SYRACUSE, N.Y.: For its 48th season, Syracuse Stage will perform its third consecutive world premiere, along with two Tony-winning musicals, an American classic, a new comedy, and an adaptation of a literary masterpiece.
“It’s a season that speaks to me because it’s full of heartfelt and heartwarming stories that transport us beyond the everyday,” artistic director Robert Hupp said in a statement. “These plays and musicals give our artists and our actors a rich canvas to create something special for our audience, the kind of unforgettable theatre experience you can’t get anywhere except at Syracuse Stage.”
Additionally, three acclaimed artists will participate in residencies at the theatre throughout the season: Kate Hamill will be the playwright-in-residence at Syracuse Stage’s annual Cold Read Festival of New Plays; artist and activist Mark Valdez will develop his new work Exiled in America; and actor and writer Stephan Wolfert will perform his adaptation of Macbeth and create a new work based on Richard III.
The season will kick off Oct. 14 with Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, written by David Catlin and directed by Risa Brainin. Catlin sets the play on a stormy night in 1816 where, in a villa on Lake Geneva, five young friends (including Mary Shelley) gather to tell ghost stories.
To follow will be Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical (Nov. 20-Jan. 31, 2021), directed by Donna Drake, with book by Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Tim Minchin. Originally produced by Britain’s Royal Shakespeare Company, this Tony winner depicts the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination, and the story of a girl who dreams of a better life.
Next up will be Once on This Island (Jan. 20-Feb. 7, 2021), with book and lyrics by Syracuse University alum Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty, and direction by Steve H. Broadnax III. This Tony-winning fairy tale tells the story of young Ti Moune and her love for Daniel, a wealthy boy from the “other side of the island.”
Eureka Day by Jonathan Spector will then run March 3-21, 2021. The recent Off-Broadway hit will be directed by Melissa Crespo.
After Eureka, Syracuse’s Cold Read Festival of New Plays (March 24-28, 2021) will feature its playwright-in-residence Kate Hamill, solo performer Chesney Snow, and literary artist Evan Starling Davis.
Rounding out April will be Our Town (April 21-May 9, 2021) by Thornton Wilder, directed by Robert Hupp. This an enduring classic from 1938 asks us to stop and ponder what truly matters, and to consider that for a great many of us the answers will be the same.
The season will close with the world premiere of salt/city/blues (June 2-20, 2021) by Syracuse Stage associate artistic director Kyle Bass. With direction by Tazewell Thompson, salt/city/blues is set in a fictionalized Syracuse and scored to the music of the blues.
Founded in 1974, Syracuse Stage is the non-profit, professional theatre company in residence at Syracuse University. It is nationally recognized for creating stimulating theatrical work that engages Central New York and significantly contributes to the artistic life of Syracuse University.
