THREE WEST COAST PREMIERES, ONE SAN DIEGO PREMIERE
HIGHLIGHT SEASON 36 AT NORTH COAST REP
Solana Beach, CA, North Coast Repertory Theatre launches Season 36 with an intriguing array of comedy, family drama, an American classic, a Gershwin musical and a rollicking journey around the world. The lineup includes three West Coast premieres and one San Diego premiere.
Artistic Director David Ellenstein selected plays that are intimate, heartfelt, honest, invigorating and entertaining. “We have chosen to present stories that will appeal not only to our loyal subscribers, but to a broad spectrum of theatre-goers throughout the county.”
Neil Simon’s Last of the Red Hot Lovers provides a giddy start to the 2017-18 Season 36. Bored with his “nice” life, Barney Cashman, middle-aged, overworked and clueless about matters of seduction, attempts to join the sexual revolution before it’s too late. His misguided attempts to win and woo women will have audiences howling with laughter. Christopher Williams directs this comedy the New York Times calls “extraordinarily funny and charming.” The play runs September 6 through October 1.
John Steinbeck’s classic drama novella-turned-play, Of Mice and Men, first electrified Broadway audiences in 1937. Now, 80 years later, the story of Lenny and George continues to be part of our country’s collective imagination. David Ellenstein directs this iconic tale of friendship in a world of solitude that is sustained by illusory dreams. Running from October 18 through November 12, this is must-see theatre for all
Around the World in 80 Days promises a frolicking, fun start to 2018. Adapted by Mark Brown from the novel by Jules Verne, this San Diego premiere runs from January 10 through February 4, 2018. Join fearless adventurer Phileas Fogg in the original “Great Race” as he confronts rampaging elephants, runaway trains and continual mayhem in his amazing journey around the world. Allison Bibicoff directs five inventive actors who portray 42 characters. With comic surprises at every turn, this adventure is one the entire family can enjoy.
The West Coast premiere of This Random World by Stephen Dietz takes the stage from February 21 through March 18. Through a swirl of missed connections, the play follows a series of intersecting lives: a mother determined to maintain her independence, a daughter longing for adventure, two sisters seeking common ground, and an internet prank gone awry. David Ellenstein directs this play that explores what it is to love, to lose, and be touched by the serendipity of life.
Next up, How the Other Half Loves, a fast-paced and hilariously funny theatrical meal by Britain’s comic genius, Sir Alan Ayckbourn. A portrait of three very different marriages turns into a spirited game of mixed doubles involving sex, jealousy and ingenious stagecraft. Full of clever, razor-sharp dialogue and impeccable split-second timing and twists, this play promises to keep audiences in stitches April 11 through May 6. Geoffrey Sherman is directing.
The West Coast premiere of The Father follows on May 30 through June 24. Written by Florian Zeller and translated by Christopher Hampton, this play was a sensation in Paris, London and New York and won a war chest of awards and a Tony nomination for Best Play. Andre, now 80 years old, was once a tap dancer who lives with his daughter Anne and her husband Andre. Or was he an engineer whose daughter Anne lives in London with her new lover, Pierre? The thing is, he is still wearing his pajamas and he can’t find his watch. He is starting to wonder if he’s losing control. David Ellenstein directs this profoundly moving, memorable evening of theatre.
Season 36 final show of the season, July 11 through August 12. A funny thing happened on the way to North Coast Rep. They had to replace the Soul of Gershwin due to a rights issue and stumbled on a little musical comedy by Sondheim. For whatever reasons, the time seems ripe for a smart, hysterically comical revival of a hit Broadway laugh a minute show called A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. This timeless musical will bring sheer joy and, infectious high spirits with classic songs like “Comedy Tonight”, “Lovely” and “Everybody Ought to Have A Maid”.
The holiday season will see the engagement of three fun-filled shows: Impro Theatre’s Dickens Unscripted, From Berlin to Brooks: Celebrating Broadway (Holiday Edition!) and Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold. Starting with Impro Theatre, Los Angeles Times called Impro Theatre “Amazing! One of the funniest evenings as the troupe spins an entire play into comedy gold right before your eyes.” Starting with an audience suggestion, the players create a completely improvised, full-length play in the style of Charles Dickens. Comic portrayals, cruel melodrama and heartbreaking tenderness explode onto the teeming streets of Victorian London. This fun and festive evening of comedy runs December 8-10, 2017 at 7:30 PM.
Join us on December 16 & 17, From Berlin to Brooks: Celebrating Broadway (Holiday Edition!) an evening of Broadway’s greatest songs by some of America’s most successful Jewish songwriters – songs by George & Ira Gershwin, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, including some of the most enduring holiday songs of all time!
On December 20, the hilarious Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold runs for six performances. It’s “CSI Bethlehem” in this holiday mystery extravaganza, from the author of Late Nite Catechism, as Sister takes on the mystery that has intrigued historians throughout the ages…whatever happened to the Magi’s gold? Employing her own scientific tools, assisted by a local choir as well as a gaggle of audience members, Sister creates a living Nativity unlike any you’ve ever seen. A laugh-filled evening for everyone!
North Coast Repertory Theatre is a professional Equity theatre founded in 1982 by Olive and Tom Blakistone. The Solana Beach theatre has received critical acclaim from media and audiences alike, and has evolved into one of the area’s leading performing arts organizations under the Artistic direction of David Ellenstein since 2003. 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.