Arena Stage’s 2006-2007 Season Will Include Cabaret, Civil War Christmas, Women of Brewster Place
(Photo © Joseph Marzullo)
A new production of Cabaret starring Tony Award nominee Brad Oscar, a family-friendly musical by Pulitzer Prize winner Paula Vogel, and the world premiere of a musical based on Gloria Naylor’s popular novel The Women of Brewster Place are among the highlights of the 2006-2007 season at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.
The Fichandler Theater season kicks off with Cabaret, helmed by artistic director Molly Smith, September 8-October 29. Oscar wil play the Emcee, and Meg Gillentine — his co-star in Arena’s recent production of Damn Yankees — will play Sally Bowles. Up next is Vogel’s A Civil War Christmas, a collection of intertwined tales featuring such historical figures as Abraham Lincoln, Clara Barton, and Frederick Douglass (November 17-December 31). The season progresses with the D.C. premiere of August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean (January 26-March 18) and a revival of Wendy Wasserstein’s The Heidi Chronicles directed by Tazewell Thompson (April 6-May 13).
Over at the Kreeger Theater, the season begins with the D.C. premiere of Heather Raffo’s critically acclaimed solo show Nine Parts of Desire (September 19-November 12). Next up are revivals of Michael Frayn’s uproarious farce Noises Off (December 15-January 28) and Terrence McNally’s Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune (February 23-April 8). Set to conclude the season is The Women of Brewster Place, with book, music, and lyrics by Tim Acito (Zanna, Don’t!). Adapted from Naylor’s novel, which also served as the basis for a popular television film produced by Oprah Winfrey, the musical tells of seven courageous African-American women who struggle against poverty, racism, and troublesome men. The Arena production, to be directed by Smith, will run May 4-June 24.
The company will offer a free sneak preview of the season at 7pm on Monday, May 1. Reservations are requested; call 202-488-3300. For subscriptions to the 2006-2007 season, call 202-488-4377 or visit wwww.arenastage.org.
