The Classic Stage Company has announced plans for its 2016-17 season. Included in the line-up will be the world premiere of Dead Poets Society, based on the acclaimed 1989 film of the same name; David Ives' The Liars; and the Stephen Sondheim musical Pacific Overtures.
The Dead Poets Society film starred Robin Williams in the role of John Keating, an unconventional teacher who inspires his students at a strict, all-boys preparatory school. To debut in October, the play is written by Academy Award winner Tom Schulman, adapted from his screenplay, and will be directed by incoming artistic director John Doyle.
Tony winner Doyle, who is behind the recent, acclaimed revival of The Color Purple, will assume the artistic leadership of the Off-Broadway theatre in July. He will succeed Brian Kulick, who has led the company since 2003.
CSC also announced that it will stage Ives' The Liar in January 2017, a farce based on the play by Pierre Corneille, and directed by Michael Kahn; as well as a new production of Sondheim’s Pacific Overtures, which tells the story of a samurai and a fisherman caught up in the Westernization of the East. The show features a book by John Weidman and will be directed by Doyle. The production reunites the director with the acclaimed composer following his earlier stagings of Passion at CSC, along with Sweeney Todd and Company on Broadway.
“It is thrilling to be announcing our new season for CSC. Three great stories written by top writers providing, I hope, variety and continuity. A great American story by the wonderful Tom Schulman, a delightful new addition to David Ives’ on-going work for CSC, and a further opportunity to explore the remarkable Sondheim/Weidman collaboration makes me excited for this new adventure,” said Doyle in a press statement.
For further information on Classic Stage Company, call (212) 352-3101, visit the theatre in person at 136 East 13th Street, Manhattan, or go to www.classicstage.org.
