Florida Rep's new season: 'Fences,' 'Million Dollar Quartet,' 'Steel Magnolias' and more
Florida Rep heads into its 21st season with nine new productions scheduled, including two musicals, the August Wilson classic “Fences" and the world premiere of a new adaptation of “A Christmas Carol.”
“We are delighted to be celebrating the beginning of our third decade with this very exciting season,” Interim Artistic Director Jason Parrish said in a news release Monday announcing the upcoming season. “This diverse lineup of plays and musicals, both classic and contemporary, will break new ground for the theatre, introduce many new faces, and of course, showcase our ensemble of artists in a variety of roles."
The 2018-19 season will be Florida Repertory Theatre's first without founder and producing artistic director Robert Cacioppo, who was fired April 5 by the theater’s board of directors on suspicion of bullying, anger-management issues and other inappropriate behavior.
“Our 21st will be a season of new beginnings,” Parrish said in the announcement, “and we hope you’ll join us.”
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Renewing season-ticket subscribers have until May 15 to renew and keep their current seats. New subscription sales start after that. Single tickets are $45-$55 ($25-$35 for previews) and go on sale July 17.
Here’s a closer look at Florida Rep's 21st season (all shows are in the Arcade Theatre unless otherwise noted):
“Becoming Doctor Ruth” (Sept. 21-Oct. 21 in the ArtStage Studio Theatre): A heartfelt, funny one-woman show based on the life of famous sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer. It was written by Mark St. Germain, the playwright behind Florida Rep’s "Best of Enemies” and next week’s world-premiere comedy, "George Washington's Teeth.”
“Steel Magnolias” (Oct. 19-Nov. 7): Quirky comedy-drama about a group of women in a small Louisiana town dealing with life, death and bleedin' armadillo cake. The popular play later became a hit 1989 movie starring Sally Field, Julia Roberts and Dolly Parton.
“Damascus” (Nov. 9-Dec. 9 in the ArtStage): The Southeastern U.S. premiere of Bennett Fisher’s psychological thriller that takes place after an explosion at a Minneapolis airport. The play was featured in Florida Rep’s 2017 PlayLab new-play festival.
“A Christmas Carol” (Nov. 30-Dec. 19): A new adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic from playwright and Broadway actor Mark Shanahan, a frequent Florida Rep guest director and author of the theater’s 2016 production of “The Dingdong.” This will be the play’s world premiere.
“Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical” (Dec. 21-Feb. 24 in the ArtStage): A new musical tribute to the beloved jazz singer and actress with 20 songs, including "Come On-A My House," "Hey There,"' "Sisters” and "Mambo Italiano.”
“Fences” (Jan. 11-30): August Wilson’s Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about a working-class father trying to raise his family in the 1950s. It’s one of 10 plays in Wilson’s famous “Century Cycle” depicting the African-American experience and race relations in the 20th Century.
“Hay Fever” (Feb. 15-March 6): Florida Rep describes this Noel Coward “comedy of bad manners” as “razor-sharp and dry as a martini.” It follows a weekend getaway that spirals out of control.
“Million Dollar Quartet” (March 22-April 10): The hit rock ‘n’ roll musical based on a famed Memphis recording session with icons Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley.
“Native Gardens” (April 5-May 5 in the ArtStage): Playwright Karen Zacarías pits neighbor against neighbor in a backyard culture-clash over a longstanding fence. “Native Gardens” is one of the most popular new comedies in America, according to Florida Rep.
Florida Repertory Theatre is at 2267 Bay St. in downtown Fort Myers. For more information, call 332-4488 or visit floridarep.org.
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