It's not all bad news in the local arts scene this week. On March 4, the Madison Repertory Theatre stunned the community with the announcement that it would cease operations. That meant canceling its two remaining productions, True West and My Fair Lady, and leaving subscribers with worthless tickets. But press release (PDF). "We hope, also, that this small contributed service to area theatergoers will help communicate that professional theater in the community is extremely robust and healthy."
American Players Theatre will mail a letter to Madison Rep subscribers containing vouchers for tickets to select performances during its summer season in Spring Green. Rep subscribers will be able to redeem their APT tickets beginning on April 6, after APT's returning ticket buyers have had the first shot at seats.
APT's season runs June 13 through Oct. 4, featuring five meaty plays on its outdoor stage: Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors, The Winter's Tale and Henry V; Noel Coward's Hay Fever; and George Bernard Shaw's The Philanderer.
In July, APT also premieres a new indoor venue, the 200-seat Touchstone Theatre. It hosts three plays in rotating repertory: In Acting Shakespeare, featuring James DeVita in his adaptation of Ian McKellen's one-man show; Harold Pinter's Old Times; and Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey Into Night. The Touchstone Theatre also includes a shop dedicated to scene painting and a rehearsal hall/education space.
