The June-July 2010 staging reunites collaborators Preston Lane (playwright/director) and Laurelyn Dossett (composer/musician), who crafted Brother Wolf, Bloody Blackbeard and Beautiful Star at the resident company. (The Christmas tale Beautiful Star will also return in late 2009, as an add-on to the five-play MainStage season).

With original music by Laurelyn Dossett, Lane's Providence Gap is a "play blending magic, myth and music," according to Triad. "Chance Presnell is lucky. Abandoned at birth, he is rescued by a stranger. He meets his wife by accident. And coincidence saves his only child. But luck can change. As war calls him to Europe and an old jealousy splits his family apart, fate twists and his fortunes reverse. From a farm in the Blue Ridge to a mill village in the Piedmont, from the trenches of World War I to the Mexican border, Chance must take his destiny into his own hands as he searches for a place where all that is lost can once again be found."

Providence Gap runs June 6-July 4, 2010. Opening is June 11, 2010.

Triad Stage's 2009-10 season also includes:

Picnic
A Summer Romance
By William Inge
Sept. 6–27
"It's a peaceful time for a small quiet Kansas town in the early 1950s and summer is drawing to a close with the excitement of the annual Labor Day picnic. But the sudden arrival of Hal Carter, a handsome young drifter, stirs the emotions of a group of neighbors as he develops an instant attraction with Madge, one of the most beautiful girls in town. As Hal hides deep insecurities with grand shows of bravado, Madge is torn between her heart and her head in this Pulitzer Prize-winning drama where passions turn one small community upside down." Oleanna
A Power Play
By David Mamet
Oct. 18–Nov. 8
"When an unconventional professor tries to help a struggling female student who is failing his class, the end result is far beyond what either originally expected in this shocking case of 'he said, she said.' What begins as a simple meeting behind closed doors leads to misinterpretations, accusations and a high-stakes struggle for power. This controversial play by David Mamet (creator of "The Unit" and Glengarry Glen Ross) promises to defy expectations and challenge opinions. Who is right; who is wrong? Who is to say in this examination of power, privilege and political correctness?"

Beautiful Star: An Appalachian Nativity
A Seasonal Celebration
By Preston Lane
Original music by Laurelyn Dossett
Nov. 27–Dec. 23
"The Triad's newest holiday tradition proves that the best tales are the ones worth repeating. Returning for a fourth season of celebration, Reverend Ledbetter and the Open Heart Community Fellowship gather again for their rendition of the Christmas story, with down home laughter, toe-tapping music and a tug at the heartstrings. Come experience the joy and wonder that have made Beautiful Star the biggest hit in Triad Stage's history." This is a special event and is not included in Season Pass packages, but 2009-10 Season Passholders have the exclusive opportunity to order advance tickets to Beautiful Star at a special reduced rate of $30 each.

Around the World in 80 Days
A Comic Adventure
By Mark Brown
Adapted from the novel by Jules Verne
Feb. 7-28, 2010
"The classic tale springs to life in this clever, fast-paced comedy for the whole family. Proper gentleman Phileas Fogg strikes a wager and sets off on a race that puts his fortune and life at risk. With his faithful servant at his side, he has just 80 days to circle the globe — an inconceivable feat in the year 1872! Fierce natives, furious typhoons, runaway trains, a damsel in distress and a dogged detective threaten to delay him at every step in this delightful, whirlwind odyssey that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to unexpected end."

Ethel Waters: His Eye Is on the Sparrow
A Life in Song
By Larry Parr
April 11–May 2, 2010
"From the hopeless slums of Philadelphia to the heights of fame, from anger towards almost everyone to a love for all mankind, Ethel Waters lived it all. Now her life takes center stage. From a childhood as a thief and unwilling bride, she became a Vaudeville success, a recording sensation and a Broadway and Hollywood star. Then a reputation for being difficult and her own distrust made her a recluse until she found a purpose beyond herself as a performer with the Billy Graham Crusades. Through it all, there were the songs, the ones that gave her strength and the one that made her a legend. This is her incredible story, filled with the greatest hits of a lifetime, including 'Stormy Weather' and 'Am I Blue?'"

Tickets to individual shows will not be available until Aug. 3. For more information visit www.triadstage.org.

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Triad Stage is a professional not-for-profit regional theatre company based in Greensboro's downtown historic district. All Triad Stage productions are created in Greensboro using the best of local and national talent. Triad Stage’s 2008-09 MainStage season continues with Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen, in a world premiere adaptation by Preston Lane (March 15-April 5); The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead, a new comedic thrill ride by Robert Hewett (April 26–May 17); and Tartuffe, or the Hypocrite, a classic comedy by Molière, translated by Curtis Hidden Page and adapted by Preston Lane (June 7-28).