Phoenix Theatre Announces 2019/2020 New Season - DETROIT '67, THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE, and More!

Phoenix Theatre's 2019/20 season gets underway March 5, 2019 with the public announcement at a grand Season Announcement Party. Last year Phoenix had many New Beginnings with the new building, arts education programming, and town-hall series. Winding down from the 2018/19 theme of New Beginnings, Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre plans to embrace the community passionately with their new theme Connections this season. Connections to the arts, Indianapolis, and each other. Connections will build bridges and community outreach for all to experience and enjoy the arts in a variety of ways, up close and personal. Connections also symbolizes Phoenix's partnerships with collective members (Q Artistry, Summit Performance Indianapolis, Phoenix Rising Dance Company and Eclipse), connection to the community with the town-hall series Trail Talks, connection to visual arts with Gallery Phoenix which is booked with local artists exhibits through 2020, connection with new education programs Arc, Entr'acte, and rEvolve, and connection to each other through their thought-provoking and challenging productions.

2019/20 season line-up features seven fantastic productions that will make you laugh, cry, and hopeful. The first production in the season will be The Legend of Georgia McBride by Matthew Lopez. Elvis-impersonator Casey discovers he's lost his gig, his girlfriend is pregnant, and rent is overdue all in the same day. When his employer trades in blue suede shows for sequined pumps, The King finds himself a new home in the company of drag queens. You'll shimmy and shake with humor, heart, and high heels in this charming romp.

Vino Veritas by David MacGregor will keep the laughs coming. A witch, a cowboy, a doctor, and Queen Elizabeth I walk into a room... The punchline becomes much more complicated when you throw in some Halloween candy and a little truth serum from deep in the Peruvian rain forest. Two couples share the best and worst of themselves under the influence of adventure while fighting the delusions of monotonous suburbia in this twisted comedy.

A Very Phoenix Xmas 14 by various artists, a Phoenix tradition will be sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit. The holiday equivalent of anarchy, we've irreverently and hilariously broken all the rules of winter traditions for thirteen years running--and we have no intention of stopping any time soon. With music, spectacle, comedy, and a few moments to catch your breath between laughs, this year's Xmas is sure to sell out (just like last year, and the year before, and the year before that...).

The Agitators by Mat Smart will stun their audiences with the beautiful story of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. For 45 years, Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass fought--each other, the country, and the Constitution. Together, they shaped American history with relentless persistence and overwhelming passion for their cause. Allies, friends, and occasionally adversaries, Mat Smart's intelligent play casts American history heroes in beautifully illuminating light.

Alabaster by Audrey Cefaly, a NNPN (member) Rolling World Premiere, will tug at the heart strings. Hidden in her family farm in northern Alabama lives an undiscovered folk artist with a heavy past carved deep into her being. When a noted photographer interrupts her quiet life, both women explore grief, love, and longing the only way they know how: through art. This poignant and moving portrait of healing finds humor in darkness and light in loss.

Detroit '67 by Dominique Morrisseau, a co-production with Summit Performance Indianapolis, will be exciting. Brother and sister Lank and Chelle get the party started with Motown classics in their basement bar in 1967 Detroit. When a mysterious young woman falls into their laps, the duo argues over more than the family business as their lives erupt in sync with their clashing city amid the Detroit riots of '67.

And closing out the season we have Love Bird by K.T. Peterson, a NNPN World Premiere. Longing and isolation often go hand in hand--one feeds the other. When Nigel, a grand, romantic, and uptight bird squirrels away his love in inanimate objects, the majestic and well-meaning Norman pecks a hole through Nigel's heart to save them both from being discarded. Peterson's quirky look at love finds promising possibility in the unlikeliest of places.

With such excitement about Phoenix's new season they have secured five production sponsors prior to public announcement and are still seeking a full season sponsor for $25,000 to be featured all year. A special thanks to their loyal season sponsors, Sun King Brewery and Printing Partners. They are also grateful to Flemming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Kahn's Catering, Wow Factor, New Day Craft, and Jazz Kitchen for their generous support of the BIG REVEAL March 5, 2019 at the 2019/2020 New Season Announcement Party.