Pearl Theatre Company announces 2014-2015 Season
The Pearl Theatre Company, under the direction of newly appointed Artistic Director Hal Brooks, has announced the line-up for its 2014-2015 Season, including the following productions:
Uncle Vanya
Playwright: Anton Chekov
Director: Hal Brooks
Dates: 09 Sep 2014 - 12 Oct 2014
Official Opening: 21 Sep 2014
Synopsis: 'The arrival of a worldly professor and his bewitching wife have shattered the peace of Vanya and Sonya's country estate. In a series of flirtations, disappointments, confessions, and revelations, this motley collection of parochial nobodies demand their moment in the sun—but never seem to know what to do when they get it. Uncle Vanya invites us into a world of agony, ecstasy, and absurdity—of passionate outbursts and smothered hopes, and of large dreams crammed into little lives.'
Major Barbara
A co-production with Gingold Theatre Group
Playwright: Bernard Shaw
Director: David Staller
Dates: 04 Nov 2014 - 14 Dec 2014
Official Opening: 16 Nov 2014
Synopsis: 'When the charming weapons-manufacturer Andrew Undershaft goes toe-to-toe with his passionate daughter Barbara, a Major in the Salvation Army, over his 'ill-gotten' fortune, it leads to the wager of the century. She is determined to save his soul—he is determined to open her eyes to a wider world. Their confrontation will knock their entire family's moral compass up, down, and sideways, never to be the same again.'
The Winter's Tale
Playwright: William Shakespeare
Director: Michael Sexton
Dates: 10 Feb 2015 - 15 Mar 2015
Official Opening: 22 Feb 2015
Synopsis: 'A moment of jealousy and an act of anger lead to a lifetime of regret for Leontes, the rash king who destroys his family on a whim. But as time glides gently on, fate , love, and a few true friends, are ready to work wonders to restore happiness to his world. In The Winter's Tale, Shakespeare's later-career wise and winsome fairytale, nothing is truly lost—certainly not love—if only we know where to seek it.'
Don Juan
Playwright: Molière
Director: Hal Brooks
Dates: 05 May 2015 - 07 Jun 2015
Official Opening: 17 May 2015
Synopsis: 'Don Juan has just gotten married—so naturally it's time for him to get out of town. Thus begins the strangest road trip in history; a madcap journey by sea and land in which our 'hero' lies, cheats, blusters, and seduces his way across the world—much to the dismay of his honest but dim servant—in an effort to escape his blushing bride's outraged family. But there's an unearthly surprise waiting at the end of their road. Perhaps Moliere's most quixotic farce, Don Juan teases the limits of reality, and brings the natural and supernatural into an outlandish partnership to seal the fate of one deliciously unrepentant rascal.'
The Pearl Theatre Company's current production of Richard Brinsley Sheridan's comedy The Rivals, directed by Hal Brooks, continues its limited engagement run to 25 May 2014.
The cast of The Rivals includes Rachel Botchan, Dan Daily, Sean McNall, Chris Mixon, Joey Parsons and Carol Schultz, with guest artists Cary Donaldson, John C. Egan, Kambi Gathesha, Brad Heberlee and Jessica Love.
Synopsis: 'Richard Brinsley Sheridan's classic romantic romp returns to The Pearl for the story of Lydia Languish who is... languishing. She can imagine nothing more romantic than eloping with the impoverished Captain Beverly. Little does she know that 'Beverly' is really Jack Absolute, a wealthy aristocrat who fears the truth of his identity isn't nearly romantic enough for Miss Languish's taste. How will he win her—from himself?'
Artistic Director Hal Brooks commented on the upcoming season:
"The Pearl is a New York institution and a national gem, and I'm honored to be part of its future. For 30 years, the company has earned its reputation as a leader in producing the classics. And through my experiences directing The Rivals, Figaro, and The Bald Soprano, I've seen first-hand how The Pearl is a family of artists--and in my case, I mean that quite literally. My wife, Rachel Botchan, has been a company member for 15 seasons. My hope for the 31st Season is to show a connection to our history by choosing great masterpieces that embrace the idea of a resident company. In the future, I aim to expand on that vision by reaching out to playwrights, commissioning them to translate and adapt works from the classical repertory."
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