With the Humana Festival of New American Plays underway, Actors Theatre of Louisville announced the lineup for its 2015-16 season. In addition to the beloved Actors holiday traditions of “Dracula” and “A Christmas Carol,” five plays will make up the new season.
Here’s what you can expect. From Actors' news release:‘Seven Guitars’: Running September 1-20
Part of Wilson’s acclaimed Century Cycle—a decade-by-decade exploration of the African-American experience in the 20th century—'Seven Guitars’ is a moving drama set in Pittsburgh’s Hill District in 1948. Just released from jail, Blues singer Floyd "Schoolboy" Barton is asked to sign a record deal after a song he recorded months before becomes an unexpected hit.After a year of trials and tribulations, Floyd is ready to right the past year's wrongs and return to Chicago with a new understanding of what's important in his life. Unfortunately his means of righting wrongs are inherently flawed. Actors Theatre has a long-history of producing Wilson’s work and Seven Guitars marks the sixth play within Wilson’s Century Cycle to be produced by the theatre. ‘Luna Gale’: Running October 6-25
Artistic Director Les Waters will direct Rebecca Gilman’s hard hitting play ‘Luna Gale.’ Gilman’s smart and absorbing drama about a besieged social worker trying her very best to protect the vulnerable children placed in her charge has played to much acclaimed in Chicago and Los Angeles. Actors Theatre is excited to introduce this powerful play to Louisville. ‘HMS Pinafore’: Running November 17- December 13
The award-winning Chicago-based ensemble The Hypocrites return to Actors Theatre under the direction of Sean Graney for a highly entertaining re-imagining of Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘H.M.S. Pinafore.’ The story takes place aboard the titular ship, the HMS Pinafore. The captain's daughter, Josephine, is in love with a lower-class sailor, Ralph Rackstraw, although her father intends her to marry Sir Joseph Porter, the First Lord of the Admiralty. She abides by her father's wishes at first, but Sir Joseph's advocacy of the equality of humankind encourages Ralph and Josephine to overturn conventional social order. They declare their love for each other and eventually plan to elope. The captain discovers this plan, but, as in many of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, a surprise disclosure changes things dramatically near the end of the story.This joyous and uproarious comic opera in two-acts will entertain the whole family with a nautical-themed pajama party on the high seas, complete with ukuleles and kazoos. ‘4000 MILES’: Running January 5-13
Actors Theatre’s season continues with Amy Herzog’s highly lauded comedic drama, ‘4000 MILES.’ A directionless 21 year old seeks solace in his feisty 91 year old grandmother’s New York apartment in Herzog’s funny and poignant play. Mike Donahue (currently directing ‘The Roommate’ as part of the 39th Humana Festival of New American Plays) will direct this playful and touching intergenerational story about two unlikely roommates who, through conflict and friction, find themselves and each other. ‘Peter and the Starcatcher”: Running January 26-February 17
Multi-award winning hit show ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ by Rick Elice will take flight under the direction of Associate Artistic Director Meredith McDonough. Brimming with unforgettable characters, ingenious stagecraft and the limitless possibilities of imagination, this swashbuckling grown-up prequel to Peter Pan is a story sure to delight the entire family.