Enjoy two musicals, a comedy and world-premiere farce
The Times
Bristol Riverside Theatre has announced its 2019–2020 season, which features An Act of God by David Javerbaum (The Daily Show), Next to Normal with music by Tom Kitt and book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, King Lear by William Shakespeare, Cabaret with book by Joe Masteroff, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, and A Leg Up by Ken Kaissar.
The season opens with hilarity on Sept. 17-Oct. 13 with An Act of God directed by Susan D. Atkinson. God is back, and he’s got a lot to say. God, assisted by His devoted angels, answers some of the deepest questions that have plagued mankind since creation. This sinfully funny comedy delivers a new meaning to the phrase “divine intervention.”
Next up is one of Broadway’s biggest and most compelling hit musicals Next to Normal, running Oct. 29-Nov. 24. Winner of three Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize, this heartbreaking, humorous and unflinching musical takes an authentic look at a seemingly normal modern family struggling with the effects of bipolar disorder.
The new year welcomes New York City’s acclaimed Bedlam Theatre to the BRT stage on Jan. 28-Feb. 16 with King Lear. Led by director Eric Tucker, Bedlam brings a fresh interpretation to one of the greatest tragedies ever written.
In March, the smash hit Cabaret runs March 10-April 12. Based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood, the Tony Award-winning musical, directed by Keith Baker, features one of Broadway’s most memorable scores including “Willkommen,” “Maybe This Time” and “Cabaret.” The 1998 revival was co-directed and choreographed by Rob Marshall and directed by Sam Mendes.
The season concludes with A Leg Up by Bucks County’s own Kaissar on May 12–31. Charles’ family money is gone, and his rich wife wants a divorce. His future rests on the new XR-3000, an intelligent prosthetic leg designed for a U.S. Senator. Unfortunately, the malfunctioning leg is randomly kicking people. Charles’ Ukrainian maid is threatening to quit, his bisexual mistress announces she’s pregnant, his transgender business partner is lonely, the Senator is having an affair with a gay robotic engineer, and it’s not even lunchtime yet. The world-premiere farce is directed by Amy Kaissar.
BRT continues to enhance the theater-going experience with pre- and post-performance programs, including Post-Show Discussions (first Tuesday and Wednesday of each run); Opening Night (first Thursday of each run) featuring a post-performance reception; Friday Festival (first Friday of each run) featuring beer and appetizers; Wine-Down Wednesday (second Wednesday evening of each run) featuring pre-show crudite, desserts and wine; and Thirsty Thursday (third Thursday of each run) featuring unique beer selections from local breweries.
For more information, call 215–785–0100 or visit brtstage.org. Bristol Riverside Theatre is located at 120 Radcliffe St., Bristol.
