STAGES

Repertory Theatre

2000 - 2001 Season

The Twenty - Second (22nd) Season

3201 Allen Parkway at Waugh

Houston, Texas 77019

(713) 52-STAGE

 

ANTON IN SHOW BUSINESS

By Jane Martin. Directed by Rob Bundy

An All - female cast performs multiple roles (including men) in this uproarious comedy about a self - centered television actress, a jaded New Yorker and an enthusiastic ingenue brought together for a small - town Texas production of Anton Chekov's Three Sisters. A hilarious look at the nature of theatre and those who create it, as well as those who witness it, are on view in Anton in Show Business.

Stages is one of the first theatres in the country to produce Anton in Show Business following its successful premiere at this year's Actors Theatre of Louisville's Humana Festival. Jane Martin's Jack and Jill was produced by Stages during the 1997 - 1998 season. She is also the author of the Pulitzer Prize - nominated Keely and Du and the plays Cementville, Criminal Hearts, and Middle - Age White Guys.

The Chicago Sun - Times calls Anton In Show Business "Jane Martin's very best play to date" and the New York Times praises its "aching hilarity."

September 8 - October 1, 2000 ARENA STAGE

 

THE TURN OF THE SCREW

By Jeffrey Hatcher. Directed by Laura Josepher

In this adaptation of Henry James' well - known classic The Turn Of The Screw, a young governess, newly arrived at an English manor, is haunted by the ghosts of the servants who came before her. In order to save herself and the children under her care, she must confront these malevolent spirits. But are these beings truly supernatural, or merely physical manifestations of the governess' own psychological torments?

Jeffrey Hatcher's other works include Three Viewings, which was produced by Stages during the 1996 - 97 season, and the plays Scotland Road, Needy, Comfort, and Downtown. Director Laura Josepher met with great success in the last work she directed for Stages, the smash hit I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change.

The Springfield Union - News calls The Turn of the Screw "a suggesting, haunting masterpiece."

October 13 - November 5, 2000 THRUST STAGE

 

COMPANY

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Book by George Furth. Directed by Michael Scheman.

November 24 - December 31, 2000 THRUST STAGE

Stephen Sondheim, considered oneof Broadway's greatest composers, examines life, love and relationships in this groundbreaking musical about a bachelor named Robert and his friends, all of whom are in various stages of coupledom. The music of Sondheim never disappoints, and the book by George Furth paints vivid, realistic characters who discover that while marriage and relationships may not be easy, they are ultimately worthwhile.

First produced on Broadway in 1970, the multiple Tony Award - winning COMPANY has been credited with heralding a new era of Broadway musicals. The production was unique in its use of vignettes and music to express the story rather than using traditional plot devices. Its influence on the genre can still clearly be seen today. COMPANY enjoyed a successful Broadway revival in 1995, from which Stages' production is taken.

Stephen Sondheim is the composer of numerous Broadway hits, including A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, A Little Night Music (a highly successful production of Houston Grand Opera in 1999), Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods and the recent Broadway smash Putting It Together. George Furth wrote the books for Sondheim's Company and Merrily We Roll Along and collaborated with Sondheim again for Getting Away with Murder in 1996. His other plays include Twigs, The Act, The Supporting Cast and Precious Sons. Michael Sondheim directed Fit To Be Tied and the long running hit Jeffery for Stages.

OLD WICKED SONGS

By Jon Marans. Directed by Mark Ramont.

January 19 - February 11, 2001 THRUST STAGE

Stephen Hoffman, a young American pianist troubled by artistic block, travels to Vienna and enlists the help of an elderly singing instructor to help him return to the stage. The student - teacher relationship evolves, though not without conflict, as Stephen and his instructor, Josef Mashkan, clash not only over musical style and technique but religion and history. Ultimately, Stephen's journey of self - discovery and rejuvenated passion for music help Professor Mashkan come to terms with his own past.

OLD WICKED SONGS received an extensive off - Broadway run during the 1996 - 97 season and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 1996. Director Mark Ramont returns to Stages after successful productions of Three Viewings and Nixon's Nixon in previous seasons and an acclaimed production of How I Learned to Drive at the Alley Theatre. He has recently been named director of the Rice Players.

The New York Post calls OLD WICKED SONGS "one of the best plays of the year, a fascinating exploration of art, guilt, compassion, and identity..." and the New York Times describes it as "lighted with warmth and humor... (the) two protagonists are splendid companions for the evening's journey into the soul."

CARPOOL

By Laura Hembree. Directed by Peter Webster

March 16 - April 8, 2001 ARENA STAGE

Five men, one car and a daily commute from the suburbs are the elements that ignite CARPOOL, an incisive analysis of interpersonal conflict and the American male's reaction to it. The effects of a workplace plagued by downsizing, layoffs and fear are traced over a six - month period in the conversations of these men, each dealing with crisis not only in their careers, but in their personal lives as well.

Laura Hembree is one of off - Broadway's most promising up and coming playwrights. CARPOOL is her first play. Peter Webster, whose previous credits include Coconuts for Stages, recently directed Houston Grand Opera's charming adaptation of Little Women.

The New York Times calls CARPOOL "a smart, neatly - tailored work."

BETTY'S SUMMER VACATION

By Christopher Durang. Directed by Rob Bundy.

May 4 - May 27, 2000 THRUST STAGE

In Christopher Durang's newest work, unsuspecting Betty rents a vacation house with her overly talkative friend Trudy and a group of strangers. Little does she know what her new vacation home holds in store for her: a group of anti - social misfits (including a serial killer and a flasher) whose scandalous antics are encouraged by a mysterious laugh track which haunts the house. BETTY'S SUMMER VACATION offers up a wickedly clever take on our voyeuristic culture by satirizing the tell - all talk shows and reality TV that our media - saturated society holds so dear.

Christopher Durang received a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding New Play for BETTY'S SUMMER VACATION and has had plays both On and Off - Broadway including Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You, A History of the American Film, Beyond Therapy, Baby with the Bathwater, The Marriage of Bette and Boo and Laughing Wild. He won the Obie Awards for Sister Mary Ignatius and The Marriage of Bette and Boo and received a Tony nomination for "Best Book of A Musical" for A History of the American Film.

The New York Times calls BETTY'S SUMMER VACATION "relentlessly fierce, relentlessly funny... and the Washington Post praises it as "undeniably hilarious."

 

 


William Hardy (Front) stars in CARPOOL presented by Stages Repertory Theatre from March thru April, 2001
CARPOOL



Young, multi-talented, and handsome. The Artistically Creative Rob Bundy

JANUARY, 1998 INTERVIEW WITH ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ROB BUNDY


THE DOUGLAS MITCHELL PLAY FESTIVAL
And in the WORDS of Festival Coordinator William Hardy, Artistic Director Rob Bundy, and Playwright E. Douglas Mitchell
April 27 - May 13, 2000


THE MEMORY OF WATER British Comedy By Shelagh Stephenson
April 12 - May 7, 2000


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 STAGES REPERTORY THEATRE
www.stagestheatre.com
Phone 713-527-8243

Stages Repertory Theatre Announces 2000 - 2001 Season
Exciting New Season Features Multiple Award - Winning Plays

Stages Repertory Theatre, Houston’s major Off - Broadway venue, is pleased to announce its 2000 - 2001 season. The season consists of six plays, all characterizing Stages’ exemplary pedigree in providing innovative productions for Houston Theatergoers.

The spirited line-up includes a new comedy which offers a peek inside the world of three actresses each hungering for a serious theatrical role in Chekov’s Three Sisters, a suspenseful and eerie drama adapted from a classic novel, and an updated version of a popular Broadway musical that redefined the genre at the time of its debut. Offerings in the new year will be a Pulitzer Prize - nominated drama concerning an important voyage of self - discovery and a look into how men balance the often conflicting requirements of their jobs at a high - tech defense contractor with their private lives. The season closes with an outrageous comedy that took New York by storm last summer.

Aiming for its third consecutive year of record setting ticket sales and subscriptions, Stages Repertory Theatre, under the guidance of Artistic Director Rob Bundy and Managing Director Tim Smith, continues to offer thought - provoking, enjoyable and exciting works whose production values rival any professional American theatre. Bundy describes the 2000 - 2001 season as “a terrific lineup of hilarious, haunting, highly entertaining plays, each of which are perfect for the intimate setting we offer here at Stages. It is yet another season of astonishing works which establishes Stages as Houston’s leading venue for engaging, thoughtful and often challenging theatre.”

For more information, visit the Stages Repertory Theatre website at www.stagestheatre.com or call 713-527-8243.
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THE THEATRE

With the 2000 - 2001 season, Stages Repertory Theatre enters its 22nd season. Stages is Houston’s only professional Equity company outside the downtown Theater District, producing sometimes bold but always innovative plays in an intimate setting.

STAGES educational outreach program, EarlyStages Children’s Theatre, produces five quality family plays each season. The Southwest Festival of Plays demonstrates STAGES’ commitment to the development of new plays and playwrights. Under the direction of artistic director Rob Bundy and managing director Tim Smith, STAGES has emerged as one of Houston’s most dynamic theatres.

STAGES is a constituent of Theatre Communications Group, the national service organization for not - for - profit theatres. The theatre operates under an agreement with Actor’s Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

TICKET INFORMATION

Subscriptions range from $84 - $216 for the six - play season and are now available through the Stages Repertory Theatre Box Office, 3201 Allen Parkway at Waugh, or by calling 713-527-8243. Single tickets range from $32 - $42 and are available starting four weeks before each production’s opening. Single tickets to preview performances are $19 - $23. Groups of 10 persons or more can purchase tickets at a discounted rate. “Pay What You Want” performances and post - show discussions are offered for select performances. Please call 713-527-8243 for more information. All plays are subject to change.