NAATCO, the National Asian American Theatre Company, has announced the layered lineup for its winter and spring 2025 season.
The first production, beginning performances January 17, 2025, will be the world premiere of Andrea Thome鈥檚 modern verse translation of Shakespeare鈥檚 Cymbeline, presented in partnership with Play On Shakespeare. Thome鈥檚 update brings the play鈥檚 language into the present in order to provide a more accessible version of Shakespeare鈥檚 play for modern audiences. The translation was commissioned by Play On Shakespeare.
One of Shakespeare鈥檚 final works, Cymbeline tells the story of the British king Cymbeline and his daughter, Imogen. It is a tale of deceit and jealousy, with accusations of infidelity that often draw comparisons to Othello and The Winter鈥檚 Tale. Cymbeline will be directed by Stephen Brown-Fried, and star an all-femme, all Asian-American cast and design team.
"Cymbeline was the first Play On Shakespeare commission I read, back in 2017. I was immediately captivated by Andrea鈥檚 modern American English rendition, which beautifully preserved the tone, rhythm, and spirit of Shakespeare鈥檚 play," said NAATCO co-founder Mia Katigbak. "I found a fluidity and fluency in it as both performer and listener and began to lobby Andrea for NAATCO to do it. It is with great pleasure and delight that we present this full production this season. I can think of no better director for this play than Stephen Brown-Fried, who excels in a clarity of vision and execution with this kind of material. Further, it was Stephen鈥檚 idea for an all-femme cast, citing the opportunities such casting would provide about examining gender identity and performance, masculine toxicity, sexual politics and power.鈥�
Come Spring, NAATCO will partner with Classic Stage Company and Transport Group for a production of William Inge鈥檚 Bus Stop, directed by Jack Cummings III. When a bus is forced to take shelter from stormy weather outside, a mismatched group of dreamers and cowboys, waitresses and outcasts finds unexpected warmth in one another. Performances will begin May 8 at Classic Stage Company for a limited run.
Lastly, TheatreSquared's NAATCO National Partnership Project (NNPP) production will be Alison Carey鈥檚 modern verse take on Shakespeare鈥檚 Twelfth Night, another Play On Shakespeare commission, directed by Aneesha Kudtarkar. Performances are scheduled for March 5 through 30, 2025.
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