McCarter Theatre in Princeton announced its 2018-19 Season Preview
The series begins with Douglas McGrath’s world premiere adaptation of The Age of Innocence, Edith Wharton’s classic gilded age love story, directed by Doug Hughes. To follow is Dominique Morisseau’s incendiary Detroit ’67, directed by Jade King Carroll; the world premiere of Eleanor Burgess’ The Niceties, a riveting look at race and history directed by Kimberly Senior; the world premiere of Ken Ludwig’s The Gods of Comedy,directed by Kathleen Marshall; and David Hare’s Tony Award®-winning Skylight,directed by Emily Mann.
THE AGE OF INNOCENCE – Sept. 7 – Oct. 7
Directed by Doug Hughes
When is it wrong to love someone? Is love the highest ideal, or is kindness and duty to each other even greater than love? These are the questions asked by Edith Wharton in her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Set in New York in the Gilded Age, The Age of Innocence is both ravishingly romantic and heartbreakingly unsentimental. Adapted from Wharton’s novel by Oscar® and Tony® nominee Douglas McGrath (Emma, Nicholas Nickleby) and directed by Tony Award® winner Doug Hughes (Junk, The Father on Broadway).
DETROIT ‘67 – Oct. 9 – 28
Directed by Jade King Carroll
It’s the summer of 1967 and Chelle and her brother Lank are running an unlicensed after-hours juke joint out of their basement. Risky business, especially during a brutal police crackdown that has set off riots throughout the city. When Lank offers refuge to a mysterious stranger, pent-up emotions erupt, and they must navigate chaos from both outside and within. “Mind-blowing” says the Huffington Post; “Morisseau is a direct heir to Hansberry, Williams, and Wilson. You feel the pulse and vibrations of her characters.”
A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Dec. 4 – 29
Directed by Adam Immerwahr
Using David Thompson’s masterful adaptation, McCarter continues its annual tradition of joining Ebenezer Scrooge on his magical journey through Christmas past, present, and future. Using beloved carols and original music, a cast of professional actors is once again joined by ensemble members chosen from the greater Princeton community. Audiences will experience an immersive Dickensian environment from the opening of the theater doors to the final bows. This exciting production will usher you into the spirit of the season with all the joy, wonder, and generosity that Scrooge finally discovers.
THE NICETIES – Jan. 11 – Feb. 10, 2019
Directed by Kimberly Senior
Zoe, a black student at an Ivy League University, is called into her white professor’s office to discuss her thesis about slavery’s effect on the American Revolution. In this riveting two-person drama, a polite clash in perspectives explodes into an urgent and dangerous contemporary debate on race, history, and power. “Scintillating,” raves Peter Marks in the Washington Post. “The story of America, it seems, is destined to be wrestled over to the bitter end.” Kimberly Senior(Disgracedon Broadway) directs.
Ken Ludwig’s THE GODS OF COMEDY – March 12–March 31, 2019
Directed by Kathleen Marshall
A young Princeton Classics professor puts her career—and her love life—in peril, and calls on the gods of Ancient Greece to save her. When the gods who show up are the gods of comedy, things don’t go according to plan. Ken Ludwig, the two-time Olivier Award winning playwright who penned Lend Me a Tenor, Baskerville, and most recently, the thrilling adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, returns with another world premiere comedic tour-de-force at McCarter. Tony Award® winner Kathleen Marshall (The Pajama Game, Anything Goes, Nice Work If You Can Get It on Broadway) directs.
SKYLIGHT – May 3 – June 2, 2019 (opening – Saturday, May 11) in the Berlind Theatre
By David Hare
Directed by Emily Mann
On a bitterly cold London evening, Kyra receives an unexpected visit from her former lover, whose wife has recently died. As the evening progresses, the two attempt to rekindle their once passionate relationship only to find themselves locked in a battle of opposing ideologies and mutual desires. Winner of London’s Olivier Award for Best Play and a Tony Award®-winning hit on Broadway, Skylighti s, says theNew York Post, a “luminously beautiful and wildly truthful” love story. “Theater-going doesn’t get much better than this.” McCarter Artistic Director Emily Mann directs.
Check out the McCarter Theatre’s 2018-19 season, 91 University Place, Princeton. For tickets and information, go to www.mccarter.org. 609-258-2787.
