Season Announcement Season is officially upon us, as American Blues Theater has announced the lineup for the 2016–17 season.
The season opens with a double bill of one-acts: Dutchman by Amiri Baraka, to be directed by Chuck Smith, will be paired with TRANSit, a world premiere commission by ABT artistic affiliate Darren Canady that's inspired by Baraka's 1964 work; both plays take place on New York City's subway. Lisa Portes will direct the latter; they'll run August 26–September 25.
The company's season continues with its 15th annual radio-play holiday offering, It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! (November 18–December 31), followed by the Chicago premiere of The Columnist, Pulitzer Prize winner David Auburn's 2012 play about mid-century syndicated newspaper columnist Joseph Alsop. Keira Fromm directs, with a run of February 17–April 19. Finally, Ron OJ Parson will direct artistic affiliate Wandachristine in Beauty's Daughter, an Obie Award–winning solo piece by Dael Orlandersmith, for a June 2–July 2 run.