Shows

NINA SIMONE: FOUR WOMEN

JAN 14 – FEB 09
WILSON STAGE

Synopsis:
On September 16, 1963, Nina Simone heard that four Black girls were murdered in Birmingham when the 16th Street Baptist Church was bombed by the KKK.  Harnessing her rage, she wrote the Civil Rights anthem “Mississippi Goddam”.  Nina Simone: Four Women examines the seismic shift Simone took from artist to activist and revolutionary, and her fight to reflect the times through her consciousness rising music, “Four Women”, “Images” and “Young, Gifted and Black” among others.  It questions what happens when artists dive into the darkness of society and self while striving to find the light of freedom in sound.

By Christina Ham
Directed by Directed by Charlotte Brathwaite
Music Direction by Justin Hicks
Original Music Collectively Composed by YATTA (aka. ricky sallay zoker), Justin Hicks, and X’ene Sky

Content Notes: In depth discussions of racism and racial violence (including the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in 1963), sounds of rioting and potential for bomb sound effects, mentions of sexual violence, mentions of racial slurs, mentions of sex work, strong language.
Environmental Concerns: Haze and strobes used.
Run Time (Approx): 80 minutes without an intermission
Recommended Ages: 14+

View the Playbill Here

LITTLE WOMEN

FEB 25 – MAR 23
WILSON STAGE

Synopsis:
Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel comes to fresh life in this inventive, theatrical adaptation which follows as the March sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy – gather in the family attic. From making up fairy stories, writing for their pretend newspaper, and playing make believe, they graduate to scenes of love, loss, and – for Jo – artistic self-discovery, as they come of age against the backdrop of the American Civil War.

By Louisa May Alcott
Adapted by Heather Chrisler
Directed by Rachel Alderman

PURE NATIVE

APR 15 – MAY 11
WILSON STAGE

Synopsis:
Brewster’s back after almost a decade and things have changed. Brews is proud of his success working for a large corporation, and wants to share it with the people of his Rez in Upstate New York. After all, it’s been a bad year, and Brews believes partnering with his corporation on a new bottled water factory would be a great opportunity for the Rez to create its own industry and sustain itself. But to his old love Connie, it’s a betrayal of everything the Haudenosaunee stand for. Who will win?

By Vickie Ramirez (Tuscarora)
Directed by Randy Reinholz (Choctaw)
East Coast Premiere
In Association with Friends of Ganondagan and Native Voices

Run Time (Approx): 2 Hours
Recommended Ages: 13+

BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL

MAY 28 – JUN 29
WILSON STAGE

Synopsis:
Before she was hit-maker Carole King, she was Carole Klein, an up-and-coming songwriter from Brooklyn. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is the inspiring story of how she made her mark on the music industry – and found her own voice in the process. This Tony Award-winning musical with a book by the late Oscar- and Tony-nominated Douglas McGrath features the unforgettable songs “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling,” “Natural Woman,” and “I Feel the Earth Move” from King’s iconic songbook.

Book by Douglas McGrath
Words and Music by Gerry Goffin & Carole King, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil
Musical Arrangement with Sony Music Publishing
Orchestrations, Vocal and Incidental Music Arrangements by Steve Sidwell
Additional Music Arrangements by Jason Howland
Directed by Karen Azenberg

Context Notes: Discussions and depictions of mental health issues (including bipolar disorder/depression), discussions of sexuality, depiction of underage pregnancy, brief discussion of substance use.
Run Time (Approx): 2 Hours, 20 Minutes
Recommended Ages: 12+