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Director’s Brief: 2019-2020 Season Excitement

Can I brag a little about our programming for next season?
It’s just that I’m so pleased we’re offering our subscribers and patrons such an exciting blend: musicals, a drama, a comedy, a world premiere, a Utah premiere, and a little classic thrown in.
I’m proud that we are going to be a part of Cagney’s journey to Broadway—and thrilled that the producers and creatives have picked Pioneer Theatre and Salt Lake City to be the place they want start the show’s journey. It confirms what I have been saying about us: we are the best kept secret in the theatre industry. (But not for long.)
I would also note that, other than the current national tour, and a production in St. Louis, we are the only theatre scheduled to produce The Play That Goes Wrong next season. You’ve heard me say, “We can’t get the rights to that show until the Broadway production and the tour closes.” Well, sometimes there are exceptions and this is one of those. If you liked Noises Off, or are a Monty Python fan, or are simply wanting to laugh, I cannot speak more highly of this silly, silly play.
But in case the other five shows in our season feel slighted, let me say I think this is one of the most exciting line-ups we have had. The Lifespan of a Fact just closed a limited Broadway engagement. Ass, the world premiere by Ellen Simon, is poignant and funny and was part of last season’s Play-By-Play series.
Once on this Island (musical) is also only available to a limited number of cities—due to the very successful revival on Broadway, which is currently touring. Our production of Island will be our own. This beautiful folk tale, by Lynn Ahrens and Steve Flaherty (composers of Ragtime, Anastasia, and Seussical—to name a few) is a show I’ve wanted to produce since I arrived here.
On the more classic side, Mary Stuart brings a pair of amazing and strong women to the forefront. And we close with a nod to Shakespeare (as a rock star!), and to Broadway, with Something Rotten!.
We will, of course, still present our new-play series Play-By-Play, and do our “concert production” (and, yes, I admit this year we had a little more production than concert, but that’s the fun of doing the concerts: you never know what will happen).
Finally, there is still room for special events and surprises….
If you’re a subscriber, I certainly hope you have plans to renew. If you’re a single ticket buyer, I hope you’ll consider a subscription. And if that option doesn’t work for you, please keep us on your radar. We want to be the first place you look for live theatre in this region. Also, tell a friend about us! I’m shocked when I hear people in the lobby say, “I’ve never been here before.” We need to change that!

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