In planning his first City Theatre season in 20 years — which also happens to be the company’s 45th — Marc Masterson has pulled together three plays that reflect both his time away and his intention to “introduce old friends to new ones.”
Mr. Masterson returned to City last year, having led the company for 20 years before leaving in 2000.
“City Theatre is a contemporary theater and should represent the best of what’s happening in our field — if you are interested in contemporary theater, these are all writers you should know,” he said.
The plays also reflect a “mission to help today’s writers of note keep the canon moving forward and alive,” he said.
The season kicks off with a play he commissioned while at South Coast Repertory and ends with two world premieres that have been developed through City’s Momentum program. It also marks the return of a work by Theresa Rebeck, the television writer and widely produced playwright whose “Seminar” played at City.
Mr. Masterson has worked with her on several plays, two that were Pulitzer finalists, and teased “a great local cast” for “Downstairs,” which was written originally for siblings Tyne and Tim Daly.
The season opens with a play that had its origins at South Coast Rep and features Cambodian surf rock music. “Cambodian Rock Band,” by award-winning playwright Lauren Yee, will be presented by City as a co-production with Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago and Merrimack Repertory Theatre in New York.
“More than anything,” Mr. Masterson said, “I think these plays are great pieces of theater.”
CITY THEATRE’S 2019-20 SEASON:
Sept. 14-Oct. 6: “Cambodian Rock Band” by Lauren Yee, music by Dengue Fever and directed by Marti Lyons. (Main Stage)
The Los Angeles Times raved about the play that packs in love, family, heritage and the Cambodian genocide: “To say that Yee’s play is a fierce, gorgeous, heartwarming, comedic fairy tale set against one of history’s grisliest mass extinctions might imply that it trivializes suffering. In fact Yee has made her characters so joyfully and ridiculously human that it’s impossible — to a heartbreaking degree — not to identify with them.”
Nov. 9-Dec. 1: “One Night in Miami …” by Kemp Powers, directed by Reginald L. Douglas. (Main Stage)
It’s 1964. Cassius Clay has rocked the nation by becoming world heavyweight boxing champion. However, it’s what happens next that changes the soon-to-be Muhammad Ali’s life even more. This theatrical event re-imagines the true story of Clay’s friendships with civil rights activist Malcolm X, legendary singer Sam Cooke and football star Jim Brown on one life-altering night. A hit at London’s Donmar Theatre, “One Night in Miami …” is being developed into a feature film by Mr. Kemp, a writer for “Star Trek: Discovery” (CBS All Access).
Jan. 11-Feb. 2, 2020: “Downstairs” by Theresa Rebeck, directed by Marc Masterson. (Main Stage)
A new play that confronts family secrets, regrets and the threat of madness in the search for the good life. This fall, Ms. Rebeck’s fourth Broadway play, “Bernhardt/Hamlet” premiered at the Roundabout Theatre Company. She’s Broadway’s most-produced female, contemporary playwright. She also created the NBC showbiz drama “Smash” and has written for many other TV series.
Feb. 29-March 22, 2020: “Cry It Out” by Molly Smith Metzler, director TBA. (Main Stage)
Both funny and painful, “Cry It Out” confronts the pressure to have it all when having it all is a giant lie. Ms. Metzler’s “Elemeno Pea” has played City Theater, and she has written for TV series such as “Orange Is the New Black” (Netflix), “Codes of Conduct” (HBO) and “Shameless” (Showtime).
April 4-May 10, 2020: “PerkUp PerKup” by Isaac Gomez, directed by Mr. Masterson. (A world premiere at City’s Lester Hamburg Studio)
At the best coffee shop in town, the biggest challenge is pushing the cold brew — until someone new arrives. ... Isaac Gomez “delivers a pulsating new play about an America divided and on the brink.” The play is being developed at City while the writer also is under commission from South Coast Rep, Denver Center Theatre Company, the Goodman Theatre and more.
May 9-31, 2020: “F***7thGrade” music, lyrics and story by Jill Sobule, book by Liza Birkenmeier, directed by Lisa Peterson. (A world premiere at Main Stage)
Singer-songwriter Jill Sobule, whose 1990s’ hits include “Supermodel” and the original “I Kissed a Girl,” takes audiences through a rock ‘n’ roll celebration of coming of age and coming out. Ms. Sobule has shared stages with Cyndi Lauper and Warren Zevon, and has written music for TV and theater. She also has been active in numerous social and political causes. Her newest album is “Nostalgia Kills.” Ms. Birkenmeier, whose play “Radio Island” was produced at NY Stage & Film in 2018, received her MFA from Carnegie Mellon University.
In addition to the six-play subscription series, the 2019-20 season includes EQT Young Playwrights Festival, the Momentum Festival and the Momentum Reading Series, along with special events and partnership activities through the community engagement initiative, City Connects. Subscriptions and more information: www.citytheatrecompany.org or 412-431-CITY.
Sharon Eberson: seberson@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1960. Twitter: @SEberson_pg. Sign up for the PG performing arts newsletter Behind the Curtain at Newsletter Preferences.
First Published: March 4, 2019, 1:00 p.m.
