From Broadway productions to plays with local historical significance, there’s plenty to see on stage at the theaters around Athens this fall. Here is a list of plays to mark on your calendar, but continue checking the Event Calendar in print and online at flagpole.com for newly announced productions.
LINNENTOWN – THE MUSICAL: This historical drama is based on the memoir Giving Voice to Linnentown, written by Athens resident Hattie Thomas Whitehead about the historically significant African American community removed in the 1960s as part of an urban renewal project. The residents of Linnentown come to life on stage to paint a picture of the community that once thrived there. Proceeds from the show will benefit the opening of the Athens-Clarke County Center for Racial Justice and Black Futures, an African American history center to be housed at The Classic Center. The play will take place in The Classic Center Theatre. Sept. 12–13, 7 p.m. Sept. 14, 3 p.m. $19–40. classiccenter.com
THE REVOLUTIONISTS: Opening UGA Theatre’s new season is this fast-paced feminist comedy, which reimagines four women navigating the chaos of the French Revolution. Through witty and modern storytelling, the play explores the intersection of gender, power and social justice. The audience will witness playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen Marie Antoinette and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle tackle big questions. The revolution-inspired performances will take place at the Morton Theatre downtown. Sept. 25–26, 30 & Oct. 1–2, 8 p.m. Sept. 28 & Oct. 5, 2 p.m. $18, $6 for students. ugatheatre.com
THE SHADOWBOX: Town & Gown Players present this drama that takes place over a 24-hour period on hospital grounds and follows three characters facing death: a blue collar worker, a bisexual writer and an elderly woman with dementia. Each has agreed to take part in a psychological program and undergo interviews with a psychiatrist. Full performance details will be announced soon. Oct. 3–5 & 9–12. townandgownplayers.org
CINDERELLA: The World Ballet Company will bring this classic fairy tale to life at The Classic Center Theatre with an all-ages Broadway-style production. The cast features 40 international dancers with more than 150 hand-sewn costumes and hand-crafted sets that create a dazzling and enchanting atmosphere. Audiences new to ballet will be as entertained as longtime fans. Oct. 17, 7 p.m. $40–113. classiccenter.com
THE RING OF POLYKRATES: This comic opera composed in 1914 is brought to modern audiences by the UGA Opera Theatre in a clever and striking modern adaptation. In a psychological yet romantic tale that epitomizes “be careful what you wish for,” a rollercoaster of drama unfolds as main character Wilhelm Arndt’s perfect life begins to fall apart. The performances will take place at the Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall. Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9, 3 p.m. $23. pac.uga.edu
EVIL DEAD THE MUSICAL: UGA Theatre’s musical reimagining of Sam Raimi’s original horror film pays homage to its classic B-horror tropes while playing up elements of slapstick comedy and adding a whole new toe-tapping twist. Tongue-in-cheek lyrics help narrate its gory sequence of events when a group of friends unleash ancient forces and demons in a cabin in the woods. Its self-aware sense of camp invites the audience to laugh and shriek right alongside the actors. The musical will take place at UGA’s Fine Arts Theatre. Nov. 13–14, 18–21, 8 p.m. Nov. 16 & 23, 2 p.m. $18, $6 for students. ugatheatre.com
CLUE: What began as a beloved family board game turned into a 1985 Paramount Pictures movie, then inspired a comedic stage adaptation. Boddy Manor is full of colorful characters with unique personalities; the only problem is that one of them is a murderer. Clue Live on Stage is part of the theater’s Broadway Entertainment Series program of events. This whodunit will take place at The Classic Center Theatre. Nov. 25–26, 7:30 p.m. classiccenter.com
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