Bridges, which has book and lyrics by Cheryl L. Davis and music by Douglas J. Cohen, will be directed by Karen Altree Piemme. Performances are scheduled for Feb. 11–March 6, 2016.

The new musical, which was commissioned by the Playhouse, "tackles the growing pains of a multiracial family across generations. The story takes place during the winter of 1965 in Selma, Alabama and the fall of 2008 in Oakland, California – two historical seasons of activism in the ongoing struggle for equality and justice in America," according to press notes.

Berkeley Playhouse at the Julia Morgan Theater's eighth season will launch in September with the Tony-winning Avenue Q, directed by Danny Cozart, followed by the boy who wouldn’t grow up, Peter Pan, directed by Berkeley Playhouse producing artistic director Daren A.C. Carollo in late October.

The Addams Family, directed by Kimberly Dooley, will creep onto the Playhouse stage in March, with To Kill a Mockingbird, also directed by Carollo, opening in late April. The season closes with the Bay Area premiere of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, directed by Scottie Woodard.

"The 2015-2016 season represents our biggest artistic growth as a company. From our first 'R-rated' show in Avenue Q and our first non-musical, To Kill a Mockingbird, we are starting a journey to bring different kinds of stories to Berkeley and the East Bay. These stories continue to reflect the diversity of the community around us. However, by expanding our programming we are reaching out to new audiences while staying committed to those audiences who have already developed a trust in us,” said Carollo in a statement. The 2015-16 season will be presented at the Julia Morgan Theater located at 2640 College Ave., Berkeley. Season passes ($74-$138) are now available for purchase. Single tickets ($17-$60) for most shows will go on sale in August. For ticket information, visit www.berkeleyplayhouse.org or call (510) 845-8542 ext. 351.