59E59 Theaters, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in the new year, has announced a slate of productions added to its 2024 winter season.
Newly announced productions include The Christine Jorgensen Show, a new musical with a book and original songs by Donald Steven Olson. The piece tells the story of Jorgensen, America's first transgender celebrity, and Myles Bell, who helped her create a nightclub act. Michael Barakiva and Zoë Adams will direct. Previews begin February 8, 2024, with opening night set for February 14. The limited run will continue through March 3.
The company will also mount Charles Busch's Ibsen's Ghost: An Irresponsible Biographical Fantasy, with direction by Carl Andress. Previews begin March 2, with an official opening March 14. Performances will continue through April 14. Busch stars in the tale of widow Susannah Ibsen's efforts to preserve the legacy of her husband, playwright Henrik Ibsen.
The season also includes Lisi DeHaas' The Slow Dance, a story of a mother and son at a crossroads, with direction by Lily Kanter Riopelle. Previews will begin March 8, with opening set for March 13, and the limited run is slated to continue through March 23.
Later in the season, 59E59 will stage Pat Kinevane's King, with direction by Jim Culleton. Kinevane stars in the story of an Elvis impersonator reflecting on his past and dreaming of his future. Previews begin March 26, with an official opening March 30. Performances will continue through April 14.
In April, the company will offer David Ireland's Not Now, featuring Matthew Blaney and Stephen Kennedy. Max Elton directs the heartfelt comedy about the past, identity, moving on, and whether Shakespeare was really all that great. Previews begin April 3 prior to an official opening April 7, and performances will continue through April 21.
The last of the newly announced productions is LAByrinth Theater Company's LAB: STRIPPED, which consists of two week runs of staged works in progress. These include The Complicated by Cusi Cram (February 20-March 3), with direction by Dina Janis, and lolita lolita by Elizabeth Narciso (March 12-24), with direction by Alfredo Narciso.
“This winter season kickstarts 59E59 Theaters’ 20th anniversary with a curated collection of stellar theatre companies who will transport audiences with entertaining stories, vibrant characters, and unforgettable performances,” says 59E59 Artistic Director Val Day. “Audiences will enjoy the opportunity to sample an abundance of varied theatrical delicacies. There are transformative and dramatic stories with live music and songs weaving their magic into the narrative, a pinch of celebrity autobiography, and many shows that are guaranteed to tickle the funny bone with outrageous or darkly witty humor.”
Previously announced productions for the season include Beverly Johnson and Josh Ravetch's Beverly Johnson: IN VOGUE, with direction by Josh Ravetch, set to run January 9-28; Alice Jankell's The Sweet Spot, with direction by Page Clements, set to run January 11-27; and Michael Aguirre's The Greatest Hits Down Route 66, with musical arrangements by Grace Yukich and Jennifer C. Dauphinais and direction by Sarah Norris, set to run January 13-February 18.
Full casting and creative teams will be announced at a later date.
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