As we enjoy these last dog days of summer, savvy New Yorkers know that it's not too early to think about ordering tickets for some of the cool shows arriving on the fall theater scene, just around the corner.
Playwrights Horizons, one of Gothamists favorite non-profit theater companies, has announced the opening production of their new season. People Be Heard, a new comedy with songs, will have its world premiere there, with previews starting Tuesday, August 31, opening on Thursday, September 23, and running through Sunday, October 10.
People Be Heard has songs by Quincy Long (The Joy of Going Somewhere Definite, Shaker Heights) with original music by Michael Roth (The Persians, Talking Heads, Dinner with Friends). The show is directed by Erica Schmidt (Debbie Does Dallas) with choreography by Peter Pucci (Barry Manilow's Harmony). The interesting cast includes one of our favorites, Annie Golden, who we are also planning on seeing in Mimi Le Duck at the Fringe Festival, and a cast of Broadway and off-Broadway talents.
The plot sounds both topical and deliciously farcical. The shows press release describes it as concerning a small American town that becomes embroiled in a fierce debate over the teaching of Evolution in the schools, and the single mother (a stripper at the local Wiggle Room) who is unwittingly drawn into the fray when she is appointed to the local school board.
We love offbeat musicals and offer the gentle reminder that this year's toast of Broadway, Avenue Q, started out off-Broadway at The Vineyard Theatre. Playwrights Horizons has a great track record with musicals, having produced works by renowned composers Stephen Sondheim, Jeanine Tesori, William Finn, and many others.
A full schedule of performances can be found at www.playwrightshorizons.org. Bargain seekers should take note of a Pay What You Can performance scheduled on Tuesday, August 31st, as well as HOTtix (steeply discounted tickets for patrons age 30 or under). Full information can be found on the website.
