(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse Artistic Director David Saint has announced the slate of plays scheduled for the New Brunswick theatre’s 2016-17 five-play season. George Street’s 43rd season begins in October and will feature five extraordinary productions, including: Mama’s Boy, a chilling glimpse into the home life of Lee Harvey Oswald; American Son, a Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award-winner about the racial divide; Joshua Harmon’s Bad Jews, a comedic take on family, faith and legacy; and Daddy Long Legs, a romantic musical based on a classic novel. A fifth production will be announced at a later date.
“Each season, we look for contemporary plays and re-imagined classics that are thought-provoking, full of heart, and engaging,” said artistic director David Saint. “This season, which features several area premieres, is no exception. Our season will be completed with one additional play or musical that will surely delight our audiences.”
Five-play subscription packages are currently on sale and start at $115 for all five productions. George Street Playhouse sponsors bus and theatre packages from many active adult communities in the Monroe Township area. For information on bus and theatre packages, as well as pricing and reservation information for groups of ten or more, please contact the Group Sales office at 732-846-2895, ext. 134. Individual tickets will go on sale at a later date.
George Street Playhouse is located at 9 Livingston Avenue, in the heart of New Brunswick’s dining and entertainment district. For tickets and information, patrons may contact the Box Office directly at 732-246-7717 or may purchase online at GSPonline.org.
About the Productions
Mama’s Boy
By Rob Urbinati
Directed by David Saint
October 18 – November 6, 2016
Marguerite Oswald was domineering, obsessive and desperate in her need to be loved by her younger son, Lee Harvey. She never believed her son was a monster -- but was she the cause? A chilling glimpse into what may have happened in the Oswald household in the months leading up to that fateful November morning in Dallas. This New York metro area premiere was called “a gripping family drama that illuminates history by adding a touch of humanity” by The Press Herald.
American Son
By Christopher Demos-Brown
February 7-26, 2017
Jamal’s mother and her estranged husband rush to the police station when their son's car has been pulled over. With no explanation forthcoming and emotions building, this highly-charged drama twists, turns and builds to an explosive conclusion. American Son, recipient of the Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award for a new play by an emerging playwright, is certain to challenge assumptions and ignite conversations regarding recent events and the racial divide in this country.
Bad Jews
By Joshua Harmon
March 21 – April 9, 2017
Liam is a self-proclaimed “bad Jew” – and he may actually be an atheist. It’s the night after his grandfather’s funeral, and Liam and his high-strung and unbending cousin Daphna are arguing over who should inherit “Poppy’s” Chai necklace. The verbal battle rages until Liam stakes claim to the necklace, and a vicious and hilarious brawl about family, faith and legacy begins. This New Jersey premiere was hailed by The New York Times as “the best comedy of the season” and called “outrageously funny” by The Washington Post.
Daddy Long Legs
Book by John Caird
Music & Lyrics by Paul Gordon
Based on the classic novel by Jean Webster
May 2 - 21, 2017
A witty and winsome young woman’s wishes are answered when an anonymous gentleman she nicknames "Daddy Long Legs" gives her the opportunity to leave her orphanage and attend university. In return, Jerusha shares her life with her unknown benefactor through treasured letters as she grows into an intelligent and independent woman and experiences a budding romance with a young suitor. This heartwarming new musical has charmed audiences of all ages from London to New York. Based on the classic novel that inspired the 1955 movie starring Fred Astaire, Daddy Long Legs was created by Tony Award winner John Caird (Les Miserables) and Tony Award-nominee Paul Gordon (Jane Eyre). This Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award nominee was described by Stage Scene LA as “one of the most enthralling, entertaining and moving love stories on the American musical theater stage.”
One additional selection will be announced at a later date.
About George Street Playhouse
In the 42 years since its founding, George Street Playhouse has become a nationally recognized theatre, presenting an acclaimed mainstage season while providing an artistic home for established and emerging theatre artists. Its leadership consists of Artistic Director David Saint, Resident Artistic Director Michael Mastro and Managing Director Kelly Ryman. Founded in 1974, the Playhouse has been well represented by numerous productions both on and off-Broadway, including the Outer Critics’ Circle Best Musical Award-winner The Toxic Avenger; the Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk and Drama League nominated production of The Spitfire Grill; and the Broadway hit and Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning play Proof by David Auburn, which was developed at GSP during the 1999 Next Stage Series of new plays. In 2015, George Street Playhouse was represented by two productions in New York: the recent Broadway production of It Shoulda Been You, and Joe DiPietro’s Clever Little Lies, which opened off-Broadway in October. Both shows received their premieres at the Playhouse. In addition to its mainstage season, GSP’s Touring Educational Theatre features three issue-oriented productions that are seen by more than 40,000 students annually. George Street Playhouse programming is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
