ROOMS a rock romance

September 9 - 26

music and lyrics by Paul Scott Goodman, book by Paul Scott Goodman and Miriam Gordon. ROOMS a rock romance tells the story of Monica, a singer who wants to see the world, and Ian, a guitarist that would just as soon stay put. Their journey ultimately takes them from Glasgow to London and then to New York, from obscurity to the top of the charts, and from young love through heartache to maturity and understanding. With a vibrant rock score by Paul Scott Goodman (Bright Lights, Big City) and a fast-paced book by Miriam Gordon, ROOMS is an evening of funny, energetic, thoughtful, and touching musical theatre. Don’t miss your chance to see the Southeastern premier of this Off-Broadway hit.

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

October 20 - November 7

adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher from the novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. This intensely psychological and stunning new adaptation of the classic thriller by one of the American theatre's most prolific and exciting playwrights captivates from its first shocking moments until the final scene. Henry Jekyll is a respected if controversial physician in Victorian London. His experiments into the multiplicity of man let loose chaos in the form of one Edward Hyde. When Hyde's pursuit of the object of his seduction, Elizabeth Jelkes comes to Jekyll's attention, the ernest doctor vows to end the experiments. However, Hyde has other plans. Who will end up servant and who master?

The Frogs

January 26 - February 20

a comedy written in 405 b.c. by Aristophanes, freely adapted by Burt Shevelove, even more freely adapted by Nathan Lane, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, original direction and choreography by Susan Stroman. Aristophanes' biting satire on war and public apathy written in 405 B.C. is more topical than ever in this legendary adaptation by Stephen Sondheim and Burt Shevelove. Originally written to be performed in the Yale University Gymnasium swimming pool in 1974, the original cast included Meryl Streep, Sigourney Weaver, and Christopher Durang in the chorus. This version, expanded by Nathan Lane, in which he starred on Broadway in 2004 features seven additional songs by Sondheim. In this seldom produced gem of musical theatre, Dionysos, God of Wine and Theatre, disenchanted by the lack of passion on Athenian stages, must journey to the underworld to find a great dramatist to save the world. Convinced that the words of a brilliant playwright will rally the people to stand up against injustice, he holds a contest to find his champion. At once a hymn to the transformative power of the theatre and an uproarious satirical comedy, this piece will innaugurate our new permanent space.

Miss Julie

March 16 - April 10

August Strindberg's masterful dissection of class and gender politics remains startlingly resonant despite the fact that it was first performed over a century ago. While the topsy-turvy of the midsummer festival rages outside, Miss Julie, the daughter of a powerful landed gentleman, seduces one of her serving men, Jean, right under the nose of his fiancé, Christine. As the alcohol fueled evening stretches into morning, the tug of war reaches its breaking point, as each uses every weapon available to try to gain the upper hand in one of the most intriguing relationships ever written for the stage.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

May 11 - June 5

Shakespeare's most beloved and arguably most perfect comedy will strut the boards in a lush and lavish production "in the round." Worlds collide when four young lovers venture into the woods and are made sport of by the "helpful" machinations of a group of magical woodland fairies. Love triangles and rectangles spin out of control, and a group of crude workmen rehearse a play as a wedding gift for the Duke. This must-see production for anyone who's ever loved or ever hated Shakespeare, will change the way you think about the bard.

Man of La Mancha

June 22 - July 17

book by Dale Wasserman, lyrics by Joe Darion and music by Mitch Leigh. We will continue the experimentation we started with 2008's The Wild Party, with this "immersive environmental" production of the classic musical retelling of Cervante's classic Don Quixote. The line between stage and audience will be erased and audience and actors alike will inhabit the fantastical and idealistic world of the Knight of the Woeful Countenance. Alonso Quijana is an old and ailing gentleman who immerses himself in the fantasy literature of knights and dragons. He dreams that he is the fearless knight, Don Quixote, in search of his beautiful and virtuous Dulcinea. As he sets off on his quest, his family hatches a plan to cure him of his "insanity" through an encounter with the invented "Knight of the Mirrors." This rhapsody on the importance of idealism and imagination in a world of stark and cruel realities, features hit songs like "I, Don Quixote," "Dulcinea," and "The Impossible Dream."

1. risk taking and a sense of daring

We will take risks, both in our selection of material and in the way that we present the works we choose. Expect to be astonished or challenged in some way whenever you see a freeFall production. We will bring you the work of the boldest playwrights, composers, lyricists, directors, designers, and actors.

2. relevance

We will present work that is relevant to the world and community in which we live. Whether the plays are four months or four hundred years old, they will be works of theatre that speak to the particular times in which they are presented.

3. universal integrity

We will strive to present works of theatre that are of the highest possible quality in every conceivable area - from production values like sets, props, and lighting to literary merit, direction, acting, and the like. We will place an emphasis on the idea that no single aspect of the art and craft of theatre is more or less important than another.

4. dedication to artists

We will set as our ultimate goal the ideal of a resident company of actors that will make freeFall their artistic home. This core company will form the core of the theatre's work and create an environment where artists of the theatre can flourish and create at their highest potential.

5. national importance

We will strive to do work that is noticed by the theatre community on a national level, and is part of the active dialogue that is the American Theatre. We will position ourselves to become a company that creates work that goes on to other theatres in New York, regionally, and internationally. In this way, we give voice to not only our artists' perspective and vision, but those of our particular community.

6. theatricality

We will seek to maintain and explore styles and devices that keep live performance unique as compared to recorded media. We will emphasize the many powerful differences that theare has to offer. In doing so, we hope to bring new audiences to an enduring art form that nourishes community.

7. authenticity

We will always seek to create experiences that are visceral and authentic. We will attempt to thrill our audiences with surprisingly honest work. This reflects our belief that the strength of live performance lies in the fact that it is a real experience that is happening NOW, which is shared by the artists and the audience.

8. sustainability

We will be sensitive to the needs of the wider world around us and take measures to lessen and offset the negative environmental impacts of the work we create.