Author Archives: robbucher

Newport, KY — Falcon Theatre Artistic Director Ted Weil has announced the theater’s slate of plays for its 2018-19 season. The lineup offers a wide range of dramatic genres and styles…from a modern-day classic to a compelling drama that forces the audience to reexamine the horrific events of September 11…from a playful, madcap spoof of a much-beloved murder mystery to a Depression-era story of hopeful dreams in a hopeless time.

 Production dates have not been set, so the slate of titles is in no particular order.

• Yankee Tavern by Steven Dietz — Just when you thought you’d heard every crazy 9/11 conspiracy theory, a stranger walks into Yankee Tavern, an old neighborhood joint on the ground floor of a decaying New York City hotel. The young proprietor of the bar and his fiancée find themselves caught up in what might be the biggest conspiracy of all. This powerful dramatic thriller leaves audience members wondering until the last minute whether they should be laughing…or horrified.
• The Lion in Winter by James Goldman — “Well, what shall we hang? The holly or each other?” A tale of sibling rivalry, adultery, and dungeons set in the middle ages, this dramatic comedy chronicles the story of King Henry II and his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, during Christmas of 1183. Eleanor, who has been imprisoned since raising an army against her husband, has been freed just for the holidays. The question of who among their three sons will inherit England’s throne is the focus of the action. The duplicitous machinations and outright power-grabs by the sons, along with witty and razor-sharp dialogue, have made this story an audience favorite for more than fifty years.
• The Exonerated by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen — This compelling plays presents the hard-hitting and unflinching stories of the real-life experiences of six survivors of death row. Gleaned from interviews, letters, transcripts, case files, and public records, this play is the tale of six individuals convicted of murder but ultimately spared the death penalty by DNA evidence, confessions from the real killers, and cold-case detective work. The strikingly similar experiences of the survivors are interwoven to reveal a pattern that paints a picture of an American justice system that may not always be blind.
• Blues for an Alabama Sky by Pearl Cleage — In the midst of the Great Depression, the creative spirit of New York’s Harlem Renaissance meets the harsh truths of the real world. Angel, a struggling blues singer and nightclub performer, and Guy, a costume designer who dreams of working for celebrities, live next door to the more serious and political Delia, a social worker with the goal of opening a community family planning clinic. Each must face his or her own challenges head on, but always with hope for a better life close at hand. As they search for a way to keep their dreams of love, career, and service alive in times of economic despair, they learn that the Great Depression can’t destroy the source of their creative spirit.
• Baskerville by Ken Ludwig — Put on your deerstalker hat! The playwright who gave us Lend Me a Tenor and Moon Over Buffalo transforms Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic The Hound of the Baskervilles into a murderously funny adventure. The male heirs of the Baskerville line are being dispatched one by one. To find their ingenious killer, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson must brave the desolate moors before a family curse dooms its newest heir. Our intrepid investigators try to escape a dizzying web of clues, silly accents, disguises, and deceit as five actors deftly portray more than forty characters. Does a wild hellhound prowl the moors of Devonshire? Can our heroes discover the truth in time? Join the fun and see how far from elementary the truth can be.

Artistic Director Ted Weil: “We’re extremely excited about the year. We strive to build well-rounded seasons, with a balance of classics and newer works, including area premieres. This slate of plays is true to our mission and gives our patrons a slate of productions that will appeal to every taste.”