Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre Proudly Announces Its 2008-09 Season

Alliance Stage Productions

The season opens with a voice that is passionate and profound.  The power of the August Wilson legacy is brought full circle in a rare theatrical event with the presentation of two shows in the acclaimed Century Cycle:  Gem of the Ocean (the first play in the chronology) and Radio Golf (the final play in the chronology) performed in rotating repertory, each featuring the same company of actors.  Gem of the Ocean is directed by True Colors Theatre Company Artistic Director Kenny Leon and is a story of redemption and renewal set against the legacy of emancipation in 1904 Pittsburgh.  Radio Golf is directed by the Alliance Theatre’s Associate Artistic Director Kent Gash and brings audiences back to Pittsburgh 90 years later as a successful real estate entrepreneur launches his campaign to become the city’s first black mayor.  Two plays.  One cast.  A rare event not to be missed. (September – October 2008)

The power of love defines the new romantic comedy Managing Maxine by Atlanta favorite Janece Shaffer (Bluish, He Looks Great In a Hat).  Directed by Alliance Theatre Artistic Director Susan V. Booth, Managing Maxine is a story about getting a second chance at love—even at age 70.  The play provokes laughter and tears in equal measure and will leave audiences celebrating the fact that all great romance feels like young love, whatever your age.  (October – November 2008)

Rejoice in a vibrant explosion of beloved music that puts the power of praise back into the gospels     when Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL arrives in Atlanta.  Re-conceived by Louis St. Louis, this new version is arranged from the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber hit musical Jesus Christ Superstar.  The production traces the last seven days of the life of Christ in a vividly contemporary gospel setting with an inspirational beat to classics like “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” and “Everything’s Alright.”  This is a unique, revolutionary musical experience in association with Andrew Lloyd Weber.  (January – February 2009)

Ghost Brothers of Darkland County is a sultry Southern gothic mystery with a blues-tinged, guitar-driven score.  This World Premiere musical brings the power of suspense to the stage with a script written by Stephen King and music and lyrics by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Mellencamp.  This remarkable creative team brings to Atlanta a great story of family tension and secrets that mixes a gripping mystery with a traditional ghost story.  In 1957, in the tiny town of Lake Belle Reve, Mississippi, a terrible tragedy took the lives of two brothers and a beautiful young girl. During the next forty years, the events of that night became a local legend—but legend can just be another word for lie.   (April – May 2009)

Hertz Stage Productions

The Hertz Stage transforms into an underground comedy club for a World Premiere revue
that brings the power of laughter to Atlanta.  The Second City:  Too Busy To Hate… Too Hard To Commute. is an original Atlanta-inspired comedy created to reflect our city in all its diversity.  The revue is created in partnership with Chicago’s fabled Second City, legendary for producing the most accomplished comedians and writers in contemporary America (i.e., Steve Carell, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Mike Myers and Tina Fey).  Audiences are guaranteed a belly laugh from this revue that asks, “What’s so funny about living in Atlanta?”  (September – October 2008)

Smart Cookie is the fifth winner of the nationally recognized Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competition.  This play, written by emerging playwright Julia Brownell, is a sly, wicked comedy about how the power of surprise helps us become the people we never realized we wanted to be.  Directed by Alliance Theatre Artistic Director Susan V. Booth, Smart Cookie is about a New York socialite who has the perfect life until her world is split wide open when her son comes home from prep school with a Spanish exchange student and a big announcement.  Brownell is the first comic writer to win the Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competition.  (February 2009)

The Alliance Theatre is thrilled to welcome Pulitzer Prize finalist Quiara Alegría Hudes back to Atlanta for the World Premiere production of her new play 26 Miles.  The Alliance produced Hudes’ Pulitzer Prize-nominated Elliot, a Soldier’s Fugue in 2006.  Directed by Alliance Theatre’s award-winning Associate Artistic Director Kent Gash, 26 Miles is a tender and funny story of a teenager and her mother on the road trip of their lives.  Through the power of family, they find that the best souvenirs on the road of life are the relationships made along the way.  (March – April 2008)

Family Series

Rosemary Newcott, The Sally G. Tomlinson Artistic Director of Theatre for Youth, once again brings her talent for understanding children’s rhythms and energy to the stage with the classic of early childhood Goodnight Moon.  Adapted by Chad Henry from the favorite children’s book by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd, Goodnight Moon embraces the warmth and whimsy of childhood in a magical journey.  The power of wonder is awakened as Bunny tries to put away the day and prepare for the happiness that dreams will bring in this tale that will charm both adults and children as it celebrates the simple rituals around getting young ones to sleep. (October – November 2007)

Andre Benjamin’s (Outkast’s Andre 3000’s) Emmy Award-winning show “Class of 3000” first appeared on Cartoon Network in November 2006.  For the first time ever, the hit animated series leaves the small screen and jumps full throttle onto the Alliance Stage.  Harnessing the power of creativity, Class of 3000 Live teaches important lessons about the rewards and temptations of a life devoted to music through the story of a hip-hop artist teaching at an Atlanta performing arts school.  Rosemary Newcott will adapt and direct the stage version from the first episodes of the Cartoon Network show.  Produced in association with Cartoon Network and Moxie.  (February – March 2008)

Special Holiday Show

Scrooge is back!  A Christmas Carol, our holiday gift to Atlanta, is back for its 19th smash year.  This Broadway-scale musical features the best singers and actors Atlanta has to offer.  Full of beloved songs of the holiday season, it is a yuletide heartwarmer.  (November – December 2007)

Subscriptions to the Alliance Theatre 2008-09 season go on sale Mar. 2, 2008, and may be purchased by calling 404.733.4600 (Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.).  Single tickets go on sale later this summer.

Visit www.alliancetheatre.org for more information about the next season.