Court Theatre announces lineup for its 2016-17 season

Court Theatre presents the lineup for its upcoming season under the continuing leadership of artistic director Charles Newell and executive director Stephen J. Albert. The company’s 2016-17 season will feature the world premiere of Man in the Ring, D. Nicholas Rudall’s translation of Sophocles’ Electra, Pearl Cleage’s Blues for an Alabama Sky, the Chicago premiere of Tom Stoppard’s The Hard Problem and Mary Chase’s classic comedy Harvey.

“I am proud to announce Court Theatre’s 62nd season of producing fresh, vibrant takes on the classics in Hyde Park,” said Newell.

Starting the season is the world premiere of Man in the Ring, written by Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Michael Cristofer and directed by Newell. The play is based on the true story of six-time world champion boxer Emile Griffith, and charts his humble beginnings in the U.S. Virgin Islands to his infamous match against his archrival Benny “Kid” Paret.

Translated by renowned scholar and Court's founding artistic director Rudall, Electra presents the third and final tragic chapter of Court’s Greek cycle. Electra is directed by Seret Scott, who is welcomed back to Court following her successful direction of Native Son in 2014. Actors Sandra Marquez (Clytemnestra) and Michael Pogue (Aegisthus) return to conclude the epic family story of vengeance and justice.

Playwright Cleage’s striking story, Blues for an Alabama Sky, encounters very modern problems in a fantastically lively 1920s Harlem. Directed by Court resident artist Ron OJ Parson, Blues for an Alabama Sky will serve as the centerpiece for a Chicago celebration of the music, art, language and impact of the Harlem Renaissance.

Stoppard's highly anticipated new play, The Hard Problem, introduces Hilary, a young psychologist working at the prestigious Krohl Institute for Brain Science, and her struggles to bear the burden of her regrets as she works through a troubling issue in her research. The Hard Problem is directed by Newell and stars Chaon Cross.

The season will end with Harvey, a celebrated classic and Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy that revolves around a man and his unique friend Harvey, who happens to be an invisible, six-foot, three-inch tall rabbit. Harvey stars Tim Kane and is directed by Devon de Mayo.

To purchase a subscription to the season or to receive more information, call the Court Theatre Box Office at (773) 753-4472, or visit Court’s website. Individual tickets for all shows will be available on Aug. 1.