George Street Playhouse Continues Anniversary Celebration
With Slate of Productions for 2014-2015 Season
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Season to Open With 2014 Tony Award Best Play Nominee
Outside Mullingar by John Patrick Shanley;
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John Markus and Mark St. Germain’s A Capella Musical Comedy The Fabulous Lipitones,
Matthew Lopez’s The Whipping Man and John Guare’s Six Degrees of Separation
to Round Out Season
One Final Selection to Be Announced at a Later Date
New Brunswick – Artistic Director David Saint has announced the slate of plays scheduled for the New Brunswick theatre’s 2014-2015 season. George Street, which celebrated its fortieth season in 2013-14, continues the celebration with a slate of four plays ranging from direct-from New York dramas, to an a capella musical celebrating barbershop; to an examination of the Jewish faith in the years following America’s Civil War. John Patrick Shanley’s Outside Mullingar, direct from Broadway, opens the season in a production directed by Mr. Saint. John Markus and Mark St. Germain’s a capella musical The Fabulous Lipitones follows, directed by Michael Mastro. Matthew Lopez’s searing drama The Whipping Man begins 2015, followed by the 25th Anniversary Production of John Guare’s Six Degrees of Separation, also directed by Mr. Saint. One additional production is yet to be selected, and will be announced at a later date.
“I love the depth and variety of plays this season,” said Mr. Saint. “There is something for everyone – whether you enjoy comedy, drama, or a meaty subject matter that you can discuss on the car ride home – there is something in this season for you. Honestly, there are elements of drama and comedy in all these plays that I am sure will touch your heart, tickle your funnybone, and ignite heated discussions long after you see the show.”
Five-play, three-play and flexible admission packages are currently on sale, as are tickets for groups of 10 or more. George Street Playhouse is located at 9 Livingston Avenue, in the heart of New Brunswick’s dining and entertainment district. For tickets and information, patrons may contact the Box Office directly at 732-246-7717 or may purchase online at GSPonline.org. Groups of ten or more should contact the Group Sales office at 732-846-2895, ext. 134 for group pricing and reservation information.
The Plays
Outside Mullingar
By Pulitzer, Oscar and Tony-winning writer John Patrick Shanley
Directed by David Saint
The hit Broadway romantic comedy from the author of Moonstruck and Doubt
Anthony has spent his entire life on a cattle farm in rural Ireland, a state of affairs that – due to his painful shyness – suits him well. Rosemary, living right next door, determined to have him, is watching the years slip away. With Anthony’s father threatening to disinherit him and a land feud simmering between their families, Rosemary has every reason to fear romantic catastrophe. But, in this very Irish story with a surprising depth of poetic passion, these yearning, eccentric souls fight their way toward solid ground and some kind of happiness. Their journey is heartbreaking, incredibly funny, and ultimately deeply moving.
Outside Mullingar will run October 7 through November 2, 2014. Opening night is set for Friday, October 10.
The Fabulous Lipitones
by John Markus and Mark St. Germain
A Not-So-Traditional A Capella Musical Comedy
What happens when a barbershop quartet loses a key member to a heart-stopping high “C?” The three surviving members suddenly find themselves scrambling to find a tenor before the national competition. When the golden tones of “Bob” are heard through the phone the Lipitones are all ears … but when they meet him in person, he’s not quite what they expected. An uproarious comedy of misunderstanding, stereotypes and the path to perfect harmony.
A new a capella musical by Mark St. Germain, author of the hit shows, Freud's Last Session and GSP’s The Best of Enemies, and John Markus, head writer for The Cosby Show and writer/producer of The Larry Sanders Show.
The Fabulous Lipitones runs November 18 – December 14, 2014. Opening night is Friday, November 21.
The Whipping Man
by Matthew Lopez
Richmond, April, 1865. In this powerful and evocative historical play, a wounded Jewish confederate soldier returns to his family home that now stands ruined and abandoned – except for two former slaves also raised in the Jewish faith. As the three men share an improvised Seder to mark Passover, they discover that, though they are no longer tied by ownership, they remain bound by faith, history and long-buried secrets.
Since opening off-Broadway to critical acclaim and winning the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Play, The Whipping Man has become one of the most produced plays in the country.
“Haunting immediacy; emotionally potent” – The New York Times
The Whipping Man is recommended for ages 13 and up.
The Whipping Man will run January 20 – February 15, 2015. Opening night is set for Friday, January 23.
The title of the fourth play of the season will be announced at a later date. It will run March 3 – 29, 2015. Opening night will be Friday, March 6.
Six Degrees of Separation
The 25th Anniversary Production
By John Guare
Directed by David Saint
“Cunningly executed… with clever one-liners, alternating comic situations with mildly disturbing ones…SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION is a play about everything, with something in it for everyone…" —NY Magazine
What would you do when the son of Sidney Poitier shows up at your door? In the high-stakes world of the New York art scene, appearances are everything. When a young man with a famous father turns up at their home injured and with no money, the Kittredges are immediately drawn to his charming ways, home-cooked gourmet meals and tales of Hollywood royalty. But as their involvement with him takes unexpected twists and turns, they begin to question not only his identity but their own.
Continuing the collaboration with Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts that began last season, Artistic Director David Saint helms the 25th Anniversary of Six Degrees of Separation, winner of the Drama Desk and Olivier Awards. Based on actual events, this fast-paced, funny and remarkably powerful play comments on what drives us, whether it be the allure of celebrity, the desire for money, fame and social standing, or the solace and comfort of meaningful human connection. For mature audiences.
Six Degrees of Separation closes the 2014-15 season, running April 21 – May 17, 2015. Opening night is set for Friday, April 24.
Book Club Program
As part of the season’s offerings, George Street Playhouse will continue their successful BOOK CLUB PROGRAM, now in its eighth year, with Matthew Lopez’s searing drama The Whipping Man. The book club package price includes a copy of the published edition of The Whipping Man, a study guide, a ticket for the production, and the opportunity to have a representative from the Playhouse visit their book club meeting to discuss themes of the play and share behind-the-scenes information about the creation of the production. For book club information, please contact the George Street Playhouse Group Sales Department by phone at 732-846-2895, ext. 134.
Prices and Information
SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES
There are several different Season Subscription Packages to choose from, designed to fit every budget, need, and schedule to assure audiences the most convenient theatergoing experience:
The Five-Play Subscription: Fantastic seats for all five plays, plus GSP’s full list of subscriber benefits. Choose from three seating areas $95 - $280.
Choose Three Subscription: Perfect for the busy theatergoer! Choose any three plays in the season and the night of the week you wish to attend. $117 - $168.
Student Subscription: Students with valid full-time ID see all five plays for $95. (Not valid Friday or Saturday nights or Sunday matinees. Recommended for high school students and older.)
Senior Citizen Discounts: (ages 65 and older) Seniors save when subscribing to the full five-play season. Please include proof of age with order. $95 - $270
Flex Passes: An extra flexible subscribing alternative! Patrons can purchase four, five or six admissions to GSP that can be redeemed for any performance (as long as there is availability) according to convenience. One couple can see 3 plays, one person can see all five, or in any other desired combination. $160 - $240
Sunday Symposiums: (3rd Sunday at 2 pm) This special series brings respected experts to the stage for a lively, in-depth post-performance discussion of the themes of the play. $95 - $245
Audio-Described Series: (3rd Thursday at 8 pm) Patrons who are blind or visually impaired will hear a live, unobtrusive and objective description of the stage action and other visual elements of the play over a headset. $100 for all 5 plays.
Open-Captioned Series: (4th Saturday at 2 pm) Patrons who are deaf or hearing-impaired can follow the dialogue of the play on a digital screen as the action occurs on stage. $125 for all 5 plays.
Monroe Township Bus Package (select Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 pm, and Thursday matinees) Tickets for all five plays at designated bus package performances plus round-trip bus transportation from centrally-located meeting places are provided for one nominal charge. For further information call (732) 846-2895, ext. 134.
Season Subscriptions for the mainstage can be ordered by calling the Box Office at 732-246-7717 or purchased online at www.GSPonline.org.
GROUP DISCOUNTS:
Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. For information call 732-846-2895, ext.134
Under the leadership of Artistic Director David Saint and Managing Director Kelly Ryman, George Street Playhouse has become a nationally recognized theatre, presenting an acclaimed mainstage season while providing an artistic home for established and emerging theatre artists. Founded in 1974, the Playhouse has been well represented by numerous productions both on and off-Broadway – recent productions include the Outer Critics’ Circle Best Musical Award-winner The Toxic Avenger, the Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk and Drama League nominated production of The Spitfire Grill and the recent Broadway hit and Tony® and Pulitzer Prize winning play Proof by David Auburn, which was developed at GSP during the 1999 Next Stage Series of new plays. In addition to its mainstage season, GSP’s Touring Theatre features four issue-oriented productions that are seen by more than 40,000 students annually. George Street Playhouse programming is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and by its lead season sponsor, Johnson & Johnson.
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George Street Playhouse – 2014-2015 Season:
Outside Mullingar
By John Patrick Shanley
Directed by David Saint
October 7 - November 2, 2014
The Fabulous Lipitones
By John Markus and Mark St. Germain
Directed by Michael Mastro
November 18 – December 14, 2014
The Whipping Man
By Matthew Lopez
January 20 – February 15, 2015
TBA
March 3-29, 2015
Six Degrees of Separation
By John Guare
Directed by David Saint
April 21 – May 17, 2015
