ALLEY THEATRE

www.alleytheatre.org

Gregory Boyd, Artistic Director

Dean R. Gladden, Managing Director
Box Office Phone 713-220-5700

Presents

THE 2016 - 2017 SEASON
 

Season Tickets can be ordered online (alleytheatre.org) or by phone (713.220.5700).

 

 

Hand to God

AUGUST 19 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

·         BY ROBERT ASKINS

·         DIRECTED BY MARK SHANAHAN

·         CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE, PROFANITY, SEXUAL SITUATIONS, AND VERY RUDE PUPPETS. MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY.

·         NEUHAUS THEATRE

The devil is lurking in a church basement puppet show in Cypress, Texas. And his name is…Tyrone. He may look like an innocent sock puppet, but when he infiltrates the angst-ridden church youth group and takes possession of Jason’s arm, all Hell breaks loose. Spectacularly foul-mouthed and wickedly scandalous, Tyrone shocks the congregation with his outrageous insinuations, exposing their deepest secrets—and teaching us all about what it means to be human. A smashing success on Broadway and now in London, this fast-paced irreverent comedy is the Texas playwright’s Alley debut. The New York Times called the play “Darkly delightful” and The New Yorker described it as “Sesame Street meets The Exorcist.” called the play “Darkly delightful” and The New Yorker described it as “Sesame Street meets The Exorcist.”

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A Night with Janis Joplin

AUGUST 19 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

·         WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY RANDY JOHNSON

·         HUBBARD THEATRE

·         CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE AND ADULT CONTENT.

Like a comet that burns far too brightly to last, Janis Joplin exploded onto the music scene in 1967 and, almost overnight, became the queen of rock & roll. The unmistakable voice, filled with raw emotion and tinged with Southern Comfort, made her a must-see headliner from Monterey to Woodstock. Now, you’re invited to share an evening with the woman and her influences in the new Broadway musical A Night with Janis Joplin. Fueled by such unforgettable songs as “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Mercedes Benz,” “Cry Baby” and “Summertime,” and a remarkable cast, A Night With Janis Joplin, written and directed by Randy Johnson, is a musical journey celebrating Janis and her biggest musical influences - icons like Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Odetta, Nina Simone and Bessie Smith -who inspired one of rock & roll’s greatest legends.

 

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Prices range from $125-$440.  Subscribers can purchase a 5-play package containing:

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

OCTOBER 7 THROUGH NOVEMBER 5, 2016

·         BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

·         DIRECTED BY GREGORY BOYD

·         SUITABLE FOR GENERAL AUDIENCES AGES 12 AND UP.

·         HUBBARD THEATRE

The Alley Theatre joins companies around the globe in celebrating 400 years of Shakespeare with Shakespeare@400. In the Bard’s most popular and enchanting comedy, the woods outside Athens are a busy place as four young lovers and a troupe of actors find themselves in the middle of a dispute between the King and Queen of the fairies. Alongside A Midsummer Night’s Dream the Alley will host community and school performances, readings, and an evening of songs and sonnets hosted by members of the Alley Company.

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Dry Powder

JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 12, 2017

·         BY SARAH BURGESS

·         CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE AND ADULT CONTENT.

·         HUBBARD THEATRE

The same week his private equity firm forced massive layoffs at a national grocery chain, Rick threw himself an extravagant engagement party, setting off a publicity nightmare. Fortunately, Seth, one of Rick’s partners, has a win-win deal to invest in an American-made luggage company for a song and rescue his boss from a PR disaster. But Jenny, Seth’s counterpart, has an entirely different plan: to squeeze every last penny out of the company, no matter the consequences. The game is on in Sarah Burgess’ gripping, razor-sharp new play about the price of success and the real cost of getting the deal done.

 

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Let the Right One In

FEBRUARY 24 - MARCH 19, 2017

·         PRESENTED BY THE NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND BY ARRANGEMENT WITH MARLA RUBIN PRODUCTIONS LTD AND BILL KENWRIGHT

·         A STAGE ADAPTATION BY JACK THORNE

·         BASED ON THE SWEDISH NOVEL AND SCREENPLAY OF THE FILM BY JOHN AJVIDE LINDQVIST

·         DIRECTED BY JOHN TIFFANY

·         SUPPORTED BY THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT INTERNATIONAL TOURING FUND

·         HUBBARD THEATER

·         CONTAINS ADULT CONTENT, EXPLICIT LANGUAGE, AND VIOLENCE. RECOMMENDED FOR MATURE TEENS AND UP.

 Supernatural thriller Let the Right One In is a brutal and tender vampire myth told through the turbulence of a coming-of-age romance. Oskar, a lonely boy from a broken home, is bullied at school and longing for friendship. Eli, the young girl who moves in next door, doesn’t attend school and rarely leaves home. When a series of mysterious killings plagues the neighborhood, these two young misfits, sensing in each other a kindred spirit, forge a deep connection. But the shocking truth about one of them tests their young friendship — and love — beyond all imaginable limits. Tony and Olivier Award-winning director John Tiffany (Black Watch, Once) directs this major new production which was adapted for the stage by Jack Thorne following the international success of the original Swedish novel and subsequent film.

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A View from the Bridge

APRIL 28 THROUGH MAY 21

·         BY ARTHUR MILLER

·         CONTAINS MATURE THEMES. 

·         HUBBARD THEATRE

 Following the success of Death of a Salesman (2012) and All My Sons (2015), the Alley returns to one of America’s greatest playwrights with a new production of Arthur Miller’sA View from the Bridge. This dark and passionate story centers on Eddie Carbone, a longshoreman by trade, who is confident of his place in the working-class Brooklyn neighborhood he calls home. That life changes when he agrees to harbor his immigrant cousins. A love affair exposes a dark family secret, and suspicion, jealousy and betrayal soon follow.

 

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Freaky Friday

JUNE 2 THROUGH JULY 2, 2016

·         BOOK BY BRIDGET CARPENTER

·         MUSIC AND LYRICS BY TOM KITT AND BRIAN YORKEY

·         BASED ON THE NOVEL "FREAKY FRIDAY" BY MARY RODGERS AND THE WALT DISNEY MOTION PICTURES

·         DIRECTED BY CHRISTOPHER ASHLEY

·         CO-PRODUCTION WITH LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE AND CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE

·         HUBBARD THEATRE

·         SUITABLE FOR GENERAL AUDIENCES.

 Freaky Friday, a new musical based on the celebrated novel by Mary Rodgers and hit Walt Disney films, is a hilarious, contemporary update of an American classic that follows an overworked mother and teenage daughter on a wild journey after magically swapping bodies. The musical, with book by Bridget Carpenter (Friday Night Lights, Parenthood) and score by the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning team of Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (Next to Normal, If/Then), is a sure-fire hit for the whole family.

 

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With prices from $198-$629 an 8-play package is also available containing all the plays in the 5-play package plus

 

Syncing Ink

FEBRUARY 3 THROUGH MARCH 5, 2017

·         BY NSANGOU NJIKAM

·         DIRECTED BY NIEGEL SMITH

·         CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE AND ADULT CONTENT.

·         NEUHAUS THEATRE

 "Now what you hear is not a test/I'm rapping to the beat!" Gordon wants to learn how to rap, thinking it will gain him respect, admiration, and the attention of a beautiful woman. What he doesn't know is that his journey to learn how to rhyme will take him not just deeper into Hip Hop, but deeper into his legacy and his purpose. Based on true events, NSangou Njikam leads us on a lyrical ride to discover what it really takes to freestyle. Directed by Niegel Smith, Artistic Director of New York’s Flea Theater.

 

 

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An Act of God

MARCH 17 THROUGH APRIL 16

·         BY DAVID JAVERBAUM

·         CONTAINS MATURE THEMES.

·         NEUHAUS THEATRE

An Act of God is a sinfully funny and critically acclaimed new play where the Almighty and His devoted Angels answer some of the deepest questions that have plagued mankind since Creation. He’s returned to set the record straight… and He’s not holding back! This hilarious 90-minute comedy is “written by God” and transcribed by 13-time Emmy® Award winner David Javerbaum (The Daily Show).

 

 

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Subscribers may purchase priority tickets for Agatha Christie’s Spider’s Web,

 

A Christmas Carol

NOVEMBER 19 THROUGH DECEMBER 29, 2016

·         BY CHARLES DICKENS

·         ADAPTED AND ORIGINALLY DIRECTED BY MICHAEL WILSON

·         DIRECTED BY JAMES BLACK

·         HUBBARD THEATRE

·         SUITABLE FOR GENERAL AUDIENCES, AGES 6 AND UP.

Houston’s seasonal favorite described by the Houston Press as having “Spectacular London sets... the inimitable Dickens’ tale – spiced with the usual fog and an unusual twist on the ghosts past, present and future.” A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas returns this year with a re-telling of Charles Dickens’ classic story, which follows Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey with the three ghostly spirits who visit him on Christmas Eve. A Christmas Carol instills a powerful message about redemption and the spirit of the holiday season.

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And The Santaland Diaries before going on sale to the general public. Groups of 10 or more may reserve discounted tickets now by calling 713.315.3346.

 

Alley Theatre Wraps Up 2015-2016 Inaugural Season in Newly-Renovated Theatre with Record Attendance

 

Attracts 14,500 new Patrons and Achieves Record-Breaking Sales in the Alley’s 69th Season 

 

HOUSTON –The Alley Theatre concluded the calendar year, June 30, 2016, with an $18 million balanced budget (the operating budget has grown by almost 100 percent since 2006), record revenue earnings, and a full season of productions and special events in the newly renovated theatre. Alley Theatre Board President Jesse Marion announced that Artistic Director Gregory Boyd and Managing Director Dean R. Gladden signed new five-year contracts with the Alley through fiscal year 2020-2021. 

“Last year was a journey that was valiant and audacious. With a great strategic plan in place, the Alley continues to move forward with our expansion plan and our commitment to producing the best theatre in America. This is our vision and we will continue to build on our significant past accomplishments,” said Marion.

The Alley concluded a successful season at the University of Houston in August 2015 and then moved into the renovated theatre, all during a challenging economic climate. Since the $46.5 million renovation was completed in October 2015, the theatre has presented 390 performances, including 51 sold-out dates, during its 2015-2016 season in the newly renovated theatre and welcomed more than 14,500 new attendees.

The Alley’s 69th season was a year of firsts – the debut of the newly renovated theatre; the launch of Alley All New, a major new works initiative and its inaugural festival; the collaboration with the Dallas Theater Center on Tony award-wining play All the Way and the pedestrian-based live art theatrical experience, Remote Houston.

New Patrons and Subscription Increases

The Alley began the inaugural season in the newly renovated theatre on October 2, 2015. Since then, nearly 180,000 total audience members have experienced the Alley’s productions in the Hubbard and Neuhaus Theatres. During the season, more than 14,500 new patrons attended productions at the Alley. Robert Schenkkan’s Tony-winning play All the Way was the 4th highest grossing show in the Alley’s history, selling out 13 performances during the run.

Operating Budget and Revenue

When the Alley moved into its new home, subscription revenue increased 37 percent, the highest subscription revenue ever achieved by the theatre. In spite of the economic challenges in the energy industry, contributed income raised almost $1 million more than last year, a significant accomplishment under difficult circumstances. The Alley also invested more in the artistic product, increasing artistic expenditures $1.3 million this year, a 16 percent increase that will continue to expand next year. The Alley Theatre’s annual operating budget of $18 million will increase to $19 million in the 2016-2017 season.

New Programming and Inaugural Events

The Alley Theatre’s renovation allowed the theatre to offer new programming and events which utilized the new building spaces to the fullest. This year, the Alley launched a major new works initiative, Alley All New and premiered a new play festival. The 2016 Alley All New Festival included 20 performances, eight writers, six directors and 24 actors over the course of two weekends and more than 700 festival attendees filled the building for the event. Playwright NSangou Njikam presented a workshop of his Hip-Hop play Syncing Ink at the festival and the play will hold its World Premiere at the Alley in the upcoming 2016-2017 season.

Also this season, the Alley presented Remote Houston, the first live theatre experience outside of the Alley building.  More than 1,500 people discovered a “secret Houston” through the journey during a total of 30 performances. The debut of Remote Houston, from Berlin-based performance company Rimini Protokoll, proved so successful, it will return for a fall run, beginning September 29.

Applied Theatre at the Alley and Community Outreach

The Alley’s Education and Community Engagement department (ECE) programs, activities and reach experienced tremendous growth over this past year, serving 80,083 students, teachers, and community members. Fifty-six percent of the schools served were in economically disadvantaged communities. ECE saw a 10 percent increase in the number of teachers served and an additional 12,981 students were served during 2015-2016, accounting for a 19 percent increase over the past year. The department also grew Staging STEM, an in-school arts integration program that uses theatre training and explorations to teach STEM core curriculum, from 39 to 65 school residencies. The contact hours in the Alley Partner School program, which supports school-created arts-education experiences that complement existing classroom curriculum, more-than-doubled to 15 partner schools. These in-depth multi-residency partnerships serve public and private middle and high schools across the Houston area.

One hundred and ten schools attended and experienced live theatre through student matinees of A Christmas Carol and Around the World in 80 Days. Last season, the Alley offered 11 student matinee performances with a total attendance of 7,053 students. The Alley served 26 Title 1 schools and for the first time arranged TalkBacks after every student performance, giving students the opportunity to ask questions to the actors, production and artistic staff.

The Alley, “Houston’s people’s theatre,” continued to increase its community outreach and welcomed a unique community partner, The Telling Project, a nationally recognized arts organization dedicated to sharing veterans’ stories through theatre. Telling: Houston included six performances which featured seven veterans and one military spouse voicing their experiences to nearly 600 audience members. The Alley Theatre has a long-standing commitment to the military personnel offering active duty military personnel, veterans and their families discount show tickets. Nearly 100 patrons utilized the military discount and attended the Alley’s productions in the 69th season.  The Alley also deepened its relationship with community partner Savannah Blue Arts & Outreach, hosting twenty of the nation’s top award-winning Slam Poets in the 5th Annual Bayou City Grand Slam. In April 2017, ECE will hold a special Shakespeare poetry slam event - Breaking Shakespeare: The Bard's Slam.

Building Renovation

The Alley Theatre began a $46.5 million building renovation in 2014-2015 season, the first major improvements since the building opened in 1968. With a fundraising campaign co-chaired by Meredith Long and Roger Plank, the theatre raised a total of $55.7 million. The building was completed in just 14 months on budget and on time, due to advance planning over many years, which also involved the relocation of all operations to the University of Houston for one season.

The opening of the renovated theatre has been a game changer for the Alley and the City of Houston. The new theatre is a state of the art facility that will serve the community for generations. Under the continued leadership of Managing Director Dean R. Gladden and Artistic Director Gregory Boyd, the Alley looks ahead to presenting an exceptional lineup of programming for the 2016-2017 season.

ABOUT THE ALLEY THEATRE

The Alley Theatre, one of America’s leading not-for-profit theatres, is a nationally recognized performing arts company lead by Artistic Director Gregory Boyd and Managing Director Dean R. Gladden.  The Alley was founded in 1947 and welcomes more than 180,000 patrons each year. The newly renovated theatre stages up to 16 plays each year, ranging from the best modern work, to re-invigorated classics, to new plays by contemporary writers and theatre-artists. Home to a Resident Company of actors, the Alley is one of the few professional American not for profit theatres to embrace this ideal.  In addition, a 75,000 square foot state-of-the-art production center houses scenery construction, costumes, properties, wigs, lighting and sound design – all on-site. Alley All New, the initiative to commission and develop new work year round, features the Alley All New Festival each season presenting workshops and readings of new plays and musicals in process. Additionally the Alley serves 65,000 students annually with award-winning education and community programs including in-school arts integration residencies, school tours and student matinees. A recipient of the Special Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, the Alley has brought productions to Broadway, 40 American cities including New York’s Lincoln Center and internationally to London, Berlin, Paris, and St. Petersburg throughout its 70-year history.

The renovation of the Hubbard Theatre at the Alley was completed in October 2015 – and created a new 774 seat state-of-the-art performance venue. Matched with the 310-seat Neuhaus Theatre, the Alley offers nearly 500 performances annually, more performances than all other performing arts organizations in the Houston Theater District combined.

The Alley Theatre is supported by the 2016-2017 season sponsor United Airlines, the official airline of the Alley Theatre. For information about performances and tickets, visit www.alleytheatre.org.