The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Alliance marks 50 years with a homecoming
Lineup includes 5 world premieres; new stage opens in October.
The Alliance Theatre announced Monday the shows for its 201819 season, a time that will mark both a homecoming and a major anniversary.
The 50-year-old group, which spent a season on the road while its theater space at the Woodruff Arts Center underwent a complete renovation, will open its new performance space — Coca-Cola Stage — in October. The renovation project also includes upgrades to the theater’s rehearsal, education and artist support spaces.
“Our hope at the Alliance is that audiences will join us in a yearlong celebration of all that is messy, wonderful, dark and magical about being human,” Alliance Theatre artistic director Susan V. Booth said in a statement. “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate a 50th anniversary than that.”
The shows of the new season include five world premieres, musicals and a one-woman show:
“Winnie-the-Pooh,” Rich Auditorium at the Woodruff Arts Center (1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta), June 7-July 8, 2018: Based on A.A. Milne’s stories, the play is produced in collaboration with the High Museum of Art’s “Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic” exhibition.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Atlanta Botanical Garden (1345 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta), Sept. 5-Oct. 21, 2018: The world premiere adaptation of Shakespeare’s masterpiece will be directed by David Catlin, a founding ensemble member of the Lookingglass Theatre Com-
pany in Chicago.
“Nick’s Flamingo Grill,” Hertz Stage at the Alliance Theatre (1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta), Sept. 29-Oct. 28, 2018: This world premiere musical by Phillip DePoy is inspired by the true story of the first integrated nightclub in Atlanta.
“Paige in Full,” Rich Auditorium at the Woodruff Arts Center, Oct. 6-13, 2018: Written and choreographed by Paige Hernandez, the Alliance’s fall production for middle school audiences premiered in May 2010.
“Knead,” Hertz Stage at the Alliance Theatre, Nov. 13-Dec. 9, 2018: The world premiere, written by and starring Atlanta’s Mary Lynn Owen, originally developed as a project from the 3rd Reiser Atlanta Artists Lab.
“A Christmas Carol,” Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre (2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta), Dec. 12-24, 2018: Written by Charles Dickens and adapted by David H. Bell, this musical is a holiday tradition at the Alliance, to be presented for the second time at the Cobb Energy Centre.
“Ever After,” Coca-Cola Stage at the Alliance Theatre, Jan. 19-Feb. 17, 2019: The musical based upon the 20th Century Fox motion picture is directed by Booth.
“Goodnight, Tyler,” Hertz Stage at the Alliance Theatre, Feb. 16-March 10, 2019: Written by B.J. Tindal, the world premiere is a “contemporary and unexpectedly humorous drama” about Tyler Evans, who was remembered as either “a beloved best friend, grandson, mentor and fiance,” or “a young black man killed by a police officer.”
“The Wizard of Oz,” Rich Auditorium at the Woodruff Arts Center, March 9-April 14, 2019: Directed by Rosemary Newcott, the Alliance’s version of the musical draws inspiration from American folk art to create a production for all ages.
“Angry, Raucous and Shamelessly Gorgeous,” Coca-Cola Stage at the Alliance Theatre, March 20-April 14, 2019: Also directed by Booth, Pearl Cleage’s work tells of two former activists setting out to find a candidate they can back in an upcoming congressional race.
“Approval Junkie,” Hertz Stage at the Alliance Theatre, April 5-28, 2019: Faith Salie has returned home to Georgia to adapt her memoir into a one-woman show. The world premiere from the comedian and Emmy Awardwinning journalist “reflects on a lifetime of looking for validation in all the wrong places.”
“Ride the Cyclone,” Coca-Cola Stage at the Alliance Theatre, May 1-26, 2019: The regional premiere of Jacob Richmond’s book as a musical involves a high school choir, an ill-fated roller coaster ride and a mechanical fortune teller.
Tickets and information: 404-733-4650, alliancetheatre.org.