April 24, 2024 (Coral Gables, FL) — GableStage, the venerable Coral Gables based theatre company proudly announces its 26th Season at the historic Biltmore Hotel. Five productions, which illuminate the company’s mission of “confronting today’s issues and ideas” will account for more than 120 performances running from November 2024 through June 2025.
“Our current season has seen record breaking attendance,” said Bari Newport, Producing Artistic Director. “As we prepare for Laughs in Spanish, the final production of our 25th anniversary season and announce an audacious 24/25 line-up, we look forward to shattering even more records.”
The 26th Season shoots and scores with King James (November 1 – 24). First developed at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company before making its Broadway debut in 2023, this clever dramatic comedy is set to the career of basketball legend Lebron James. Written by Pulitzer Prize Finalist Rajiv Joseph, King James is an intimate chronicle of two friends whose turbulent relationship is best navigated through their shared love of basketball. Actors Melvin Huffnagle (August Wilson’s How I Learned What I Learned) and Gregg Weiner (The Price) star in this Miami Premiere.
Following two sold-out runs at Washington D.C’s Signature Theatre, two actor-musicians, a baby grand and an acoustic guitar bring Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen’s complex relationship to life in Both Sides Now: the Music and Lives of Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen (December 13 – January 5). Featuring thirteen songs that soundtracked generations of collective yearning including A Case of You, Hallelujah, Big Yellow Taxi, Suzanne and Who By Fire, this intimate cabaret examines the messiness of being human and the struggle to stay connected. This regional premiere was written by and stars Frost School of Music alum and award-winning jazz vocalist, Danielle Wertz and rock-folk musician Robbie Schaefer.
Next, audiences are invited to one helluva family reunion! Hot off its Broadway run, Appropriate (January 31 – February 23), is a darkly comic American drama by Pulitzer Finalist and Obie Award winner, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. Called “brilliant, blistering and outrageous” by the New York Times, this Miami Premiere puts the DYS in DYSFUNCTIONAL. When long-hidden secrets and buried resentments can no longer be contained, a family is forced to face the ghosts of their past. Starring a cast of exceptional actors and directed by Bari Newport.
Summer 1976 (March 28 – April 20) is a gorgeous new play by Pulitzer Prize winner David Auburn (Proof). As the Bicentennial is celebrated across the country, an unlikely friendship develops between a fiercely iconoclastic artist and a naïve young housewife. This 2023 Broadway triumph about connection, memories and the small moments that can change the course of our lives is a Miami premiere. Newport directs longtime Florida favorites Patti Gardner (The Price) and Sara Morsey (The Year of Magical Thinking).
Finally, in a historic three-way co-production, Brévo Theatre, Island City Stage and GableStage team up to produce a Shakespearean-sized, Pulitzer Prize Winning comedy – Fat Ham (May 16 – June 15). Swapping a Danish castle for a North Carolina BBQ, James Ijames re-imagines Hamlet’s story of murder and revenge into something hilarious and profound. This joyful, unforgettable South Florida Premiere is made possible with major funding from the Warten Foundation.
In addition to these five season productions, the theatre will produce a roster of still-to-be-announced special events. Stay tuned.
GableStage’s 26th Season is made possible through major support from Knight Foundation, The Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation at the Miami Foundation, the Biltmore Hotel, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council and the Miami-Dade County Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners.
Season Subscriptions
“Subscriptions offer patrons a season-long opportunity to experience a wide variety of daring and adventuresome productions,” said Catherine Toruno, Box Office Manager. “Subscribers always receive the best seats at the best prices. In addition to other benefits, package tickets are flexible and can be used for one production or can be spread out over all five offerings.”
Season subscriptions save patrons up to 35% and range from $180 to $400. Subscribers receive free-of-charge ticket exchanges, discounts on additional purchases and choose their seats before single ticket buyers. To learn more, visit gablestage.org or call (305) 445-1119.
Single Tickets
Single tickets go on sale August 27, 2024. Tickets prices begin at $40, with special rates for military, students, teachers, artists and groups of 8+. To learn more about booking a group please contact groups@gablestage.org
Student/Teacher Rush
Beginning 45 minutes before every performance, teachers and students of all ages are invited to fill any empty seat, free of charge. School ID required.
Streaming Tickets and Streaming Subscriptions
The theatre company will continue to offer individual streaming tickets and packages for select productions. Details will be announced this summer.
Performance Times
Performances will continue to occur Wednesdays – Sundays. The production, Appropriate, will have an amended schedule, including Tuesday evening performances. 2pm matinees will continue to be offered on Wednesdays, Sundays and the last Saturday of each production run. Audiences should note that all evening performances (Wednesdays – Saturdays) will begin at 7:30pm.
Education and Outreach
Pre-show, dramaturgical conversations with producing artistic director Bari Newport or dramaturg, Karina Batchelor will continue to be offered 30 minutes before each performance. Additionally, the company will continue to offer post-show chat-backs with cast and crew immediately following the first Sunday matinee performance.
Special 10:30am school matinees will be offered for the following productions:
King James, Appropriate, Summer 1976 and Fat Ham. Please contact TPalmer@gablestage.org for more information.
Shakespeare-in-the-Schools, the flagship education initiative of GableStage, will embark on its 12th Miami-Dade public school tour with Hamlet, adapted and directed by Michael Yawney. Throughout the month of March, Shakespeare’s classic tale of bullying will travel to more than 20 Miami-Dade schools. It will also offer public performances at GableStage and at FIU (dates TBA).
Diary of a Production, GableStage’s popular deep-dive into the artistic process of a particular production will be offered for Appropriate and Summer 1976. Registration for this adult class will open on May 6.
Non-Profit Nights
GableStage has contributed over $8,000 to community non-profits through its non-profit production partnership program where other non-profits use each production’s final dress rehearsal as a fundraising event for their organization. To learn more about becoming a non-profit production partner for our 26th Season, please email tpalmer@gablestage.org
Sponsorship
Individuals, corporations and foundations are invited to become producers of the 24/25 Season. Production and Education sponsorships include a number of benefits. Contact Jeff Potts, Managing Director at jpotts@gablestage.org for more information.
GableStage’s current 2023/24 Season continues through mid-June:
● Laughs In Spanish by Alexis Scheer (May 18 – June 23, 2024)
Photos – Headshots for PR
See you at the theatre!
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