Marin Theatre Company 2018/2019 Season Brochure

MARIN THEATRE COMPANY 2018/2019 SEASON

Your Home for New American Plays

MARIN THEATRE COMPANY 2018/2019 SEASON

You will not want to miss this award-winning season of New American plays.

SEPTEMBER 27 – OCTOBER 21, 2018 | WEST COAST PREMIERE

Oslo

By J. T. Rogers

NOVEMBER 15 – DECEMBER 9, 2018 | WORLD PREMIERE

The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley

By Lauren Gunderson & Margot Melcon

JANUARY 10 – FEBRUARY 3, 2019 | BAY AREA PREMIERE

August Wilson’s How I Learned What I Learned FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 24, 2019 | BAY AREA PREMIERE

The Who & The What

By Ayad Akhtar

APRIL 25 – MAY 19, 2019 | WEST COAST PREMIERE

Jazz

Adapted by Nambi E. Kelley | Based on the book by Toni Morrison

JUNE 13 – JULY 7, 2019 | WORLD PREMIERE

Wink

By Jen Silverman

SUBSCRIBE TODAY and get these benefits!

• BEST SEATS at the BEST PRICE • FREE EXCHANGES with one-day notice • SAVINGS on extra tickets Buy your choice of a full-season Six-Play Series or a Flex Ticket Anytime Package.

Jasson Minadakis | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Keri Kellerman | MANAGING DIRECTOR

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2018/2019 SEASON MARIN THEATRE COMPANY

Six New American Plays. MTC’s 2018/2019 season.

We have an unparalleled commitment to discover, develop, and promote the most compelling and urgent new American writers. These playwrights and their plays are fresh, intelligent, award-winning, and courageous.

A political thriller that won the Tony Award for Best Play, the world premiere companion play to the holiday hit Miss Bennet, a new musical score and staging of Toni Morrison’s classic novel, August Wilson’s autobiographical last play—and that is just the beginning of what's next at MTC. Look inside this brochure to discover more, then join us in the audience for what promises to be a landmark season of new American plays.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR This season is brought to you in part by the following Executive Producer level and above sponsors: Anonymous (1), Terry Berkemeier and Lori Lerner, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Gage Schubert, Christopher B. and Jeannie Meg Smith, Vickie Soulier , The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Norton J. "Sky" Cooper, Marin Community Foundation, Edgerton Foundation, Stacy Scott Fine Catering, T. Dixon Long, Diana Gay Catania and David Catania, Buffington Clay Miller - Clay Foundation West, Fred and Kathleen Taylor, Bob and Paula Reynolds, H. Hugh Vincent, M.D. and Joan Watson, John and Shelley Chesley, Brian and Tracy Haughton, The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Foundation, The Haughton Family Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, Barbara and Jim Kautz, Kathy King and Gerald Cahill, Kiki Pescatello, Ivan and Lochiel Poutiatine, Janet Brown, Kenneth Rainin Foundation, Venturous Theatre Fund, The Bernard Osher Foundation, Capital Group Companies, Koret Foundation, Josh Floum and Maggie O'Donnell, Gerry Goldsholle and Myra Levenson, Susan and Russ Holdstein, Melanie and Peter Maier, Ken and Vera Meislin, Michael and Jean Strunsky - Ira and Lenore Gershwin Philanthropic Fund, Suparnara Vohra, D.D.S. and Antonio Plutino

ANNE BOLEYN | 2016 Photo by Kevin Berne

MARIN THEATRE COMPANY 2018/2019 SEASON

SEPTEMBER 27 – OCTOBER 21 WEST COAST PREMIERE

Oslo

By J. T. Rogers Directed by Jasson Minadakis This Tony Award-winning political thriller tells the true and widely unknown story of how two Norwegian diplomats planned and orchestrated secret negotiations that led to the 1993 Oslo Accords. Through unlikely friendships, common ground is carefully unearthed. Set against a complex historical canvas, Oslo is a story about the individuals behind world history and their all too human ambitions.

J.T. Rogers’ most recent play, Oslo (Lincoln Center Theater, then Broadway; National Theatre, London, then West End) has won the Tony, New York Critics, Outer Critics, Drama Desk, Drama League, Lortel, and Obie awards. Mr. Rogers’ other plays include Blood and Gifts (Lincoln Center Theater; National Theatre), The Overwhelming (National Theatre, then UK tour with Out of Joint; Roundabout Theatre), White People (Off Broadway with Starry Night Productions), and Madagascar (Theatre 503, London; Melbourne Theatre Company). His works have been staged throughout the United States and in Germany, Canada, Australia, and Israel. He is a Guggenheim fellow, member of the Dramatists Guild, alumni of New Dramatists, and recipient of three NYFA fellowships in playwriting.

“ A thrilling, rich drama

— THE NEW YORK TIMES

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TINY ALICE | 2011 Carrie Paff, Mark Anderson Phillips Photo by Kevin Berne

”Gripping, provocative, wrenching, funny and altogether riveting” — HUFFINGTON POST

2017 TONY Award Best Play

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MARIN THEATRE COMPANY 2018/2019 SEASON

NOVEMBER 15 – DECEMBER 9 WORLD PREMIERE

The Wickhams:

Christmas at Pemberley

By Lauren Gunderson & Margot Melcon Directed by Megan Sandberg-Zakian This holiday season, MTC revisits Jane Austen’s world of Regency romance with Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon’s The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley—a companion piece to the duo’s smash hit Miss Bennet—both continuations of Austen’s popular novel, Pride and Prejudice.

Lauren Gunderson was the most produced playwright in America of 2017, winner of the Steinberg/ ATCA New Play Award, finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, and is a recipient of the Mellon Foundation’s 3-Year Residency with Marin Theatre Company. For The Wickhams, Ms. Gunderson reprises her partnership with Margot Melcon—previously the Director of New Play Development at MTC, and currently the Program Executive for Promoting Culture at the Zellerbach Family Foundation. Ms. Melcon has developed plays with TheatreWorks, Bay Area Playwrights Festival, Crowded Fire Theater, Shotgun Players, Berkeley Rep’s Ground Floor, the Kennedy Center, and the Playwrights' Center.

”A new Christmas classic!”

— S. F. CHRONICLE (FOR MISS BENNET )

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MISS BENNET | 2016 Adam Magill, Erika Rankin, Laura Odeh Photo by Kevin Berne

” Gunderson and Melcon’s script is a delight” — MARIN IJ (FOR MISS BENNET)

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MARIN THEATRE COMPANY 2018/2019 SEASON

JANUARY 10 – FEBRUARY 3 BAY AREA PREMIERE

August Wilson’s

How I Learned What I Learned Directed by Margo Hall In his one-man autobiographical play, Pulitzer Prizewinning playwright August Wilson takes us on a journey from his days as a young poet through the completion of his acclaimed American Century Cycle. Beautifully raw, poignant, and humorous, How I Learned What I Learned gives audiences a detailed look at the man behind some of the most celebrated plays of the twentieth century.

August Wilson is author of the acclaimed American Century Cycle, including Gem of the Ocean, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, The Piano Lesson, Seven Guitars, Fences, Two Trains Running, Jitney, King Hedley II, and Radio Golf. These works explore the experience of African Americans, over the course of the 20th century. In 2003, Wilson made his professional stage debut in his one-man show, How I Learned What I Learned. His plays have been produced at regional theatres across the country and all over the world.

“ Complex and surprisingly funny” – PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE

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FENCES | 2014 Steven Anthony Jones Photo by Ed Smith

” Wilson’s pride, humor, eloquence, anger, storytelling gifts, and general eagerness to soak up experience: It’s all there...

— BOSTON GLOBE

Bay Area legend Margo Hall will direct How I Learned What I Learned.

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MARIN THEATRE COMPANY 2018/2019 SEASON

FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 24 BAY AREA PREMIERE

The Who & The What

By Ayad Akhtar Directed by Hana S. Sharif Brilliant Pakistani-American writer Zarina is finishing a novel about women and Islam when she meets Eli, a young convert who bridges the gulf between her modern life and her traditional heritage. But when her conservative family discovers her controversial manuscript, they are all forced to confront the beliefs that define them.

Ayad Akhtar’s play Disgraced won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, ran on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre, and was nominated for the 2015 Tony Award for Best Play. His plays The Who & The What and The Invisible Hand received Off-Broadway runs and are currently being produced around the world. His most recent play, JUNK opened on Broadway at Lincoln Center Theatre in the fall of 2017. Akhtar was listed as the most produced playwright for the 2015/2016 Season by American Theatre magazine. He is the recipient of an Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, two OBIE Awards, and the Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award. Akhtar is also a Board Trustee at PEN/ America and New York Theatre Workshop.

“ An affecting and richly comic portrait”

– WASHINGTON POST

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SWIMMERS | 2016 Jolly Abraham Photo by Kevin Berne

” Optimistic, funny and particularly endearing!”

— WASHINGTON POST

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MARIN THEATRE COMPANY 2018/2019 SEASON

APRIL 25 – MAY 19 WEST COAST PREMIERE

Jazz

Adapted by Nambi E. Kelley Based on the book by Toni Morrison Directed by Awoye Timpo

”A highly nuanced narrative intricately interwoven with music and dance.”

— DC METRO THEATRE ARTS

Young and in-love, Violet and Joe move to Harlem at the turn of the century. As time passes, Joe begins an affair with a young woman, setting off a series of shocking events. Adapted from Toni Morisson’s stunning novel and musically underscored by 2018/2019 SFJazz Resident Artistic Director Marcus Shelby—Nambi Kelley’s Jazz is a beautiful theatrical composition.

Nambi E. Kelley has penned plays for Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Court Theatre/ American Blues Theater, Lincoln Center Theater Director's Lab, and companies in South Korea, Italy, and Singapore.

Her adaptation of Richard Wright’s Native Son had its world premiere at The Court Theatre in Chicago to rave reviews and is included on the Kilroys List, 2015. Ms. Kelley’s other works include Xtigone (Chicago Danz Theatre Ensemble; African American Shakespeare Company) and For Her As A Piano (a Goodman Theatre/Chicago Dramatists/Pegasus co-production). Also an accomplished actress, Kelley has performed at theatres across the country and internationally.

“A lyrical, richly textured love story” – DC METRO THEATRE ARTS

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SEVEN GUITARS | 2011 Tobie Windham, Omoze Idehenre Photo by Kevin Berne

Bay Area jazz musician Marcus Shelby will compose an original score for Jazz .

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MARIN THEATRE COMPANY 2018/2019 SEASON

JUNE 13 – JULY 7 WORLD PREMIERE

Wink

By Jen Silverman Directed by Mike Donahue Sofie is an unhappy housewife. Gregor is her breadwinning husband. Dr. Franz is their strange psychiatrist. Wink is the cat. And Gregor has just skinned the cat. Violent desires, domestic anarchy, and feline vengeance at any cost make Wink a dark comedy about the thin, thin line between savagery and civilization.

Jen Silverman is a New York-based playwright and writer. Born in the U.S., she was raised across the U.S., Europe and Asia. Her theatre work includes The Moors, The Roomate, and Collective Rage: A Play in Five Betties. Jen is a member of New Dramatists, a Core Writer at the Playwrights Center in Minneapolis, an affiliated artist with SPACE on Ryder Farm, and has developed work with the O’Neill National Playwrights Conference, New York Theatre Workshop, Bay Area Playwrights Festival, The Ground Floor Residency at Berkeley Rep, and the Royal Court in London. She is the 2016/2017 Playwrights of New York (PoNY) Fellow, a two-time MacDowell fellow, recipient of a New York Foundation for the Arts grant, the Helen Merrill Award, and the Yale Drama Series Award.

“ An emerging talent to be reckoned with” – LOS ANGELES TIMES

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STRAIGHT WHITE MEN | 2018 Seann Gallagher, Christian Haines Photo by Kevin Berne

”Silverman’s work is funny, form-breaking and feminist.”

— AMERICAN THEATRE

2016-17 Playwrights of New York Fellowship

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MARIN THEATRE COMPANY 2018/2019 SEASON

Subscriber Packages Packages for every budget and schedule!

• SIX-PLAY SERIES: Don’t miss a single production this season! Choose the weekday and showtime you prefer—and you can always exchange fee-free if your schedule changes!

• FLEX PACKAGES: Don’t want to commit to a set schedule but still want subscriber savings? Choose a 4-ticket or 6-ticket Flexible package and redeem your tickets for any performance date of your choosing!

Benefits | Why subscribe?

• SAVE MONEY: Enjoy savings of up to 25% OFF + save on additional single tickets purchased throughout the season.

• BEST SEATS: Exclusive pre-season access to the best seats in the house + keep your same seats when you renew each season!

• LOST TICKET REPLACEMENT: Complimentary ticket reprinting if your tickets are lost or stolen before your scheduled performance date.

• FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBER? Enjoy 10% OFF any package of your choice! (Limit 4 per household, excludes Seniors and Under 30) • UNDER 30? Subscribe to any 6-Play package for only $144!

• OVER 64? Seniors save an EXTRA 22% OFF Thursday & Saturday matinee package

Get Engaged!

Enhance your theatre-going experience with these FREE programs: • AFTER WORDS: Post-show Q&As immediately following every performance (except Opening & Closing nights, and Saturdays).

• WEDNESDAY PRE-SHOW TALKS: Join us in the theatre for a 20-minute pre-show talk before every Wednesday performance (see next page for schedule).

• PERSPECTIVES: Join us in the theatre for an in-depth lecture prior to each Thursday matinee performance for each production (see next page for schedule).

• WINDOW ON THE WORK: Join us at the Mill Valley library throughout the season for talks with MTC’s Artistic Director Jasson Minadakis and artists from each show to discuss themes of the works, and the process behind each production (dates TBD).

• MTC AFTER HOURS: Join us at the MTC bar post-show on select weekend evening performances for drink specials, music and conversations with the cast! (dates TBD) Subscribe now! marintheatre.org | 415.388.5208

2018/2019 SEASON | Subscription Prices & Schedule Choose between a Six-Play Series or a Flex Ticket Anytime Package First-Time Subscribers

* Receive 10% Off

Subscription Prices

6-PLAY SERIES

Center

Sides

Previews (Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun Matinees)

$210

Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun (except Opening Nights)

$276

$252

Sat Evenings & Opening Nights

$324

$294

Matinees (Thu, Sat, Sun)

$276

$252

Senior Subscription (over 64, Thu or Sat matinees only)

$252

$240

Under 30 Subscription (proof of age required; good for any series)

$144

4 Flex Tickets Anytime – 4 tickets | use any show

$208

6 Flex Tickets Anytime – 6 tickets | use any show

$312

* 10% off discount applies to first-time subscribers only (except Under 30, Senior & Flex subscriptions). Limit 4 per household.

PREVIEWS

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4

Day & Time

Series code

Oslo

Wickhams

HILWIL

The Who

Jazz

Wink

THU 7:30PM

1-THU-P

SEP 27

NOV 15

JAN 10

FEB 28

APR 25

JUNE 13

FRI 7:30PM

1-FRI-P

SEP 28

NOV 16

JAN 11

MAR 1

APR 26

JUNE 14

SAT 7:30PM

1-SAT-P

SEP 29

NOV 17

JAN 12

MAR 2

APR 27

JUNE 15

SUN 4PM

1-SUN-MP

SEP 30

NOV 18

JAN 13

MAR 3

APR 28

JUNE 16

TUE 7:30PM [i]

2-TUE-O

OCT 2

NOV 20

JAN 15

MAR 5

APR 30

JUNE 18

WED 7:30PM [1]

2-WED

OCT 3

NOV 21

JAN 16

MAR 6

MAY 1

JUNE 19

THU 7:30PM

2-THU

OCT 4

JAN 17

MAR 7

MAY 2

JUNE 20

FRI 7:30PM

2-FRI

OCT 5

*

NOV 23

JAN 18

MAR 8

MAY 3

JUNE 21

SAT 2 PM**

2-SAT-M

OCT 6

NOV 24

JAN 19

MAR 9

MAY 4

JUNE 22

SAT 7:30PM

2-SAT-E

OCT 6

NOV 24

JAN 19

MAR 9

MAY 4

JUNE 22

SUN 2PM

2-SUN-M

OCT 7

NOV 25

JAN 20

MAR 10

MAY 5

JUNE 23

SUN 7:30PM

2-SUN-E

OCT 7

NOV 25

JAN 20

MAR 10

MAY 5

JUNE 23

TUE 7:30PM

3-TUE

OCT 9

NOV 27

JAN 22

MAR 12

MAY 7

JUNE 25

WED 7:30PM [1]

3-WED

OCT 10

NOV 28

JAN 23

MAR 13

MAY 8

JUNE 26

THU 1PM** [p]

3-THU-M

OCT 11

NOV 29

JAN 24

MAR 14

MAY 9

JUNE 27

THU 7:30PM

3-THU-E

OCT 11

NOV 29

JAN 24

MAR 14

MAY 9

JUNE 27

FRI 7:30PM

3-FRI

OCT 12

NOV 30

JAN 25

MAR 15

MAY 10

JUNE 28

SAT 2PM**

3-SAT-M

OCT 13

DEC 1

JAN 26

MAR 16

MAY 11

JUNE 29

SAT 7:30PM

3-SAT-E

OCT 13

DEC 1

JAN 26

MAR 16

MAY 11

JUNE 29

SUN 2PM

3-SUN-E

OCT 14

DEC 2

JAN 27

MAR 17

MAY 12

JUNE 30

TUE 7:30PM

4-TUE

OCT 16

DEC 4

JAN 29

MAR 19

MAY 14

JULY 2

WED 7:30PM [1]

4-WED

OCT 17

DEC 5

JAN 30

MAR 20

MAY 15

JULY 3

THU 7:30PM

4-THU

OCT 18

DEC 6

JAN 31

MAR 21

MAY 16

JULY 4

FRI 7:30PM

4-FRI

OCT 19

DEC 7

FEB 1

MAR 22

MAY 17

JULY 5

SAT 2PM**

4-SAT-M

OCT 20

DEC 8

FEB 2

MAR 23

MAY 18

JULY 6

SAT 7:30PM

4-SAT-E

OCT 20

DEC 8

FEB 2

MAR 23

MAY 18

JULY 6

SUN 2PM

4-SUN-M

OCT 21

DEC 9

FEB 3

MAR 24

MAY 19

JULY 7

*Due to Thanksgiving, we will not have a Thursday 11/22 performance for The Wickhams. Subscribers should contact the box office

after July 2, 2018 to reschedule their performance. **Senior subscription discount available (65 and up).

Performance dates & showtimes subject to change. Please check our website for up-to-date performance schedule.

Program Key:

[i] OPENING

[1] WED PRE-SHOW TALK AT 7PM

[p] PERSPECTIVES

MARIN THEATRE COMPANY 2018/2019 SEASON

Support New American Plays Today!

As an MTC patron you know firsthand how exciting it is to see a new play for the first time—a play that you know may go on to be seen by audiences nationwide. But did you know that our ticket sales only cover 40% of what we do? We rely on your tax-deductible gift to bridge the gap and hope you’ll consider donating today to support new plays and award-winning artists, right here in your backyard.

Travel with MTC to New York, New York!

Wed., Feb. 6 – Mon., Feb. 11, 2019 Please join Artistic Director Jasson Minadakis as we explore the best that Broadway and offBroadway theatre has to offer. With an exclusive behind-the-scenes look, you’ll enjoy a play each night, group dinners with artists, interesting conversations and more! *Space is limited and priority is given to Premiere Society annual donors ($1,000+).

Save the Date: Gala52! MTC’s Annual Benefit Saturday, March 30, 2019, Mill Valley Community Center

New Event! – Save the Date: Tony Awards Party June 2019, Marin Theatre Company, Boyer Lobby, 6:30pm For more info contact: (415) 322-6035 | development@marintheatre.org

MTC Education MTC Education proudly offers classes for students age 4 to adult all year long, as well as Family Classes designed to allow for fun and growth through the arts for everyone! There is always something going on, and we’d love for you to join our MTC Education family.

Youth Conservatory Fall and Spring offerings include: Acting classes (ages 4 and up), Musical Theatre classes (grades 3 and up), Acting for the Camera (grades 4 and up), and more!

Adult and Family Classes Fall and Spring offerings include: A Peek in the Process, Playwriting with Lauren Gunderson, Adult Improvisation, Family Improvisation, and more!

MTC Summer Camp 2019 will include classes and productions for rising K-12 grade students. Check with us in January for more information.

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Join us on

Photo by Kevin Berne

COVER PHOTO: THE WOLVES | 2018

MARIN THEATRE COMPANY 397 Miller Avenue Mill Valley, CA 94941

SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE | 2017 Sango Tajima

Photo by Kevin Berne

2018/2019 SEASON SEPTEMBER 27 – OCTOBER 21, 2018 | WEST COAST PREMIERE

Oslo | By J. T. Rogers NOVEMBER 15 – DECEMBER 9, 2018 | WORLD PREMIERE

The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley By Lauren Gunderson & Margot Melcon JANUARY 10 – FEBRUARY 3, 2019 | BAY AREA PREMIERE

August Wilson’s How I Learned What I Learned FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 24, 2019 | BAY AREA PREMIERE

The Who & The What | By Ayad Aktar APRIL 25 – MAY 19, 2019 | WEST COAST PREMIERE

Jazz | Adapted by Nambi E. Kelley | Based on the book by Toni Morrison JUNE 13 – JULY 7, 2019 | WORLD PREMIERE

Wink | By Jen Silverman