MILWAUKEE: Renaissance Theaterworks (RTW) has announced an updated lineup for its 2020-21 programming. Previously scheduled productions of Muthaland, Actually, and The Cake will be postponed to a later season.
“We believe it is more important than ever to continue telling stories that make you feel more, think harder, and laugh louder,” said co-founder and artistic director Suzan Fete in a statement. “Because the health and safety of our patrons, artists, and staff are our top priorities, we have reimagined a flexible 2020-21 season with three inspiring productions that speak to the moment and remind us of what really matters. We are deeply grateful to our patrons for their patience as we navigate these challenging times.”
The reimagined season will kick off with Belonging (Dec. 4-14), a virtual collection of short plays that explore the question, “Who belongs?” The series will feature The Winged Man by José Rivera, directed by Melanie Queponds; Poof! by Lynn Nottage, directed by Marti Gobel; and All of Everything by Alayna Jacqueline, directed by Jamil Mangan.
Next up will be Charlayne Woodard’s Neat (March 12-April 4, 2021), a solo show about the oral traditions of the African Diaspora. Marti Gobel will reprise the starring role, which she first portrayed at Renaissance Theaterworks in 2012.
The season will close out with the Br!NK Br!EFS (June 26-July 18, 2021), 10-minute, fully-staged plays written by women playwrights from the Midwest. The selected plays were culled from the best short plays featured in RTW’s annual Br!NK New Play Festival from the last three years.
In addition to the regular season, RTW will present In the Box Entertainment (Jan. 12-23, 2021), an interactive mail-order theatre experience produced in partnership with Adirondack Theatre Festival. Also, RTW will produce Paint in a Box (Feb. 9-20, 2021), a live virtual performance that includes an at-home painting project and a show.
Founded in 1993, Renaissance Theaterworks promotes the work of women onstage and off, and aims to improve gender parity in the Milwaukee theatre community.
