Two River Theater Company Announces New Season

With its upcoming 2011-12 season right around the corner, Two River Theater has released a list of upcoming shows, as well as how to get tickets if you're interested. Check out a release from the organization below:

Two River Theater announces that tickets for its 2011-2012 season, the first under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, are now on sale.

“This is the first year in Two River’s history that we will produce subscription shows in both of our theaters,” says Dias, who has expanded the programming to eight productions. “The season brings truly exceptional artists to Red Bank, where they will explore great classics and work on original plays and musicals, and have opportunities to engage with the lively, adventurous audiences of this community. “

Single tickets for the subscription season range in price from $37-$65, with discounts available for seniors, patrons age 30 and under, and groups. Tickets for Honk!, the family show, are $47-$55 for adults and $25 for patrons 18 and under. Tickets are now on sale from 732.345.1400 or www.trtc.org. Subscription packages ranging from three to seven plays and a flexible Two River Pass are also available.

The schedule of productions is as follows:

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
The season will launch with Shakespeare’sMuch Ado About Nothing, directed by Tony Award nominee Sam Buntrock, running September 10 – October 2, 2011 in the Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater. Michael Cumpsty (winner of an Obie Award for his performance as Hamlet at Classic Stage Company) and Tony Award nominee Kathryn Meisle star as Benedick and Beatrice, leading a company of 15. 

SEVEN HOMELESS MAMMOTHS WANDER NEW ENGLAND

Obie Award winner Ken Rus Schmoll directs the world premiere of Madeleine George’s new play, an “academic sex comedy” about romantic entanglements and budget cuts in a small university town. Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England will run October 15 – November 13, 2011 in the Marion Huber Theater.

NO CHILD…

Playwright and actor Nilaja Sun will perform her solo show No Child…., a multi-character performance based on her experiences as a teaching artist in New York public schools. Fresh from its acclaimed recent production in New York, the play will run November 1 – November 20, 2011 in the Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater, directed by Hal Brooks. In conjunction with the production, Two River will offer discussions and events around the themes of the play and the theater’s own arts-education programs.

HONK! A MUSICAL TALE OF ‘THE UGLY DUCKLING’
During the holidays, Two River will present a non-subscription family show, Honk! A Musical Tale of The Ugly Duckling, with music by George Stiles and book and lyrics by Anthony Drewe. Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s story, the musical will run December 6, 2011 – January 1, 2012 in the Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater, directed by Matt Pfeiffer.

AUGUST WILSON’S JITNEY

Ruben Santiago-Hudson directs August Wilson’s Jitney, which will run January 31 – February 19, 2012 in the Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater.  One of the preeminent interpreters of Wilson’s work both as a director and actor, Santiago-Hudson won a Tony Award for his performance in Wilson’s Seven Guitars.

IN THIS HOUSE
In This House, a world premiere by Grammy Award-winning composer Mike Reid (whose hits include the pop standard “I Can’t Make You Love Me”), lyricist Sarah Schlesinger, and Jonathan Bernstein (co-bookwriter with Schlesinger and Reid), will run March 3 – April 1, 2012 in the Marion Huber Theater. In this melodic chamber musical, two couples—one at the beginning, the other at the end of their time together—meet accidentally and spend an evening together in a deserted house on New Year’s Eve. 

MAUREEN MCGOVERN IN CARRY IT ON

Maureen McGovern, hailed as “the Stradivarius Voice,” stars in Carry It On, a one-woman musical memoir that features the songs of her generation—music by the Beatles, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, and many others. McGovern co-conceived and wrote Carry It On with Philip Himberg, who also directs. It will run April 3 – April 22, 2012 in the Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater.

MY WONDERFUL DAY

Concluding the season, Nicholas Martin will direct Alan Ayckbourn’sMy Wonderful Day, a farcical comedy about the British middle class as seen through the eyes of a watchful Anglo-Caribbean child. My Wonderful Day will run May 15 – June 3, 2012 in the Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater.

For more information about the upcoming season, specific shows, or how to purchase tickets, visit www.trtc.com.