Marin Theatre Company Announces 2009-10 Season with Five Productions in Boyer Theatre

Artistic Director Jasson Minadakis and Producing Director Ryan Rilette announce Marin Theatre Company's 2009-2010 season, featuring five productions in its Boyer Theatre. The company's 43rd season opens September 15, 2009 with the West Coast Premiere of Chaim Potok's My Name is Asher Lev, adapted by Aaron Posner. It continues with boom by Marin native Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, followed by a National New Play Network World Premiere of Sunlight by Sharr White, and the Bay Area Premiere of Equivocation by Bill Cain. Woody Guthrie's American Song, conceived and adapted by Peter Glazer, rounds out the season.

"Next season's extraordinary plays feature the unique theatrical voices of some of America's most exciting playwrights, including two locals-Peter Sinn Nachtrieb and Peter Glazer," says Artistic Director Jasson Minadakis. "MTC audiences will rediscover familiar classics through fresh eyes, with Aaron Posner's adaptation of Chaim Potok's famed novel, Bill Cain's look at the immortal William Shakespeare, and Peter Glazer's award-winning musical celebration of Woody Guthrie. Our audience will also see the future of the American theater next season with a new comedy about starting over after the end of the world by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, and the world premiere of our 2009 Sky Cooper New American Play Prize Winner, Sunlight by Sharr White, a blistering family drama ripped from the headlines about the political fallout of the infamous torture memos. The 2009-2010 season continues our commitment to bring together the Bay Area's best theatrical talent."

Season subscriptions, $130-230 for a 5-play subscription (student & senior discounts available), now available by phone from the MTC Box Office at 415.388.5208 and online at marintheatre.org.

2009 - 2010 SEASON PRODUCTIONS

My Name is Asher Lev | West Coast Premiere
By Aaron Posner
Adapted from the novel by Chaim Potok
Director TBA
Sept 10 through Oct 4, 2009 | Opening Night Sept 15

My Name is Asher Lev follows the journey of a young Jewish painter torn between his Hassidic upbringing and his desperate need to fulfill his artistic promise. When his artistic genius threatens to destroy his relationship with his parents and community, young Asher realizes he must make a difficult choice between art and faith. This stirring adaptation of a modern classic presents a heartbreaking and triumphant vision of what it means to be an artist.

BOOM | Bay Area Premiere
By Peter Sinn Nachtrieb
Directed by Ryan Rilette
Nov 12 through Dec 6, 2009 | Opening Night Nov 17

When Jo answers a casual encounters ad for "sex to change the course of the world," she has no idea that grad-student Jules actually fears the apocalypse is at hand and is looking for a partner to repopulate the species. That he's gay and she hates babies is the least of their problems. Don't miss this explosive comedy about the end of the world by award-winning Marin native Peter Sinn Nachtrieb (Hunters Gatherers).

Sunlight | A National New Play Network World Premiere
By Sharr White
Directed by Jasson Minadakis
Jan 21 through Feb 14, 2010 | Opening Night Jan 26
Matthew Gibbon, liberal lion and university president, may have finally gone too far in his battle against the conservative dean of the law school-his son-in-law and former protégé. His daughter is caught between them and the entire university community is up in arms. The personal and political collide in this stunning new play about loyalty, power, and torture memos by the 2008 Sky Cooper New American Playwright Prize winner, Sharr White.

Equivocation | Bay Area Premiere
By Bill Cain
Directed by Jason Minadakis
March 25 through April 18, 2010 | Opening Night March 30

Forced on pain of death to write the false history of a national tragedy, how would you protect yourself and still write the truth? This brilliant new play takes you behind-the-scenes at the legendary Globe Theater where Shakespeare and his company struggle with how to play a high-stakes political game and stay true to their convictions. Discover the story about the birth of Macbeth and King Lear in this collision of art, politics, and life that premieres at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival this season.

Woody Guthrie's American Song
Songs and writings by Woody Guthrie
Conceived, adapted & directed by Peter Glazer
Orchestrations and vocal arrangements by Jeff Waxman
May 27 through June 20, 2010 | Opening Night June 1

Legendary folk singer Woody Guthrie wrote songs about hard times-the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, high unemployment, and war. But he also sang about the joy of being alive and being an American. This stirring musical follows Guthrie as he rambles coast to coast from "California to the New York Islands," and features over two dozen of his most famous songs, including "Bound for Glory" and "This Land Is Your Land."

ABOUT MTC
In its 42nd year, Marin Theatre Company is one of only five LORT theaters in the Bay Area, and is the largest professional regional theater company located in San Francisco's North Bay. It produces an annual season of more than 200 performances on its two stages. MTC provides a forum for contemporary, classic and emerging playwrights and, through the new Expanded Programs forum, an environment that introduces people of all ages to the transformative power of theater. Through its public performances, school tours, and various educational programs, MTC serves more than 40,000 people annually.