A Little Night Music to Open Signature Theatre's 2017-18 Season

Arlington, Virginia’s Signature Theatre has announced the productions set for its 2017-18 season — a lineup that celebrates the American experience.

Opening the season will be Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s A Little Night Music (August 15-October 8), directed by Eric Schaeffer and featuring award-winning D.C. actors Holly Twyford and Bobby Smith.

Next up is David Javerbaum’s An Act of God (October 3-November 26), starring God, who will inhabit the body of beloved D.C. actor Tom Story. The divine comedy has had two prior Broadway runs (starring Jim Parsons and Sean Hayes).

The musical comedy Crazy for You will follow during the holiday season (November 7-January 14, 2018). The show features songs by George and Ira Gershwin and a book by Ken Ludwig.

Signature will then present the world premiere of Annalisa Dias’ 4,380 Nights (January 16-February 18, 2018) as part of the 2018 Women’s Voices Theater Festival. The story is described as follows: “For the last 12 years, or 4,380 days, Malik Djamal Ahmad Essaid has been held without charge by the United States government at the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center. As he languishes in his cell, his interactions with those on the outside are juxtaposed with historical events in a riveting exposé into the most dangerous prison of all — fear.”

Next will be the world premiere of Robbie Schaefer’s Light Years (February 6-March 4, 2018), featuring Bobby Smith. Enriched with folk-rock music, the story follows Robbie’s journey from his childhood in India to the joys and struggles of growing up, pursuing his passion, and raising a family.

Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Baker’s John will then make its D.C. debut (April 3-April 29, 2018). The play made its world premiere at the Pershing Square Signature Center in 2015. “In the midst of the holiday bustle, young Brooklyn couple Elias and Jenny escape on a much needed getaway to a cozy bed-and-breakfast in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. However, under the watchful eye of the cheery, if slightly off, innkeeper, a ghost seems to haunt their crumbling relationship.”

Girlfriend, a new coming-of-age-musical duet by Todd Almond and Matthew Sweet, then makes its D.C. debut (April 17-June 10, 2018). The story is set in 1993 in small-town Nebraska where college-bound jock Mike and self-assured but aimless Will find themselves drawn to each other.

Closing out the season will be the D.C. premiere of The Scottsboro Boys, John Kander and Fred Ebb’s final collaboration (May 22-July 1, 2018). The 12-time Tony-nominated musical tells the story of nine young African-American teenagers were ripped off a train, falsely accused of a crime, hastily tried, and sentenced to death in an outrageous disregard of due process.

For more information about Signature Theatre’s 2017-18 season, click here.