A Musical Murder Mystery, Art and Family, Nureyev and Wyeth, And Sex With Strangers Comprise George Street Playhouse’s 2015-2016 Season
The Musical Comedy Mystery Murder for Two To Open Season, Followed by My Name is Asher Lev, Nureyev’s Eyes, Sex With Strangers And One Additional Title to be Announced
New Brunswick, NJ – George Street Playhouse Artistic Director David Saint has announced the slate of plays scheduled for the New Brunswick theatre’s 2015-2016 season. George Street’s 42nd Season consists of a slate of four plays ranging from Mysterious Musical Comedy Mayhem to Sex With Strangers. The season begins with the musical comedy whodunit Murder for Two, followed by the story of an artist’s struggle with faith and family, My Name is Asher Lev. 2016 brings the tale of two great artists’ – one a dancer, the other a painter -- verbal sparring and ultimate friendship with Nureyev’s Eyes, as well as the recent off-Broadway hit comedy Sex With Strangers. One additional production is yet to be selected, and will be announced at a later date.
“This season’s selections span the gamut from uproarious musical farce to the touching interaction between two great artists in Nureyev’s Eyes, to a real commentary on today’s technology and the times we live in with Sex With Strangers,” said Mr. Saint. “I always strive to select plays that are both thought provoking and full of heart, and think this season achieves that.”
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. George Street Playhouse sponsors bus and theatre packages from many active adult communities in the Monroe Township area. For information on bus and theatre packages, as well as pricing and reservation information for groups of ten or more, please contact the Group Sales office at 732-846-2895, ext. 134.
The Plays:
Murder for Two
Book and Music by Joe Kinosian
Book and Lyrics by Kellen Blair
Directed by Scott Schwartz
October 6 – 25, 2015
Not exactly the happiest of birthdays! Novelist Arthur Whitney is murdered at his own birthday party, and his killer could very possibly be one of the guests. But this is not your ordinary whodunit. The entire world of this hilarious musical is brought to life by two incredible performers: one plays the detective, the other plays all 10 suspects – and they both play the piano!
My Name Is Asher Lev
By Aaron Posner
Adapted from the novel by Chaim Potok
Directed by Jim Jack
November 10 – 29, 2015
Faith – Tradition – Art. Which wins out?
Asher Lev is a young Hasid growing up in post-war Brooklyn. He is a young painter of prodigious talent – he can’t imagine himself doing anything else. He must create art at any cost, regardless of the will of his family, his community and tradition. The Outer Critics Circle award-winning play by Aaron Posner based on the best-selling novel by Chaim Potok.
Nureyev’s Eyes
By David Rush
Directed by Michael Mastro
February 2 – 21, 2016
“It’s in the eyes,” says Jamie, “they’re the hardest to get.” So says Jamie Wyeth, the son of Andrew. The visual artist’s relentless pursuit of dancer Rudolf Nureyev to sit for him as subject of a portrait has resulted in a number of sessions in which two artists trade poses, barbs, jokes, and unrevealed truths. A riveting fictional account of the very real interaction between two great artists.
Sex With Strangers
By Laura Eason
Directed by David Saint
March 8 – 27, 2016
In an increasingly digital world where images – and your persona – can be tweaked or even totally fabricated online, it can get tricky to figure out just who is lying in bed beside you. Ethan is a hot young writer whose online accounts of his sexual escapades have garnered him likes and followers by the score – as well as a movie deal. Olivia is an attractive teacher and erstwhile writer whose career never took off. Trapped by a snowstorm in a Bed and Breakfast, opposites instantly attract, undeniable chemistry ignites and sex is imminent. Sex turns to dating, which turns into something a bit more complicated. Sex with Strangers explores what happens when our online and offline identities intersect.
Recommended for mature audiences due to adult themes and nudity.
One additional selection, to be announced at a later date, will run April 12 – May 1, 2016, with opening night set for Friday, April 15.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director David Saint, 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. Kelly Ryman was appointed Managing Director in 2013. 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 2015, George Street Playhouse will be represented by two productions in New York: the current Broadway production of It Shoulda Been You, and Joe DiPietro’s Clever Little Lies, opening off-Broadway later this year. Both shows received their premieres at the Playhouse. In addition to its mainstage season, GSP’s Educational 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.
George Street Playhouse/ 2015-2016 Season:
Murder for Two/ October 6-25, 2015
My Name is Asher Lev/ November 10 – 29, 2015
Nureyev’s Eyes/ February 2-21, 2016
Sex With Strangers/ March 8-27, 2016
Title to be announced/ April 12 – May 1, 2016
