Arizona Theatre Firm’s 56th season is on the books, with what would be the first season underneath new creative director, Matt August, who joined the group earlier this 12 months.
The 5 performs that form the upcoming 2023-24 season shall be “Barefoot within the Park” by Neil Simon, “Scrooge: The Musical” by Leslie Bricusse, “Intimate Attire” by Lynn Nottage, “Grasp Class” by Terrence McNally and “True West” by Sam Shepard.
It should run within the Temple of Music and Artwork in Tucson from September via subsequent April, in addition to in Phoenix. August stated the season was designed with intention and he stated the crew is as excited as he’s.
“All of those performs have been in my bucket listing for some time,” August stated. “And so they all carry messages couched by humorous, emotional and thrilling tales.”
Neil Simon’s play tells the story of how younger newlyweds be taught to navigate their marriage because the Sixties roll in. The tradition is altering round them, they usually should additionally cope with household points and their very own variations as people.
“You recognize, it is the traditional older era versus youthful era story in New York because the ’50s are coming to an finish,” August stated.
“Scrooge: The Musical” is a part of the ATC’s household programming and shall be on stage through the vacation season subsequent winter.
“Intimate Attire” and “Grasp Class” each function sturdy feminine leads, August stated. “Intimate Attire” follows an African American lady as she creates a profitable undergarment enterprise in 1905 whereas “Grasp Class” tells the story of Maria Callas as she “delivers a life altering grasp class to college students at an elite opera coaching program.” The story relies on a time she taught courses at Juilliard.
“These two girls had been profitable and revered in enterprise and on the stage, however they had been unappreciated of their private lives,” August stated.
The final play within the season is supposed to attraction to a younger grownup viewers. It’s a fashionable retelling of the story of Cain and Abel, mirroring the rivalry but additionally the bond they shared.
The stakes are excessive as they’re pressured to work collectively on a screenplay that may convey them good cash for his or her time.
“This one is extra geared to the ASU, UA crowd, which is youthful than the standard viewers members we see usually,” August stated.
August stated they labored to select reveals that may attraction to completely different folks, and he hopes they’re in a position to convey extra patrons into the theatre.
ATC may have exterior expertise are available in for the reveals, together with Emmy Award-=successful set designer Jason Ardizzone-West, costume designer Fabio Toblini and Tony-nominated director Marcia Milgrom Dodge.