It may still be a year away, but David Auburn’s Proof is in the pudding next season at the Alliance Theatre Company. Located in Atlanta’s Woodruff Center, the Alliance will stage a variety of shows including drama, comedy and musicals during their 2001-02 season. Three things mark the Alliance season as unique: the staging of Proof, which is the first regional mountings of the show to be announced during its Broadway run; the inclusion of the rarely staged Tennessee Williams’ play, A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur; and the fact that this will be outgoing Alliance artistic director Kenny Leon’s last season.
At a glance, the Alliance season comprises Dinah Was, A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur, A Christmas Carol, The Game of Love and Chance, Proof and The Wiz. Also scheduled on Alliance’s Hertz stage are On the Hertz Below the Belt, Jar the Floor and Sleepwalkers. The Alliance Children’s Theatre will feature Androcles and the Lion and Pinocchio 3.5. The first show scheduled for the Alliance Stage is Oliver Goldstick’s Dinah Was, which starts previews Aug. 23. The play pays homage to the self-made "Queen of the Blues," Dinah Washington.
Tennessee Williams’ A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur starts previews Oct. 4. A comedy wrought with fragile emotion and insight and one of Williams’ later works, the story involves four women and how their dreams collide on a summer afternoon in the ‘30s in St. Louis.
Charles Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol as adapted by David H. Bell, will run through the holiday season from Nov. 16 – Dec. 30. Marivaux’ The Game of Love and Chance, translated by Stephen Wadsworth begins previews on Feb. 14, 2002. Mismatched lovers, romantic intrigue and outrageous characters fill this comedy as the young Silvia disguises herself as her own maid in order to discover the “true nature” of he betrothed, Dorante. Dorante learns of her plans and The Game of Love and Chance begins.
Alliance's early announcement of its staging of David Auburn’s current Broadway show, Proof, puts it in the running to be the first production to follow the New York run. Previews begin in Atlanta on March 28, 2002. Grieving over her father’s death, and afraid she harbors both his genius and his madness, Catherine steers her father’s "math geek" protégé toward a startling discovery that will change their lives. The Wiz, with book by William F. Brown and music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, begins previews on May 9, 2002. This mixture of rock, soul and gospel music earned seven Tony Awards including Best Musical.
On Alliance’s Hertz stage, Richard Dresser’s Below the Belt starts previews Sept. 8, 2001. If you have ever dealt with a “maniacally divisive boss, an ambitious brown-noser or an unbearable work place,” Dresser’s satirical look at corporate politics may be for you.
Jar the Floor by Cheryl West starts previews Jan. 26, 2002. Based on the lives of four generations of African-American women and centered on their “MaDear’s” 90th birthday, West story reaches for a humorous and poignant exploration of the influence one generation has on another.
Jorge Ignacio Cortiñas will no doubt be wide awake for the premiere of his Sleepwalkers when previews begin April 13, 2002. The story involves “contemporary Cuba [told] with vivid imagery and lyricism.” In the shadow of Castro’s waning regime, Cubans have so idealized Miami as a destination that “even the outdoors seems air conditioned.”
The Alliance Children’s Theatre will present Aesop’s Androcles and the Lion, adapted by Aurand Harris, from Oct. 27 – Nov. 17, 2001. Presented in the Italian slapstick comedy style of commedia dell’ arte, the play is told in verse with hip music and cool costumes at the 14th Street Playhouse.
Eric Coble’s Pinocchio 3.5 will run on the Alliance Stage from Jan. 12 – Feb. 3, 2002. A high-tech fantasy about what’s “real,” this story should appeal to parents as well as children. The adaptation involves the wealthy computer designer “Gill Bates,” who has everything but kids. So he builds a robot to make his life complete, only to discover that his robot has a mind of his own.
For single tickets call (404) 733-5000. Single ticket prices range from $12.50 - $50. For groups of 10 or more call (404) 733-4690. After July 30, single tickets may be ordered online at www.alliancetheatre.org.
