Whidbey arts center unveils 2012-13 theater lineup

Whidbey Island Center for the Arts’s new 2012-13 stage season is certainly worth a ferry ride to the island, perhaps more than one trip.

Shows by noted playwright Steven Dietz and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Beth Henley are among the must-see productions on tap at WICA this season.

All shows are performed at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts stage, 565 Camano Ave., Langley. To buy tickets call the box office at 360-221-8268 or 800-638-7631 or go to wicaonline.com.

The 2012-13 lineup:

“Becky’s New Car”: Oct. 12. The season kicks off with this Steven Dietz comedy about the temptation to switch gears for a new adventure. Middle-aged Becky Foster, whose life is caught up in middle-management and a tepid marriage, meets a grief-stricken millionaire who offers her a new one.

“Scrooge, The Musical”: Nov. 30. The story of miser Ebenezer Scrooge’s Christmas transformation from penny-pinching scoundrel to saint has been adapted from the classic Charles Dickens tale into a musical; this show includes six new songs not performed in the film.

“Crimes of the Heart”: Feb. 8. This 1981 warm-hearted Pulitzer winner from Beth Henley takes place in Mississippi and examines the plight of three sisters approaching middle age, who reunite at the old family homestead after Babe, the youngest, shoots her abusive husband.

“The Full Monty”: April 5. This musical based on the movie is rated for mature audiences and covers some heavy themes such as self-worth and true friendship but with an infectious wit. A group of unemployed steelworkers in Buffalo, New York, come up with a plan to make quick cash after they see how much fun their wives have watching male strippers during their “Girls’ Night Out.”

“The Norman Conquests”: June 7. British dramatist Alan Ayckbourn wrote this Tony Award winning trilogy — “Living Together,” “Round and Round the Garden” and “Table Manners” — where all the action takes places on one weekend and in different parts of the same house as Norman inadequately attempts to involve himself with his sister-in-law, his brother-in-law’s wife and his own wife.

WICA is holding auditions for roles for this new season from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 13 and 14 at WICA, 565 Camano Ave., Langley. To set up a 5-minute audition slot, call Deana Duncan at 360-221-8262 or email her at deana.duncan@wicaonline.com.

More information regarding the plays, the roles available and the rehearsal schedules is at wicaonline.com.

“99 Layoffs”: This dramatic comedy speaks to the current situation facing many job seekers: Looking for work is not a walk in the park.

The story follows the misadventures of serial jobseekers Orson and Louella, two wannabe artists navigating the labor market that is reeling in a recession.

The two protagonists travel on a winding journey through interviews, daily work and layoffs. As they ebb and flow in their job search, the two stars encounter a steady stream of manic bosses, petulant customers and evil children who do more to challenge than help their situation.

“99 Layoffs” is a new play by Seattle-based author Vincent Delaney and is a co-production between Radial Theater Project and ACT Theatre Central Heating Lab

“99 Layoffs” runs at various times through Aug. 25 at ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., Seattle.

Tickets are $25 and $15. Call 206-292-7676 or go to www.acttheatre.org.

Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.