It's said that a good story has the power to expand your mind, see the world anew and take you places you’ve never dreamed of. Theater is the very voice of our experience, and it shines a spotlight on our triumphs and failures. Watching a live performance creates a shared happening.
Telling a story can also build bridges. A Classic Theatre (ACT) is reaching out into the community, bridging differences and celebrating shared values in an entertaining and engaging way by presenting plays that tell a good story.
ACT has announced next season’s lineup of stories that will make audiences laugh, think, feel and perhaps see the world from a different angle.
The inaugural show in October will be “Bakersfield Mist” by Stephen Sachs, a thought-provoking comedy-drama that asks vital questions about what makes art and people truly authentic. This special production will be in partnership with The St. Augustine Art Association to celebrate their 100th anniversary in the Ancient City.
The December production will be “It’s a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play” by Joe Landry. This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. This will be followed in March by David Lindsay-Abaire’s “Good People,” a powerful and ferociously funny story that explores the struggles, shifting loyalties and unshakeable hopes of living paycheck to paycheck.
The final main show of the season runs in May, as part of the Romanza Festivale of Music and the Arts. “The Foreigner“ by Larry Shue is a laugh-out-loud comedy of misunderstandings, misrepresentations and misdeeds that manages to take serious subjects and turn them on their heads.
In addition to these full theatrical productions, ACT is again offering a series of staged readings, which offer compelling stories in the more casual format of a dramatized reading.
In November, ACT will present “Admissions” by Joshua Harmon, a provocative look at college admissions is a no-holds-barred look at privilege, power and the perils of hypocrisy.
“Morning After Grace,” by Carey Crim comes in January. It is an unconventional, big-hearted comedy which tackles love, loss and new possibilities while coming to terms with growing older. It’s an unexpected journey toward a new lease on life.
February offers “Who Am I This Time? And Other Conundrums of Love” by Aaron Posner, adapted from stories by Kurt Vonnegut, explores the complexities of love.
The last in the series of staged readings will be “Bite-Sized Theatre: An Evening of 10 Minute Plays,” which will be in April. As the title states, it’s a collection of short but complete (not excerpts) plays covering a variety of subjects.
The main productions will be performed at The Waterworks, 184 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine.
Staged readings will be performed at The Center for Spiritual Living, 1795 Old Moultrie Road, St. Augustine.
For more information and to purchase tickets go to aclassictheatre.org.
