Boy Gets Girl by Rebecca Gilman
Directed by Marcus Lane
January 24th – February 9th, 2019
Theresa Bedell is a successful reporter in New York who loves her work and the life she has made for herself. A relationship with a man would complete the picture and so she agrees to go on a blind date with a friend of a friend. Tony is attractive and funny, but Theresa isn’t sure, and after a second date she’s convinced they have nothing in common and sees no point in continuing the relationship. Tony, though, thinks otherwise.
What at first seems like persistence on his part grows into obsession, and Theresa’s annoyance with Tony turns to terror as he begins to threaten her and those around her. Ultimately, Theresa must fight to save herself from being erased by Tony’s actions—actions which call into question the assumptions at the very heart of romantic pursuit. “…as a suspenseful tale about the unraveling of a strong woman’s sense of security in the urban jungle. It certainly will touch a tender nerve in everybody who’s ever squirmed through a creepy blind date … “ Variety
You Know I Can’t Hear You, When the Water’s Running! by Robert Anderson
Directed by Daniel Martin
March 14-30, 2019, with a special matinee on March 24!
Four stories of love, sex, and everything in-between. Theatre Downtown brings back its annual Short Play festival (cultivating new directors and talent for the stage) with these forgotten gems from the 1970s. If you thought sex was complicated now, wait until you see what these characters are going through! From a playwright who has the perfect role for an actor willing to bear it all to a man tempted by infidelity while shopping for a new bed with his wife, to a couple coming to terms with their son’s new “habit” along with lots of other changes in the world, to an elderly couple doing well just to remember the other’s names. This is an evening of comedy you won’t want to miss!This was one of the most successful comedies in Broadway history. The topic is sex, in all its mysterious and fascinating manifestations, and the treatment of this is so skillful, tasteful and explosively funny that the plays are not only captivating and touching but universal in appeal.
“…a masterly light touch…we have a delightful gift of springtime in the Broadway theatre.” —NY Daily News.
“The best and brightest new American play of the season…” —NY World Journal Tribune. “…notably fine comic and dramatic episodes, written with skill and insight…” —NY Post.
Driving Miss Daisy by Alfred Uhry
Directed by Daniel Martin
Daisy Werthan is a sophisticated, stubborn Southern woman who is becoming more and more reckless behind the wheel of her car. When her son hires Daisy an African-American chauffeur, no one anticipates the comradery that will bloom between these two unlikely friends. As the years pass, they begin to rely on each other more and more and it becomes clear that although they are from two different worlds, this wealthy Southern matriarch and her driver have more in common than they could ever imagine (or that the time and circumstances in which they live would ever allow them to admit). The basis for the popular film starring Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman, this play is a favorite amongst theatre-goers and we cannot wait to bring it to the Theatre Downtown stage, just in time for Mother’s Day!
“The play is sweet without being mawkish, ameliorative, without being sanctimonious.” —NY Times.
“…a perfectly poised and shaped miniature on the odd-couple theme.” —NY Post.
Our Leading Lady by Charles Busch
Directed by Mel Christian
April, 1865. Laura Keene, a famous actress/manager, is performing in Washington, DC during the week the civil war ends. Despite a madcap scramble of backstage squabbles, the ambitious Laura does everything she can to get President Lincoln to attend her closing night performance. Her great plans go awry, as Laura and her theatrical troupe collide with history.
“Our Leading Lady is a backstage comedy in which a presidential assassination is not merely a national tragedy but also a vexing interruption in a powerful woman’s quest for fame and glory. Imagine the collision of Gone with the Wind and Noises Off .” – Don Shewey, The Advocate
YELLOW by Del Shores
Directed by Rhonda Erbrick
Yellow chronicles a year in the life of the perfect family in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Bobby Westmoreland, a high school football coach, and his wife Kate, a respected therapist, have two ambitious children in high school. Their son Dayne is the golden football star while their daughter Gracie is an overly-dramatic actress. Gracie’s best friend is a young gay boy, Kendall, who is at constant odds with his abusive, fundamentalist mother, Sister Timothea. Yellow explores the themes of cowardice, intolerance and the damage caused to families by secrets, rejection and the difficulty of forgiveness.
“Shores has written a darker play than usual, sadder in its view of human folly but wiser in its openness to the forgiveness and generosity of spirit that often make life tolerable. As always with this accomplished playwright, there’s never a dull moment onstage.” – The Hollywood Reporter
“…this powerfully moving work points to exciting new creative directions for a gifted playwright.” – Backstage
Clown Bar by Adam Symkowicz
Directed by Bates Redwine
ALABAMA PREMIERE
A noir-thriller with musical numbers revolving around the secret after-hours life of….Clowns.
Happy’s junkie brother Timmy is found dead. Now Happy must return to his former life as a clown to ask a few questions. But will Happy be able to go home again without getting sucked into the seedy clown underbelly of vice and violence?
“Clown Bar is a raucously good time. ” – nytheatre.com
“ Mr. Szymkowicz has created a new world out of old parts, breeding a brand new species of creative animal. He is, in fact, making his own rules – and the pleasure of obeying them is all ours” – New York Theatre
Closed November 17th, 2018
Middletown by Will Eno
Directed by David Strickland
A deeply moving and funny play exploring the universe of a small American town. As a friendship develops between longtime resident John Dodge and new arrival Mary Swanson, the lives of the inhabitants of Middletown intersect in strange and poignant ways in a journey that takes them from the local library to outer space and points between.”Delicate, moving, piercing, tart, funny, gorgeous. Mr. Eno’s gift may be unmatched among writers of his generation. Glimmers from start to finish.” – The New York Times “Middletown is a lusciously written, strangely poignant, dizzyingly modern spin on life.” – Newsday