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San Diego REPertory Theatre’s 2011-2012 Season Includes Comedy, Politics, Searing Drama, and Music, Music, Music
”The Who’s TOMMY,” July 16 – Aug. 14; “Walter Cronkite is Dead.,” Sept. 17 – Oct. 16; “The Great American Trailer Park Musical,” Nov. 4 – Dec. 5; “In the Wake,” Feb. 11 – March 14; “Tortilla Curtain,” March 17 – April 8, plus one more to be determined
SAN DIEGO – March 25, 2011 – San Diego REPertory Theatre (the REP) is proud to announce a 36th season that opens with a musical based on a British rock opera and continues with five funny, provocative and eye-opening new American plays. San Diego REP co-founder and artistic director Sam Woodhouse says, “This is the year in which we are going to bring three musicals to our stages, something we have never done before. Beginning with some of the most mesmerizing rock music ever written, we’ll also bring you folk music, and a crazy mix of country, R&B, blues, even a little disco. Besides being our most musical, this season also stands out for being one of our most American. From the ultra hip East Village in New York to a trailer park in Florida, from an exclusive hilltop in Topanga Canyon to the impoverished ravine below it, from a snowed-in airport in 2010 to the front lines of 1960’s civil rights marches, our 36th season invites audiences to consider what it really means to be an American. There will be much to enjoy, to reflect upon and to share.”
“THE WHO’S TOMMY”
By Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff
Directed by Sam Woodhouse
July 16 – Aug. 14, 2011
Opening Night: Fri., July 22
The Lyceum Stage
The world’s first rock opera is re-imagined for the 21st century in “The Who’s TOMMY.” The REP’s production of the Tony® Award-winning stage version of one of the greatest rock albums in history will rock the Lyceum Stage this summer as the first production of the REP’s 36th season. The inter-generational mega-hit is also the REP’s second co-production with the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA). The supremely talented singers, dancers and musicians from SCPA will join a stellar cast of professional actors and singers led by two-time Grammy® Award nominated singer B. Slade. San Diego REPertory Theatre’s production of “The Who’s TOMMY” will be directed by Sam Woodhouse, the company’s co-founder and artistic director.
The Story
At the age of four, Tommy witnesses his father accidentally kill his mother’s lover. Traumatized by the horror, Tommy turns “blind, deaf and dumb.” His parents try every legal and illegal “cure” without success. Tommy remains unreachable until he discovers an old pinball machine. Tommy becomes a “pinball wizard” and is transformed into a spiritual guru. Tommy’s magical journey from darkness to light is powered by some of the most legendary rock music of all time, including “See Me, Feel Me” and “Pinball Wizard.”
“The most exhilarating music ever written.” – Los Angeles Times
“If you don’t go, you’ll miss one of the theatrical wonders of our age.” – Boston Herald
“WALTER CRONKITE IS DEAD.”
By Joe Calarco
Directed by Shana Wride
Sept. 17 – Oct. 16, 2011
Opening Night: Fri., Sept. 23
The Lyceum Space
West Coast Premiere
“Walter Cronkite is Dead.,” is an intimate comedy that adds a dose of wisdom and reflection to the vitriolic political rhetoric of red state versus blue state. Yes, Walter Cronkite is dead, but his wisdom and compassion lives on in this insightful comedy about what might be possible if people with opposing political views stop shouting and start listening.
The Story
A fierce winter storm has grounded airplanes up and down the East Coast. Two women, who appear to have nothing in common, are stuck in a waiting area at Reagan International Airport. Patty, a chatty southern blue-collared conservative, is almost physically unable to tolerate silence. Margaret is a reserved, educated liberal from Washington who is not interested in sharing her table, or her thoughts, with the Walmart-clad Patty. Forced together for a long night in an airport terminal, the two strangers share a bottle of wine and begin to talk…and listen. Their conversation is funny, difficult, deeply revealing and astonishingly frank. Patty and Margaret share details of themselves and their lives that lead them to a place of kinship neither of them could have imagined.
“THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL”
Music and Lyrics by David Nehls
Book by Betsy Kelso
Directed by Sam Woodhouse
Nov. 5 – Dec. 4, 2011
Opening Night: Fri., Nov. 11
The Lyceum Stage
This rousing musical comedy about take-no-prisoners women, their no-account men, and the Florida trailer park they call home, will make you want to crack open a beer, grab a lawn chair and figure out which side of the tracks you came from.
The Story
A toll collector named Norbert is married to his high-school sweetheart, Jeannie. They would love to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary, but Jeannie hasn’t stepped outside their mobile home in “Armadillo Acres” since the terrible day her son was kidnapped and she got a really bad perm. A stripper, Pippi, blows into town on the run from her magic marker-sniffing, ex-boyfriend Duke. When Norbert falls for Pippi, Jeannie must overcome her fear and go get her man.
Guiding us through the battle for love and happiness is a Greek chorus of trailer-park matrons – Betty, Pickles and Linoleum. In delicious three-part harmony, the trailer-park matrons raise the roof with a play list of American music full of blues, gospel, country, rock, R&B, and disco.
“A bright new show! Every song is full of surprises.” – The New York Times
“A sparkling, sharp irreverence lights up this musical and makes it one of the most laugh-out loud shows in town.” – Broadway.com
An Exciting New American Musical
Jan. 7 – Feb. 5, 2012
Opening Night: Friday, Jan. 13, 2012
The Lyceum Stage
Plans are underway for a new musical about a legendary American singer. And songwriter. Details will be announced soon.
“IN THE WAKE”
By Lisa Kron
Directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg
Feb. 11 – March. 4, 2012
Opening Night: Fri., Feb. 17, 2012
The Lyceum Space
The REP brings to the Lyceum Space Obie award-winning playwright Lisa Kron’s searing new play laced with incisive humor and surprising revelations about the assumptions of comfort and privilege that lie at the heart of the American character. “In the Wake” is an epic tale, set in the turbulent Bush years of 2000 to 2005, which asks us collectively to look for the blind spots that mask us from ourselves.
The Story
It’s Thanksgiving of 2000 and the presidential election still has not been decided. Ellen, an intelligent and politically-obsessed freelance writer, insists that her friends don’t realize how bad the situation really is. Ellen, on the other hand, is 100 percent sure about everything: herself, her politics, her friends and lovers. No one – not her adoring boyfriend Danny, her new lover Amy, or her worldly wise and weary friend Judy – can make Ellen see the blind spot at the center of her own politics and emotional life.
“A major American work for our time.” – Variety
“The heady blend of smart dialogue and opinionated characters makes it a candidate to the ‘Angels in America’ of the Bush II decade….You’ll want to be able to say you saw it.”
– The San Francisco Chronicle
“A remarkable new American play.” – Huffington Post
“TORTILLA CURTAIN”
By Matthew Spangler
Based on the best-selling novel “The Tortilla Curtain” by T.C. Boyle
Directed by Sam Woodhouse
March 17 – April 8, 2012
Opening Night: Fri., March 23, 2012
The Lyceum Stage
World Premiere
Playwright Matthew Spangler is the author of the critically acclaimed stage adaptation of the blockbuster novel “The Kite Runner.” Now, Spangler has fashioned a rip-roaring tale about the American Dream that screams out, “We are all in this together!”
The Story
In the sun-baked beauty of Topanga Canyon, the lives of three people are on a collision course. Behind the walls of a gated hilltop community, Delaney Mossbacher – nature writer and staunch environmentalist – lives a tidy, comfortable existence with his wife and toddler stepson. They are living the American dream, unquestioning of their absolute right to all that they have. Cándido Rincón and his sister-in-law América– recently arrived un-documented immigrants from Mexico – live in a ravine at the bottom of the canyon, fight the elements, and tirelessly mow lawns and clean houses while they save for an apartment. They cling to their vision of the American dream, which manages to elude their grasp at every turn. One summer day, Delaney, driving up the narrow, twisting canyon road, hits Cándido with his car. The lives of the two men and their families will never be the same.
Part satire and part parable, “Tortilla Curtain” is a humorous and heart breaking play that speaks passionately to the future of California and the challenges of forming “ a more perfect union” in our changing America.
The REP’s box office is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. on non-performance days and noon until curtain on performance days. Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets at a discounted rate. Four hours of free parking at Horton Plaza for patrons who validate at the Lyceum Theatre. For more information, please visit http://www.sdrep.org/.
Six-play subscriptions are priced from $138 (for seniors and military) to $258. The REP offers subscribers an extensive package of benefits, including discount prices, free ticket exchange privileges; discounts on individual tickets; and discounts at local restaurants. Premier seating guarantees seating in the best 100 sets in both theatres and includes free drink coupons for the season.
About San Diego REPertory Theatre
San Diego REPertory Theatre (REP) produces intimate, exotic, provocative theatre. We promote a more inclusive community through vivid works that nourish progressive political and social values and celebrate the multiple voices of our region. San Diego REPertory Theatre feeds the curious soul.
To learn more about San Diego REPertory Theatre, visit http://www.sdrep.org/. Join us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/sandiegorep) and follow us on Twitter (@SanDiegoREP).
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