HOUSTON, TEXAS: Alley Theatre has announced their 2019-20 season featuring contemporary comedies, a holiday special, and a new-play festival.
The season will kick off with Murder on the Orient Express (Jul. 19-Aug. 25), by Agatha Christie and adapted by Ken Ludwig. This revamped whodunit will take audiences on a ride as detective Hercule Poirot susses out the mystery. Alley Theatre’s new artistic director, Rob Melrose, will direct.
Next up is Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale (Sept. 13-Oct. 13). This classic dramedy will be given a new spin, now set in Texas and seen through a Houston child’s eyes. Rob Melrose will direct.
Following is Vietgone (Oct.4-Nov.3), by Qui Nguyen, with original music by Shane Rettig. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, two Vietnamese refugees must navigate a new life in America. Desdemona Chiang will direct.
Audiences will move into the holiday spirit with Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol-A Ghost Story of Christmas, adapted by Michael Wilson (Nov.15-Dec. 29). James Black will direct.
After that is Fully Committed (Nov. 26-Dec. 29), by Becky Mode, about a reservation line operator for one of New York City’s most coveted restaurants. Chaos ensues when patrons do whatever is necessary to get them a table. Brandon Weinbrenner will direct.
Up next is Quixote Nuevo (Jan. 19-Feb. 9, 2020), by Octavio Solis, adapted from Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. This reimagined piece will be set in a present-day Texas border town, injecting the music and soul of the south into a classic tale. KJ Sanchez will direct.
Following is Camp David (Feb.14-Mar.15, 2020) by Lawrence Wright, about pivotal political decisions made in the Middle East in the 1970s and the leaders who fronted them. Oskar Eustis will direct.
After that is 1984 (Mar. 6-29, 2020), adapted by Michael Gene Sullivan from Orwell’s classic novel about a man named Winston Smith and Big Brother’s watchful eyes. Rob Melrose will direct.
Next up is Dead Man’s Cell Phone (Apr. 17-May 10, 2020), by Sarah Ruhl, about a quiet cafe, an incessant ringing phone, and a dead man. Brandon Weinbrenner will direct.
The world premiere of Chisa Hutchinson’s Amerikin (May 8-Jun.7, 2020) will follow, about a new father’s plight to joining a white supremacist group. James Black will direct.
The season will close with Sense and Sensibility (Jun. 5-Jul.5, 2020), by Kate Hamill. Hamill’s fun twist on Jane Austen’s novel follows the Dashwood sisters’ ups and downs in 18th-century England. Adriana Baer will direct.
Alley Theatre will also produce their fifth annual Alley All New Festival (Jan.17-26, 2020) featuring readings and performances of new contemporary work.
Alley Theatre, founded about 70 years ago, seeks to educate, entertain, and innovate in American theatre.
