CHICAGO: Victory Gardens Theater has announced its 2017-18 season which will include the Tony Award-winning musical Fun Home, two Chicago premieres, and two world premieres.
“We are proud to present these timely and powerful stories that celebrate and address our citizenship and humanity, creating meaningful dialogue that unifies all communities in these current times,” said artistic director Chay Yew in a statement.
The season will begin with Fun Home (Sept. 19-Nov. 12), music by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics by Lisa Kron. Inspired by Alison Bechdel’s memoir, this musical follows Alison through her childhood in Pennsylvania into her adult years, coming out, and her relationship with her father. Gary Griffin will direct.
Next will be the Chicago premiere of Fade (Nov. 4-Dec. 23), by Tanya Saracho, a drama about Lucia, a Mexican writer hired for a Hollywood TV series. She bonds with the on-set Mexican-American custodian who happens to have plot ideas for the series himself. Coproduced with Teatro Vista, the production will be directed by Sandra Marquez.
Kicking off the new year will be the world premiere of Breach: a manifesto on race in America through the eyes of a black girl recovering from self-hate (Feb. 9-March 11, 2018), by Antoinette Nwandu. This coming-of-age story touches on topics of race, class, and parenthood when a woman finds herself stuck in a miserable job and relationship, and pregnant. Lisa Portes will direct.
Following will the world premiere of Doing It (April 6-May 6, 2018), by Boo Killebrew. The play follows Lettie, who has just been released from prison and struggles to start life over. She must form new relationships with her kids, start a new job, and let go of her criminal past. Chay Yew will direct.
Wrapping up the season will be the Chicago premiere of Mies Julie (May 25-June 24, 2018), by Yaël Farber, an adaptation of August Strindberg’s Miss Julie set in post-apartheid South Africa. On a remote farm, John, a laborer, spends a temptation-filled night with Mies Julie, the white daughter of his master. Dexter Bullard will direct.
Victory Gardens Theater, founded in 1974, is dedicated to producing accessible, contemporary American new plays and musicals.
