L-R: Judi Buckley, Natalie Hollins & Janney Gerson Photo by Tafv Sampson
9 to 5 – The Musical by Dolly Parton opens on February 5, 2016 and runs for three weekends through February 20th. The book by Patricia Resnick, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, tells the story of three female co-workers who concoct a plan to get even with their sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical boss. As they conspire to take control of the company, they learn there’s nothing they can’t do, even in a man’s world.
The production will be directed by Eileen Bishop Des Jardins and Jamile Smith, with music direction by Patrick Baron
Rumors is a comedy written by award-winning playwright Neil Simon. At a large townhouse, four couples are about to experience a severe attack of farce. They arrive for their friends’ tenth wedding anniversary, only to discover the host lies unconscious and unresponsive in his bedroom and his wife is nowhere to be found. The first guests to arrive must get “the story straight” before the other guests show up. As the confusion and miscommunications mount, the evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity. “Neil Simon makes people laugh a lot!” – USA Today. Director Michael Baker will hold auditions in January 2016. Performances will be held March 25 through April 9.
Lorraine Hansberry’s award-winning play A Raisin in the Sun, directed by Lionel Downer and Sylvia Smith Brady, will run for seven performances between May 6 and May 21, 2016. Set on Chicago’s south side during the 1950’s, the play revolves around the divergent dreams of and conflicts within three generations of the Younger family. Mama dreams of moving to a decent home. Her son dreams of buying a liquor store and being his own man. Her young, liberated daughter dreams of medical school. This powerful drama is built on sacrifice, heartbreak, trust, love and mama’s heroic struggle to keep the family together. Best Play of the Year, New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award. “Pivotal play in the history of the American Black Theatre.” – Newsweek.
CCT’s final production this season will be Smile Orange, a Caribbean comedy written by the late Trevor Rhone, to be directed by Opal Palmer Adisa, with performances June 10 through June 25, 2016. This popular play is a hilarious romp through a tourist-trap hotel by a well-known award-winning Jamaican playwright. “A savage little comedy.” – Sunday Telegraph. “A rollicking slapstick satire.” – Washington Star.