Baltimore Center Stage has announced the line-up for its 60th Anniversary season. The 2022–2023 programming will include Thornton Wilder's Our Town, Jordan E. Cooper's Ain't No Mo', Nia Vardalos' adaptation of Tiny Beautiful Things, and María Irene Fornés' Life Is A Dream.
Thornton Wilder's Our Town, directed by Obie winner Stevie Walker-Webb, will be presented in partnership with Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company September 15–October 9. Opening September 20, the production of the Pulitzer-winning play will take inspiration from Baltimore. Presented in partnership with Creative Alliance, Baltimore Center Stage will host Wilder-inspired and community-centered programming about Baltimore that will run alongside the production.
Following will be the regional premiere of Jordan E. Cooper's Ain't No Mo', directed by Lili-Anne Brown, running October 27-November 20 and opening November 3. Cooper's satire about a mass exodus of Black Americans made its world premiere Off-Broadway at The Public Theater in 2019.
Next up is Nia Vardalos' adaptation of Cheryl Strayed's book Tiny Beautiful Things, co-conceived by Marshall Heyman, Thomas Kail, and Vardalos, with direction by Stori Ayers. The production, set for March 9–April 2, 2023 and opening March 16, explores healing in an interpretation of Strayed's experiences as an advice columnist.
Stevie Walker-Webb will direct María Irene Fornés' Life Is A Dream, set for May 4–May 21, 2023. Fornés adapted Pedro Calderón de la Barca's philosophical play, which will open May 11, 2023, to resonate with contemporary audiences as it explores questions of power, love, and illusion.
READ: 7 Things You Never Knew About María Irene Fornés
The theatre will also present additional programs such as Baltimore Butterfly Sessions fostering civic conversations with a keynote by Gavin Witt and Dr. Durryle Brooks September 19, a keynote by Dr. Lawrence T. Brown November 7, and additional dates set for December 5, and May 1, 2023; BCS Sound Check concert series October 21 and November 18, as well as March 31, 2023 and April 14, 2023; and Winter Solstice family activities December 1-19.
In the lead up to Halloween , BCS will hold an interactive film screening October 28-29 of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, with live performances by Chocolate Covered Rocky Horror. The event, presented with Creative Alliance, will also feature a costume contest.
In 2023, Baltimore Center Stage will present two festivals: Locally Grown (Februrary 2–4), and Young Playwrights (May 20). Locally Grown Festival brings together nearby artists to inaugurate the celebration of the local arts community, while Young Playwrights will hold its 38th learning program for Maryland students with professional productions of six selected plays by young playwrights.
BCS' educational programming also includes Virtual Student Matinee Library, its free online collection of filmed programs and educational materials, and Camp BCS: Creative Impressions, a summer art camp running June 27-August 5. BCS’s Shared Space Initiative, New Work Development activities, and partnership with ArtsCentric will also continue with the coming season.
Memberships are available now, with single tickets going on sale August 16.
For more information, visit CenterStage.org.
