[Seattle, Wash., July 22, 2021]—Book-It Repertory Theatre (Book-It) is pleased to announce its 2021-2022 season of plays, scheduled to begin October 12. Their 32nd season will be a hybrid model of both audio dramas and in-person productions.
Recognizing that public health guidelines and regulations are changing rapidly in the post-vaccine Covid world, Book-It is committed to continuing its tradition of producing new works. “As we all return to public spaces over the coming months, Book-It has the health and comfort of our staff, artists and community in mind,” managing director Kayti Barnett-O’Brien (she/her) says of the upcoming year. “To allow the company to safely reopen, while providing the best theatre experience possible, we are melding our popular audio drama style, developed during this past year, with our beloved live theatrical programing. This will be an exciting mix of offerings designed to fit the times and get us all back together again.”
Continuing the legacy of evocative narrative theatre has been paramount to artistic director Gus Menary (he/him), now at the helm for his second full season with the company. Along with the classical fare Seattle has come to look forward to from Book-It, Menary is committed to bringing new compelling authors to the stage. Menary states, “We are proud to present a new season, brimming with the beauty and excitement that can only be experienced from this storied theatre. Our 2021-22 season encompasses reinvigorations of classic novels, thought-provoking works of the twentieth century and exciting new voices within the literary field. As we continue to find the great theatre contained in the pages of great books, so too will we find ourselves back at the Seattle Center, experiencing great theatre, together, once again.”
The line-up includes Zen and the Art of an Android Beatdown, by Tochi Onyebuchi, an audio journey to the heart of identity and connection that will have you on the edge of your seat; The Three Musketeers, an audio adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ classic swashbuckling, buddy adventure, filled with intrigue and romance, villains and rogues; Beowulf, a one-person adaptation by renowned actor Julian Glover (Game of Thrones, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) and starring local favorite Brandon J. Simmons (The Canterville Ghost, The Picture of Dorian Grey), a mythic tale that reminds us of the power of the ancient and the importance of a good story well told; Mrs. Caliban, a delicious combination of social satire, fantasy and feminist politics from author Rachel Ingalls, shows us the joy of finding yourself within yourself and The Bonesetter’s Daughter, by celebrated author Amy Tan, offers a bittersweet and deeply moving chronicle of war and revenge, through which we are reminded that forgiveness is always closer than it seems.
2021-2022 MAINSTAGE SEASON
Audio Drama
Zen and the Art of an Android Beatdown
By Tochi Onyebuchi
Adapted & Directed by Gin Hammond
Available to stream or download: October 12, 2021
Audio Drama
The Three Musketeers
By Alexandre Dumas
Adapted & Directed by Lamar Legend
Available to stream or download: November 23, 2021
In-Person
Beowulf
Adapted by Julian Glover
Directed by Gus Menary
Starring Brandon J. Simmons
January 21 – February 6, 2022
In-Person
Mrs. Caliban
By Rachel Ingalls
Adapted by Frances Limoncelli
Directed by Kelly Kitchens
March 23 – April 17, 2022
In-Person
The Bonesetter’s Daughter
By Amy Tan
Adapted by Desdemona Chiang
June 8 – July 3, 2022
SUBSCRIPTIONS AND SINGLE TICKETS
Subscriptions for the 2021-22 season are available now online, by phone and by mail-in order form. Subscription packages range from $122-$185. Single tickets to the audio dramas, priced at $20 and $25, will go on sale beginning September 28. Single tickets to the in-person productions go on sale beginning November 9. Prices range from $26-$50. Students of all ages receive $20 tickets and must show valid student ID. Groups of eight or more tickets are eligible for a 10% discount. Pay What You Can performances will also be available; check the website for more information. Purchase tickets at book-it.org or by calling the box office at 206.216.0833. The box office is open Tuesday – Friday, noon to 5pm.
2021-2022 ARTS EDUCATION Programs
In addition to these mainstage productions, Book-It’s Arts Education department offers digital story kits and in-class performances to support teachers in bringing theatre into their curriculum.
Koala Lou
By Mem Fox; Illustrated by Pamela Lofts
Digital Kit: October 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022
1-person Classroom Show: January 3 – March 31, 2022
1-person Community Show: January 3 – March 31, 2022 (available to public libraries, community centers, etc.)
Grades: PreK-3
Dreamers (Soñadores)
Written & Illustrated by Yuyi Morales
Digital Kit: October 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022
All curriculum in English and Spanish
Grades: K-5
Two Problems for Sophia
By Jim Averbeck; Illustrated by Yasmeen Ismail
Digital Kit: February 3 – June 30, 2022
Grades: K-5
School Folklore
Created by Book-It Arts Education Department
In-Class Performance: March 1 – June 30, 2022
Grades: 3-6
Title TBD
(rights pending)
Digital Kit: January 3 – June 30, 2022
Grades: 3-6
ABOUT BOOK-IT REPERTORY THEATRE
Book-It Repertory Theatre, founded in 1990, is a non-profit organization with a mission to transform great literature into great theatre, through simple and sensitive production, and to inspire its audiences to read.
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Press Contact:
Torrie McDonald (she/her), Marketing & Communications Director
torriem@book-it.org
July 19 – August 2 Contact:
Gus Menary
Artistic Director
gusm@book-it.org