Artistic Director Oanh Nguyen and Managing Director Casey Long have announced Chance Theater's 2012 Season.
The four-play Mainstage Season and two holiday shows comprise the award-winning intimate theatre's 14th year of presenting dynamic theatrical productions in Orange County. Season 14 features a West Coast Premiere, a Southern California Premiere, and an Orange County Premiere, as well as a bold reimagining of a classic musical.
The West Coast Premiere of the edgy musical love story Rooms, a rock romance opens the season January 27 - March 4, 2012. The Southern California Premiere of the dark comedy Reborning occupies the second slot of the year April 20 - May 20. The modern musical version of Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story runs June 29 - August 5. The Orange County Premiere of the post-apocalyptic comedy Boom closes the season September 21 - October 21.
For the holidays, the Chance will present two of its Popular Productions: the ninth annual staging of The Eight: Reindeer Monologues (November 26 - December 22) and the return of the audience favorite Little Women - The Broadway Musical (November 16 - December 23).
"We're very excited about our 2012 season," says Chance Theater Artistic Director Oanh Nguyen. "I think we've programmed some very dynamic and unusual productions, which is exactly what our audiences have come to expect from us. I'm excited to be staging the classic musical, West Side Story. I feel that our small, intimate space will offer an exciting new take on this groundbreaking musical."
These six productions are just the start of the expansive list of events that will be produced by the theater's six person-staff, 30-member resident company of artists, and core group of volunteers.
Mainstage Series
JANUARY 27 - MARCH 4, 2012
West Coast Premiere
Rooms, a rock romance
By Paul Scott Goodman and Miriam Goodman
She longs to see every room in the world, he longs to stay in his. Rooms, a rock romance begins in late 1970's Glasgow where Monica, an ambitious singer/songwriter meets Ian, a reclusive rocker. The two quickly become entangled creatively and romantically. Their music takes them first to London and ultimately to New York City, where they discover the vibrant new music scene and create an intimate partnership, their love deepening while their personalities drive them apart.
APRIL 20 - MAY 20, 2012
Southern California Premiere
Reborning
By Zayd Dohrn
This dark comedy takes an unsettling look at work, latex, and the power of creation. Art and life become disturbingly interchangeable when a young artist who sculpts baby dolls begins to suspect that a demanding client may be the mother who abandoned her at birth. As she tries to unravel the mystery, she discovers the path to her own "Reborning."
JUNE 29 - AUGUST 5, 2012
A bold reimagining
West Side Story
Book by Arthur Laurents
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Music by Leonard Bernstein
More than fifty years ago, a show about rival gangs in New York City changed musical theater forever. As powerful and timely today as ever, West Side Story is one of the most memorable musicals and greatest love stories of all time. It's filled with memorable songs such as "Tonight," "America," "Maria", "I Feel Pretty," and "Somewhere." Chance Theater will create a fresh, contemporary look at this classic exploration of ethnic tensions and youthful passion, giving new impact to the story that has captured audiences for decades.
SEPTEMBER 21 - OCTOBER 21, 2012
Orange County Premiere
Boom
by Peter Sinn Nachtreib
This darkly funny experiment is an off-beat and hilarious look at the end of the world and how we might start anew. "Sex to change the course of the world..." As an undiscovered comet hurtles towards earth, a lone scientist takes it upon himself to preserve the human race through a personal ad. However, his plan for "intensely significant coupling" is more than his first date bargained for. Food is running out, and his marine lab-turned-shelter is now beyond repair. And who is that woman, Barbara, pulling levers in the corner?
