COSTA MESA, CA -- The fight to attract younger theatre audiences continues apace.
The latest salvo in the battle was fired recently by South Coast Repertory, which announced it would offer half-price 1998-99 subscriptions to anyone born on or after May 1, 1963. That date, not coincidentally, is when SCR first opened its doors.
The one-time-only, half-price rate applies to both the Main Stage and Second Stage seasons. The full price of the former ranges from $120-$243 for a six-play season. Full price of the latter is $108-$190 for five plays. But if you're 35 or younger -- and are subscribing for the first time -- you can cut those prices in half with a valid ID.
The offer is good for any evening performance. Seating restrictions apply.
"Our 35th season is a cause for celebration" said Bobbi Dauderman, SCR's board vice president for community relations. "It's also a great time to welcome new people into our family, and we hope this will encourage younger theatregoers to subscribe and be part of SCR's next 35 years." Here's the 1998-99 line-up at SCR:
Mainstage
Sept. 4-Oct. 11, opens Sept. 11: Eugene O'Neill's comedy, Ah, Wilderness!, staged by Melia Bensussen. The play, about a young man coming of age -- while worrying the bejeezus out of his family -- recently had a Broadway revival at Lincoln Center. Other O'Neill plays include Long Day's Journey Into Night, Thirst and The Hairy Ape.
Oct. 16-Nov. 22, opens Oct. 23: Donald Margulies' Dinner With Friends, directed by former Seattle Rep artistic director, Daniel Sullivan. Other Margulies plays include What's Wrong With This Picture? and the Pulitzer-nominated Collected Stories, about to get a NY revival with Uta Hagen.
Nov. 28-Dec. 27: Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.
Jan. 8-Feb. 14, 1999, opens Jan. 15, 1999: Moliere's Tartuffe, staged by David Chambers. Other Moliere works include The School For Wives and The Misanthrope.
Feb. 19-Apr. 4, 1999, opens Feb. 26, 1999: John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, directed by co-artistic director David Emmes.
Apr. 9-May 16, 1999, opens Apr. 16, 1999: Alan Ayckbourn's comic trilogy, The Norman Conquests, directed by co-artistic director Martin Benson. Other Ayckbourn plays include Absurd Person Singular, Bedroom Farce and Woman In Mind.
May 21-June 27, 1999, opens May 28, 1999: John Glore's On The Jump, a world premiere.
Second Stage
Sept. 22-Oct. 5, opens Sept. 25: Jon Klein's Dimly Perceived Threats To The System, directed by associate artist Mark Rucker.
Nov. 3-Dec. 6, opens Nov. 6: Keith Reddin's But Not For Me, a world premiere directed by co-artistic director Emmes.
Dec. 11-27: La Posada Magica, a play with music by Octavio Solis and Marcos Loya.
Jan. 26-Feb. 28, 1999, opens Jan. 29, 1999: David Hare's socio-politically charged romance, Skylight. Other Hare plays include The Judas Kiss and The Secret Rapture.
Mar. 9-Apr. 11, 1999, opens Mar. 12, 1999: production to be announced.
Apr. 27-May 30, 1999, opens Apr. 30, 1999: Nilo Cruz's Two Sisters and a Piano.
For more information on shows at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, call (714) 708-5555.
-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent
and David Lefkowitz
