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Eunice Wong, McKinley Belcher III, Miranda Craigwell and Roderick Hill in the Huntington Theatre Company's production of Lydia R. Diamond's "Smart People." (Photo by T. Charles Erickson)

Writers Theatre’s 2017-18 Season to Feature ‘Trevor’ Musical

The lineup will open with a new musical from Dan Collins and Julianne Wick Davis based on an Oscar-winning short film.

GLENCOE, IL.: Writers Theatre has announced five of the six shows that will be in its 2017-18 season. This will be the theatre’s second season in its new home, where it’s now presenting shows across two spaces.

“This is a particularly ambitious season for us,” said artistic director Michael Halberstam in a statement. “We are starting to really stretch things in our new home! We are particularly delighted to be in collaboration with such a wonderful array of directors, actors and playwrights. Of particular note, this season marks our first collaboration with a team of New York producers in presenting a powerful world premiere musical, which will launch what is a classic Writers Theatre season.”

The season will launch with Trevor (Aug. 9-Sept. 17), with book and lyrics by Dan Collins, and music by Julianne Wick Davis. It is based on the Oscar-winning short film Trevor, about a 13-year-old boy in 1981 who discovers that he’s gay. Marc Bruno will direct, with choreography by Josh Prince, and music direction by Alexander Rovang.

The second show of the season will be announced at a later date.

The holiday season will include The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (Nov. 8-Dec. 23). Halberstam will direct.

Following will be Eugene O’Neill’s A Moon for the Misbegotten (Feb. 7-March 18, 2018). William Brown will direct.

After that will be Smart People by Lydia R. Diamond (March 21-June 10, 2018). The play is about four young urban professionals who are looking for love and success while navigating the intricacies of race and sexual politics. Hallie Gordon will direct.

The season will close with Sam Shepard’s Buried Child (May 9-June 17, 2018). The play is about Vince and Shelly, who visit Vince’s grandparents’ rural home, only to discover that they don’t remember him.

Founded in 1992, Writers Theatre is dedicated to inventive interpretations of classic work, a bold approach to contemporary theatre, and a dedication to creating intimate theatrical experiences.

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