Theatre’s 64th Season Features Classic Musicals
CABARET and MAN OF LA MANCHA
Four-play Rotating Repertory Season Features
Ken Ludwig’s THE THREE MUSKETEERS,
SILENT SKY, CHICKEN & BISCUITS and
INCIDENT AT OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP
Asolo Repertory Theatre proudly announced its 2022-2023 season today in a virtual event broadcast on their website, asolorep.org.
“Framed by two of the 20th century’s most inspiring works of musical theatre, we at Asolo Rep present a thrilling new season for the 21st century,”said Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards. “The lineup is a truly engaging mix of the classic and the new, and it’s created by some of the most gifted artists working in the American Theatre today. Our world is troubled and divided right now, and we are fired up with a renewed sense of the power theatre has to connect, to unite and to create empathy. These plays will dazzle our patrons and fill their hearts with joy. We will not entirely forget our troubles, but while we are in the theatre and present with these stories and these artists, it will be possible to believe that life is beautiful.”
The season kicks off in November with one of the greatest American musicals of the 20th century, Kander and Ebb’s iconic CABARET (Nov. 16 – Dec. 31). Featuring some of musical theatre’s most recognizable songs, including “Willkommen,” “Maybe This Time” and, of course, “Cabaret,” this classic will be directed and choreographed by Broadway and Asolo Rep favorite Josh Rhodes.
The winter repertory season includes four dynamic plays that celebrate family, inspire humor and provoke wonder. Rep opens with Ken Ludwig’s THE THREE MUSKETEERS (Jan. 11 – March 26), adapted from the classic Alexandre Dumas novel. Directed by Peter Amster, who helmed the wildly popular Murder on the Orient Express at Asolo Rep in 2020, this adventure-filled comedy is guaranteed to be a swashbuckling good time.
The repertory season continues with the inspiring true story of a pioneering woman astronomer who transcended the odds in SILENT SKY (Jan. 19 – March 5). This remarkable play by one of today’s leading playwrights, Lauren Gunderson, will be directed by Seema Sueko, who recently brought this riveting work to life at Washington D.C.’s Ford’s Theatre.
The third play in the rep season is fresh from its 2021 Broadway debut at Circle in the Square. The side-splitting comedy CHICKEN & BISCUITS (Feb. 15 – April 13) proves that while family may drive us crazy, we’re lucky to have each other. TheBroadway production’s associate director, Bianca LaVerne Jones, will stage the show for Asolo Rep.
Wrapping up the repertory season is the wild and tender comedy INCIDENT AT OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP (March 15 – April 22), directed by Asolo Rep Associate Artistic Director Celine Rosenthal. Audiences will take a trip back to 1973 with the Irish Catholic O’Shea family, as they explore the foolishness of first love, the pains of Catholic guilt, and ultimately, the power of family.
The spring brings one of the most popular musicals of all time to the Asolo Rep stage – MAN OF LA MANCHA (May 10 – June 11). Brilliantly reimagined with a contemporary urgency by director Peter Rothstein and featuring one of theatre’s most beloved songs, “The Impossible Dream,” this classic musical celebrates the power of theatre, the bravery of holding strong to our dreams, and the resilience of imagination.
Asolo Rep will also present its annual education and engagement tour, an FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training production of LOOKING FOR ITHACA: AN ODYSSEY, an imaginative retelling of Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey. The tour presents freshly reimagined 45-minute adaptations of classic stories for schools, parks, libraries and other community venues throughout the state of Florida.
Subscriptions are now on sale for Asolo Rep’s six-show package, which includes Cabaret, Ken Ludwig’s The Three Musketeers, Silent Sky, Chicken & Biscuits, Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Man of La Mancha. Subscriptions can be purchased in person at Asolo Rep's Box Office at 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, by phone at 941.351.8000 or 800.361.8388, or online at asolorep.org. Single tickets will go on sale at a future date.
ASOLO REP’S 2022-2023 SEASON
CABARET
Nov. 16 – Dec. 31, 2022
Previews Nov. 16 – 18
Book by Joe Masteroff
Based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood
Music byJohn Kanderand Lyrics by FredEbb
Directed and Choreographed by Josh Rhodes
In here, life is beautiful.
Willkommen to Kander and Ebb’s iconic CABARET, which transports us to 1939 Berlin and the dynamic and pleasure-filled Kit Kat Klub. As a dark shadow falls over the city and the power of the Third Reich begins to mount, the Klub’s performers and patrons must decide if they’ll wake up to the evil on their doorsteps or continue to escape to the alluring fantasy world of the cabaret.
Since its debut in 1967, this classic musical has won countless awards, including the Tony Awards® for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Revival of a Musical. Packed with vibrant and beloved songs like “Willkommen,” “Maybe This Time,” “Money,” “Don’t Tell Mama” and, of course, “Cabaret,” this timely masterwork will burst to life on stage under the direction of Broadway and Asolo Rep favorite Josh Rhodes.
Ken Ludwig’s THE THREE MUSKETEERS
Jan. 11 – March 26, 2023
Previews Jan. 11 – 12
Adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas
Directed by Peter Amster
Harrowing adventure, bravery and friendship take center stage in Ken Ludwig’s THE THREE MUSKETEERS, a thrilling adaptation of the popular novel by Alexandre Dumas. One of the world’s most enduring comedies, this classic tells the tale of a daring young man who finds himself in the company of the world’s greatest swordsmen, as well as some of the world’s most dangerous men and women.
Directed by Peter Amster, who most recently directed Asolo Rep’s smash hit Murder on the Orient Express in 2020, this play promises to be a fast-paced, witty, swashbuckling good time.
All for one, and one for all!
SILENT SKY
Jan. 19 – March 5, 2023
Previews Jan. 19 – 20
By Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Seema Sueko
At the turn of the 20th century, years before women had the right to vote, one woman’s breakthrough changed our perception of the stars.
Full of wonder, humor and heart, SILENT SKY is the remarkable true story of Henrietta Leavitt, one of the pioneering women astronomers working at Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s. Audiences will be enthralled by the story of this extraordinary woman who took on the astronomy establishment in order to discover the mysteries embedded in the sky. Henrietta transcended the odds while navigating love, family and the universe, going on to make a world-altering advancement to the field of astronomy that forever changed our view of the cosmos.
Written by one of today’s leading playwrights, Lauren Gunderson, this mesmerizing drama is directed by Seema Sueko, who recently brought this work to life at Washington D.C.’s Ford’s Theatre.
CHICKEN & BISCUITS
Feb. 15 – April 13, 2023
Previews Feb. 15 – 16
By Douglas Lyons
Directed by Bianca LaVerne Jones
The hilarious new play CHICKEN & BISCUITS introduces us to the Jenkins family, as they gather to celebrate the life of their beloved and recently deceased father and grandfather, the Revered Bernard Jenkins. When an unexpected guest reveals a secret, they all discover that nothing brings a family together like a big side of drama. This side-splitting new Broadway comedy explores the tenderness of family, the joy of reconciliation, and the nourishing power of love.
Written by Broadway newcomer Douglas Lyons and directed by the talented Bianca LaVerne Jones, who was associate director of the 2021 Broadway production, CHICKEN & BISCUITS proves that while family may drive us crazy, we’re lucky to have each other.
INCIDENT AT OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP
March 15 – April 22, 2023
Previews March 15 – 16
By Katie Forgette
Directed by Celine Rosenthal
Take a trip back to 1973 with the Irish Catholic O’Shea family in the uproarious INCIDENT AT OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP. This boisterous and moving new memory play introduces us to young Linda, as she recalls a week she’ll never forget. When Linda’s mother instructs her to tell her sister about the birds and the bees, things quickly snowball into a potential crisis after the conversation is overheard by the parish priest. Secrets are unintentionally revealed, and a quick-witted group of women realize what really matters as they work to protect their family reputation and each other.
This wild and tender comedy directed by Asolo Rep Associate Artistic Director Celine Rosenthal explores the foolishness of first love, the pains of Catholic guilt, and ultimately, the power of family.
MAN OF LA MANCHA
May 10 – June 11, 2023
Previews May 10 – 12
Written by Dale Wasserman
Music by Mitch Leigh andLyrics by Joe Darion
Directed by Peter Rothstein
Considered by many to be one of the best musicals of all time, MAN OF LA MANCHA is brilliantly reimagined with a contemporary urgency by celebrated director Peter Rothstein, who immerses us in Miguel de Cervantes’s retelling of Don Quixote and his quest. This epic and poignant journey celebrates the perseverance of one man who refuses to relinquish his ideals and who is determined to see life not as it is, but as it ought to be.
The winner of five Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, and featuring a soaring score, including “Man of La Mancha (I, Don Quixote)” and one of theatre’s most beloved songs, “The Impossible Dream,” this classic musical celebrates the power of theatre, the bravery of holding strong to our dreams, and the resilience of imagination.
Asolo Rep On Tour
LOOKING FOR ITHACA: AN ODYSSEY
Oct. 3 – Nov. 20, 2022; public performances to be announced
Directed by Gaby Rodriguez
An epic Greek poem becomes an adventure of universal proportions in this 45-minute adaptation of Homer’s iconic tale, presented by Asolo Rep and produced by the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. LOOKING FOR ITHACA: AN ODYSSEY is an imaginative retelling of the classic journey of a family that has been fractured by war and unseen forces. The story is told through the eyes of a family fighting their way back to one another: Odysseus, a father whose yearning for his wife and child drives him to traverse the dangers hidden in the sea; Penelope, a mother protecting what’s left of her home and her family; and Telemachus, a son embarking on an Odyssey of his own, looking to fill the shoes of an unknown father. They may return home, but that isn’t where their journey ends.
ABOUT ASOLO REP
Now in its 63rd season, Asolo Repertory Theatre is recognized as one of the premier professional theatres in America and one of the largest in the Southeastern United States. One of the few select theatres in the nation that performs in true rotating repertory, Asolo Rep’s highly skilled acting company and extensive craftsmanship bring to life this unique performance method that gives audiences the opportunity to see multiple productions in the span of a few days. Asolo Rep presents up to 10 productions each season, including contemporary and classic works and provocative musical theatre experiences. A theatre district in and of itself, Asolo Rep is committed to expanding its reach into the community, furthering its collaboration with the best theatre artists working in the industry today and cultivating new artists through its affiliation with the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards and Managing Director Linda DiGabriele, Asolo Rep’s ambitious theatrical offerings and ground-breaking education and community programming engage audiences and ensure its lasting legacy for future generations. Visit asolorep.org to learn more.
FAQs
What kind of Theatre is Asolo Repertory Theatre? ›
The Asolo Repertory Theatre or Asolo Rep (AKA: Asolo Theatre Company, Inc.) is a professional theater in Sarasota, Florida. It is the largest Equity theatre in Florida, and the largest Repertory theatre in the Southeastern United States.
Is Asolo Rep a Broadway theater? ›In its role as the largest professional not-for-profit theatre in the U.S. south of Atlanta, Asolo Rep serves as a springboard for successful productions to travel to Broadway and other regional theatres throughout the country.
What are the 4 types of theatre? ›- Arena (or theater in the round): A space in which the audience sits around all sides of the stage. ...
- Black box: A simple and plain performance space. ...
- Proscenium: A space in which the audience sits in front of the stage.
- Thrust: A stage that is surrounded on three sides by the audience.
What is the dress code at Asolo Rep? At Asolo Rep you'll see all types of dress – from cocktail attire to resort casual to jeans. Most patrons dress as they would go out to a restaurant. Evenings and opening nights tend to be a little dressier than matinees.
What is the best seat in a Broadway theater? ›The best seats in the Orchestra are those sitting most centrally, and a few rows back from the front. These are also some of the most expensive seats in the house thanks to their detailed and comprehensive views. Prices slowly decrease towards the back and sides to reflect the varying quality.
What is the biggest Broadway Theatre in New York? ›The largest of the Broadway theaters is the 1,933-seat Gershwin Theatre, while the smallest is the 597-seat Hayes Theater.
What are the best seats in a theater for a musical? ›Alluded to in their name, premium seats are usually regarded as the best seats in the theatre. Often, they're not the closest seats to the stage. Typically, premium seats are a few rows back from the stage in the middle of the row, allowing audience members to see the entire stage without missing any action.
What are the 3 basic elements of theatre? ›Theme: the basic idea of a play; the idea, point of view, or perception. Language: in drama, the verbal expression diction or style of writing, or the speech or phrasing that suggests a type of character. Style: the shaping of dramatic material, settings, or costumes.
What are the 5 stages of theatre? ›- Proscenium stage. The proscenium stage is one of the most common and classic theater stages. ...
- Thrust stage. A thrust stage “thrusts” out into the theater space, with the audience surrounding it on three sides. ...
- Arena or in-the-round stage. ...
- Platform stage. ...
- Black-box or studio theaters.
Role and character, relationships, situation, voice, movement, focus, tension, space, time, language, symbol, audience, mood and atmosphere.
Is it OK to wear jeans to the theater? ›
Both formal and informal clothing is accepted. From casual t-shirts, jeans and flip-flops to a cocktail dress or tuxedo, the spectrum of audience style is so broad that there is no specific dress code.
Can you wear jeans to the theatre? ›The simple answer here is anything. From a casual t-shirt, jeans and trainers to a tuxedo or formal dress, there are no dress codes. You could turn up to the theatre wearing anything and be permitted entry.
Can you wear sneakers to the theater? ›At a minimum, men should wear slacks, a button-down shirt, and a casual shoe, no sneakers. Women should wear either a dress or slacks paired with a blouse or sweater or jacket. A small heel or boots would work and no sneakers.
Is it better to sit stage left or right? ›Right seat-side preference in a cinema has been explained by suggesting that it allows for emotional information processing by the right hemisphere (Karev, 2000).
Is it better to sit in the balcony or Orchestra? ›Orchestra seats get you closest to the stage, but being in the mezzanine or balcony can give you a wider, fuller view of the stage from a little higher up, especially as compared to a section like the side orchestra, where you might be closer, but might not have a full view of one far side of the stage.
What row is best for theatre? ›The front rows of the dress circle are among the best seats in a theatre – especially for dance productions and musicals with a strong dance element.
What is the smallest Broadway theatre? ›Website. The Helen Hayes opened in 1912 as the Little Theatre, designed by Ingalls & Hoffman for producer Winthrop Ames. Intimately sized with just 299 seats, it was later expanded to seat 597, though it remains the smallest Broadway theatre.
How much do Broadway actors get paid? ›How much does a Broadway Actor make in New York? The average Broadway Actor salary in New York is $71,640 as of February 27, 2023, but the range typically falls between $59,035 and $87,469.
What are cheap theatre seats called? ›A cheap seat is usually a high up seat in a venue or an arena where the ticket is sold at less expensive prices. The cheap seat is also commonly referred to as the "nosebleed section" of a venue.
What are the best and worst seats in a theatre? ›The best seats can be found centrally, specifically in rows G-K, as a decent rake allows for good sight-lines without restriction. The worst seats are located at the far ends of rows, particularly in the front three rows, as this cuts off part of the stage.
Is it better to sit in the middle or side of a theater? ›
“Ideally the best place to sit in a theater is in the middle of the theater, in the middle of the aisle, giving you a nice, central view of the screen.
What does repertory theatre mean? ›repertory theatre, system of play production in which a resident acting company keeps a repertory of plays that are always ready for performance, often presenting a different one each night of the week, supplemented by the preparation and rehearsal of new plays.
What are the 3 types of theater? ›Every theatre is unique, but, with few exceptions, theatres, both Western and Asian, can be categorized into four basic forms: arena stage theatres (also referred to as theatre-in-the-round); thrust stage (or open stage) theatres; end stage theatres (of which proscenium theatres are a subset); and flexible stage ...
What type of theatre is the national theatre? ›| Designation | Grade II* |
| Type | National theatre |
| Capacity | Olivier Theatre: 1,160 seats Lyttelton Theatre: 890 seats Dorfman Theatre: 400 seats |
| Construction | |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1976 (year of the drought) (building) |
North America's largest classical repertory theatre company is the Stratford Festival, founded in 1953 primarily to present productions of William Shakespeare's plays, and North America's second largest repertory theatre company, the Shaw Festival, which presents plays written or set during the lifetime of Bernard Shaw ...
What are the 4 elements of theatre? ›Let's take a closer look at the four elements required to create theatre: script, process, product, and audience.
What is the most common theatre stage? ›One of the most common types of stages is the proscenium stage - or proscenium arch stage. This stage is framed on all sides and the audience then watches the action through the frame. While it varies from stage to stage, these are often risen and deep.
What are the 4 main theatre spaces? ›Theatre performance spaces fall into four categories: proscenium theatres, thrust theatres, arena theatres, and found spaces. This section will introduce you to the common parts of each theatre and the relative benefits of each type.
What degree do I need to be an actor? ›There are no formal educational requirements for actors, but training is a good place to start. If you're a student, consider getting a BFA or MFA in theater or attending summer programs; otherwise, local acting classes are the best choice for most people. Prepare your headshot, acting résumé, and demo reel.
What is theater acting called? ›Definitions of thespian. a theatrical performer. synonyms: actor, histrion, player, role player.
Why is it called theatre? ›
The word is from the Greek theatron, “a place of seeing.” A theatre usually has a stage area where the performance itself takes place.
Is there a dress code for the National Theatre? ›There is no specific dress code at the National Theatre. Patrons should wear attire that is comfortable and appropriate for the occasion. Is the Olivier Theatre air-conditioned? Yes, the National Theatre is fully air-conditioned, including the Olivier Theatre auditorium.
What is the biggest theatre at the National Theatre? ›The Olivier theatre is the largest of the three theatres at the National. It can seat 1,150 people in its fan-shaped auditorium, and we present 2,000 years of drama on its open stage.
Is the National Theatre air-conditioned? ›Yes, the National Theatre is fully air-conditioned, including the Lyttelton Theatre auditorium. Does the Lyttelton Theatre have a cloakroom? A free cloakroom service is available for ticket-holders, from 90 minutes before the show starts.