The Hub Theatre – Season 4: Love, life, and a battle of wits!
The Hub Theatre gravitates toward new and contemporary work. Since our inception we have had three world premieres, two area premieres and developed three original pieces commissioned by The Hub. We are not a company only about showcasing new work, but as Artistic Director, I am very drawn to what the bards of our day have to say, and how they say it.
The Hub Theatre has grown exponentially in just a few short years. After being nomadic for our first two years, we finally have a home at The New School of Northern Virginia in Fairfax County, VA where we just completed our 3rd Season.
Our mission is to produce work that highlights our common humanity. While this mission may seem broad, it has a direct and acute impact on what we look for in the theater we produce. Season 4 celebrates this mission and we’re excited to share it with our community through both our Staged Reading Series and through our Mainstage Productions.
Staged Reading Series – Free for All
Season 4 starts with our free Staged Reading Series at the Greater Reston Arts Center, where we have enjoyed a wonderful collaboration since 2008. The Series is a wonderful opportunity to test shows we are considering for Mainstage production. All Readings take place at the Arts Center at 7:30 pm.
The Hub Theatre's Artistic Director Helen Pafumi.
The Reading Series starts on October 20 with THE SMALL ROOM AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS by Carole Fréchette. Grace’s beloved new husband has only one rule: she must never enter the small room at the top of the stairs. She finds herself irresistibly drawn to the mystery behind the door. It’s a beautiful and scary piece.
The second installment of the Reading Series on December 15 is A MAN, HIS WIFE, AND HIS HAT by Lauren Yee. The play is described as a kleizmer inspired love triangle between a man, his wife and his hat. This piece has wit and humor in spades.
The Reading Series concludes on February 9 with DENTAL SOCIETY MIDWINTER MEETING by Laura Jacqmin. A cadre of dentists, attending their yearly convention, must deal with a scandal which rocks their world. Dentistry becomes a metaphor for many of today’s societal ills.
Mainstage Season 4
Just in time for the holidays, from December 2 – 27, we will produce the world premiere of WONDERFUL LIFE adapted from Capra’s classic film, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ Hub favorite, Jason Lott (The Pavilion, Summer Cabaret), and I are adapting the piece for the stage, and Jason will perform this demanding one-person show. I am very excited to see him take on all the characters of Bedford Falls. George Bailey struggles to discover his self worth. He is surrounded by loving family, friends, and community, and yet he feels so alone. The rescue from that loneliness is a joyous and fulfilling discovery. WONDERFUL LIFE is a celebration of the season and speaks to issues relevant to today.
In addition to our Staged Reading installment, playwright Carole Fréchette will also be featured on our Mainstage. Her play, JOHN & BEATRICE, will run April 13 – May 6, 2012. Beatrice is a young heiress who waits alone in her 33rd-floor apartment. She posted an ad that a well-to-do heiress is seeking a man who will interest, move and seduce her. She offers a substantial reward which attracts John, a self-described “bounty hunter.” It’s clear that Beatrice has never known love, and John has lost it. The play is a battle of wits and wills, and although it has a nod to fairytales, this is no easy ride. Since I am a sucker for love stories because they are messy and tumultuous, and anything can happen, I will take the helm and direct this piece.
We finish Season 4 with our most ambitious production to date: BIG LOVE by Charles Mee, running from July 13 – August 5, 2012. We have featured Mee’s work multiple times in our Staged Reading series, and our audiences have been clamoring for a full production of one of his plays. BIG LOVE is a modern retelling of The Dainids by Aeschylus; 50 brides flee 50 grooms. The grooms chase them down and an epic battle ensues. Mee’s work has great vision, poetry, and joy. He celebrates everything from the battle of the sexes, to death to love to longing. His work has a joy and comprehension of our human frailty.
We are very proud of Season 4. We have so many talented artists associated with us who are passionate about creating quality theatre in this community. Be sure to visit our website, and join our mailing list. We look forward to seeing you at The Hub!
