May 10, 2016: The Keegan Theatre announces its 2016-2017 twentieth anniversary season.
“Keegan has had quite a ride, especially the last few years,” says Mark A. Rhea, the company’s founder and producing artistic director. “After being dark for a year for the renovations, we offered our patrons an extra-long, super-packed 2015-2016 season — 11 main stage productions over 15 months, a programming achievement of which we’re very proud. The company is finding our groove in the new space now, and we’re happy to return to a regular 12-month season schedule for 2016-17. While we’re back to a more traditional season calendar, we’re continuing to challenge ourselves and our audiences with programming that pushes us in new ways. We can’t wait to welcome audiences for a season of exploring the human condition like never before.”
The first show in Keegan’s 2016-17 season will not take place at its Church Street home – the company travels to Ireland in August with its production of AMERICAN BUFFALO. This is Keegan’s 15th tour of an American classic to Ireland; AMERICAN BUFFALO will travel to five venues over four weeks, visiting Galway, Kilkenny, Mullingar, Cork, and Ennis.
Back in the States, the 2016-17 season kicks off in September with Teresa Rebeck’s electrifying examination of sexism and the workplace, WHAT WE’RE UP AGAINST. The eight-show main stage season includes two musicals and five premieres, including a world premiere by local playwright Chris Stezin. The 2016-2017 season will also include two productions as part of the company’s Wee Keegan programming for young audiences – Keegan will announce the Wee Keegan productions next month, along with the lineup of directors for next season.
“This season packs in musicals, dramas and comedies,” Rhea says. “Large casts and small ones. Probing, issue-oriented stories and wistful, romantic journeys. There are difficult discussions of the divides and fear we create around class, race, gender, religion and sex. There are joyful celebrations of love, imagination and discovery. We’re not slowing down; we’re just hitting our stride. We can’t wait to see you at the theater.”
