2017-2018 Season, The Public Theater (formerly Playhouse San Antonio)
(via Deborah Martin, San Antonio Express-News, January 8, 2018)
Disney’s “Newsies”: The much-adored musical is adapted from the 1992 movie based on the real-life newsboys strike of 1899. A touring edition played the Majestic Theatre in 2015. Green is directing this one. Sept. 14-Oct. 14.
“All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914”: The third go-round for this revue, a powerful look at the real-life armistice that occurred on the front lines during the first Christmas of World War I. The Marcsmen, the men’s a cappella ensemble that has participated every year, will once again take part in the production. Bill Gundry directs. Nov. 23-Dec. 23.
“Rent”: The rock musical has been done in San Antonio — it’s come through on tour, and it’s been staged at the Woodlawn Theatre and at the Sheldon Vexler Theatre — but it has never been done at The Public. The show follows a group of 20-something artists struggling to support themselves as they follow their respective muses. David Nanny directs. Jan. 25, 2019 -Feb. 17, 2019.
“Once”: The musical is adapted from the 2007 movie about a couple of musicians who meet cute and wind up falling hard for one another. The score includes the Oscar-winning song “Falling Slowly.” A touring edition played the Majestic Theatre in 2015. Molly Cox directs. May 17-June 9, 2019.
“Matilda: The Musical”: The musical is adapted from Roald Dahl’s tale about a neglected little girl who discovers that she has surprising powers and puts them to use to combat the many bullies in her life. A touring production played the Majestic last year. Ken Urso directs. July 12-Aug. 11, 2019.
The Cellar Theater season holds:
“Fun Home”: A touring production played at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts last year, but The Public will be the first San Antonio theater to produce it. The musical is based on Alison Bechdel’s graphic memoir dealing with, among other things, her coming out and her discovery that her father had been closeted. Molly Cox directs. Oct. 19-Nov. 18.
“An Infinite Ache”: David Schulner’s one-act begins with an awkward first date then speeds through the couple’s possible life together. The director will be announced later. Dec. 28, 2018-Jan. 20, 2019.
“Daddy Long Legs”: The musical is about a young orphan whose schooling is paid for by an anonymous benefactor, to whom she is required to write monthly letters. Through her correspondence and her growing relationship with a roommate’s uncle, she gradually transforms into an independent woman. The director will be announced later. March 1-17, 2019.
“Freud’s Last Session”: Mark St. Germain’s play offers a far-ranging discussion between Dr. Sigmund Freud and writer C.S. Lewis. David Rinear directs. April 19-May 12, 2019.
“Sink, Florida, Sink”: This world premiere will be the first offering in the theater’s Fresh Ink Theater Program, which aims to nurture the creation of new work. Playwright David Kimple will begin workshopping the script in the next few months, Green said. Lana Russell directs. June 14-30, 2019.
“Real Women Have Curves”: Teatro Audaz, the Latinx company in residence at the theater, will stage Josefina Lopez’s play in which a group of Latinas talk about their lives while sewing in a Los Angeles factory. Omar Leos directs. July 12-Aug. 11, 2019.
