5/24/18
Your season at Trinity Rep reaches its exciting climax with a reimagined production of the Tony Award-winning musical Ragtime. Based on the celebrated novel, Ragtime reflects America at the turn of the 20th century – where optimism and possibility are as prevalent as burgeoning racial and social volatility. The lives of an upper-class white mother, a Jewish immigrant, and a bold African American musician from Harlem intersect in ways that profoundly affect their families’ fates. A passionate, vibrant score heightens the tenderness and tension that infuses these characters’ lives.
Thank you for being a part of this 54th Season at your Trinity Rep, which has featured captivating stories, memorable performances, and creative record-breaking productions. We kicked things off with a bang, pairing Arthur Miller’s timeless classic Death of a Salesman with one of the most produced plays in America right now, Dominique Morisseau’s Skeleton Crew. Individually, the shows were riveting, with outstanding performances from both casts – together, the shows provoked tremendous dialogue about class, aging, race, and disempowerment. During the holidays, our annual production of A Christmas Carol with Joe Wilson Jr. as Ebenezer Scrooge became the highest-selling show in Trinity Rep’s history, playing to near capacity crowds (subscribe now to gain early, discounted access to next year’s production and beat the rush). Featuring different community groups in each performance, the production also raised over $60,000 for the Rhode Island Food Bank. Kicking off the New Year, George Brant’s Into the Breeches! became one of the highest selling world premieres in Trinity Rep’s history. William Shakespeare’s classic tale of jealousy, race, and intrigue, Othello, was then directed with contemporary flair by rising star Whitney White and served as an educational centerpiece for almost 3,500 students. The timely Native Gardens by Karen Zacarias then ushered in the spring with sharp, witty, and sparkling comedy. Additionally, Trinity Rep’s education programs served over 20,000 people this season, and we also recently announced that our nationally renowned MFA training program in partnership with Brown University will be tuition-free starting next year. This wonderful investment by Brown in the artists of tomorrow ensures that you will continue to see some of the most talented young actors of their generation on our stage in the years to come. There is really great energy and momentum at your theater right now and that is due in no small part to your patronage and charitable support.
As this season draws to a close, I hope you are as excited as I am about the fantastic shows in Trinity Rep’s 55th Season. Titled Gods and Demons, Angels and Icons, your epic theatrical journey features familiar, larger than life characters and stories told in Trinity Rep’s signature style. It is one of our biggest seasons ever, and it has something for everyone: an effervescent and whimsical new adaptation of Pride and Prejudice; a breathtaking reimagining of Homer’s An Odyssey titled black odyssey, paired with a special subscriber add-on production of An Iliad, for an epic, once-in-a-lifetime combination; a thrilling production of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth; a touching story of a pop icon’s The Song of Summer; the perennially popular and tuneful Little Shop of Horrors; and a fantastical and poetic modern classic, Marisol.
Subscribe now for the best seats and prices. The most affordable, flexible, and popular package is the seated 6-show package, beginning at only $114 for six plays, which guarantees your seats well before performances and seating sections sell out like they did a number of times this season. Or you can purchase a Flex Pass to create your own custom season. Plus, as a subscriber, you receive great benefits like free exchanges, discounted parking, restaurant deals, and preferred access to special productions like A Christmas Carol and An Iliad.
Tom Parrish
Executive Director