Fine art often blooms with skillful storytelling, and for its upcoming 28th season does Texarkana Repertory Co. have a story for you.
Well, they're four amazing tales, actually, presented under the season title "This is Our Story." Indeed, TexRep has an ambitious season ahead, said Michael Cooper, TexRep's artistic director. It comes complete with a green ogre, a peculiar pairing, convoluted romance for the Bard and a midnight mystery, all presented at Stilwell Theatre on the Texarkana College campus, Fridays through Sundays.
Filling the annual slot for a large-scale musical production full of great songs and rousing dance numbers, "Shrek The Musical" kicks off the season with performances May 4-13.
Based on the animated DreamWorks classic "Shrek," the musical version kicked off a Broadway run in 2008. Tours and a West End production followed with this story, which chronicles the escapades of a giant green Ogre named Shrek who treasures the simple, peaceful seclusion of his swamp. In this tale, we meet his friend Donkey, Princess Fiona and the dastardly Lord Farquaad, too.
David Lindsay-Abaire penned the book and lyrics for "Shrek the Musical." His name should be familiar to TexRep fans. He's the award-winning playwright who wrote "Rabbit Hole," a touching play TexRep performed powerfully this past season.
Following "Shrek," TexRep presents "The Odd Couple," a beloved Neil Simon play staged here with females in the lead roles Sept. 7-16. Doubtlessly, many people know "The Odd Couple" from the Emmy Award-winning TV sitcom that starred Tony Randall and Jack Klugman.
In the female version of the play, instead of Felix and Oscar we get to know the befuddled pairing of Florence and Olive. Simon, a prolific and gifted comic writer for the stage, penned the female version in the mid-'80s. In this twist on the tale, there's no poker party, but rather a night of Trivial Pursuit.
Then it's "Shakespeare in Love" Nov. 2-11, a play adapted for the stage by Lee Hall and based on the Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman screenplay.
Like "Shrek," it's another film-to-stage adaptation-in this case based on the Oscar-winning 1998 film. Academy Awards for the film starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes include Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay.
In a way, "Shakespeare in Love" brings us Shakespeare in an accessible manner. The story is known for its wit, constant intrigue and romance, with characters from Shakespeare's day like Queen Elizabeth I, Christopher Marlowe (a rival playwright with a reputation as a rogue) and Richard Burbage, an actor from the Globe Theatre, along for the ride.
"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" completes the season Feb. 8-17. Instead of a film-to-stage adaptation, this is a book-to-stage adaptation based on the 2003 mystery by Mark Haddon. The novel won all sorts of awards, including the Whitbread Book Award and Commonwealth Writers' Prize.
The narrative concerns the mystery of a neighborhood dog who's been killed. He's discovered by a teen boy who seems to have some form of autism. Despite his challenges, this boy seeks to found out what happened to the poor pooch, testing himself and growing in the process.
As for the season title, that was the brainchild of Susannah Morriss Linnett, outgoing TexRep president.
"It's one of the song names in 'Shrek,'" she said. "And also, each of the plays/musicals has a very distinctive and unique set of characters. Most were based off literary works or have 'story characters' in them."
Linnett says she's enjoyed being president for the past two years. She acted in "Rabbit Hole" and anticipates this next season will please the crowds.
"The hilarity and fun of 'Shrek,' the quirkiness and familiarity of 'The Odd Couple,' the history yet fantasy of 'Shakespeare in Love' and the order and mystery of 'The Curious Incident' will make our 28th season one to remember," Linnett said. She encourages people to join TexRep and be part of community theater.
TexRep's new president will be Tanya Fowler. As someone excited for the upcoming season, she appreciates the unique experience available to theatergoers.
"The season has shows that will be familiar to audiences. There is really something for everyone. If you have never experienced live theatre in Texarkana before, I really encourage you to come out and see one or all of these shows," Fowler said.
"There is something organic that happens when an audience comes together to see a group of actors perform on the stage. It draws you in in a way that other forms of entertainment cannot. The season begins full of laughs with 'Shrek The Musical' and ends with a play that takes a look at life with autism. Our shows will make you laugh, ponder, and take a look at the world around you," she said.
For more about these stories and information about becoming a TexRep member, check out TexRep.org.