct.
Next will be The Santaland Diaries (Dec. 6-24), adapted by Joe Mantello from David Sedaris, about a grumpy elf working at Macy’s during the holiday season.
The season will continue with Tanya Barfield’s The Call (Jan. 24-Feb. 11, 2018), about a childless couple in their late 30s who have decided to adopt a baby from Africa.
Next up is Mamma Mia! (March 14-April 8, 2018), with book by Catherine Johnson, music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, with some songs with Stif Anderson and additional material by Martin Koch, about a young bride-to-be who desperately wants her father to walk her down the aisle—but first she needs to find out who her father is. Miller-Stephany will direct.
Following will be Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage (June 6-24, 2018), translated by Christopher Hampton, about a playground scuffle between two boys that spurs a riff between the parents. Cliff Fannin Baker will direct.
Arkansas Repertory Theatre, founded in 1976, stages classic and contemporary plays and musicals.
