The annual event offers writers an eight-week residency in which to develop new works with professional artists. Johanna Pfaelzer serves as artistic director, with producing artistic directors Mark Linn-Baker, Max Mayer, Leslie Urdang and Vassar's Ed Cheetham.
In addition to The Nightingale, the Powerhouse season will include the new Public Theater commission February House, by composer Gabriel Kahane; the Bert Berns musical Piece of My Heart; David Solomon's Margaret and Craig with Mario Cantone; and a full production of the Rob Handel play Maze, directed by Tony Award nominee Sam Buntrock.
The fully-staged main stage productions include the new play F2M, from "30 Something" and "Brothers & Sisters" actress Patricia Wettig (June 29-July 10). Maria Mileaf will direct a cast including Keira Keeley, Ken Olin, Deirdre O’Connell and Phoebe Strole. Also planned is Handel's Maze, under the direction of Buntrock (Sunday in the Park with George) (July 20-July 31).
Musical workshops include Sheik and Sater's Nightingale, directed by Tony nominee Moisés Kaufman (July 8-10); Kahane's February House, with a book by Seth Bockley and direction by Davis McCallum (July 14-16); and the Berns musical Piece of My Heart, with a book by Daniel Goldfarb, Brett Berns and Cassandra Berns and direction by Leigh Silverman (July 28-31).
Play workshops include Solomon's Margaret and Craig, directed by Tony nominee Sheryl Kaller (Next Fall) and starring Cantone (Assassins, Laugh Whore) (July 1-3); Seth Zvi Rosenfeld's Handball (July 15-17); and a special musical presentation by singer-songwriter Dar Williams, The Island Musical (July 17). Reading festival programming includes Playground: The Hallie Flanagan Project by Mattie Brickman; Rising Returns by Daniel MacIvor; Day One, A Hotel Room, Evening by Joanna Murray-Smith; and Rivers of January by Ben Snyder (presented June 24-26); as well as The Public by Ed Hime; The Hour of Feeling by Mona Mansour; Matty’s Place by Frank Pugliese; Marry Harry by Jennifer Robbins, Michael Biello and Dan Martin; and Sleeping Demon by John Patrick Shanley (presented July 29-31).
Apprentice company productions include Mark Lindberg's Wuthering (July 7, 14, 21, 28); Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream (July 8-11); and Cymbeline (July 15-18).
Subscriptions will be available online beginning May 18 and in person at the Vassar box office June 8. Phone (845) 437-5599 or visit Powerhouse.Vassar.edu.