Theater Preview

Tom Titus

South Coast Repertory may be getting a bit long in the tooth (37 years

and counting, all but the first few in Costa Mesa or Newport Beach), but

the company remains in the forefront when it comes to the introduction of

new plays.

For SCR’s 2000-01 season, opening early in September, there are three

world premieres on tap, along with a pair of West Coast premieres,

balanced by three productions enjoying their second time around on the

SCR stage.

“This is an exciting season of ambitious, new work from four writers

with distinct, contemporary voices,” said David Emmes, who co-founded the

theater with Martin Benson in 1964 and has been its producing artistic

director ever since. This “should be one of the most potent schedules of

new work in the country.”

Richard Greenberg’s creative output is particularly favored at South

Coast. His “The Extra Man,” “Night and Her Stars,” “Three Days of Rain”

and “Hurrah at Last” all were midwived on an SCR stage. Greenberg’s

newest world premiere, “Everett Beekin,” will lead things off on the

Mainstage from Sept. 8 to Oct. 8.

We’ve heard a lot about “Art,” Yasmina Reza’s three-character play

that took quite a few bows in New York -- not to mention a “best play”

Tony Award -- and in Los Angeles. It finally comes to SCR from Oct. 20 to

Nov. 19, so we can see what all the fuss was about.

Edward Albee’s “A Delicate Balance,” a Pulitzer Prize-winning drama,

examines impending madness among “normal” people, which SCR audiences can

experience from Jan. 12 through Feb. 11.

“Much Ado About Nothing,” an aptly titled bit of Shakespearean

silliness and a reprise for SCR, changes the pace to classic comedy from

Feb. 23 to April 1.

Two world debuts close out the Mainstage season: David

Lindsay-Abaire’s “Kimberly Akimbo” from April 13 to May 13, centering on a 16-year-old girl whose family is crumbling; and Amy Freed, who authored

SCR’s impressive “Freedomland,” will premiere “The Beard of Avon,” her

take on the true authorship of Shakespeare’s plays, from June 1 to July

1.

Downstairs on the Second Stage, we’ll have a return visit from Joe

Orton’s “Entertaining Mr. Sloane” (which closed out the old Second Step

Theater in Newport Beach back in 1967). The creepy comedy will play from

Sept. 22 through Oct. 22.

The first West Coast production of George Murphy’s “The Countess,” is

ticketed from Nov. 3 to Dec. 3. This insight into a Victorian scandal was

the longest-running play on or off Broadway last season. Then comes

another reprise, John Guare’s dark comedy “Bosoms and Neglect,” playing

Jan. 26 through Feb. 25.

Only one of the theater’s 11 regular performance slots remains to be

filled, the fourth entry in the Second Stage season, which will run from

March 16 to April 15.

Putting the cap on the downstairs venue will be John Strand’s “Tom

Walker,” inspired by an American folk tale and set in Colonial Boston.

The West Coast premiere plays from April 27 through May 27.

Of course, December will see old holiday favorites “A Christmas Carol”

and “La Posada Magica” returning for their 21st and seventh visits,

respectively. It wouldn’t be Christmas without Scrooge and Graciela

rediscovering their faith in the spirit of the season.

As one of SCR’s company members will be happy to remind you before

every performance this fall: season tickets are still available and may

be obtained by contacting the theater at (714) 708-5555.

BACKSTAGE -- The Trilogy Playhouse will present singer-guitarist

Tom Flannery in concert at 8 p.m. Saturday at the theater, 2930 Bristol

St., Costa Mesa. Flannery will play folk music, American church music and

old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll. Tickets are $15. Information: (714)

957-3347, Ext. 1.