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Maria Dizzia and Gilbert Owuor in the world premiere of "Belleville" by Amy Herzog, at Yale Repertory Theatre in 2011. (Photo by Joan Marcus)

Yale Rep Announces Politically Charged 2016–17 Season

The lineup will feature work by August Wilson, Sarah Ruhl, Amy Herzog, and more.

NEW HAVEN, CONN.: Yale Repertory Theatre has announced its 2016–17 season, which will feature five productions including world premieres from Sarah Ruhl, Amy Herzog, and Aditi Brennan Kapil.

“These works marshal a generous theatricality that connects us to our professional and political history, while humanely illuminating many of the most compelling questions of the world in which we live now,” said artistic director James Bundy in a statement. “I am thrilled by the extraordinary range and power of the distinguished artists who will be represented on our stages, and by the opportunity to share their work with the widest possible audience.”

The season will begin with the world premiere of Sarah Ruhl’s Scenes from Court Life, or the whipping boy and his prince (Sept. 30–Oct. 22). In a remix of history, the play toggles between the politics and privilege of the Stuarts in the 17th century and Jeb and George W. Bush. Mark Wing-Davey will direct.

Next will be August Wilson’s Seven Guitars (Nov. 25–Dec. 17), about the untimely death of a Pittsburgh blues guitarist on the brink of stardom in 1948. Timothy Douglas will direct.

Following will be the world premiere of Imogen Says Nothing (Jan. 20–Feb. 11, 2017), by Aditi Brennan Kapil, about an actress performing Shakespeare’s new comedy in Elizabethan England, who manages to turn her wordless walk-on cameo into a ferocious leading role. Laurie Woolery will direct.

Next up will be the musical Assassins (March 17–April 8, 2017), with book by John Weidman and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, about nine men and women in the 19th and 20th centuries who shot—or attempted to shoot—a sitting president. Bundy will direct.

Following will be the world premiere of Amy Herzog’s Mary Jane (April 28–May 20, 2017), about a woman caring for her chronically ill young son. Anne Kauffman will direct.

Yale Repertory Theatre is the professional theatre-in-residence of the Yale School of Drama and has been producing new work since 1966.

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