Seattle Opera will present four operas as part of its 2005-06 season, excluding this summer’s entire “Ring” cycle by Richard Wagner.
The season begins with a contemporary opera, American composer Jake Heggie’s “The End of the Affair,” which opens Oct. 15. This opera, which premiered last season in Houston, is based on a 1951 Graham Greene novel set during the London blitz. The book was the source for two films.
In January 2006, the company presents Johann Strauss Jr.’s popular operetta, “Die Fledermaus.” Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte” follows in February. In May, the season concludes with a new production of Verdi’s “Macbeth.”
Because Seattle Opera will present the “Ring” cycle this summer, the 2005-06 season is a four-opera subscription season rather than the customary five operas. Performances of the “Ring” are sold out.
Another change is that Seattle Opera will offer two Sunday matinee series beginning with the 2005-06 season. Matinees are popular, according to the company, and tickets sell quickly. The company is shifting the less popular second Friday night series to a Sunday matinee in response to ticket demand.
Performances take place in Marion Oliver McCaw Hall at Seattle Center. Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m.; matinees at 2 p.m.
Subscriptions are on sale now to season subscribers and will go on sale to the general public on Feb. 14. Four-opera subscriptions range from $124 to $3,052. Information: 206-389-7676, 800-426-1619; www.seattleopera.org.
Rep director: David Esbjornson, an award-winning director and producer who has worked throughout the United States in regional theaters and on Broadway, has been named the artistic director of Seattle Repertory Theatre.
Esbjornson, who was for seven years artistic director of New York’s Classic Stage Company, has been an active freelance director in recent years. His credits include several notable New York productions, including the 2004 Shakespeare in the Park production of “Much Ado About Nothing” (starring Jimmy Smits, Kirsten Johnson and Sam Waterston) and the world premiere of Edward Albee’s “The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?” on Broadway.
He also has directed world premiere productions of plays by Arthur Miller and Tony Kushner and worked at many of the country’s leading regional theater companies.
He replaces Sharon Ott, who will retire as the artistic director of The Rep at the end of this season, and will be involved in planning for the 2005-06 season.
Driftwood season: Comedy, intrigue, music and more will be on stage during the Driftwood Theatre’s 2005-06 main stage season.
The company will present five shows at the Wade James Theatre in downtown Edmonds, starting with the screwball comedy classic about two murderous old aunts, “Arsenic and Old Lace,” which opens the season Sept. 9-25.
The company’s traditional holiday show will be the musical “Oliver!” based on the Dickens’ novel, playing Nov. 18 through Dec. 18. “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” comedian Steve Martin’s witty play about an imagined meeting of Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein, runs Feb. 10-26, 2006.
The season continues with the Agatha Christie whodunit, “The Mousetrap,” which plays April 7-30, 2006. “The Foreigner,” Larry Shue’s farce about an Englishman on American holiday under the guise of a foreigner who can’t speak English, closes the season June 9-25, 2006.
Season information: 425-774-9600, www.driftwoodplayers. com.
New plays: Seattle Rep presents “Hot Type,” an annual festival of new plays that runs Saturday through Feb. 27.
In a series of public readings, audiences join with artists in the development of new works for the stage. Playwrights hear their work read before a live audience and engage with playwrights, directors and actors in the process of revising and refining their plays.
This year’s lineup includes an adventure tale adapted from a story by James Fenimore Cooper; a family drama of lies, secrets and desire; a comic satire about a man who discovers perfect lawn grass; a gospel show; and a restoration comedy.
Tickets are $10 or $40 for all five readings. Information, tickets, www.seattlerep.org, 206-443-2222.
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