NEW YORK CITY: The New Victory Theater has announced its 20th anniversary season, featuring work by five U.S. companies, six productions from international companies, and five U.S. premieres.
The season begins with Seattle Children’s Theatre’s production of Greg Banks’s Robin Hood (Oct. 2—11), in which a versatile cast of four merry men dodge flying arrows. Allison Narver will direct.
Next Cirque Mechanics will present Pedal Punk (Dec. 4–Jan. 3, 2016), a steampunk-style circus complete with pole drops, aerial acts, and high-flying tricks.
Following will be Adventure Theatre MTC‘s production of Caps for Sale the Musical (Feb. 27– March 6, 2016), adapted by Michael J. Bobbitt and Ann Marie Sayer from a book by Esphyr Slobodkina, with music and lyrics by William Yanesh.
Next will be Pasadena Playhouse and Crossroads Theatre Company‘s production of Fly (March 11– 27, 2016) by Trey Ellis and Ricardo Khan, about four brave men who join the first black aviators in U.S. history from training to combat.
Following is Bello Mania (April 15–May 1, 2016), starring Bello Nock, famous for his foot-high hair, in an act full of clowning hijinks.
Also part of the season will be productions from international companies: First will be Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Oct. 30–Nov. 8) from Cape Town’s Isango Ensemble. Next is London’s Tall Stories with an adaptation of The Gruffalo (Oct. 17–25), from the picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler about a mouse who takes an adventurous walk in the woods.
Next will be Scotland’s Catherine Wheels Theatre Company with the return of White (Nov. 4–22) by Andy Manley. Following will be Havana’s Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba‘s Cuba Vibra! (Nov. 13–29), a fusion of ballet, flamenco, cha-cha, rumba, and salsa set to a big band. Next from Brisbane is Untapped! (Feb. 5–21) with a mixture of street dance, percussion and tap.
And Montreal’s Théâtre de l’Œil returns with The Star Keeper (April 1–3, 2016), a puppetry piece about a chivalrous worm who explores the world to restore a fallen star to its rightful place.
The 2015–16 season also includes five U.S. premieres: First is NIE Theatre‘s Museum of Memories (Jan. 8–17, 2016), a physical theatre experience about a boy who took his own life and lives on the remembrances of others.
Next will be Unicorn Theatre‘s The Velveteen Rabbit (Jan. 22–31, 2016), based on the beloved children’s book by Margery Williams.
Following will be Little Angel Theatre’s Handa’s Surprise (Feb. 12–21, 2016), an adaptation of Eileen Browne’s picture book featuring puppetry and African song.
Next is Carlo Colla & Sons Marionette Company’s The Pied Piper (May 6–15, 2016), a retelling of the Brothers Grimm tale featuring over 120 marionettes and 300 puppet rats.
Following is Le Clan des Songes’s Cité (May 14–22, 2016), a story exploring shape, color and shadow with a man who chases the sun.
