The world premiere of The Preacher's Wife, the new musical penned by Tituss Burgess and Azie Dungey, will be part of the Alliance Theatre's 2023-2024 season in Atlanta, Georgia.
Based on Robert Nathan's novel The Bishop's Wife and the films The Bishop’s Wife and The Preacher’s Wife, performances are scheduled for May 11-June 9, 2024, on The Coca-Cola Stage. Featuring a book by stage and screen star Burgess (The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Guys and Dolls, The Little Mermaid) and Dungey (Harlem) and a score by Burgess, the musical is set in Harlem and follows Preacher Henry and his wife Julia, who struggle to keep their congregation going. When all seems lost, Henry asks God for help and receives it in the form of an angel. Casting and additional creative team members will be announced at a later time.
The Coca-Cola Stage will also feature the opera The Shining, a co-production with The Atlanta Opera based on the famed Stephen King novel. Featuring a score by Paul Moravec and a libretto by Mark Campbell, the production will be seen September 15-October 1, 2023. Brendan Pelsue's world-premiere adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities, set in 1787 Paris and London, will play the Coca-Cola February 21-March 17, 2024.
The 55th season on Alliance's Hertz Stage will launch August 16, 2023, with the Atlanta premiere of Sanaz Toossi's Obie-winning English. The play, set in an Iranian classroom as four adults are learning English, will continue through September 17. The world premiere of a.k. payne's Furlough's Paradise, which follows two very different cousins who were raised like sisters and return to their childhood home for a funeral, will be offered January 31-March 3, 2024. The Hertz will also welcome Fat Ham, the winner of the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, which is now in previews on Broadway. James Ijames' reinvention of Shakespeare's Hamlet, following a queer Southern college kid named Juicy, will be presented April 3-May 12.
Offerings in the Youth and Family Series include Madhuri Shekar, Christian Magby, and Christian Albright's The Incredible Book Eating Boy musical (July 1-23, 2023, at the Howard Logan Stillwell Theatre at Kennesaw State University); the world premiere of Mark Valdez's musical Into the Burrow: A Peter Rabbit Tale, inspired by the stories of Beatrix Potter (October 14-December 23 at the Hertz); David H. Bell's adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (November 11-December 24 on The Coca-Cola Stage); and Andy Gaukel's Roob & Noob (February 8-18, 2024, at the Rich Theatre).
“We selected a variety of stories that honor the diverse and aspirational quality of this extraordinary city—new stories from new voices, familiar stories told in new and surprising ways, and new partnerships with local and national arts organizations,” says Director of Education and Associate Artistic Director Christopher Moses. “It's a season tied together by the promise of hope—hope that this art form remains essential, hope that our community sees itself on our stage, and most of all, the increased sense of hope that comes from experiencing powerful stories created by our country's finest artists.”
“We are so excited to celebrate theatre's transformative power to strengthen human connection through stories that reflect the cultural vibrancy and rich diversity of Atlanta. Stories that are equally harrowing, hilarious, and hopeful!” adds Associate Artistic Director Tinashe Kajese-Bolden. “Led by globally recognized artists channeling their vibrant and fearless spirits, we believe audiences will journey with us into imaginative experiences of self-actualizing, family legacy, and communal empowerment.”
For additional season details visit AllianceTheatre.org.
