New Season Announced

It won’t be long until the 2016-2017 season for Theater Bartlesville is in full swing with auditions, three full  productions and a Home Dinner Theater that promise to entertain.  

Theater Bartlesville’s Managing Director, Joanie Elmore, is very enthusiastic about this year’s upcoming show line- up and is equally excited about the quality, name recognition, depth and audience interest that each of these future productions will provide.  “With a wonderful year behind us, our goals for the upcoming season are to experience added success to our past accomplishments, while providing a new theatrical flair to each production,” said Elmore.  Theater Bartlesville’s talented Artistic Director, Shelby Brammer has chosen our shows for the 2016-2017 season which will prove to have something for everyone!”

The season will open with local playwright Dan Gordon’s THE KINGDOMS OF DEMOCRACY.  A roaring political comedy, consider the current political climate in America; imagine it’s the Middle Ages, then surrender to laughter as it becomes clear that this absurdity is “our reality”!  Boobs and Ninnies fight over chickens and eggs as the Kingdoms of Democracy teeter on the edge of disaster, while providing much needed humor right before the November Presidential Election! The show will run September 15, 16, 17 and again. September 23, 24 and 25.

Reviving a very successful tradition this fall, Theater Bartlesville will present Bartlesville’s only, Home Dinner Theater! Set in the lovely home of board members Dr. and Mrs. Jeff Ahlert, guests will experience an exquisite gourmet meal, in an elegant, dining setting combined with fine music and the best of theatrical entertainment! Live jazz music performers followed by a live theatrical selection will complete the evening in style. The dinner and performance dates are November 10, 11, and 12.

In February, Theater Bartlesville will present THE GRAPES OF WRATH by Frank Galati, based on John Steinbeck’s world famous novel. Winner of the 1990 Tony Award and Outer Critics Circle Award, the Grapes of Wrath is a powerful and deeply affecting stage version of one of the masterpieces of American literature. The Joads, a family of sharecroppers in Oklahoma, are driven west by the Depression and the drought of the Dust Bowl, in Frank Galati's adaptation of the John Steinbeck novel.
When John Steinbeck wrote his novel about dispossessed Okies heading west in search of the promised land of California, he was also writing about a nation in search of itself. After a decade of dog-eat-dog boom and another of Depression, Steinbeck wondered what credo the survivors could still believe in.
“… majestic…leaves one feeling that the generosity of spirit he saw in a brutal country is not so much lost as waiting once more to be found." —NY Times. "This is, overall, a thrilling theatrical achievement that gets its power from the still sharp relevance of its human message…" —NY Post. “THE GRAPES OF WRATH is a lesson in history, stagecraft, and truth that we cannot afford not to learn." —NY Magazine. The show will run February 9, 10, 11 and 17, 18 and 19.

The last show of the season will be ENCHANTED APRIL by Matthew Barber.
Set in the 1920's, this play centers around four English women who rent a castle on a remote Italian island to try to come to grips with their lives and relationships. During their enchanted month in Italy, the ladies fall under the spell of their idyllic, sun-drenched surroundings. They rediscover laughter, learn new truths about themselves and find the romance they long for.  A 2003 John Gassner Award winner—Outstanding New American Play. 2003 Tony Award Nominee—Best Play. "A comical, restorative journey of discovery…from darkness to light, from inhibition to unrestrained joy. Beautiful and theatrically rewarding." —Daily Variety. "ENCHANTED APRIL is as good as they come: a lush, thoroughly refreshing theatrical holiday. Escape has seldom seemed so sweet. A magical triumph." —LA Times. "ENCHANTED APRIL is that rarity: a play where every single element falls perfectly into place—a show that leaves you positively glowing." —NYTheatre.com. "The kind of play that reminds you of why you love theatre." —Hartford News.  The show will run April 13, 14, 15 and 21, 22, 23.
Theater Bartlesville offers a membership package with generous perks including free entrance to three Preview Premieres which include complimentary wine and hor d'oeuvres, eligibility to win door prizes and free show tickets, plus one free show voucher per year!  You may inquire about membership via our Membership page or throughout the summer at 918-336-1900.