COLUMBIA, MD.: Rep Stage has announced its 2017–18 season, which will feature a lineup of three contemporary classics and a world premiere play about two well-known and eccentric Baltimore sisters.
“The 25th anniversary season provides an opportunity for past Rep Stage artists and those who are new to Rep Stage to collaborate on creating the very best in regional theatre,” said producing artistic director Joseph Ritsch in a statement.
This season also marks a transition in leadership, as Suzanne Beal, coproducing artistic director, will retire at the end of the 2016-17 season. Ritsch will remain at the helm of Rep Stage’s leadership as producing artistic director.
The season will begin with Wendy Wasserstein’s The Heidi Chronicles (Sept. 6-24). The comedy traces the coming of age of Heidi Holland, a successful art historian, as she tries to find her bearings in a rapidly changing world. Jenna Duncan will direct.
Following that will be Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill (Nov. 1-19), by Lanie Robertson. The show follows one of Billie Holiday’s final performances, given four months before her death. Danielle Drakes will direct and Cedric D. Lyles will provide musical direction.
The world premiere of All She Must Possess (Feb. 7-25), by Susan McCully, will be next. The play is a celebration of Baltimore’s iconic Cone sisters, Dr. Claribel and Miss Etta, who voraciously collected art and curios from around the world. All She Must Possess will be Rep Stage’s production in participation with the 2018 DC Women’s Voices Theater Festival. Ritsch will direct.
Rounding out the season is Sam Sheppard’s True West (April 25-May 13). The play is about a sibling rivalry that unfolds when well-educated Austin and thieving con man Lee reunite in their mom’s California kitchen. Vincent Lancisi will direct.
Established in 1993, Rep Stage is the professional regional theatre in residence at Howard Community College.
