Off-Broadway's Ars Nova has unveiled its 2018–2019 lineup, which will feature two world-premiere works: a new musical created by Andrew R. Butler that is billed as a sci-fi folk concert, as well as a new play created by The Mad Ones, the theatremakers behind the acclaimed Miles For Mary, among other new plays.
Kicking off the new season in September will be Rags Parkland Sings the Songs of the Future, created by Butler with direction by Jordan Fein (Erin Markey’s Singlet, now playing at The Buswick Starr). Butler is a former Ars Nova resident artist and 2018 Jonathan Larson Grant recipient; his shows include collaborations with playwright Andrew Farmer: Finn the Fearless, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and Blessing, as well as Folk Wandering, The Dixon Family Album, and Political Subversities.
“Andrew Butler has been a beacon in our community, and we’re delighted to shine the spotlight on him as brightly as possible this fall,“ commented Founding Artistic Director of Ars Nova Jason Eagan in a statement.
Read: HOW JASON EAGAN MADE ARS NOVA A HOTBED OF BOUNDARY-PUSHING THEATRE
Rags Parkland Sings The Songs Of The Future will feature a six-member ensemble, and a creative team made up of Madeline Smith (music director), Laura Jellinek (scenic design) Andy Jean (costume design), Barbara Samuels (lighting design), Mikaal Sulaiman (sound design), John C. Moore (assistant stage manager), and Jhanaë Bonnick (production stage manager). The production will run September 25–October 27 at Ars Nova at 54th Street.
In the new year, Ars Nova will celebrate the opening of its new downtown location: the 199-seat Greenwich House Theater in the West Village. As previously reported, the organization will be the new tenant in the historic theatre beginning in 2019.
Following a ribbon-cutting celebration in February, Ars Nova will present a world premiere from resident company The Mad Ones, directed by Co-Artistic Director Lila Neugebauer. The play, which is currently untitled, is a commission from Ars Nova. Performances will begin in March and run through April.
The 11th annual ANT Fest, Ars Nova’s annual celebration of eclectic and genre-defying new work across theatre, music, and comedy, will be staged in Ars Nova's 54th Street theatre in June. The festival will run June 4–28
“It’s an electrifying time to be around Ars Nova as we continue the discovery and development work happening on 54thStreet, while taking on Greenwich House for our Off-Broadway productions,” said Eagan. For more information on the lineup visit ArsNovaNYC.com.
