THE BLOG
In its 35th Anniversary Season, Trustus Theatre will take a look back at some classic Trustus Theatre productions. They’re bringing patrons some of the best in contemporary, theatre we’ll look at the bright possible future of the human experience with plays that teach us to listen, learn, and relate. Trustus Theatre will also provide our audiences exciting new experiences by reconfiguring our Main Stage into a round for three consecutive shows, as well as commissioning two world premiere plays based on true Columbia stories that will be presented in repertory during our Trustus Playwrights’ Festival. Tickets and Season 35 Flex Passes may be purchased at www.trustus.org or by calling the Trustus Theatre Box Office at 803-254-9732.
Trustus Theatre’s Artistic Director, Chad Henderson, says, “For Trustus’ 35th Anniversary Season we wanted to continue honoring our mission of providing Columbia with shows that speak to the conversations we’re having in our community, while also producing some productions with high name-recognition that will bring many patrons to the theatre for the first time. We’ve got classics, we’ve got the most current Pulitzer winner, we’ve got world premieres, we’ve got a punk-rock Andrew Jackson, and we’ve got a summer musical so hot that we’re not contractually allowed to announce it until the Fall (but we’ll give you a hint: Mr. Fahrenheit). This season will be a great way to celebrate 35 years of provocative Trustus programming, while bringing many new stories, ideas, and visions to our stage. Folks will want to grab a Season 35 Flex Pass immediately so they can join us all year at a savings!”
Season 35 begins with Company, the 1971 Tony Award Winner for Best Musical written by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth, that will run Friday, September 27through Saturday, October 25, 2019. Remaining Season 35 productions include Miss Bennet, Christmas at Pemberleyfrom December 6 to 21, 2019; A Streetcar Named Desire, the 1948 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Drama, from February 7 to 22, 2020; Bloody Bloody Andrew Jacksonfrom March 13 to April 4, 2020; Fairview, the 2019 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Drama and the 2018-2019 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, from April 24 to May 8, 2020; Composure, a world premiere written by Trustus Company Member Jason Stokes, from August 13 to 29, 2020; and House Calls, The Strange Tale of Dr. Gale, a second world premiere production; from August 20 to August 29, 2020.
For the first three shows of 2020, Trustus Theatre is turning their Main Stage into a round orientation. Audiences will converge on these plays from all sides bringing a new level of intimacy to the Thigpen Main Stage. This format will allow for audiences to be immersed in these stories and will in turn connect performers more deeply with the audience.
Trustus Theatre continues their history of bringing award-winning productions to Columbia for audiences to experience. Their 35thSeason includes a Tony Award Winner for Best Musical (Company) and not one, but two Pulitzer Prize Winners for Drama (A Streetcar Named Desireand Fairview). Trustus Theatre’s revival of Companywill be reimagined to set this story in a modern landscape where swiping right, liking, and sharing are all part of starting a relationship, and will leave you pondering how true human connections begin in this generation.
In August, the Trustus Playwrights Festival debuts two new works of art based on true Columbia stories. Columbia True Crime Repertory will feature Composureand House Calls. This year, the Trustus Playwrights’ Festival is commissioning two plays about true Columbia events that were scribed by local playwrights, Jason Stokes and Charlie Finesilver. Composure, by Stokes, tells the story of the murder of State Newspaper Founder Narcisco Gonzales at the hands of Lt. Governor Tillman, and the trial that followed. House Calls, The Strange Tale of Dr. Gale by Finesilver, tells the story of Dr. Ian Gayle – a successful psychiatrist turned burglar who stole over $500,000 worth of guns, antiques, rate coins, jewelry, and other loot from the residents of Forest Acres in the 1970’s. Both shows will be performed in repertory, with performances alternating nightly.
Flex Passes are available for purchase at www.trustus.org, or by calling the Trustus Box Office at 803-254-9732. Trustus Theatre wants to put the power of ticketing right in the audience’s hands. With a Season 35 Flex Pass, you will receive 8 tickets that may be used flexibly over XX productions (8 on the Main Stage, XX in the Side Door Theatre.) This is the best opportunity to ensure prime seats and tickets for the season—Flex Pass holders also receive priority purchasing with a special ticketing window that opens up to them one week prior than ticket sales open to the general public. One Flex Pass is $220 for an adult and $160 for a student.
Tickets for Season 35 will be available for purchase at www.trustus.org, or by calling the Trustus Box Office at 803-254-9732 one month prior to the opening day. For more information and updates on each upcoming production, visit the Trustus Theatre website or social media, or call 803-254-9732.
