On March 16, the Arkansas Repertory Theatre announced its 2016-17 season lineup of MainStage productions. Beginning in September, the shows mark The Rep’s 41st season in holy, medieval and Christmasy fashion.
“In keeping with our tradition of producing a diverse range of plays and musicals, we’ve selected a new season that celebrates theatrical storytelling,” said Producing Artistic Director Bob Hupp. “Each production in our 41st season is bound together and brought to life by the imaginative talent of our country’s finest actors, directors and designers.”
With Hupp beginning a new role in Syracuse this year, he went on to discuss arranging his final lineup for the theatre.
“Planning the upcoming season in anticipation of the arrival of our new producing artistic director reminds me how much I’ve loved working at The Rep these past 17 years, and how much I know you’ll enjoy all that’s in store for the theatre’s exciting future,” Hupp said.
But the theatre will be in good hands once Hupp leaves in late June. The Rep’s founding artistic director Cliff Baker will step in as interim artistic director until the search for Hupp’s replacement is complete.
As for the 2016-17 season, The Rep also released a video of Hupp giving short synopses of the Tony Award-winning shows, and subsequently teasing us all relentlessly. Check it out after the lineup.
Now on to the shows!
Monty Python’s “Spamalot”
Aug. 31 – Oct. 2, 2016
Directed by Melissa Rain Anderson
“I’m always compelled and inspired to work on great comedy,” said Anderson, who directed “The Little Mermaid” last December. “I think the tag line says it best: ‘Lovingly ripped from the motion picture Monty Python and the Holy Grail.’ The Pythons are famous for their silly, quirky comedy and I’m a big fan of their style.”
“The Crucible”
Oct. 26 – Nov. 13, 2016
Directed by Paul Barnes
“Arthur Miller, one of the great American moralists, wrote ‘The Crucible,’ a play about the 17th Century Salem, Mass. witch hunts and trials, during another period of witch hunts and trials in America: the mid-20th Century Joseph McCarthy-led HUAC Congressional hearings,” said first-time Rep director Barnes. “I’m thrilled to revisit Miller’s great play at this tumultuous time in our country’s history and continuing evolution, and in this centenary anniversary year in which Arthur Miller is being so widely honored and remembered.”
“A Christmas Story”
Nov. 30 – Dec. 24, 2016
Directed by Philip Grecian
“We’ve got a wonderful present to wrap up and put under the tree this year at The Rep,” said Shanahan, who directed “Peter and the Starcatcher” at the beginning of the year. “Audiences will be delighted as this classic Christmas tale comes to life in a uniquely theatrical way. ‘A Christmas Story’ transports us to the bygone era of the 1940s and the recollections of a family Christmas like no other. Full of wit, imagination and heartfelt nostalgia, ‘A Christmas Story’ is a holiday gift you’ll remember all year-round.”
“Sister Act”
Jan. 25 – Feb. 26, 2017
Directed by Cliff Baker
“Shake off those post-holiday blues and jump into 2017 with me as I direct ‘Sister Act the Musical,’” founding artistic director Baker. “A good number of years ago I saw this show when it was still in previews in London. I immediately thought Rep audiences would love this! The show joyfully celebrates our foibles and follies. It is suitable for the whole family, but it’s not Disney, it’s Whoopi!”
“Jar the Floor”
March 29 – April 16, 2017
Directed by Gilbert McCauley
“In addition to the thrill of returning to direct my eighth production at The Rep, it’s always exciting to work on a good play,” said McCauley, who most recently directed “The Whipping Man” in January 2015 . “It’s even more fun to return to a good play more than once; this is the case for me with ‘Jar the Floor.’ Each time I come back to this piece, I am pleasantly surprised by the appreciation and delight that audiences express as they peek into this special day-in-the-life of these four generations of women… While it is filled with raucous and often poignant humor, the playwright, Cheryl West, says her play is also about ‘making peace—with one’s scars, with one’s history and… one’s mother.’”
“Godspell”
May 31– June 25, 2017
Directed by Donna Drake
“I am overjoyed to be returning to The Rep next season as director of the newly conceived cirque/aerial version of Godspell, a new and thought-provoking spin on an age-old story,” said Drake, who directed “Mary Poppins” last spring. “I wanted to develop and work on this production at The Rep because I know I will be surrounded by extraordinary talent, brilliant design, a supportive team and dear friends; all the tools needed to create magic. From ‘Mary Poppins’ to ‘Godspell,’ each production is a unique story of humankind being transformed by the teachings of love and compassion.”
Get more information about the upcoming season at The Rep’s website. Call the box office at (501) 378-0405 for information on season subscriptions, and don’t miss the upcoming production of “The Bridges of Madison County” in April.