By: Zenab Saeed ~Staff Writer~
The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park recently released the list of works that will comprise its 2016-17 season. Playhouse in the Park’s artistic director Blake Robinson announced on March 1 the plays, musicals and performances in the 57th season of production.
The season is set to include adaptations of two bestselling and renowned novels: John Irving’s “Pray for Owen Meany” and Charlotte Brontë’s “Jane Eyre.” The season will open with a premiere of British playwright Simon Bent’s adaption of Irving’s novel, “A Prayer for Owen Meany,” which will be directed by Robinson as part of The Robert S. Marx Theatre Season.
A performance of British writer and theater director, Polly Teale’s, adaptation of Brontë’s “Jane Eyre” will run from March 11 to April 8, 2017 and will be directed by Playhouse Associate Artist KJ Sanches.
The comedy musical “Little Shop of Horrors,” featuring lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken, will run from Jan.21 to Feb. 19. The production will be directed by Bill Fennelly and will be the director’s first production with the Playhouse.
The season will also include two world premieres, both written by female playwrights. “Summerland,” written by Arlitia Jones, will be part of The Thompson Shelterhouse Season and will run from Feb. 4 to March 5. Up-and-coming American playwright Jen Silverman’s “All the Roads Home” will run from March 25 to April 23.
“I’m tremendously excited by this season. It’s chock full of familiar titles and beloved classics — but we’re still stretching ourselves and taking artistic risks.
An ambitious new season should embrace both popular and challenging productions. This slate of plays accomplishes that, and I can’t wait to share these stories with our audience,” director Robinson said in a news release.
The Playhouse will stage performances for the upcoming season on every day of the week except Mondays. Performances will begin each night at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. on Fridays; 4 and 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 and 7 p.m. on Sundays.
A complete list of all the works to be featured in the 2016-17 season, a schedule of the Playhouse performances and ticketing information can be found on the Playhouse’s website at http://www.cincyplay.com/.