A.R.T. Announces 2023-2024 Season (Boston, MA.)
American Repertory Theater
Announces
2023-2024 Season
The American Repertory Theater at Harvard University (A.R.T.)
Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
“Next season is filled with must-see theatrical events—two world-premiere musicals and two vitally important plays which explore themes of immigration, the American dream, and what it means to feel welcome in our country,” said Artistic Director Diane Paulus.
“We’ve been thrilled to see packed houses as audiences returned to the A.R.T. this past year, and I can’t wait for our community to experience this next boundary-breaking season and line-up of extraordinary artists.”
Four-play subscriptions are now on sale to A.R.T. supporters and will be available to renewing subscribers and the general public in June.
Visit AmericanRepertoryTheater.org/Subscribe for more information.
Discounted tickets to A.R.T.’s production of "EVITA" at the Loeb Drama Center May 17 - July 16, 2023 are available as add-ons to 2023/24 subscription packages.
Throughout 2023/24, A.R.T. will:
- Partner with the Harvard Office for Gender Equity to be in dialogue around the themes of A.R.T.’S programming and evolve A.R.T.’s organizational culture;
- Continue to develop Essential Questions that will drive artistic exploration and audience engagement opportunities around each production;
- Continue to collaborate with Artists for Humanity, a Boston-based non-profit that provides teens the keys to self-sufficiency through paid employment in art and design, engaging AFH teens to create art inspired by the Essential Questions
- Offer the public opportunities to engage with new works in development, including an October reading of "The Odyssey" by Kate Hamill (Sense & Sensibility). Additional details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Additional programming and initiatives will be announced at a later date.
Season support is provided by Harvard University, The Barr Foundation, The Bob and Alison Murchison New Work Development Fund, The Shubert Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Barton & Guestier, and Meyer Sound.
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.
ABOUT THE SHOWS
“THE HALF-GOD OF RAINFALL”
North American-Premiere Play!
Written by Inua Ellams
Directed by Taibi Magar
Produced in partnership with New York Theatre Workshop
Loeb Drama Center
Performances:
September 8, 2023 through September 24, 2023
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
★★★★ “Striking.” — The Guardian
When Demi—half Greek god, half Nigerian mortal—takes his first shot on a basketball court, the deities of the land wake up. But as Demi’s skills propel him from his village in South West Nigeria to the NBA playoffs and the London Olympics, Zeus gets jealous of his game.
From award-winning playwright and poet Inua Ellams (Barber Shop Chronicles) comes the new epic “THE HALF-GOD OF RAINFALL” fusing Greek mythology and Yoruba spirituality, in which mothers, daughters, and goddesses rise up against the entitled lord of Mount Olympus.
“THE HALF-GOD OF RAINFALL” is produced in partnership with New York Theatre Workshop and is directed by Taibi Magar (Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992; Macbeth In Stride; We Live in Cairo).
“REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES”
World-Premiere Musical!
Music and Lyrics by Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez
Book by Lisa Loomer
Choreography and Direction by Sergio Trujillo
Based on the play by Josefina López, which inspired the award-winning film
Loeb Drama Center
Performances:
December 8, 2023 through January 14, 2024
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
“Big-hearted and empowering.” — Variety
It’s the summer of 1987 in Los Angeles’ Boyle Heights, and Ana wants to blaze her own path. The first-generation child of Mexican immigrants, Ana is torn between a future at her family’s garment business and her dreams of college in New York. If she breaks from her parents’ vision for her life, can she still honor the sacrifices that have allowed her to dream?
Based on the play by Josefina López that inspired the hit film by Josefina López and George LaVoo, this new musical adaptation of “REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES” tells an uplifting story for anyone who has experienced the unexpected curves of life.
Directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Sergio Trujillo (Arrabal, Ain’t Too Proud, Jersey Boys),
“REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES” features a book by award-winning playwright Lisa Loomer (Roe; The Waiting Room; Girl, Interrupted) with an original score by Grammy-winning recording artist Joy Huerta (from world-renowned Mexican pop duo Jesse and Joy) and Fred Ebb Award winner Benjamin Velez (Kiss My Aztec).
“BECOMING A MAN”
World-Premiere Play!
Written by P. Carl
Directed by Diane Paulus and P. Carl
Loeb Drama Center
Performances: February 16, 2024 through March 10, 2024
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
“Jolting, honest, passionate, and beautifully written.” — Claudia Rankine on P. Carl’s memoir, Becoming a Man
When we change, can the people we love come with us? For fifty years, P. Carl lived as a girl and then a queer woman, building a career and a loving marriage while waiting to realize himself in full. When he decides to affirm his gender at a pivotal political moment in America, his transition puts everything—family, career, friendships—at stake.
“BECOMING A MAN” is adapted from P. Carl’s acclaimed memoir and co-directed by P. Carl and Diane Paulus,
“BECOMING A MAN” is a story about the courage—and the community—we need to become ourselves.
“GATSBY”
World-Premiere Musical!
Based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Music by Florence Welch and Thomas Bartlett
Lyrics by Florence Welch
Book by Martyna Majok
Choreographed by Sonya Tayeh
Directed by Rachel Chavkin
Loeb Drama Center
Performances:
Dates To Be Announced
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s legendary novel "THE GREAT GATSBY" comes to new life in this world-premiere musical with a score by international rock star Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine) and Oscar and Grammy Award nominee Thomas Bartlett (Doveman), and a book by Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok (Cost of Living).
"GATSBY" is staged by Tony Award-winning director Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown; Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812; Moby-Dick) with choreography by Tony Award winner Sonya Tayeh (Moulin Rouge!).
"GATSBY" will be produced at American Repertory Theater by special arrangement with Amanda Ghost and Len Blavatnik for Unigram/Access Entertainment, and Jordan Roth, in association with Robert Fox. Hannah Giannoulis serves as co-producer. Additional production support of Gatsby is provided by Janet and Irv Plotkin.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER
MISSION
The American Repertory Theater at Harvard University is dedicated to expanding the boundaries of theater, always including the audience as a partner.
VISION
We focus on the research and development of groundbreaking theatrical experiences that catalyze dialogue and transformation. We believe that by engaging our hearts, minds, and bodies, theater has the power to heal and imagine collective pathways forward. We commit to advancing public health in our practice and our programming, recognizing that racism in America is a national public health crisis. Our new home in Allston will be a breathable and healthy building envisioned as a town hall for the twenty-first century. Inspired by the model of a teaching hospital, the building will be a vibrant center for research, experiential pedagogy, and performance. We build community with our audiences, artists, students, staff, and neighbors across Greater Boston, embracing theater’s power to cultivate the full breadth and beauty of our shared humanity. We affirm and celebrate a multitude of perspectives and experiences that reflect the diversity of our country and world. We are dedicated to making a welcoming and accessible space for people of any identity, background, or ability.
VALUES
We hold the institution and each other responsible and accountable for living our shared values. There is no hierarchy to these values; they are all equally important and interrelated. We acknowledge that as an institution we must devote time to implementing and sustaining these values:
We center anti-racism
Habituate anti-racist practices in our policies, structure, and culture
We lead with inquiry
Ask questions in a spirit of brave curiosity in our never-ending journey of learning and growth
We believe in collaboration
Work together with trust and respect to unlock collective creativity
We practice adaptability
Challenge assumptions and create capacity to support “next” practices
We embrace regenerative practice
Promote the health and vitality of our planet, our organization, and each other
