Guthrie Announces 2008-09 Season of "Firsts," Including Kushner Premiere and Little House Musical
By Adam Hetrick
26 Mar 2008
The Guthrie Theatre, under the artistic direction of Joe Dowling, has announced a 2008-2009 season of works never before presented at the esteemed Minnesota arts institution.
The Guthrie's three stages – the Wurtele Thrust, the McGuire Proscenium and the Dowling Studio – will host works ranging from Tony Kushner to Samuel Beckett, plus the premiere of a new musical based in the popular "Little House on the Prairie" book by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
"Our ability to produce such an artistically diverse line-up, from a new musical based on stories of our region to a commission from one of America's most gifted and insightful playwrights to a Shakespeare comedy that has never before been produced at the Guthrie, reflects our mission to connect Minnesotans to the peoples of the world," Dowling stated.
As previously announced, the Guthrie will stage three works by Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning Playwright Tony Kushner, including the Guthrie-commissioned The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures. The Guthrie will also present Kushner and Jeanine Tesori's award-winning musical Caroline, or Change as well as a collection of Kushner's short plays.
The line-up of productions for the Wurtele Thrust Stage includes Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge directed by Ethan McSweeney (Sept. 13-Nov. 9); the Guthrie's annual presentation of A Christmas Carol, adapted by Barbara Field and directed by Gary Gisselman (Nov. 18-Dec. 31); Shakespeare's Two Gentleman of Verona staged by Joe Dowling (Jan. 24-March 29, 2009); the Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori musical Caroline, Or Change (April 18-June 21, 2009); and a John Miller-Stephany-directed staging of J.B. Priestley's When We Are Married (July 4-Aug. 30, 2009).
The world premiere musical Little House on the Prairie kicks off the theatrical offerings for the McGuire Proscenium Stage. Francesca Zambello (The Little Mermaid) directs the musical penned by Rachel Sheinkin, Rachel Portman and Donna DiNovelli (July 26-Oct. 5).
Also set are William Nicholson's Shadowlands directed by Joe Dowling (Nov. 1-Dec. 21); Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize winning work A Delicate Balance directed by Gary Gisselman (Jan. 10-March 1, 2009); the Penumbra Theatre production of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun directed by Lou Bellamy (March 14-April 12, 2009); and Kushner's The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures (May 9-June 28, 2009).
Productions for the Dowling Studio include Jon Marans' Old Wicked Songs helmed by Peter Rothstein (Sept. 12-Oct. 5); a Benjamin McGovern-directed run of Harold Pinter's The Caretaker (Oct. 11-Nov. 12); the Pillsbury House Theatre production of Blackbird by David Harrower staged by Steve DiMenna (Nov. 6-30); Shakespeare's Henry V presented by the Acting Company under the direction of Davis McCallum (Jan. 10-Feb. 1, 2009); and Rob Melrose's staging of Samuel Beckett's Happy Days (Feb. 14-March 8, 2009).
Additional Dowling Studio productions are the Frank Theatre presentation of By the Bog of Cats… by Marina Carr, directed by Wendy Knox (March 12-April 5, 2009); An Evening of Short Plays of Tony Kushner (May 16-June 7, 2009); and finally, My Father's Bookshelf, presented by Live Action Set (June 18-28, 2009).
Season subscription sales begin sale May 19, with single tickets to follow on July 7. Tickets for Little House on the Prairie begin general sale June 27.
For more information or to purchase tickets or season subscriptions, call the Guthrie Theater box office at (612) 377-2224 or toll-free (877) 44 STAGE.
Tickets can also be purchased online at www.guthrietheater.org.
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