Download CYGNET THEATRE ANNOUNCES SEASON 14 LINEUP

For Immediate Release: January 17, 2016
Contact: Toni Robin, (858) 483-3918
[email protected]
CYGNET THEATRE ANNOUNCES SEASON 14 LINEUP
From classic musicals to shocking contemporary works,
Season 2016-17 promises to be a true “Cygnet” Season
SAN DIEGO, CA – Every season must reflect the mission of the company and for the past 13
years, Sean Murray has crafted uniquely Cygnet seasons that reflect the commitment to “startle
the soul, embrace diversity and ignite debate.” This year is no exception. The seven productions
in Season 14 range from the traditional to the avant-garde and include two musical theatre
classics, a two-show repertory by a Pulitzer prize-winning playwright, the return of a holiday
favorite and two contemporary works sure to shock and amaze.
The season opens this summer with one of the most beloved stage musicals of our time, Gypsy
– the mother of all musicals! With music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a
book by Arthur Laurents, the musical theatre classic has been revived on Broadway four times
and been staged countless times around the world. San Diego audiences will get a chance to
experience this jewel of American musical theatre when Cygnet Theatre and Director Sean
Murray bring Mama Rose, Dainty June, Louise, and the entire 19-member cast to the Old Town
Theatre. Boasting one show-stopping song after another, this classic musical will feature the
biggest cast ever to appear on a Cygnet stage. Linda Libby, 2013 Craig Noel San Diego Critics
Circle Actor of the Year and Cygnet Resident Artist, steps into the iconic role of Mama Rose.
Showcased along with Ms. Libby will be Allison Spratt Pearce, recently featured in Cygnet’s
My Fair Lady and Come from Away at La Jolla Playhouse, as Louise. Katie Whalley Banville
will portray Dainty June while Cygnet's own Manny Fernandes will take on the role of Herbie.
In the fall, Cygnet’s tradition of shows performed in rotating rep continues with the staging of two
renowned works by August Wilson, both part of his ten-play Century Cycle. Wilson’s legacy
lives on through this cycle of plays chronicling the African American experience, each set in a
different decade of the 20th century. The selection of Seven Guitars and King Hedley II is
especially fascinating to present in Rep as several characters appear in a story line decades
apart. Cygnet received major accolades from their staging of Wilson’s Fences in 2008 which
was honored as the best show of the year by multiple critics. Cygnet also presented The Piano
Lesson in 2010 and Gem of the Ocean in 2013.
A Cygnet tradition returns for the holidays with A Christmas Carol, Critics Choice of 2014 (SD
Union-Tribune) and always a beloved family favorite complete with puppets, live music and a
sing along.
January brings Bad Jews to the stage - a fierce, biting comedy about family, faith and what you
choose to believe, when you're chosen. Rob Lutfy directs this Off-Broadway hit featuring the
savage humor of playwright Joshua Harmon. The play follows the trials and family tribulations of
an Upper West Side family in a verbal battle royale over a family heirloom.
In March, a luxury train rolls into town bringing nonstop laughter and mayhem. The madcap
musical comedy, On the Twentieth Century features the writing talents of Comden and
Greene. This musical comedy duo lent their unique comic genius and sophisticated wit to
dozens of Broadway hits including On the Town and Bells are Ringing. On the Twentieth
Century will be directed by Sean Murray and feature Eileen Bowman as Lily Garland and
Melinda Gilb as Mrs. Primrose.
Cygnet’s fourteenth season ends with the manic, irreverent and wildly engaging presentation of
the German theatrical event, Shockheaded Peter. This 1998 musical took a famed German
children’s book series and turned it into instant classic in its own right. The stage production of
Shockheaded Peter won rave reviews around the world as one of the most original
collaborations of its kind. The crazy and dark production combines elements of pantomime and
puppetry with musical versions of the poems with the song. Buckle up for a wild ride directed by
Rob Lutfy, who says, “It’s a play for the weird ones, those that live on the fringes of society, or
for anyone who has ever felt like they don’t quite fit in to a society of strict rules.”
“I’m really proud of the diversity and quality of this season,” said Artistic Director Sean Murray.
“To go from stripper to an ex-con, to some ‘bad Jews,’ to one naughty little boy in just one
season. That’s exciting. That’s Cygnet!”
All seven productions will be performed in Cygnet’s home, the Old Town Theatre in Old Town
San Diego State Historic Park.
Current Cygnet subscribers will be notified by mail regarding subscription renewals. New
subscription sales will be available beginning March 1st. For more information regarding
subscriptions packages please contact the box office at 619-337-1525 or visit
www.cygnettheatre.com.
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SEASON XIV: 2016-2017
LIST OF PLAYS
GYPSY
July 14th – Sept 4th
Opening July 23rd, 2016
Music by Jule Styne and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Arthur Laurents
Directed by Sean Murray
Choreography by David Brannen
Music Direction by Terry O’Donnell
Indomitable stage mother Rose chases vicarious success and stardom as she pushes her
daughters through the vaudeville circuit. When Dainty June flees the act to elope, Rose vows to
make introverted Louise into a star. Boasting one show-stopping song after another – like
“Everything’s Coming Up Roses” and “Let Me Entertain You” – this classic musical was inspired
by memoirs of the legendary burlesque dancer Gypsy Rose Lee. Featuring Linda Libby as
Mama Rose, Allison Spratt Pearce as Louise, Katie Whalley-Banville as Dainty June, and
Manny Fernandes as Herbie.
“The quintessential American musical” – Hollywood Reporter
Repertory
SEVEN GUITARS
Sept 28th – Nov 6th
Opening Oct. 8th 2016
By August Wilson
San Diego Premiere
In the backyard of a Pittsburgh tenement in 1948, friends gather to mourn for a blues guitarist
and singer who died just as his career was on the verge of taking off. The action that follows is a
flashback to the busy week leading up to Floyd's sudden and unnatural death. Seven Guitars is
part bawdy comedy, part dark elegy and part mystery. This lyrical play is the fifth in August
Wilson’s ten-play cycle which charts the African-American experience through each decade of
the 20th century and is performed in rep with King Hedley II.
“Rich, music-drenched drama” – New York Times
Repertory
KING HEDLEY II
Sept. 29th – Nov. 6th
Opening Oct. 9th 2016
By August Wilson
San Diego Premiere
King Hedley II shares the story of King – a man recently released from prison, attempting to
rebuild his life amid changing times and a backdrop of the crime and drug struggles in the
community where he exists. King dreams of a life of stability and self-reliance beyond
incarceration, gangs and broken family. The play dares to ask what it takes to transcend the
limitations of life and personal circumstance, and if pure will is enough to change a man's
destiny. King Hedley II is the ninth play in August Wilson’s ten-play cycle that, decade by
decade, examines African American life in the United States during the twentieth century.
"Mesmerizing…. Full of powerful images that convey the darkly comic dialogue between hope
and hopelessness in African American life." -– N.Y. Daily News
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Nov 22nd – Dec 24th
Opening Nov. 26th, 2016
Adaptation & Lyrics by Sean Murray
Original Score by Billy Thompson
Directed by Sean Murray
Musical Direction by Patrick Marion
Cygnet Theatre invites you to start your own family tradition with one of ours. This season
welcomes the return of the holiday classic adapted from Charles Dickens' timeless tale of hope
and redemption. This re-imagined, fully staged production features original new music, creative
stagecraft and puppetry, and live sound effects. Step into a Victorian Christmas card for a
unique storytelling experience that is sure to delight the entire family!
“Critics Pick” in 2014 – San Diego Union-Tribune
BAD JEWS
Jan 12th – Feb 12th
Opening Jan 21st, 2017
By Joshua Harmon
Directed by Rob Lutfy
San Diego Premiere
The night after their grandfather’s funeral, three cousins engage in a verbal battle royale over a
family heirloom. In one corner is the unstoppable and self-assured force of “Super Jew”
Daphna. In the other, the immovable and entitled object of her secular cousin Liam. And in the
middle is Liam’s brother Jonah, trying to stay out of the fray. Bad Jews is a savage comedy
about family, faith, and legacy.
“The funniest play of the year.” – Washington Post
“Delectably savage humor” – New York Times
ON THE 20TH CENTURY
March 9th – April 30th
Opening March 18th, 2017
San Diego Premiere
Book and Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green
Music by Cy Coleman
Directed by Sean Murray
It’s nonstop laughs aboard the Twentieth Century, a luxury train traveling from Chicago to New
York City. Luck, love and mischief collide when the bankrupt theater producer Oscar Jaffee
embarks on a madcap mission to cajole glamorous Hollywood starlet Lily Garland into playing
the lead in his new, non-existent epic drama. But is the train ride long enough to reignite the
spark between these former lovers, create a play from scratch, and find the money to get it all
the way to Broadway? Featuring Eileen Bowman (Company) as Lily and Melinda Gilb (A
Christmas Carol) as Mrs. Primrose.
“Old-fashioned musical comedy magic” – USA Today
“The show is a nonstop delight." – New York Post
SHOCKHEADED PETER
May 18th – June 18th
Opening May 27th, 2017
West Coast Regional Premiere
Music by Adrian Huge, Martyn Jacques, Adrian Stout
Lyrics by Martyn Jacques
Book by Julian Bleach, Anthony Cairns, Graeme Gilmour, Tamzin Griffen
Based on Struwwelpeter by Heinrich Hoffmann
Directed by Rob Lutfy
Fall into the world of Victorian steam-punk nightmares as a manic music box spins stories of
naughty children and misguided parents. Silly and sinister, Shockheaded Peter dares us to ask
what's beneath the floorboards. Don't miss the most damning tale ever told on stage!
“A vile and repulsive story told by reprehensible characters in a thoroughly degenerate fashion –
Absolute Bliss” – David Bowie
“A wryly seedy cabaret-punk musical” – Variety
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ABOUT CYGNET THEATRE
Cygnet Theatre Company produces a year-round season of professional Off-Broadway-style
theatre as well as thought-provoking and engaging educational programming. Cygnet is
committed to maintaining high standards of artistic and fiscal integrity, and serves more than
40,000 patrons annually from San Diego and beyond. Cygnet performs its mainstage
productions at the state-of-the-art theatre in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. An active
member of the San Diego community, Cygnet has outreach programs serving tens of thousands
of students and community members annually. For more information,
visit www.cygnettheatre.com.
CYGNET THEATRE MISSION STATEMENT
Believing in the power of theatre to startle the soul, stir debate and embrace the wide diversity
of the community it serves, Cygnet Theatre Company is fearlessly committed to the dissection,
examination and celebration of the human story through the medium of live theatre.