Halifax's Neptune Theatre has just announced its 1998/99 season, beginning on its Mainstage in October with a new version of Dracula. This chamber musical adaptation of the popular story features music by Marek Norman and book and lyrics by Richard Ouzounian, former artistic director of Neptune.
Next is Giles Havergal's adaptation of Graham Greene's novel, Travels With My Aunt. In this unusual stage version, four men in identical suits take on more than 20 roles, including the two central characters, Aunt Augusta and Henry.
February brings Carson McCullers' A Member of the Wedding, featuring singer Jackie Richardson in a story set in Georgia in 1945, about a young girl who becomes obsessed with soldier brother's upcoming wedding. After that Nicola Lipman stars in Lance Woolaver's World Without Shadows, a story of domestic strife and triumph.
The season closes with the hit musical Crazy For You.
Neptune's Studio Series is all-Canadian, with Andrew Moodie's dark comedy Riot, followed by Problem Child, the first in George F. Walker's Suburban Motel cycle of six plays. The final show is John Mighton's popular Possible Worlds. And the Christmas show, Mavor Moore's adaptation of A Christmas Carol, will take on a provincial tour before landing at the Neptune in late November.
There's also a special one-week run of Clarence Darrow: A One-Man Show, David W. Rintels' play starring Leslie Nielson that has been touring the States and Canada for several years now. It's the story of the controversial trial lawyer who defended Tennessee teacher, John T. Scopes, in what has become known as "The Monkey Trial". The 1925 case is still considered a legal landmark.
Mainstage: Dracula, October 15 to November 8: Travels With My Aunt, January 7 to 31; A Member of the Wedding, February 11 to March 7: World Without Shadows, March 18 to April 11: Crazy For You, April 22 to May 6: Clarence Darrow, November 17 - 22.
Studio Series: Riot, October 2 - 11: Problem Child, November 6 - 15; Possible Worlds, January 15 - 24: A Christmas Carol, November 24 - December 27.
For tickets to Neptune Theatre's 1998/99 season call: 902-429-7300
. By Mira Friedlander
Canada Correspondent
