Press Release: ​2021 Spring / Summer Season

SOUTH COAST REPERTORY IS BACK

Innovation is Key to 2021 Spring/Summer Season
Starts with High-Quality Digital Offerings, Transitions to Live Performances
Partnership With Mission San Juan Capistrano

COSTA MESA, Calif. (March 18, 2021)—South Coast Repertory Artistic Director David Ivers and Managing Director Paula Tomei today announced an end to the theatre’s COVID-19 hiatus with the launch of an innovative 2021 Spring/Summer season. Recognizing that extraordinary times call for innovation, the 57-year-old theatre company examined the challenges and possibilities of producing live theatre and the protocols needed to maintain safety.

The season starts with SCRemote—a series of exclusively digital offerings beginning in mid-to-late April. These high-quality filmed productions created with a multi-camera setup by award-winning cinematic artists will be delivered for safe, at-home viewing through a user-friendly streaming platform. The digital offerings include Red Riding Hood (a Theatre for Young Audiences and Families production, which also will be offered free to Orange County public schools) and the Pacific Playwrights Festival, the theatre’s renowned annual showcase of new plays. The festival is part of The Lab@SCR, the theatre’s extensive new-play development program. In addition, the theatre will continue its ongoing SCR commUNITY series of digital interviews and programming dedicated to amplifying the artists and narratives of the Southern California region.

Then in mid-July, SCR goes LIVE, outdoors at the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano, with a new series called Outside SCR. This year, two family friendly productions will be performed under the stars: American Mariachi, which is being brought back by popular demand, and the perennial family favorite, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.

“The past year has been challenging and, at the same time, has presented opportunities for creative growth,” said Ivers. “So, we’re excited to announce a season brimming with innovation, built on the cornerstone programs of South Coast Repertory—world-class productions, Theatre for Young Audiences and Their Families, new play development and community engagement. We’re overjoyed about Outside SCR and our new partnership with Mission San Juan Capistrano, which enables us to expand our reach in Orange County.”

Managing Director Paula Tomei said: “After a year-long hiatus, it feels so good to be back. This season provides the stimulating theatrical experiences that are hallmarks of South Coast Repertory, while meeting the unique needs of Orange County at this time, including a distinctive way for us to gather as a community. In addition, we have been consulting with UCI Health and working thoughtfully to ensure the highest level of safety for our artists, staff and audiences. We are fortunate to have their expertise and advice, which are invaluable.”

Mechelle Lawrence-Adams, executive director of Mission San Juan Capistrano, said: “The Mission Preservation Foundation is thrilled to welcome South Coast Repertory’s community of patrons to beautiful Mission San Juan Capistrano this summer. For sure, new history is being made with this special partnership where the arts meet history and the net effect leaves theatregoers inspired to support both historic preservation and live theatre in this one-of-a-kind experience. Two incredibly important Orange County institutions are coming together in a pandemic to serve not only their own constituencies, but new ones as well—and it marks an exciting moment in OC history.”

In addition to innovations in programming, format and experience, the usual subscription series have been temporarily suspended in favor of à la carte subscriptions, wherein customers are invited to experience either the entire lineup or to pick and choose what they wish to see. SCR’s regular subscription series will be re-instated for the 2021-22 season.

South Coast Repertory’s health and safety protocol has been developed with advice from the University of California, Irvine.

Discounted à la carte subscriptions are now on sale. Ticket prices range from $19-$35 per ticket, with special pricing for those age 25 and under. Single tickets may be purchased beginning March 22, either online at www.scr.org or by phone at (714) 708-5555. More information is available at www.scr.org.

CHRONOLOGICAL LISTING
Dates are subject to change, in accordance with local and state health authorities.

Theatre for Young Audiences—SCRemote
Red Riding Hood
by Allison Gregory
directed by Shannon Flynn
Offered digitally, on-demand
Available to stream mid-to-late April
Power up your devices—this theatre classic is getting an immersive, cinematic twist your family will love. Red still journeys through the woods to Grand-Mama’s house and the Wolf still has devious dinner plans. But this Red is brave and strong, with plenty of clever tricks up her sleeve. And when two actors take on all the roles in this new digital format, anything can happen! Who could be better at bringing this fast and funny tale into your home than stage and television director Shannon Flynn, an Emmy Award-winner for “Sesame Street”?Recommended for ages 4 and older.

Pacific Playwrights Festival—SCRemote
SCR’s annual showcase of new plays by today’s hottest playwrights, the Pacific Playwrights Festival will be offered exclusively in digital format, with high-quality film production, created with a multi-camera setup to capture the best qualities a traditional play reading. All readings are recommended for high school age and older.

Covenant
by York Walker
Streaming: April 26-May 2
When he returns home to his small Georgia town, rumors fly that blues guitarist Johnny “Honeycomb” James may have sold his soul to the devil to attain his musical genius. But in this twisty folk-horror drama, jealousy, distrust and superstition determine Honeycomb’s fate—even if the devil does play a part.

Coleman ‘72
by Charlie Oh
Streaming: May 10-May 16
A Korean American family piles into the Buick for an all-American road-trip: open plains, rickety camper-trailer, kimchi and banchan. But Korean parents and American kids hold conflicting ideas of what they’re looking for when the real purpose of their journey comes to light.

Park-e Laleh
by Shayan Lotfi
Streaming: May 24-May 30
Amir seeks asylum in the UK after fleeing persecution in his native Iran, but he’s haunted by what he's left behind. Now he's attempting to settle in a city full of strangers—looking for anything or anyone that might allow him to finally feel at home.

Clean
by Christine Quintana
Streaming: May 31-June 6
Two women from different worlds meet in the fake paradise of a Mexican resort: Adriana, who works at the hotel, and Sarah, who's there for her sister’s wedding. Torrential rain, a father’s death and the mistakes of a night bring them together … but whatever they have in common, many cultural borders separate them.

Harold & Lillian
book & lyrics by Dan Collins music by Julianne Wick Davis
based on the documentary by Daniel Raim
Streaming: June 21-27
A musical about the Hollywood romance of storyboard artist Harold Michelson and film researcher Lillian Michelson. Beginning with their elopement after Harold came home from World War II, their marriage spanned six decades—during which they overcame daunting personal challenges and made surprising movie magic.

OutsideSCR—LIVE
American Mariachi
by José Cruz González
directed by Christopher Acebo
Performances: July 15, 17, 23, 25, 29 and 31 (all at 7:30 p.m.)
Performed at Mission San Juan Capistrano
Back by popular demand! In this big-hearted comedy with live music, Lucha spends her days caring for her mother and yearning for more. But it’s the 1970s and women can’t be mariachis…or can they? Defying tradition, Lucha and her spunky cousin hunt for bandmates and take up instruments. A loving gesture for a mother becomes much more as the young women dream big and embrace the transcendent power of music. “A tug at the heartstrings that will echo for days” Denver Post). Recommended for ages 12 and older.

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
based on the comic strip “Peanuts”
by Charles M. Schulz
directed by Kari Hayter
book, music and lyrics by Clark Gesner
additional dialogue by Michael Mayer
additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa
Performances: July 16, 18, 22, 24, 30 and Aug. 1 (all at 7:30 p.m.)
Performed at Mission San Juan Capistrano

Good grief! The whole “Peanuts” gang is here—Lucy, Linus, Snoopy, and of course, that wishy-washy blockhead, Charlie Brown. He’s never pitched a winning baseball game and he can’t muster the courage to talk to the Little-Red Haired Girl. But all his best qualities—and those of his clever friends—get celebrated in this delightful musical filled with such gleeful tunes as “My Blanket and Me,” “Suppertime” and “Happiness.” Recommended for ages 4 and older.

Complete information is available at www.scr.org.