PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane Austen adapted for the stage by Joseph Hanreddy and J.R. Sullivan directed by Kyle Donnelly September 9 - October 9, 2011
One of the most popular novels in English literature comes to the stage in a lavish production centered on a bustling, enthusiastic—and discombobulated—family. They're the Bennets—the terribly silly but determined Mrs. Bennet, her bemused but doting husband and their five daughters, all of marriageable age. So imagine the stir when a wealthy young man and his handsome friend turn up in the neighborhood. The daughters are agog, with one exception. The beautiful (and independent) Elizabeth has no interest in the handsome (and enigmatic) Mr. Darcy, who is equally aloof. And that's what captures our imagination as we hope for love to triumph. It's so much fun!
"There is hardly a better love story written than this elegant, funny, sharply-observed and richly-rendered novel by Jane Austen." —J.R. Sullivan
THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL by Horton Foote directed by Martin Benson October 21 - November 20, 2011
"Lyrical!" (Variety) "Inspirational!" (CurtainUp) "A masterpiece!" (TalkinBroadway). Critics across the breadth of America have lauded this gem of a play about Carrie Watts, an aging widow who wants to go home. Trapped in a tiny apartment in Houston, she yearns for Bountiful, the Gulf Coast town where she grew up and spent the best years of her life. And—latest pension check in hand—she's determined to get there, come hell or high water. The journey is filled with frequent humor and a tenderness that's both heartbreaking and life-affirming. Travel with her in this delicately beautiful play by the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, whose work has enriched SCR's stages—and mesmerized its audiences.
"Horton Foote is, quite simply, an American treasure." —Martin Benson
ELEMENO PEA by Molly Smith Metzler directed by Marc Masterson January 27 - February 26, 2012
It's just after Labor Day, and Martha's Vineyard has started emptying out, but you can still smell the suntan lotion (the expensive kind). And the expensive life is just what Simone is living these days, as personal assistant to Michaela Kell, trophy wife of an absurdly rich (and often absent) New York ad man. When Simone's older sister, a social worker from blue collar Buffalo, comes to visit, lifestyles—and worlds—collide. This keenly-observed comedy about class, family and the choices that shape who we are unfolds in real time, fast, furious and funny.
"Sharply funny and surprisingly emotional." —Courier-Journal
THE PRINCE OF ATLANTIS by Steven Drukman directed by Warner Shook March 30 - April 29, 2012
Things aren't going so well for Joey Colletti, one of the biggest seafood importers in the East. He got into a little trouble with his company and landed in a minimum security prison. To add to his woes, after 30 years, the son Joey never knew wants to meet him. In prison? Maybe his brother Kevin can put the kid off for nine months—until Joey gets out. But Kevin has a couple of problems of his own. Set in the Down the Lake section of Boston, where the jargon is all their own, and so is the bombast, this tender—and funny—play is all about family, loyalty and love.
"Loved it!" "Engrossing!" "Very funny!" Great writing!" — Audience members at the Pacific Playwrights Festival reading
JITNEY by August Wilson directed by Ron OJ Parson May 11 - June 10, 2012
Cheering audiences rose to their feet and critics throughout the Southland spun superlatives as the curtain fell on Fences, but that was only the beginning for SCR and August Wilson. Now it's the 1970s, and urban renewal threatens a storefront station, where the drivers of gypsy cabs (known as jitneys) share their funny stories about the day's fares and meddle in each other's lives. Cronies drop in, fights break out, a son faces his father after 20 years in prison, lovers make up, and just as we get to know them, Wilson asks us to look again.
Winner of the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards, Outer Critics Circle Award and the Olivier Award.
Plays SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
HOW THE WORLD BEGAN by Catherine Trieschmann directed by Daniella Topol September 25 - October 16, 2011
They have strong beliefs in Plainview, Kansas. And high school biology teacher Susan Pierce knows the score. A transplant from Manhattan, she arrived here with a desire to start a new life and a willingness to help out in the aftermath of a devastating tornado. Susan tries to tread carefully, but sometimes things fall out of her mouth willy nilly, like that offhand comment in her biology class about the origins of life. Folks in Plainview get up in arms about that kind of thing.
"The mystery of the beginning of all things is insoluble by us..." —Charles Darwin
A world premiere produced in association with Women's Project Theater.
TOPDOG/UNDERDOG by Suzan-Lori Parks directed by Seret Scott January 8-29, 2012
This electrifying drama about the gritty lives of two street-savvy hustlers resonated through the theatre world. The New York Times led the way, calling it "a thrilling comic drama….dazzlingly written!" Lincoln and Booth bear the weight of black history—and the names of white men, given to them by their father as a joke before he (like their mother) walked away. Left to their wiles and their bravado, the brothers never stop conning the suckers on the street and, ultimately, each other in this darkly funny hit about family grievances, wounds—and healing.
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Drama Desk Award and Tony Award.
SIGHT UNSEEN by Donald Margulies directed by David Emmes March 11 - April 1, 2012
In this OBIE award-winning play, Jonathan Waxman is the art scene's new visionary, with a waiting list to buy paintings he has yet to paint. In London for his first European show, Waxman is under the gun. He could be spurned, causing the American art world to re-evaluate his work. Or he could be further lionized, causing more demand and greater expectations. Either way, something is missing. On impulse, he escapes to the country to search for the woman who was his first love and early inspiration and maybe to get back in touch with the past—and those feelings that made him an artist in the first place.
"Twenty years ago, when SCR premiered Sight Unseen, it was considered Donald's breakthrough play. Today, it's a modern classic." —David Emmes
CLOUDLANDS book and lyrics by Octavio Solis music and lyrics by Adam Gwon directed by Amanda Dehnert April 15 - May 6, 2012
Just as she struggles to find her own way in love, Monica accidentally makes a startling discovery about her mother, which throws her whole life into question. Looking for answers, she soon uncovers a labyrinth of secrets that involve her mother, her father and a stranger who connects them all. Stunningly beautiful songs fill this powerful drama that examines the many faces of love—from innocent to forbidden—by two brilliant artists, working together for the first time.
"…extraordinary ability to look with compassion into the hearts of his characters." —Denver Post on Octavio Solis "… extremely talented … seriously going places." —The New York Sun on Adam Gwon
JUNIE B. IN JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS! by Allison Gregory adapted from the books by Barbara Park directed by Casey Stangl November 4-20, 2011
Junie B. is back! We couldn't let another season pass without a return visit from the world's funniest first grader—yes, she's in first grade now, but so is her nemesis Tattletale May. And, with the holidays coming, Santa is watching Junie B. like a hawk. (She sure hopes he didn't see her throw grass in May's hair.) To make things worse, when she draws a name for the Secret Santa gift party, it's May! Even though Junie B. and her stuffed elephant Philip Johnny Bob talk it over and decide a lump of coal is the perfect gift for May, Junie B. will steal your heart—and brighten your spirits—with her last-minute choice.
THE BORROWERS by Mary Norton adapted for the stage by Charles Way directed by Shelley Butler February 10-26, 2012
In this enchanting new play based on an award-winning classic of children's literature, Arrietty lives a quiet life with her parents in a warm and cozy home. But, like any fourteen-year-old girl, she longs for the big wide world. And that world is really enormous for Arrietty because she's only four inches tall, and home is beneath the floorboards with scary "human beans" living just above. One day she's allowed to go above to "borrow" a few necessities and meets a human boy. But when he accidentally reveals their hiding place, her little family has to flee to the great outdoors, where she sees her first sunrise, gets surprised by a crow and spends the night in a shoe. Arrietty's adventure has begun!
JANE OF THE JUNGLE book and lyrics by Karen Zacarías music by Deborah Wicks La Puma directed by Juliette Carrillo May 25 - June 10, 2012
Jane is an ordinary suburban girl, complete with a really nice mom and a bratty little brother. But Jane is on the verge of some big changes. Middle school is looming, and that's both exciting and a little scary. And yet nothing compares with the jolt she gets when she wakes up one morning to discover she has acquired spots, furry ears and a tail! Not only that, but her neighborhood seems to be turning into a jungle! This delightfully inventive new musical takes a wild and wonderful approach to everything kids have to go through before they're truly "grown up."
A CHRISTMAS CAROL 32nd Annual Production by Charles Dickens adapted by Jerry Patch directed by John-David Keller November 26 - December 24, 2011
Celebrate the holidays and recapture the spirit of an old-fashioned Christmas with the annual staging of this timeless Dickens classic with Hal Landon Jr. as the West Coast's longest-running Scrooge. Once again, Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit and, of course, Ebenezer Scrooge himself bring 19th-century London to life in Orange County's favorite Christmas tradition.
*Not included in the Create Your Own subscription.
