Seattle Shakespeare Company’s Artistic Director George Mount announced plans for the company’s 25th Anniversary season that includes performances at the Leo K. Theatre, the return of directors Jeff Steitzer, David Quicksall, and Victor Pappas, and the mainstage directing debuts of Jane Nichols and Vanessa Miller.
“The programming for this season merged around the idea of family in its many forms” said Mount. “Everyone has a different reaction when you say the word ‘family.’ We first learn about the world through our families, and then discover that other families are not quite like our own. In these plays, people go to extreme measures to find, protect, and love their family members. We’re calling the theme of the season ‘Bloodlines.’“
For the first time, Seattle Shakespeare Company will produce one of its plays in the Leo K. Theatre at Seattle Repertory Theatre. Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors directed by Jane Nichols will open the season and run September 16 through October 11, 2015. “Personally, this is my absolute favorite play to work on,” said Mount. “We spend the entire rehearsal period just trying to make everyone laugh. Jane is such a renowned clowning expert, and I can’t wait to see how she brings her unique talents to bear on this play.”
Bertolt Brecht’s biting indictment of war, Mother Courage and Her Children will be directed by Jeff Steitzer from October 27 through November 22, 2015 at the Center Theatre at Seattle Center. “Jeff did a phenomenal Pygmalion with us in 2012,” said Mount. “I’m looking forward to seeing how he approaches this since Brecht mixes up comedy with tragedy, poetry, and musical theater.”
David Quicksall will direct Titus Andronicus, January 12-February 7, 2016, at the Center Theatre at Seattle Center. “David staged our gritty Coriolanus in 2012, and since this is Shakespeare’s bloodiest play, I’m sure he and the cast will have great fun getting their hands dirty with this shocker.” This will be the first time Seattle Shakespeare Company will have produced Titus Andronicus.
George Bernard Shaw’s Mrs. Warren’s Profession will be directed by Victor Pappas, March 22-April 17, 2016, at the Center Theatre at Seattle Center. “I’m excited to have Victor Pappas back after he staged such a delightful The Importance of Being Earnest for us,” said Mount. “This play has Shaw’s stinging wit and features a mother-daughter battle of wills that will have everyone thinking about the choices one makes in life.”
Romeo and Juliet will be the final play in the company’s indoor season. It will be directed by Vanessa Miller, May 4-May 22, 2016, at the Cornish Playhouse at Seattle Center. “We’ll be telling Shakespeare’s ultimate family drama in a very intimate way,” said Mount. “We’re going to reconfigure seats on the Cornish Playhouse stage to bring everyone closer to the action.”
Season ticket packages are on sale in the lobby and will go on sale online at the end of March. Single tickets for the events will go on sale July 2015.