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It takes great artists to make great art — and this group of award winners has come together for a spectacular season made just for San Diego audiences.
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Dear Friends, The artists you’ll see on the coming pages are telling stories that invigorate, challenge and entertain in ways that inspire me both as an audience member and as an artistic director. It is a pleasure to welcome back some of the compelling writers and directors who have become Playhouse regulars and introduce some exciting, new voices. I believe that it takes great artists to make great art — and this group of award winners promises a spectacular season made just for San Diego audiences. I look forward to your joining us in the theatre as their stories unfold. Warmly,
Christopher Ashley, Artistic Director
SIX SPECTACULAR SHOWS
HIS GIRL FRIDAY May 28 – June 30, 2013
TRIBES SIDEWAYS THE TALLEST TREE June 25 – July 21, 2013
July 16 – August 18, 2013
October 9 – November 3, 2013
SIDE SHOW November 5 – December 15, 2013
THE WHO & THE WHAT February 11 – March 9, 2014
through the generous contributions of our civic, corporate and individual donors. We thank each and every supporter for making our mission possible.
JOHN GUARE directed by CHRISTOPHER ASHLEY by
An adaptation of the playThe Front Page by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur and the Howard Hawks film His Girl Friday, with screenplay by Charles Lederer, produced by Columbia Pictures
West Coast Premiere
MAY 28 – JUNE 30 MANDELL WEISS THEATRE
A NEWSROOM COMEDY DIRECTED BY CHRISTOPHER ASHLEY A major story is brewing in a 1939 Chicago press room, but ace reporter Hildy Johnson is leaving the newspaper game for good. When her former editor (and ex-husband) entices her with the scoop to break the story, the lure of fame and rekindled romance prove more than she can resist. Don’t miss this fast-talking comedy that exposes the unsavory politics of tabloid journalism.
“The snap, crackle and fizz of the Cary Grant-Rosalind Russell movie” – Variety
“Sharp humor!” – Bloomberg.com
About the Playwright/Adaptor
About the Director
John Guare is the author of Six Degrees of Separation, The House of Blue Leaves and the Tony Awardwinning musical Two Gentlemen of Verona. He has received the Gold Medal in Drama from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the 2005 Obie for Sustained Excellence.
As Artistic Director of the Playhouse, Christopher Ashley has helmed acclaimed productions of Glengarry Glen Ross, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Restoration and the musicals Xanadu and Memphis, which earned four Tony Awards including Best Musical. A two-time Tony nominee, Ashley spearheaded the Playhouse’s DNA New Work Series and Without Walls program.
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by
NINA RAINE
JUNE 25 – JULY 21 MANDELL WEISS FORUM
directed by
DAVID CROMER
DAVID CROMER DIRECTS THIS 2012 DRAMA DESK AWARD WINNER FOR OUTSTANDING NEW PLAY From rising British playwright Nina Raine, this contemporary new play is a savage, funny look at family dynamics and the challenges of communication. As the only deaf member of his sharp-tongued family, Billy has spent much of his life feeling out of place. But when he finds a new home in the deaf community, tensions reach an all-time high. A provocative and touching play about membership in your tribe — and hearing what isn’t said.
“Unquestionably, one of the best new plays of the year”
“Superb!”
“Smart, Lively!”
– Entertainment Weekly
– The New York Times
Photo by: Jack Ladenburg
Photo by: T. Charles Erickson
– The Huffington Post
About the Playwright
About the Director
British playwright and director Nina Raine received the 2006 London Evening Standard and the 2006 Critics’ Circle Awards for Most Promising Playwright. Her plays include Rabbit and The Drunks, and her directing credits include Shades and Behind the Image for the Royal Court Theatre.
David Cromer directed the awardwinning Off-Broadway production of Tribes and the Broadway productions of Our Town and The Adding Machine. His work has been seen in theatres across the country, including Lincoln Center Theatre and Steppenwolf Theatre, and has been awarded three Lucille Lortel Awards and two Obies.
by directed by
DES McANUFF
JULY 16 – AUGUST 18 SHEILA AND HUGHES POTIKER THEATRE
REX PICKETT
DES McANUFF DIRECTS A NEW PLAY BASED ON THE NOVEL THAT INSPIRED THE ACCLAIMED MOVIE Sideways is the story of two friends — Miles, a frustrated novelist, and Jack, a no-name TV actor and director — and their journey through wine, women and disappointment. During one last blowout road trip before Jack is to be married, the two men run headlong into their midlife crises, all the while exploring the stellar Santa Barbara wine region.
About the Playwright
About the Director
UC San Diego graduate Rex Pickett has written numerous screenplays for both film and television, as well as the novel Sideways, adapted by Alexander Payne into the critically-acclaimed, Oscar-winning film of the same name. He recently won the prestigious Gold Medal for Fiction from the Independent Publisher Book Awards.
Des McAnuff served as Artistic Director of La Jolla Playhouse for 18 years, during which time the Playhouse won 200 awards for excellence, including the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. The two-time Tony Awardwinning director’s Broadway productions include Jesus Christ Superstar, The Who’s Tommy and Jersey Boys.
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written and performed by World Premiere
DANIEL BEATY
directed by
MOISÉS KAUFMAN
Co-production with Kansas City Repertory Theatre
OCTOBER 9 – NOVEMBER 3 SHEILA AND HUGHES POTIKER THEATRE
The Tallest Tree was originally commissioned and developed by Tectonic Theatre Project, Moisés Kaufman, Artistic Director
MOISÉS KAUFMAN DIRECTS A NEW PLAY WITH MUSIC ON THE LIFE OF ACTOR AND ACTIVIST PAUL ROBESON As an internationally-renowned vocalist and star of stage and screen, Paul Robeson was one of the best-known African American men in the world in the early 20th century. Through his talent, he became enormously popular and wealthy; but as a champion for human rights, he became despised by his people and his country. Featuring excerpts from some of Robeson’s signature songs, including “Ol’ Man River” and “Steal Away,” The Tallest Tree showcases powerhouse performer Daniel Beaty in a stunning piece that explores the bold choices that defined Robeson’s remarkable life.
About the Playwright
About the Director
Daniel Beaty is an award-winning actor, singer, writer and composer. His acclaimed Off-Broadway productions of Through the Night and EmergenceSee! (Obie Award) played to sold-out, extended runs. His ensemble play Resurrection was awarded the 2008 Edgerton Foundation’s New American Play Award.
Moisés Kaufman directed the Playhouse’s production of 33 Variations, which went on to Broadway, as well as The Laramie Project and The Nightingale. He directed the Pulitzer Prize-winning play I Am My Own Wife on Broadway, which began as a Page To Stage workshop production at the Playhouse.
BILL RUSSELL music by HENRY KRIEGER directed by BILL CONDON
book and lyrics by
In association with The Kennedy Center
NOVEMBER 5 – DECEMBER 15 MANDELL WEISS THEATRE
ACADEMY AWARD WINNER BILL CONDON DIRECTS THIS RE-IMAGINED BROADWAY MUSICAL Based on the true story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, Side Show is a moving portrait of beautiful, talented sisters on the rise. But as they transform from circus novelties to famed stage stars, the spotlight doesn’t deliver all they had hoped, testing the strength of their bond.
About the Librettist
About the Composer
About the Director
Bill Russell wrote the book and lyrics for the original Broadway production of Side Show, for which he receivied a Tony Award nomination for Best Book. He co-wrote the book and lyrics for OffBroadway’s longest running musical Pageant, as well as Elegies for Angels, Punks, Raging Queens and many more.
Composer Henry Krieger composed the now-legendary score for the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, which won six Tony Awards and the Grammy Award for Best Original Cast Album. He composed the original Broadway production of Side Show, which received four Tony nominations, including Best Score.
Bill Condon is a celebrated film director and Oscarwinning screenwriter of the film adaptation of the Broadway smash Dreamgirls (two Academy Awards and three Golden Globes), Gods and Monsters (Academy Award), Chicago and director of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 and 2.
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