Merrimack Rep announced a revision to the 2007-2008 season schedule. (updated July 26, 2007)
The revised schedule will be:
10/04/2007 - 10/28/2007 – The Pursuit of Happiness by Richard Dresser
11/15/2008 - 12/09/2008 – Tunney/Shakespeare in Six Rounds by David E. Lane
01/04/2008 - 01/27/2008 – 2 Pianos 4 Hands by Ted Dykstra And Richard Greenblatt
02/07/2008 - 03/02/2008 – The Missionary Position by Keith Reddin
03/13/2008 - 04/06/2008 – Edward Albee’s A Delicate Balance
04/17/2008 - 05/11/2008 – The Four of Us by Itamar Moses
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2007-2008 SEASON ANNOUNCED AT MERRIMACK REPERTORY THEATRE
SEASON BEGINS OCTOBER 4, 2007
Lowell, MA – Artistic Director Charles Towers announced Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s 2007-2008 Season, its 29th season of producing professional theatre in the Merrimack Valley, while preparing to direct the final play of the current 2006-2007 season, the New England premiere of Secret Order by Bob Clyman. “Artistically this year has been our best season ever, including the knock out successes of Dinah Was and Trying.” An energized Mr. Towers said, “With this 2007-2008 line-up, I’m eagerly anticipating another excellent season at MRT. It’s a full, exuberant array of works to engage our vibrant contemporary audience including three Regional Premieres and one World Premiere.” Executive Director Tom Parrish agrees, “Charles has put together an exciting season – a beautiful mix of comedies, dramas and music. MRT will continue to raise the bar next season with three new plays fresh from their World Premieres, bringing them to our audience first.”
Leading off the season is the internationally renowned hit show 2 Pianos 4 Hands by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt, this musical and comedic tour de force features two actors playing two grand pianos live on stage as well as portraying multiple eccentric characters. In November, MRT continues our successful collaboration with playwright Richard Dresser with the Regional Premiere of his new comedy The Pursuit of Happiness after a well-received World Premiere at the Laguna Playhouse in California. MRT rings in the New Year with the World Premiere of Tunney/Shakespeare in Six Rounds, a remarkable one-man show by David E. Lane about the life of boxer Gene Tunney, to be performed by acclaimed actor Jack Wetherall. The Missionary Position by Keith Reddin is set for its World Premiere in April 2007 at City Theatre in Pittsburgh, PA and will have its Regional Premiere at MRT in February 2008. A fitting story for the presidential primary season, it is a sharp and witty satire that is sure to raise some eyebrows, but not for the reasons people may think. Closing the season is The Four of Us by the hot new playwright Itamar Moses. The play just closed a hit World Premiere run at the Old Globe in San Diego, California. The Four of Us is the story of two best friends just starting their careers, growing up and potentially growing apart because of jealousy, fame and misunderstanding. With something for everyone’s taste, the 2007-2008 Season continues Merrimack Repertory Theatre tradition as the region’s premier destination for vibrant contemporary theatre.
MRT’S 2007-2008 SEASON
2 PIANOS 4 HANDS
by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt
October 4 – October 28, 2007
“One of those beautiful productions that makes you fall in love with theatre.” – Ottawa Sun
Experience virtuoso live performances on two grand pianos of masterworks from Bach, Beethoven and Mozart to John Lennon and Billy Joel in this critically acclaimed and internationally renowned music-filled comedy. Two Canadian boys dream of concert pianist stardom and riotously share their journey through grueling practices and nail-biting competitions. These extraordinarily talented actors/pianists portray a dazzling array of characters from pushy parents to eccentric teachers. This fun-filled duet is truly a unique theatrical experience.
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
by Richard Dresser
November 15 – December 9, 2007
“Laughs and knowing nods, especially for baby boomers.” – Variety
Regional Premiere – In this new comedy by the author of Rounding Third and Augusta, a middle-class family spins raucously out of control when a teenage daughter suddenly refuses to go to college. The truths revealed in her begrudged admissions essay trigger new relationships and reawaken old feelings as her parents reflect on their own life choices. Searching for happiness in their lives, they ultimately celebrate the love they share for each other.
TUNNEY/SHAKESPEARE IN SIX ROUNDS
by David E. Lane
January 3 – January 27, 2008
World Premiere – Boxer Gene Tunney, who defeated World Heavyweight Champion Jack Dempsey in 1927, later became a successful businessman and also taught Shakespeare at Yale University. Scenes from Tunney’s astonishing boxing matches accentuate his incredible life story and how he believed Shakespeare changed his life. This thrilling one-man show is a knockout
THE MISSIONARY POSITION
by Keith Reddin
February 7 – March 2, 2008
Regional Premiere – Agendas collide on the presidential campaign trail when a front-running candidate’s chief fundraiser battles a Christian activist on his own missionary crusade to restore the country’s religious values. Behind closed doors, the struggle between religion and politics in America is revealed in this clever and witty satire.
THE FOUR OF US
by Itamar Moses
April 17 – May 11, 2008
“Moses' script twists and turns and loops in upon itself, unveiling surprises all along the way.” – North County Times
Regional Premiere – One of the freshest and hottest new playwrights of the American theatre, Itamar Moses makes his area debut with a new comedy about two young writers and best friends: Benjamin, a novelist, and David, a struggling playwright. Benjamin writes a hit novel, but David, surprisingly, isn’t full of enthusiasm. As they make the transition from college to “the real world,” will they be able to weather the new challenges of jealousy, fame and success? And more importantly, who should pay for lunch? For mature audiences.
* All titles pending final rights agreement. Titles and dates subject to change.
Subscriptions for the 2007-2008 season are available by contacting MRT’s Box Office at 978-654-4MRT, Tuesdays-Saturdays between 10am-6pm. MRT’s Early Bird Subscription program features a 25% discount off the single ticket prices with first priority for great seats and is only available until April 15, 2007. This year new and renewing subscribers can take advantage of the “Bring A Friend” program; when two households subscribe together, the 2007-2008 discount drops to 33% or six plays for the price of four! Again subscribers need to act fast and sign up for the “Bring A Friend” rate before April 15, 2007. All subscriptions offer deep discounts off the single ticket price as well as exclusive subscriber-only benefits, including free parking, restaurant discounts and easy exchanges. Single ticket sales for the 2007-2008 season won’t begin until September 5, 2007; contact the Box Office at 978-654-4MRT for more subscription and ticket information.
For more information about MRT’s current and upcoming season, contact Elizabeth Miller, Director of Marketing and Development at 978-654-7554.
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