On Theater: ‘Abundance’ of offerings in new SCR season
South Coast Repertory, which has entertained and enthralled audiences for the past half century, has announced its productions for the 2015-16 season, a schedule featuring two return engagements and seven other selections that may be unfamiliar to many.
The returnees are Beth Henley’s “Abundance,” which will be staged from Oct. 16 to Nov. 15 under the direction of SCR co-founder Martin Benson, and “Amadeus” by Peter Shaffer, scheduled for the May 6 to June 4 slot with Kent Nicholson directing. Both will be presented on the theater’s Segerstrom Stage.
SCR kicks off its new season Sept. 11 with “One Man, Two Guvnors,” Richard Bean’s British-flavored comedy inspired by Carlo Goldoni’s “The Servant of Two Masters.” David Ivers will direct this all-out farce, which will run through Oct. 11 on the Segerstrom Stage.
“Abundance,” which follows, is set in 1860 and tracks the adventures of two mail-order brides in the Wyoming territory. SCR originally introduced this play 25 years ago and has produced a number of Henley’s plays over the years.
John Logan’s “Red,” directed by David Emmes, SCR’s other co-founder, is ticketed for the Jan. 22 to Feb. 21 slot. Modern art is the subject of this Tony Award-winning drama focusing on expressionist artist Mark Rothko.
The theme shifts to modern comedy in the premiere of “Future Thinking,” Eliza Clark’s new play about young people and their fantasies — everyone has one, and soon they’ll collide. Lisa Neugetbauer will direct the show, which is scheduled from March 25 through April 24.
“Amadeus” is the middle name of Wolfgang Mozart, who is in the process of becoming the world’s greatest classical composer in Vienna, circa 1791. This ruffles the feathers of the current holder of that title, Antonio Salieri (the role that won F. Murray Abraham his Oscar), and intrigue ensues. The production will run from May 6 through June 5.
The Julianne Argyros Stage launches its new season with “Vietgone” by Qui Nguyen. It’s set in a Vietnamese refugee camp in the middle of Arkansas and becomes a modern romantic comedy. May Adrales will direct, and performances will run from Oct. 4 to 25.
Menopause is the central theme of “The Madwoman in the Volvo” by Sandra Tsing Loh, which is planned for a Jan. 3 to 24 engagement. Women fighting the onslaught of time provide the grist for this comedic mill, which will be directed by Lisa Peterson.
Comedy and drama both are promised in “Getting to a Place Where You Already Are,” a new play by Bekah Brunstetter probing the meaning of life. SCR’s artistic director, Marc Masterson, is scheduled to direct this production, which will run from March 6 to 27
A brand-new play, as yet unselected, will highlight the 2016 Pacific Playwrights Festival. It will be on stage from April 10 to May 1 on the Argyros Stage.
And, of course, “A Christmas Carol” will return for its annual holiday visit in December with Hal Landon Jr. donning his Ebenezer Scrooge getup for the 37th time, under the direction of John-David Keller, who has staged all of the previous 36 versions.
Tickets may be ordered online at scr.org/renew or by calling the Costa Mesa theater at (714) 708-5599.
TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the daily Pilot, Coastline Pilot and Huntington Beach Independent.
