Long Wharf Theatre Announces 60th Anniversary Season
The 2024/2025 season will premiere new works, activate community spaces with bold productions and reinforce the theatre as a pioneering New Haven institution
New Haven, CT – Long Wharf Theatre (Artistic Director Jacob G. Padrón and Managing Director Kit Ingui) today announced its 2024/2025 season, with the theme Building Our Future Together. The 60th anniversary season is the theatre’s second under its innovative new production model of presenting works across Greater New Haven to strengthen our civic bonds with the entire community.
The season comes on the heels of its hugely successful 2023/2024 season, which included sold out runs of The Year of Magical Thinking and A View from the Bridge. The star-studded productions welcomed audiences into libraries, resident homes, community centers and the Canal Dock Boathouse. In recognition of its role in the national conversation on evolving the regional theatre model, Long Wharf Theatre recently received a $1 million grant from Mellon Foundation to continue its work.
“As we approach the start of Long Wharf Theatre’s 60th season, I’m eager to continue our bold and courageous effort to bring world-class performing arts to all parts of our city,” said Jacob G. Padrón, Artistic Director of Long Wharf Theatre. “Long Wharf Theatre has always been a beacon of creativity in New Haven, and I’m deeply inspired by the audience response and artistic fervor felt throughout our past season that I’m confident will grow in the many seasons to come.”
“I have always believed that if you want to bring a community together, if you want to expand ways of thinking about or seeing the world — there is no better way than through music, drama, dance, painting, poetry, literature, and all of the arts. For the past 60 years, Long Wharf Theatre has epitomized that,” said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. “I look forward to seeing everything this institution will continue to accomplish in the decades to come.”
“For six decades Long Wharf Theatre has served as a stage for innovative, world-class theater that has entertained, enriched and inspired its audiences in New Haven, the region and beyond. Now, with its recent commitment to bringing theater to new stages and spaces across the city, its works are becoming more accessible than ever for New Haveners to take in and enjoy,” said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker. “New Haven is blessed to have such a thriving arts scene, and Long Wharf Theatre is one of the artistic and cultural gems of our city. We’re all excited to see how Long Wharf Theatre’s productions and partnerships will continue to enhance and bolster arts and culture in New Haven for another 60 years to come.”
“Southern Connecticut State University is proud to be a long-standing partner of Long Wharf Theatre and we are excited to deepen our partnership during the theatre’s 60th anniversary season,” said Dr. Dwayne Smith, Interim President of Southern Connecticut State University. “Our campus is always seeking opportunities for connection and conversation. Having Long Wharf Theatre productions on our campus next season will bring this connection, and so much more, directly to our scholars and patrons.”
“For 60 years, Long Wharf Theatre has served as a cornerstone institution for the New Haven region, and our recent successes and forthcoming season are examples of how we intend to further artistic excellence and community engagement in this new chapter,” said Kit Ingui, Managing Director of Long Wharf Theatre. “Our planned productions and venues speak to the magic of collaboration and imagination that will propel us forward for another 60 seasons.”
Long Wharf Theatre continues its commitment to boundary-breaking theatre and its three pillars of artistic innovation, kaleidoscopic partnerships and radical inclusion. The season showcases productions throughout the Greater New Haven area, featuring a collection of diverse storytellers. Dedicated to their mission of “Theatre for Everyone,” this mix of new work and re-imagined classics will engage audiences from first-time theater-goers to longtime supporters.
Creating Space for Conversations on Art and Activism
Long Wharf Theatre will embark on its momentous season in October with a return to the Artistic Congress, last presented in the 2020 presidential election year. Hosted in partnership with the Yale Schwarzman Center, the Artistic Congress will convene artists, scholars, and neighbors to discuss how theatre is essential to a thriving democracy. The Artistic Congress, which runs from October 25-27, intends to foster insightful conversations on art and activism in the New Haven community to set the stage for the coming season and long-term performing arts growth in the region. The conference style event will be anchored by a keynote speaker, who will be announced at a later date.
Centering Often Erased Artists for the Fifth Consecutive Year
In November, Long Wharf Theatre will host its fifth annual showing of Black Trans Women at the Center: A Virtual New Play Festival curated by Dane Figueroa Edidi, a member of the theatre’s artistic ensemble. This year will include a staged streaming of Figueroa’s new play Shape Shifter. In addition, Long Wharf Theatre will partner with theatre’s across the country to honor Trans Day of Remembrance. Since the launch of this festival, Long Wharf Theatre has produced 15 new works by Black trans women.
Transforming a Business Innovation Center into a Theatre Space
From November 29 to December 15, The Lab at ConnCorp, a learning and business innovation center, will be transformed for the holiday season to host a reimagined production of She Loves Me, directed by Jacob G. Padrón with musical direction by Andy Einhorn that will bring this Golden Age musical straight to your heart. The award-winning piece follows two shop clerks in the 1930s who, more often than not, don’t see eye to eye but are unknowingly writing love letters to each other through an anonymous romantic pen pal service. With music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and book by Joe Masteroff, and featuring new orchestration by Einhorn, this timeless and universal story continues to stand the test of time.
Deepening Our Partnership with SCSU and Its Theatre Students
Following, the theatre will produce Matt Barbot’s El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom at the Lyman Center in partnership with Southern Connecticut State University from January 25 through February 13, directed by Kinan Valdez. Set in Brooklyn, a masked protector emerges: the iconic Puerto Rican superhero, El Coquí Espectacular! Behind the mask lies Alex, a struggling comic book artist with a secret identity of his own. As he grapples with self-doubt and the lure of a steady job he must navigate the challenges of being a hero both on and off the page.This production marks an expansion of Long Wharf Theatre’s partnership with SCSU, giving students the opportunity to see how a professional regional theatre produces a show, from inception to final curtain call.
Staging a World Premiere by a Local New Haven Artist
Closing the season from May 15 through June 8, Long Wharf Theatre, in partnership with Collective Consciousness Theatre, will stage the world premiere of Unbecoming Tragedy: A Ritual Journey Toward Destiny at Yale’s Off Broadway Theater. Written and performed by local New Haven artist Terrence Riggins, this awe-inspiring journey follows one man’s experience in a solitary prison cell. Denied hope and sleep, he finds solace in the sanctuary of his imagination, transforming his cell into the unlikeliest of stages. Directed by Connecticut-based artist Cheyenne Barboza, this new production will be an exploration of vulnerability and truth within the human spirit.
How to Buy Tickets and Become a Member
Long Wharf Theatre is also announcing new Anytime Ticket passes and more dynamic membership levels.
With an anytime pass, audiences can secure access to Long Wharf Theatre productions at a discounted rate, then redeem purchased passes for a ticket closer to the show. Passes are good for any production in the 2024-25 season but do expire at the end of the season.
Anytime Passes are part of the theatre’s mission to create more accessible ticket pricing. A ticket purchased with an Anytime Pass is $44 compared to $53 when bought as a single ticket.
Members will still get first access to booking tickets; anytime pass holders will be able to redeem tickets after members but before the general public.
Long Wharf Theatre’s new membership levels also give supporters access to the theatre in unprecedented ways. Members receive early access to news and events, priority booking, member-priced tickets, discounts, and invitations to special events.
Passes for the 2024/2025 season are on sale now. Information on memberships and passes can be found at longwharf.org/60-years
About the Productions
Artistic Congress Presented by Long Wharf Theatre in partnership with Yale Schwarzman Center
DESCRIPTION: Join Long Wharf Theatre in partnership with Yale Schwarzman Center as we discuss why theatre is essential to a thriving democracy. This conference-style event will feature artists, scholars, and neighbors as we dive into questions at the intersection of creativity and civic engagement. We will kick off the weekend with a keynote speech by one of the country’s leading artistic voices, then explore the ways our artistic tools build bridges in civic spaces, activate the stories of our communities, and impact positive change in our neighborhoods. Theater’s job is to humanize, and we must do our job with deep dedication in service to our country in this vital moment.
Attendees will have the opportunity to network with both local and national artists, fostering connections and collaborations that transcend geographical boundaries and amplify the impact of our collective efforts.
Keynote speakers, panelists, and performances will be announced soon.
DATES: October 25-27, 2024
WHERE: Schwarzman Center, Yale University (168 Grove St, New Haven, CT 06511)
5th Annual Black Trans Women at the Center: New Play Festival
DESCRIPTION: Experience the next wave of new plays at the fifth annual Black Trans Women at the Center: Virtual New Play Festival! Witness the electrifying creativity and raw talent of Black trans women as they take center stage in a captivating digital showcase of new plays.
Led by the visionary Long Wharf Theatre Artistic Ensemble member, Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi, the festival will feature a staged streaming of her new work Shape Shifter. Witness the symphony of voices rising to claim their rightful place at the forefront of the theatrical landscape.
The full schedule and partner organizations will be announced soon.
DATES: November 2024
WHERE: Virtual
She Loves Me
Music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and book by Joe Masteroff
DIRECTOR: Jacob G. Padrón, Musical Direction by Andy Einhorn
DESCRIPTION: Embark on a journey into the enchanting world of She Loves Me this holiday season with Long Wharf Theatre, helmed by Artistic Director Jacob G. Padrón. In this fresh interpretation, you’ll find yourself transported into the heart of a charming perfume shop where love blossoms amidst the scent of romance. Follow the intertwining lives of Georg Nowack and Amalia Balash as they discover the magic of connection and the joy of unexpected love. With an intimate setting that brings every emotion to life, you’ll feel like a part of the story, experiencing the highs and lows alongside the characters. Join us for an unforgettable theatrical experience where the magic of She Loves Me is felt in every tender moment and melodic refrain.
She Loves Me is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
DATES: November 30 – December 15, 2024
WHERE: The Lab at ConCORP
El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom
By Matt Barbot
In partnership with Southern Connecticut State University
DIRECTOR: Kinan Valdez
DESCRIPTION: From the streets of Sunset Park, Brooklyn, emerges a masked protector: the iconic Puerto Rican superhero, El Coquí Espectacular! Behind the mask lies Alex, a struggling comic book artist with a secret identity of his own. As he grapples with self-doubt and the lure of a steady job in advertising alongside his brother Joe, Alex must navigate the challenges of being a hero both on and off the page. Get ready for an exhilarating journey filled with action, humor, and heart as Long Wharf Theatre brings this electrifying story to the stage!
DATES: January 25 – February 16, 2025
WHERE: The Lyman Center at Southern Connecticut State University
Unbecoming Tragedy: A Ritual Journey Toward Destiny
Written and Performed by Terrence Riggins
In partnership with Collective Consciousness Theatre
DIRECTOR: Cheyenne Barboza
DESCRIPTION: In the confines of a solitary prison cell, a failed actor grapples with the haunting truth of his condition. Denied hope and sleep, he finds solace in the sanctuary of his imagination, transforming his cell into the unlikeliest of stages. As he navigates the roles of his life, vulnerability and truth intertwine in a mesmerizing exploration of the human spirit. Long Wharf Theatre, in partnership with Collective Consciousness Theatre, presents the world premiere of Unbecoming Tragedy. Be captivated by this awe-inspiring journey into the depths of introspection and resilience.
DATES: May 15 – June 8, 2025
