2003-2004 Season Announced At
Lyric Stage
Lyric Stage Company of Boston has announced
6 of its 7 selections for the 2003-2004 season. As next season marks
the company's 30th anniversary, producing artistic director Spiro
Veloudos has focused on productions that celebrate the past,
present and future of Lyric.
The season will include the following. Actual performance
dates have not been finalized yet
Howard Crabtree's "When Pigs Fly"
When protagonist Howard Crabtree is scolded by his high school guidance
counselor that it's time to give up his hopes of making a life in the
theatre and start thinking about a real job, Howard responds that he
fully intends to put on shows, "sing and dance and make funny costumes."
The counselor rolls her eyes and replies, "When pigs fly!"
"Book of Days"
Lanford Wilson's play of lies, adultery, theft, right-wing
agendas and the politics of community theater is set in a quiet midwestern
town with more churches than bars. Issues of truth and fidelity boil
to the surface.
"Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge"
An African American woman triples as the Ghosts of Past, Present and
Future in this happy perversion of the Dickens' classic. When the holiday
blues-suffering Mrs. Cratchit fails to respond, the Ghosts turn to Clarence,
the now-winged angel from "It's A Wonderful Life" for help.
"Private Lives"
In Noel Coward's romantic comedy of the 20s, Victor
and Amanda are enjoying the first night of their honeymoon in a luxurious
hotel in the south of France. So are Sibyl and Elyot. But what Victor
and Sibyl don't know is that Amanda and Elyot have honeymooned here
before . . . with each other. Fights occur, sparks fly and romance blooms
yet again, Coward-style.
"The Spitfire Grill"
Based on the film by Lee David Zlotoff, this is the
startling story of a young woman's search for new direction. She is
taken under the wing of Hannah Ferguson, the indomitable owner of The
Spitfire Grill in the sleepy town of Gilead, Wisconsin. Healing, forgiveness
and rejuvenation results.
"Noises Off"
This classic farce by Michael Frayn (yes, of "Copenhagen"
fame) is not one play but two. Audiences get to witness the sex farce,
"Nothing On," as well as the backstage drama that unfolds
during "Nothing's On's" rehearsal and subsequent tour. The
door-slamming, line-dropping cast comes close to killing one another
by evening's end.
Lyrics’ 7th attraction is still to be announced.
For information on season subscriptions, call the theater
at 617-427-7172. Individual tickets for all performances will go on
sale on August 15. In the meantime, you can visit the company's web
site at www.lyricstage.com.
--
OnStage Boston
5/8/03
