The Washington premiere of the provocative Hot 'n' Throbbing, by Pulitzer Prize-winner Paula Vogel, and the world premiere of Blue, by Charles Randolph-Wright, will be part of Arena Stage's 1999-2000 season in Washington D.C.
The eight-show season is split between the 800-seat Fichandler (in-the-round) Theater and the 500-seat Kreeger Theater, in southwest D.C. The intimate Old Vat will be used for smaller bookings, reading and workshops.
Arena media relations director Eve Lechner told Playbill On-Line that a committee has been formed to evaluate the viability of either upgrading its facilities or moving to a new location in downtown D.C. "Things as basic as the plumbing and lobbies have lots of renovations that need to be addressed," she said, stressing the committee is exploring the cost effectiveness of several options.
"No decision has been made," she said. "They want to make sure its the right decision." If a move were to happen, it would be several seasons away, Lechner suggested.
The 1999-2000 Arena season includes: *Hot 'n' Throbbing, the Washington premiere of Paula Vogel's comic tragedy about sex and sexuality, erotica and pornography, directed by Arena artistic director Molly Smith, Sept. 3-Oct. 17 (Kreeger).
*The Royal Family, a revival of the Edna Ferber-George S. Kaufman classic inspired by the Barrymores, directed by Douglas Wager, Oct. 8-Nov. 21 (Fichandler).
*Radio Mambo: Culture Clash Invades Miami, created and performed by Culture Clash, a Chicano performance group, Nov. 5-Jan. 2 (Kreeger).
*Guys and Dolls starring Maurice Hines, directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, Dec. 17-Feb. 20 (Fichandler).
*Dinah Was, the Off-Broadway bio-with-music of Dinah Washington, directed by David Petrarca, Jan. 28-March 26 (Kreeger).
*The Miracle Worker, William Gibson's drama about the relationship between Helen Keller and teacher Annie Sullivan, March 10-April 30 (Fichandler).
*Blue, a new comedy by Randolph-Wright, about an African American family running a funeral home in the South, April 14-June 4 (Kreeger).
*All My Sons, Arthur Miller's post-war drama about morality and family dynamics, directed by Molly Smith, May 19-June 25 (Fichandler).
Founded in 1950, Arena Stage was one of the first major nonprofit professional resident theatres in the post-war American regional theatre movement.
For information, call (202) 488-3300.
-- By Kenneth Jones
