SARASOTA, FLA.: Asolo Repertory Theatre has announced its 2021-22 season, featuring premieres of two new musicals and three productions in repertory.
“After a year of immense challenges and hard-won successes, this season is about returning and remaking who we want to become,” artistic director Michael Donald Edwards said in a statement. “The result is a challenging and hopeful season full of joy, family, and a reclamation of American identity rooted in compassion for all.”
The season will begin in November with the musical Hair by Gerome Ragni and James Rado, with music by Galt McDermott. The musical about hope, love, and peace for humanity will be directed by Josh Rhodes and run Nov. 17-Jan. 1, 2022.
The winter repertory season will include three productions, beginning with Thornton Wilder’s Our Town (Jan. 12-March 26, 2022), a Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece about family and community, directed by Desdemona Chiang.
The rep season will also include Bess Wohl’s comedy Grand Horizons (Jan 19.-April 1, 2022), which examines the unpredictable and enduring nature of love. Associate artistic director Celine Rosenthal will direct.
The rep season will wrap up with The Great Leap (Feb. 9-April 2, 2022) by Lauren Yee, a hilarious story about family, history, and learning when to take your shot. Vanessa Stalling will direct.
The season will continue in April with the world premiere of the musical of Knoxville (April 15-May 11, 2022), adapted by Frank Galati from James Agee’s autobiographical novel A Death in the Family and Tad Mosel’s play All the Way Home. The innovative musical features music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens.
Following will be Eureka Day (May 11-June 4, 2022) by Jonathan Spector, an explosive comedy that skewers sanctimony and the nature of politics. Bianca LaVerne Jones will direct.
The season will conclude with the new musical Hood by Douglas Carter Beane, with music and lyrics by Lewis Flinn. The new Robin Hood story will be directed by Mark Brokaw.
Asolo Rep will also present its annual educational tour with the Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. The tour will present a 45-minute version of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing to schools and community venues throughout Florida.
Asolo Repertory Theatre’s highly skilled acting company and extensive craftsmanship gives audiences the opportunity to see multiple productions in repertory in the span of a few days.
