2015-2016 Season

The Acrosstown Repertory Theatre’s 35th Season:


R.U.R.  (Rossum’s Universal Robots)       *       July 24-Aug 9, 2015
By Karel Čapek Directed by Gabriel Hughes-Trinity       *       Auditions: May 17 & 18

Rossum’s Universal Robots (R.U.R.), The End of Mankind by the Hand of Robots, was originally produced in 1921 and quickly became a sensation, introducing the word “robot” into the world’s lexicon. Dark but not without hope, and treading that fine line between intellectually engaging and viscerally thrilling, R.U.R. explores the concepts of sentience, human rights, wealth disparity  and the pursuit of profits at any cost.


Escape of the Unicorn       *       Sep 4-20, 2015
By James Sunwall, Directed by Jessica Arnold       *       Auditions: June 28 & 29

In the thirteenth century, in the year of the final crusade, the troubadour Robert de Chanson was imprisoned under sentence of death in the tower room of a castle in Southern France. In a single day, in this solitary room, come the issues of war and politics, the rights of women, the significance of art, the purpose of religion and the ultimate importance of life. Can Robert escape? What price will he pay? Find out in this play from U.F. professor James Sunwall.


Lydia       *       Oct 16-Nov 1, 2015
By Octavio Solis, Directed by Kathy Byrne       *       Auditions: August 9 & 10

Set in the 1970s on the Texas border separating the United States and Mexico, Lydia is an intense, lyrical, and magical new play. The Flores family welcomes Lydia, an undocumented maid, into their El Paso home to care for their daughter Ceci, who was tragically disabled in a car accident on the eve of her Quinceañera, her fifteenth birthday. Lydia’s immediate and seemingly miraculous bond with the girl sets the entire family on a mysterious and shocking journey of discovery. Adult themes, language and nudity.


ARTY: Ten Ways To Survive a Zombie Apocalypse       *       Nov 12-15, 2015
By Don Zolidis, Directed by Sunny Hughes-Trinity

Halloween may be a particularly dangerous time for zombies, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be vigilant all year long! Join the Acrosstown’s Youthtroupe (ARTY) as they informatively— and hilariously— show you how to survive a zombie apocalypse. Appropriate for everyone, even kids and zombies.


Gainesville Homegrown Local Playwrights’ Showcase       *       Dec 4-17, 2015

Now a Gainesville staple, the third annual “Gainesville Homegrown” Local Playwrights’ Showcase features full-length and one-act plays by local authors; often, world-premiers.


ARTY: Plum Pudding for Christmas &
Hershel & the Hanukkah Goblins       *       Dec 18-20, 2015
By Virginia Kahl/Eric Kimmel, Directed by Susan Washington/Kathy Byrne

The Acrosstown’s Youthtroupe is sure to delight children of all ages in cheerful adaptations of these timeless and beloved children’s books.


Hometown Knights       *       Jan 15-31, 2016
Written and Directed by Chuck Lipsig       *       Auditions: November 8 & 9

The winner of our 2014 Playwrights’ Showcase returns, this time as a full mainstage production! Hometown Knights is a comedic new twist on Aristophanes’ classic, The Knights. Two assistants, sick and tired of their boss taking credit for their work, find someone to challenge him. But will it work out as they hope? And what’s with all the hot dogs?!


Comfort Phone & Do You See Me?       *       March 11-27, 2016
By Matt Goode/Beth-Anne Blue,
Directed by Sunny & Gabriel Hughes-Trinity       *       Auditions: January 17 & 18

Join us for two  locally-written one-act plays in one night. In Comfort Phone we look at sanity and the supernatural as someone who recently lost their mother receives calls from her and explores that subject with their therapist. In Do You See Me, at a woman’s funeral, family and racial issues are explored as authorities try to determine what happened to her amid secrets some are willing to take to their own graves. Adult themes.


The Pillowman       *       Apr 22-May 8, 2016
By Martin McDonagh, Directed by Heather Uuk       *       Auditions: February 7 & 8

With echoes of Stoppard, Kafka & the Brothers Grimm, The Pillowman centers on a writer in an unnamed totalitarian state who is being interrogated about the gruesome content of his short stories and their similarities to a series of child murders. The result is an urgent work of theatrical bravura and an unflinching examination of the very nature and purpose of art. Adult themes.


The Underpants       *       June 3-19, 2016
By Steve Martin, Directed by Jessica Arnold       *       Auditions: April 3 & 4

This wild satire is adapted by author and comic actor Steve Martin (yes, THAT Steve Martin!) from the classic German play about Louise and Theo Markes, a couple whose conservative existence is shattered when Louise’s bloomers fall down in public. Louise’s momentary display does not result in scandal but it does attract two infatuated men who rent a room in their home. Can her heart — and her bloomers— remain only with her husband?


Twelfth Night, or What You Will       *       July 15-31, 2016
By William Shakespeare, Directed by Carolyne Salt       *       Auditions: May 15 & 16

Crossdressing, mistaken identities, love triangles— no, it’s not the next hot new reality show, it’s William Shakespeare’s comedic masterpiece, Twelfth Night, or What You Will, and the Acrosstown’s unique and upbeat take on the timeless classic proves it can be just as hilarious and relevant and accessible to audiences as it was when first performed in 1602.