Announcing Season 39 at North Coast Rep

Solana Beach, Calif. – One West Coast premiere, two Southern California premieres, and one World premiere highlight an engaging, eclectic 2020-2021 seven-play series at North Coast Repertory Theatre, now celebrating its 39^th season. Among the offerings are a Pulitzer Prize masterpiece, a poignant love story, two very different historical figures, a humorous suspense thriller, and two hilarious musicals.

Artistic director David Ellenstein said that he has selected plays that are passionate, hilarious, heartfelt, unexpected and entertaining. “We believe that our upcoming season will appeal to both our loyal subscribers and a broad spectrum of theatre lovers throughout the county.”

Starting the new season with Bernard Slade’s wickedly funny comedy. The play explores a love affair between two seemingly ordinary people who meet once a year. SAME TIME NEXT YEAR deftly examines the monumental political, social, and personal changes that impact their lives over the course of 25 years. Full of clever dialogue, comic visuals, and unexpected admissions, this play will have you laughing one moment and wiping away tears the next. Jenny Sullivan directs the play, which runs September 9 to October 4, 2020.

Next up is the revival of
Tennessee Williams’ enduring masterpiece, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, winner of the Pulitzer Prize. Fragile southern belle Blanche DuBois moves to New Orleans to live with her sister, Stella, and her husband, Stanley. Temperaments clash, secrets are revealed, and fireworks explode in this classic piece of American literature. This is must-see theatre you cannot afford to miss. Directed by David Ellenstein, it runs October 21 to November 15, 2020.

Uncorking the New Year’s celebration is the West Coast premiere of a witty, wild musical comedy that takes Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure and shakes it up. This rollicking romantic musical manages to address law and order, justice and hypocrisy, all set in the Wild West. Fully loaded with laughs and toe-tappin’ music, saddle up and see why audiences have branded DESPERATE MEASURES a grade ‘A’ musical! Runs from January 13 to February 7, 2021, and is directed by Christopher Williams.

Following is the Southern California premiere of BEN BUTLER. Part comedy. Part history. Inspired by real-life figures. General Benjamin Butler is faced with an impossible moral dilemma: follow the letter of the law or make a game-changing move that could alter the course of U.S. history. It’s a battle of wit and word play as the characters spar with each other over respect, equality, and civil rights. Directed by David Ellenstein, it runs March 3 to March 28, 2021.

Next on the schedule is the Southern California premiere of Aaron Loeb’s IDEATION. In this psychological suspense thriller with a dark comic edge, a group of stressed-out corporate consultants brainstorm on a mysterious and ethically ambiguous project. As the day goes on, the lines between right and wrong begin to blur. Ferocious and bitingly funny, this cleverly crafted play will leave you buzzing with conversation as the lights go out. Directed by Andrew Barnicle. Runs April 21 to May 16, 2021.

Following is the drama TRYING by Joanna McClelland Glass and directed by Nike Doukas. Runs June 9 to July 4, 2021. Based on the playwright’s experience as an assistant to famed Attorney General and Chief Judge at Nuremberg, Francis Biddle, during the final year of his life. The play is a riveting portrayal of two wildly different personalities struggling to understand each other. TRYING presents a respectful snapshot of American history. Told with great humor, compassion, and insight, this is powerful, compelling theatre.

Season 39 concludes with the World premiere musical THE REMARKABLE MISTER HOLMES. London, 1890s. A string of baffling crimes challenges the world’s most notorious detective Sherlock Holmes and his new assistant. Not only do they sleuth and scrutinize — but they also sing! Fast-paced, outrageous, and irreverent; a loving homage to the original Arthur Conan Doyle tales. Directed by David Ellenstein. Runs July 21 to August 15, 2021.

Finally, join us in December for the return engagement of 2 PIANO 4 HANDS featuring Jefferson McDonald and Matthew McGloin. A musical comedic journey about two would-be concert pianists. The talented duo trade stories about piano lessons, pushy parents, and eccentric teachers, while playing everything from Bach to Billy Joel with reckless panache. This wildly popular show not only hits all the right notes, it tickles the ivories and your funny bone too. Runs from December 10, 2020, to January 3, 2021. Not part of the Subscription.

With all these incredible American playwrights, one West Coast premiere, two Southern California premieres, one World premiere, and a whole lot of laughs, this season promises to be one of the most exciting ever.

*Shows subject to change

North Coast Repertory Theatre, under the artistic leadership of David Ellenstein since 2003, is a professional Equity theatre founded in 1982 by Olive and Tom Blakistone. Currently celebrating its 38th season, North Coast Rep has received critical acclaim from media and audiences alike and has evolved into one of the area’s leading performing arts organizations. North Coast Rep prides itself on employing the majority of its actors from Actors’ Equity Association for its high quality, award-winning productions, and staging works by established and emerging playwrights. Throughout its history, North Coast Rep has created a platform where artist and audience thrive through the intimacy of live theatre, recognizing the power of theatre to challenge complacency, revitalize the imagination, nurture the unexpected, and embrace the variety and diversity in our lives.