Sept. 09--American Theatre Company has announced that the 80s camp musical "Xanadu" will close out its 2015-16 season, along with naming directors for the previously announced productions. The season features three local premieres of new plays and was planned by artistic director PJ Paparelli before his death in May.
Lili-Anne Brown will direct "Xanadu" (May 27 -- July 24) by Jeff Lynne, John Farrar and Douglas Carter Beane. The roller-disco 80s musical based on the film with Olivia Newton John replaces "The Wiz," which was originally set to close out the season, and is slated as NBC's next live musical television event on Dec. 3.
"Fulfillment" (Nov. 6 -- Dec. 13) will be directed by Ethan McSweeny and opens the season. The Thomas Bradshaw co-world premiere production with The Flea Theater is about a lawyer who suspects he's been passed up for a partnership because of racial discrimination.
Next up, Joanie Schultz will direct the world premiere of "Bruise Easy" (Jan. 7 -- Feb. 14) by Dan LeFranc. Two siblings reconnect at their childhood home in this story of middle-class America.
Jonathan Berry follows with Abe Koogler's "Kill Floor" (March 25 -- May 1). The regional premiere shows the aftermath of a mother's incarceration.
ATC will host a Legacy Celebration fundraiser later this month on Sept. 30, featuring a performance of Ayad Akhtar's "Disgraced" at Goodman Theatre. Kimberly Senior, director of the 2012 premiere at ATC, will host a pre-show reception.
All performances will take place at American Theatre Company, 1909 W. Byron St.
