ST. PAUL, MINN.: Park Square Theatre has announced its 45th season, boasting well-loved musicals, two plays, and a world premiere. This will be the first season created by the theatre’s new artistic director, Flordelino Lagundino.
“I wanted my first season to have an emphasis on community and to show as many people as possible that they have a place at Park Square and that they belong here,” said Lagundino in a statement. “I’ve been listening carefully to our community my first five months in town and am working to provide us all with stories that uplift, entertain, prod, and ultimately help us understand each other as fellow humans. And I think this is a moment in time when we all need to get up and dance!”
The season will open on the Boss Stage with Aubergine (Sept. 20-Oct. 20), by Julia Cho, about a son who cooks a meal for his dying father to communicate the love he cannot express in words. Lagundino will direct.
Next up on the Park Square Proscenium Stage is Rocky Horror Picture Show (Sept. 27-Nov. 2), by Richard O’Brien. The Tony-nominated musical follows a young couple’s mishaps as they discover a mansion chock full of various characters. Ilana Ransom Toeplitz will direct.
After that on the Boss Stage will be Paige in Full (Oct. 25 -27), by Paige Hernandez, about a multicultural girl discovering who she is through the music and dance of hip-hop.
Following on both the Park Square and Boss Stages is Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun (Boss Stage, Dec. 6-8, Park Square, Nov. 18-Dec 20). Warren Bowles will direct.
Next at Park Square Stage is Pride and Prejudice (Nov. 15-Dec 22), adapted by Kate Hamill from the Jane Austen novel. The story follows Lizzy, Mr. Darcy, and the Bennets with a progressive twist. Lisa Channer will direct.
The new year will be brought in on the Park Square Stage with a fresh take on the Broadway musical Evita (Jan 17- Mar 1, 2020), by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber. Mark Valdez will direct, with musical direction by Denise Prosek and choreography by Joe Chvala.
The world premiere of UN (Feb. 7- Mar. 1, 2020), by John Kim, will be next. It is a comedic take on the rise to power of notorious North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Lagundino will direct.
Face to Face: Our Hmong Community (Boss Stage, Mar 5-15, 2020) is the first partnership between Park Square and the Ping Chong + Company, a New York community-based theatre. Face to Face will be interview-centered theatre that will examine identity and cultural issues among the Hmong community in St. Paul.
After that is Miss You Like Hell (Apr. 17-May 17, 2020), by Quiara Alegría Hudes, about an undocumented mother and her daughter on a road trip to save their lives. Marcela Lorca will direct.
The summer season continues at Park Square Stage with Holmes and Watson (Jun. 12-Jul. 26, 2020), by Jeffrey Hatcher. Dr. Watson must investigate claims of impostery when three mental asylum patients insist that they are the reportedly dead Sherlock Holmes. Michael Evan Haney will direct.
Following at Boss Stage is The Revolutionists (Jun. 19-Jul. 19, 2020), by Lauren Gunderson, about four fierce women living in the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. Madeline Sayet will direct.
Park Square Theatre will also produce matinees for teens throughout the season, including Romeo and Juliet and The Diary of Anne Frank.
Park Square Theatre, founded in 1972, strives to enrich their community by producing theatre to stimulate the mind, heart, and soul.
