Red Bull Theater has announced a star-studded lineup of performers and events for its 20th anniversary celebrations. In the new year, the Off-Broadway company will stage a benefit performance of The Country Wife, the rolling world premiere of Medea: Re-Versed, a series of readings featuring numerous Broadway favorites, and more.
"I could not be more proud of all Red Bull Theater has planned in the coming year as we ramp up our 20th anniversary celebration with rare classics and daring new work featuring many of the finest and most celebrated artists in New York,” says RBT Executive Director Martin Giannini in a statement. “Our audiences will have access to an astonishing and diverse lineup of work that underscores the unique dynamism of our company. I hope to see you at the theatre!”
Before the new year, the company, as previously announced, will offer a one-night-only benefit performance of Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire's The Country Wife December 11 at the Peter Norton Symphony Space. The new musical is adapted from the William Wycherley play of the same name, and tells a story of Caribbean, Creole, and Cajun-inspired culture against the backdrop of Antebellum New Orleans.
The cast includes Nicholas Edwards, Carson Elrod, Jennifer Fouché, Andy Grotelueschen, Eddie Korbich, Cedric Lamar, Kristolyn Lloyd, Ellyn Marie Marsh, Brad Oscar, Julian Remulla, Jelani Remy, Christina Sajous, and Lauren Worsham.
The production will feature choreography by Lisa Shriver, costume design by Emilio Sosa, lighting design by Paul Hudson, and projection design by Harry Feiner. The benefit is produced in partnership with Art Lab Productions, with additional support from Marty Granoff and Ted and Mary Jo Shen.
In 2024 RBT will stage the rolling world premiere of Medea: Re-Versed by Luis Quintero, which is co-conceived and directed by Nathan Winkelstein. The hip-hop version of Euripides' play features Sarin Monae West as Medea, with additional casting to be announced.
The rolling world premiere begins at Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival June 12-August 30, before moving indoors to the Sheen Center Frank Shiner Theatre Off-Broadway. Previews begin September 12, with opening night set for September 23. The limited engagement will continue through October 15.
The anniversary festivities will also include Revelation Readings, a series of rarely produced classic plays and new works, presented throughout RBT's season. The readings will take place online and in person at various venues around New York City.
Featured actors will include Jordan Boatman, Will Brill, Arnie Burton, Reeve Carney, Christian Coulson, Kelley Curran, Santino Fontana, Rebecca Hall, Chukwudi Iwuji, Mark Linn-Baker, Peter Macon, Audra McDonald, Jacob Ming-Trent, Patrick Page, Lorenzo Pisoni, Lily Santiago, Alexandra Silber, Myra Lucretia Taylor, John Douglas Thompson, Matthew Rauch, Raphael Nash Thompson, John Yi, and more. Click here for a full schedule. Additional readings will be announced next year.
In summer 2024, RBT will present the 14th Annual Short New Play Festival, featuring eight new works by playwrights from across the country, in response to the theme "reunion." Past playwrights commissioned for the one-night-only festival performances include Larissa Fasthorse, Stephen Adly Guirgis, Jeremy O. Harris, and more. Submissions will open in January.
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