2018-19 Season
Nov 16, 2018 - Jun 1, 2019
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
By Rick Elice
Directed by Tom Thayer
12/11/18 through 1/6/19
Who doesn’t love the magic of the story of Peter Pan? Peter and the Starcatcher is the Tony Award-winning smash that is packed with theatrical razzle dazzle. This play with music is a prequel to Peter Pan, as we learn how a young orphan boy becomes The Boy Who Won’t Grow Up. Based on the best-selling novels of Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, Peter… uses ingenious stagecraft to bring the adventures of Peter to life. Twelve actors portray over 100 characters, including marauding pirates, orphans, mermaids, the evil Black Stache (eventually Captain Hook) and a young girl named Molly, who becomes the mother of Wendy, Michael and John. It’s the perfect show to begin the season, appealing to Holiday tourists who will be drawn to the title and subject matter. Ideal for families, the play’s wit and cheeky quality is also wonderfully entertaining for adults. The New York Times said, “It’s the most exhilarating example of storytelling on Broadway since Nicholas Nickleby.”
A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2
By Lucas Hnath
Directed by Murphy Davis
1/22/19 through 2/9/19
The Waterfront was one of the first theaters in the country to be granted the rights to A Doll’s House, Part 2 after it closed on Broadway. We are thrilled to present this critically-acclaimed, Tony Best Play nominee by Lucas Hnath. A Doll’s House, Part 2 is the continuation of Henrik Ibsen’s classic A Doll’s House. Far from being dry or stuffy, ADH, Pt.2 is hilariously funny, whip-smart and resonant to our gender politics. The story picks up 15 years after Nora famously slams the door on her stifling marriage at the conclusion of A Doll’s House. In Mr. Hnath’s updated version, Nora is now a successful business woman, who finds her husband, daughter and wise-cracking maid to be as changed as she has become. Fireworks explode as the play explores the rules of society and gender. The Waterfront has a stellar cast in place, and the title and tone of the play are geared to appeal to audiences who are in Key West during the Literary Seminar, as well as tourists in town at this time of year who are attracted to smart material. “A smart, funny and utterly engrossing play.” – The New York Times
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, The Musical
Book, Music and Lyrics by Mell Brooks and Thomas Meehan
Directed by Tom Thayer
2/26/19 through 3/23/19
The Producers, by the comedic genius Mel Brooks, was one of the Waterfront’s biggest hits, drawing huge numbers of tourists. Next season we present Brooks’ follow-up to Producers – the stage version of his iconic parody of the horror film genre, Young Frankenstein. All the iconic characters are included: Dr. Frankenstein, Igor (or Eye-gor, as the character insists), Frau Blucher and of course, the Monster. The production will have a cast of 16 to perform such numbers as “Please Don’t Touch Me,” “He Vas My Boyfriend” and a huge production tap number of “Puttin’ On The Ritz.” This large and technically-challenging musical will build on the Waterfront’s reputation for giving these Broadway musicals a spectacular showing. We have already rented a costume package that is based on the original period designs. Mr. Brooks and director, Susan Stroman, have recently re-worked and streamlined the material for London’s West End, where the show is currently a huge smash hit. The Waterfront will adapt this new, critically-praised version.
SEX WITH STRANGERS
By Laura Eason
Directed by Patrick New
4/10/19 through 4/27/19
“Who are you?” are the first words spoken in this provocative comedy about fame, cyber identity and ambition. Olivia, a talented but unrecognized novelist who is in her 40s, puts that question to Ethan, a 20-something superstar sex blogger who shows up one snowy evening at Olivia’s remote cabin in the woods. Olivia’s wariness to this stranger turns to attraction and erotic sparks fly. Utterly contemporary, the play explores the limits of online privacy and how the number of clicks can translate into stardom. Written by Laura Easton, a writer for TV’s House Of Cards, Sex With Strangers was one of the most produced shows in regional theaters over the past three seasons. Sexy, funny and timely, the play explores whether technology is bringing us closer together, or making us virtual strangers. The evocative title alone appeals to audiences who come to Key West for a bit of adventure. The New York Times in a rave called the play “A twisty and timely two character drama about lust, love and the complex nature of identity in our digital-dominated era.”
RED SPEEDO
By Lucas Hnath
Directed by John McDonald
5/15/19 through 6/1/19
Would you do anything to win an Olympic medal? What is the line in the high stakes world of modern sports? This is the dilemma posed in Red Speedo, a razor-sharp play about whether doping is acceptable in the pursuit of that elusive medal – and more importantly, when commercial endorsements are at stake. This Off-Broadway hit by Lucas Hnath is about Ray – a young swimming phenom who has swum his way to the eve of the Olympic trials. If he makes the team, he’ll get a deal with Speedo, which means he’ll never need a real job. So when someone’s stash of performance-enhancing drugs is found in the locker room fridge, threatening the entire team’s Olympic fate, Ray has to crush the rumors or risk losing everything. This edge-of-your-seat play is about survival of the fittest, and the American dream of a level playing field—or of leveling the field yourself. The New York Times called the play “a taut, incisive drama…the characters are palpably, at times movingly, human in their complexity and weakness. A bitter indictment of our winning-at-all-costs culture.” The production will also feature an onstage working pool, which will add interest and appeal.
SPECIAL EVENTS:
CARMEN: BY REQUEST
We will open the 2018/19 season with Key West’s own Conch Diva, Carmen Rodriguez. Ms. Rodriguez has a proven track record of providing the Waterfront with sold-out houses in an evening of her incredible vocals. She plans to create an evening of her most requested songs by the likes of Carol King, Linda Ronstadt, Barbra Streisand, Patsy Cline, and many others.