The Roundabout Theatre Company's 2001-02 season, which has fallen into place in fits and starts over the last six months or so, is finally reaching completion. The theatre released a schedule on June 15 which reiterated certain already unveiled ventures and revealed a few new choices.
Among the new entries are two plays scheduled for the Gramercy Theatre, the Roundabout's current Off-Broadway home: The Dazzle by Richard Greenberg, directed by David Warren, opening on Aug. 1, 2002; and Speaking in Tongues by Andrew Bovell, directed by Mark Clements, opening on Nov. 18, 2001.
The Dazzle concerns the eccentric Collier brothers, whose lives are forever changed by the entrance of a beautiful young socialite. A 1999 New York Stage and Film production featured Greenberg favorite Peter Frechette, as well as Reg Rogers and Francie Swift. Both Frechette and Rogers starred (at different times) in the Roundabout's mounting of Greenberg's Hurrah at Last.
Speaking in Tongues, meanwhile, is described as "a wonderful theatrical combination that is equal parts psychological thriller, murder mystery and partner-swapping satire." The two plays join the previously scheduled An Almost Holy Picture by Heather McDonald, directed by Michael Mayer, at the Gramercy. Picture does not have an opening date.
Also already announced for the Roundabout's 2000-01 season are Sondheim's Assassins, directed by Joe Mantello, at the Booth Theatre (opening Nov. 29); and, at the American Airlines Theatre, Shaw's Major Barbara, directed by Daniel Sullivan (currently running), Clare Booth Luce's The Women (opening Nov. 8), directed by Scott Elliott, and the musical The Boys from Syracuse (opening March 7, 2002), directed by Scott Ellis, with an updated book by Nicky Silver. *
According to various reports, the busy Mark Brokaw (the current Lobby Hero, Drama Dept.'s Music from a Sparkling Planet, the Kennedy Center's Sondheim Celebration) was going to helm a new staging of the Thornton Wilder classic Our Town for The Roundabout Theatre Company. The selection was also featured on the troupe's website.
An additional play is to be selected for the AA Theatre. However, a spokesperson for the company said Our Town was not part of the new line-up.
—By Robert Simonson
