Writers Theatre

Writers’ Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announced the company’s sixteenth season, which includes the world premiere of The Savannah Disputation by Evan Smith, author of Writers’ Theatre’s hit production of The Uneasy Chair, directed by Michael Halberstam; The Turn of the Screw adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher from the story by Henry James, directed by Jessica Thebus; Shakespeare’s As You Like It directed by William Brown; and James Goldman’s The Lion in Winter, directed by Rick Snyder.

“The word and the artist are still at the forefront of our mission and I believe that this season exemplifies our commitment to both. A world premiere, a Shakespearean comedy, a fresh approach to a chestnut and an adaptation of a masterpiece all line up to reveal a classic Writer’s Theatre season,” comments Artistic Director Michael Halberstam. “I am particularly delighted to welcome back William Brown and Rick Snyder, introduce the considerable talents of Jessica Thebus to our audience and, most of all, to share this dramatic wealth with the remarkable Kate Lipuma who comes to partner with me in bringing Writers’ Theatre into a whole new chapter of creativity.”

Executive Director Kate Lipuma adds, “All of us here at Writers’ are invigorated to present such a strong season while commissioning some of today’s most exciting writers – including Brett Neveu, Chay Yew, Josh Schmidt and Jan Tranen – for the creation of new works. Coupled with the New York premiere of Writers’ Theatre’s recent hit, Crime and Punishment, the 2007/08 season should be one of the most exquisite yet. I can’t think of a better, more exciting welcome to the theatre than this.”

The 2007/08  Writers’ Theatre Season Is:

The world premiere of
The Savannah Disputation
By Evan Smith
Directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam
Performance Venue: 325 Tudor Court
Previews: September 18-25, 2007
Regular Run: September 26, 2007 – November 25, 2007

This world premier script comes to Writers’ Theatre from the playwright of The Uneasy Chair. The story revolves around two sisters who forgot all about southern charm when a young door-to-door evangelist comes proselytizing. Smith, known for his wildly eclectic and thematic writing, employs his trademark sharpness of wit and draws a compelling portrait of the conflicts between dogma, faith and the wildly variant interpretations of biblical texts depending upon the point of view of the reader.

The Turn of the Screw
Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher from the story by Henry James
Directed by Jessica Thebus
Performance Venue: 664 Vernon Avenue
Previews: November 13-27, 2007
Regular Run: November 28, 2007 – March 30, 2008

Part ghost story and part psychological thriller, this classic tale concerns a governess hired by a wealthy recluse to look after his orphaned niece and nephew. The seemingly innocent children gradually reveal a series of terrifying secrets. Henry James’ novel has been adapted by Hatcher with minimal setting and relying instead upon the word and the artist. Ideally suited for the intimacy of the bookstore, this spine-tingling script places the weight of its dramatic success upon the perfect fusion of stagecraft and the far reaches of the imagination.

As You Like It
By William Shakespeare
Directed By William Brown
Performance Venue: 325 Tudor Court
Previews: February 5-12, 2008
Regular Run: February 13, 2008 – April 13, 2008

“All the world’s a stage and all the men and women are merely players…” Shakespeare’s wildly beautiful romp through the Forest of Arden brings to like some of the most romantic scenes ever to be scribed for the stage, while throwing in a dynamic twist of gender politics. In order to test the veracity of Orlando’s love for her, Rosalind disguises herself as a man and attempts to convince him that his love is merely an illusion. A duke and his merry men in exile, the melancholy Jacques, a love sick shepherd and the shepherdess who spurns him all swirl around the potential lovers, shaping the evening into this most perfect of comedies.

The Lion In Winter
By James Goldman
Directed By Rick Snyder
Performance Venue: 325 Tudor Court
Previews: May 27, 2008 – June 3, 2008
Regular Run: June 4, 2008 – August 3, 2008

It is Christmas in England, 1183, and the aging monarch, Henry II, brings his wife, Queen Eleanor, out of exile in order to discuss his plans for succession. Also present are his three sons, including future Kings of England John (famous for the Magna Carta) and Richard the Lionheart (leader of the crusades). Themes of mortality, romance, power and politics all collide with wonderfully dramatic consequences. Goldman scribes fiction from the circumstances of the past, crafting a wholly modern telling of deliciously historic times.

A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens
Adapted & Performed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam
December 19 – December 23, 2007

The 12th annual dramatic one-man version of the greatest ghost story ever written has become a North Shore holiday tradition.

Writers' Theatre performs in two performances spaces in Glencoe - its original 50-seat venue at Books on Vernon, 664 Vernon Ave, and its 108-seat theatre at 325 Tudor Court in the Woman's Library Club.

Subscriptios are currently available for the 2007/08 Season, and can be purchased by calling Writers' Theatre Box Office at 847-242-6000. Additional information is available at www.writerstheatre.org