Signature Theatre Company launches 20 month season to celebrate their 15th anniversary

Signature Theatre Company 15th Anniversary programme begins in November 2005 with two acclaimed plays from past resident writers, Horton Foote's 'The Trip to Bountiful' and John Guare's 'Landscape of the Body'.

In September 2006, the celebration continues with three plays by Pulitzer Prize-winner August Wilson: a revival of' Two Trains Running'; the New York premiere of his one-man show 'How I Learned What I Learned'; and a World Premiere, Wilson's first new work following his cycle plays.

To further explore Wilson's body of work, Signature will undertake an ambitious 10-Play/10-Day August Wilson Marathon of readings of all ten epic plays of Wilson's 20th-century cycle, featuring many of the cast members and other artists from the original productions.

"As we celebrate our 15th Anniversary, we are excited to continue building upon Signature's unique mission of honoring an individual playwright by providing increased and groundbreaking programming," said James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director, Signature Theatre Company."

Signature have established a special $15 ticket for all performances (regularly $55), an initiative made possible by a leadership gift from Time Warner. "We are exceptionally grateful to Time Warner for their generosity and lead support, which allows our productions to become as affordable as a trip to the movies."

This year the Company is launching the Signature Series, presenting revivals of celebrated works by previous resident writers for a new generation of audiences. This series is a companion to the Premiere Series, successfully launched during Signature's 10th Anniversary in 2000, which is a presentation of New York and world premieres by past Playwrights-in-Residence.

Signature Theatre Company's 2005-2007 Programming:

River To River Festival
(September 2005) Signature will host free outdoor screenings of two films by Signature Playwrights-in-Residence: To Kill a Mockingbird, to be introduced by Horton Foote, and Atlantic City, to be introduced by John Guare at Rockefeller Park in Battery Park City as part of the downtown River to River Festival.

The Trip To Bontiful by 1994/95 Playwright-in-Residence Horton Foote and directed by Harris Yulin
(November 2005-January 2006)

Sixty-year old Carrie Watts is a woman with a weak heart but a strong spirit. Trapped in a tiny Houston apartment under the care of her soft-spoken son and watchful daughter-in-law, Carrie is determined to escape and return to her girlhood home of Bountiful, Texas, where she hasn't been in thirty years. Seizing her chance - and her meager Social Security check - Carrie sets out on an unforgettable journey to make peace with her past...and the secrets of her heart that draw her ever homeward.

Landscape Of The Body by 1998/99 Playwright-in-Residence John Guare and directed by Michael Greif.
(February-April 2006)

1970s Greenwich Village. Betty Yearn is on the lam, connected to the mysterious murder of her teenaged son. Through twists in time and with some help from a singing narrator back from the dead, John Guare weaves an entertaining tale of the tragic and comic collisions of a group of people on a nightmarish quest for the American Dream.

Madame Bovary, adapted by Adrienne Kennedy from the novel by Gustave Flaubert
(Spring 2006)

A staged reading of Adrienne Kennedy's adaptation of the classic novel Madame Bovary, by Gustave Flaubert. This event marks a homecoming to Signature for Adrienne Kennedy.

Two Trains Running by August Wilson.
(September-October 2006)

In Pittsburgh in 1969, a turbulent world and changing community are viewed through the lives of the regulars at Memphis Lee's Restaurant. Like many other buildings in the community, the popular diner is scheduled to be torn down as part of the city's renovation project. Amidst it all, community residents struggle to cope, fight back when they can and keep their spirits high with humor, compassion, loud voices and big hearts.

How I Learned What I Learned written by and starring August Wilson, directed by Todd Kreidler
(November 2006-January 2007)

August Wilson takes the stage himself in this one-man show, a collection of stories from his life in his native Pittsburgh and beyond.

10-play/10day August Wilson Marathon
(February 2007)

With the recent premiere of Radio Golf, August Wilson has completed his 10-play cycle on 20th-century African-American life. To mark this extraordinary achievement, Signature will produce a marathon of readings showcasing these ten plays over ten days, reuniting original cast members, directors, and other artistic collaborators from across the country.

World Premiere by August Wilson
(February-April 2007)

Signature presents the world premiere of Wilson's first play after completing his epic 20th-century cycle. This new comedy depicts a group of coffin makers on strike and includes a radio with magical powers.

Additional information for all the productions will be announced in the coming weeks.

As part of Signature's expanded programming, several free events are planned. Beginning in September 2005, the River to River Festival will host free outdoor screenings at Rockefeller Park in Battery Park City of two films by Signature Playwrights-in-Residence: To Kill a Mockingbird, to be introduced by Horton Foote, and Atlantic City, to be introduced by John Guare. Signature will also mount a free staged reading of Adrienne Kennedy's adaptation of Madame Bovary and a symposium with scholars and artists from across the country discussing August Wilson's work and the significance of his 20th-century cycle of plays.