Press Release

 

Triad Stage Announces 2008-2009 “Season of Spirit”
Lineup Includes Well-known MasterPieces,
New Works and the Return of the Holiday Hit Beautiful Star
 

Triad Stage announces the mainstage series plays for its eighth season, which begins August 31, 2008, with a lineup of productions showcasing the bold acting and breathtaking design that have become the signatures of the Triad’s award-winning professional, regional theatre. The2008-2009 season features an American classic by Tennessee Williams, a bewitching comedy by John Van Druten, a musical journey by Frank Higgins, a shocking exposé by Henrik Ibsen, a new comedic thrill ride by Robert Hewett and, for the summer of 2009, a counter-culture masterpiece by Dale Wasserman.

“Our eighth season is about spirits. The spirits that haunt us, the spirits that inspire us and drive us forward, and the joys and passions of the human spirit,” says Artistic Director Preston Lane.

 

The Night of the Iguana
by Tennessee Williams
One night can change your life.
Defrocked priest Laurence Shannon now scrapes out a living as a tour guide in Mexico. On the verge of a mental collapse he abducts his tour group to a crumbling seaside hotel on the edge of the jungle. As a fierce tropical storm rolls in, Shannon must wrestle with the passions of the women around him ­– the wrath of a Texas schoolteacher, the advances of a lustful teenager and the jealousies of the widowed hotel owner – as he seeks solace with a new arrival, a gentle spinster traveling with her grandfather- the world’s oldest living poet. The Night of the Iguana runs August 31 – September 21, 2008. Opening night is September 4.

Bell, Book and Candle
by John Van Druten
Love is a magical thing.
It’s the 1950s and Gillian Holroyd is living the life of a restless witch in the hip Murray Hill district of New York. When she casts a spell on her handsome upstairs neighbor, Shep Henderson, to keep him from marrying her old college rival, it works a little too well. Now Shep’s absolutely mad for Gill, and Gill finds she’s starting to feel the same about him. Will she give into the one thing that will take away her magical powers forever – falling in love? Bell, Book and Candleruns October 19 – November 9, 2008. Opening night is October 23.

Black Pearl Sings
by Frank Higgins
The song is the story.
In the midst of the Great Depression, Susannah Mullally travels the country, recording lost traditional songs for the Library of Congress. Hoping to find the one song that will bring her long-awaited recognition, she discovers Pearl Johnson in a Texas prison. With a soulful voice and a wealth of African-American spiritual songs, Pearl seeks information and a chance at freedom. Now each woman must decide how much of herself she is willing to give to get what she wants in return. Black Pearl Sings runs January 25 – February 15, 2009. Opening night is January 29.

Ghosts
by Henrik Ibsen, in a world-premiere adaptation by Preston Lane
Some secrets should not be kept.
The past threatens the present in a house haunted by lies and deceit. 29 years ago, Helen Alving accepted her pastor's advice and stayed with her husband despite his many infidelities. Now, to save her son from the sins of his father, she must finally reveal the secrets of long-ago. But her son has a secret of his own. Can they survive once the truth is brought into the light of day? Ghosts runs March 15 – April 5, 2009. Opening night is March 19.
  
The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead
by Robert Hewett
Every action has a reaction.
One crime has many points of view. One moment of passion alters several lives forever. One gifted performer plays seven very different roles in this international hit. After Rhonda Russell’s husband leaves her, she suspects him of cheating. Overwhelmed with emotion she takes matters into her own hands and everyone pays the price in this captivatingly brilliant and heartfelt play of loss and ultimate redemption. The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead runs April 26 – May 17, 2009. Opening night is April 30.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
by Dale Wasserman, based on the novel by Ken Kesey
Dare to be different.
Profane, boisterous and brawling convict Randle McMurphy has himself declared insane in order to serve out his sentence in a mental institution rather than go to prison. There he goes head to head with the domineering Nurse Ratched while inspiring the submissive patients and causing trouble for the asylum staff in this shocking, humorous and life-affirming story of one indomitable will’s battle against authority. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest runs June 7 – July 5, 2009. Opening night is June 11.

Current 2007-2008 Season Passholders may renew their subscriptions now through Friday, April 18. New 2008-2009 Season Passes go on sale Sunday, April 27. Passes range in price from $60 to $195. Tickets to individual shows will not be available until August 4, 2008. Prices vary depending on the day of the week and seat location desired. Triad Stage performs every night of the week except Mondays, with matinees on Sundays.

The record-breaking holiday hit returns for a third season…

Beautiful Star: An Appalachian Nativity
by Preston Lane, with original music by Laurelyn Dossett
Come home for the holidays.

In addition to the 6-play mainstage season, Triad Stage presents its hit holiday production, Beautiful Star: An Appalachian Nativity. After two seasons of sold out performances, Beautiful Star’s Rev. Roy Ledbetter and the Open Heart Community Fellowship congregation return once again to bring the Christmas story to life with down home laughter, toe-tapping music and a tug at the heart. See why critics call this new holiday tradition “perfect family fare…[that] will lighten your heart and put a lump in your throat,” (Greensboro News & Record) and “the best show I've seen in this or any holiday season.” (The Charlotte Observer) Beautiful Star: An Appalachian Nativity runs November 28 – December 21, 2008. Opening night is December 2. 

Beautiful Star: An Appalachian Nativity is presented as a special event and is not included in Season Pass packages. However, 2008-2009 Season Passholders have the exclusive opportunity to order advance Holiday Flex Tickets to Beautiful Star at a special reduced rate of $30 each with their Pass purchase or renewal. Otherwise, individual tickets to this show will go on sale August 4, 2008, along with individual tickets to the other 2008-2009 productions. 

 

Triad Stage is a professional not-for-profit regional theatre company based in Greensboro's downtown historic district. All Triad Stage productions are created in Greensboro using the best of local and national talent. Triad Stage gratefully acknowledges the support of 2007-2008 Season Sponsors: Mitre Agency, the North Carolina Arts Council and the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro.

Triad Stage’s 2007-2008 season continues with Doubt (March 9 – 30, 2008), From the Mississippi Delta (April 27 – May 18, 2008) and the world premiere of Bloody Blackbeard (June 8 – July 6, 2008). All feature the bold acting and breathtaking design that have been nationally recognized by The Wall Street Journal and haveearned the theatre accolades including “One of the Best Regional Theatres in America”, New York’s Drama League; “Best Live Theater”, GoTriad/News & Record and The Rhinoceros Times; and “Professional Theater of the Year”, North Carolina Theatre Conference. 

To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Triad Stage Box Office at 336.272.0160 or toll-free at 866.579.TIXX (8499), or visit www.triadstage.org.