Theater News

The Secret Life of Bees Musical to Make World Premiere

Several world premieres also join Atlantic Theater Company’s 2018-19 season lineup.

The Secret Life of Bees musical, featuring a book by Lynn Nottage and music by Duncan Sheik, will make its world premiere at the Atlantic Theater Company.
The Secret Life of Bees musical, featuring a book by Lynn Nottage and music by Duncan Sheik, will make its world premiere at the Atlantic Theater Company.
(© David Gordon / Tricia Baron)

The Atlantic Theater Company has announced its 2018-19 season productions.

The season will open with the world premiere of Fireflies (September 26-November 11, opening October 15), a new play by Donja R. Love and directed by Saheem Ali at the Linda Gross Theater. The play is the second part of a trilogy beginning with Sugar in Our Wounds (upcoming at MTC's Studio at Stage II).

Next at the Linda Gross Theater will be the world premiere of Blue Ridge (December 12-January 27, 2019; opening January 7, 2019), written by Abby Rosebrock and directed by Taibi Magar. The production will feature Tony Award nominee Marin Ireland (Summer and Smoke). Blue Ridge was developed at Williamstown Theatre Festival as part of the Boris Sagal Directing Fellowship/Drama League Residency.

Another world premiere will follow with Eddie and Dave (January 10, 2019-February 10, 2019; opening January 22, 2019), written by and featuring Amy Staats with direction by Margot Bordelon. The play will be mounted at the Atlantic Stage 2.

Back in the Linda Gross Theater will be the US premiere of The Mother (February 20, 2019-April 7, 2019; March 11, 2019), written by Florian Zeller (The Father) and translated by Christopher Hampton (Atonement). Directed by Trip Cullman, the production will feature Academy Award nominee Isabelle Huppert (Elle).

The season's final production in the Linda Gross Theater will be the world-premiere musical The Secret Life of Bees (May 10, 2019-June 23, 2019; opening date to be announced), based on the novel by Sue Monk Kidd. The production will feature a book by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage (Sweat), music by Tony winner Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening), lyrics by two-time Tony nominee Susan Birkenhead (Jelly's Last Jam), and direction by Tony winner Sam Gold (Fun Home).

Finally, at the Atlantic Stage 2 will be the New York premiere of Nomad Motel (May 22, 2019-June 23, 2019; opening June 3, 2019), written by Carla Ching. Nomad Motel was presented as part of Atlantic's 2017 Asian American MixFest.

For more information about the Atlantic Theater's 2018-19 season, click here.