HOUSTON: Mildred’s Umbrella Theater Company has announced its 2019-20 season, featuring Israeli women playwrights, Asian-American playwrights, and their 3rd annual Women Rock benefit concert.
Mildred’s Umbrella will undertake these projects while on a quest for a permanent space, after their previous home was sold to developers, leaving the small company homeless. “We’ve been a gypsy company before” said artistic director Jennifer Decker in a statement. “We will not be doing as many full blown productions, but we can still create amazing art in different spaces while we look for a new home. Great art can happen anywhere.”
The season starts with Femfest Houston: Voices of Israel (Dec. 5-8) directed by Jon Harvey, Elizabeth A.M. Keel, Leighza Walker, and Guy Cohen. This presentation of staged readings celebrates women playwrights from Israel. Details about location to be announced in July 2019.
Next up will be Ladies Night With Samuel Beckett (Jan. 9-18, 2020), directed by Greg Dean, Jennifer Decker and Jeff Miller. These pieces include Not I, Rockbaby, Footfalls, and Come and Go, each exploring the human condition through the voices of women. Presented at The Rec Room, 100 Jackson Street.
Following will be the third annual Women Rock Fundraiser Benefit Concert (Feb. 22, 2020), featuring local female-fronted bands and solo artists, and a silent auction. This event will be at Rudyard’s British Pub and will raise money for the company’s 2020-2021 season.
After will be a staged reading of Quiara Alegría Hudes’ The Happiest Song Plays Last (March 6-8, 2020), about two cousins facing institutional unrest respectively in North Philly and Egypt. Danielle Ozymandias will direct at Main Street Theatre.
Tooth and Tail by Elizabeth A.M. Keel and directed by Rob Kimbro will make its world premiere in spring/summer 2020. The production promises princesses, dragons, pirates, and more. Location to be announced.
Femfest Houston: Voices of Asia (May 15-16, 2020), will follow, celebrating Asian and Asian American women’s voices. The festival will be presented at The Asia Society.
Also a part of the season will be Museum of Dysfunction XII (Summer 2020), its 12th annual showcase of original shorts. The top 20 plays will be performed by the professional actors of MUTC. Location to be announced.
Mildred’s Umbrella, founded in 2001, is a female-focused theatre committed to repairing the gender disparity onstage.
