Geva Theatre Center on Wednesday announced its 2016-17 season, which will include 12 major productions and events, kicking off with the Stephen Sondheim musical "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."
The season's lineup, the theater's 44th, will include six Wilson main stage productions -- including A.R. Gurney's "Sylvia" and Todd Kreidler's adaptation of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" -- three works in the Fielding Studio Series, which focuses on more challenging, contemporary plays, and the return of "A Christmas Carol," the Festival of New Theatre, and Maripat Donavan's popular character, Sister.
Geva will also unveil during the 2016-17 season its renovated lobby and café areas, which will include nearly 2000-square-feet of entertaining suites and wheelchair access to the balcony. Due to the work on the lobby this summer, Geva will not be part of the 2016 Rochester Fringe Festival, and has pushed back its season opening from September to October. The changes are part of an ongoing renovation project that included roof replacement in 2012, the installation of a new HVAC system in 2013 and 2014, and upgrades to rehearsal, education, dressing rooms, and administrative offices last year.
For a third year in a row, ESL will sponsor the Wilson Stage Series.
The 2016-17 Wilson Stage Series will consist of:
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" (October 4 through November 6)
"Sylvia" (January 10 through February 5)
"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" (February 14 through March 12)
"Private Lives" (March 21 through April 16)
"Other than Honorable" (April 25 through May 21)
"Million Dollar Quartet" (May 30 through June 25)
The 2016-17 Fielding Studio Series will include:
"Mother (and me)" (November 3 through November 20)
"The Lake Effect" (February 2 through February 19)
"Sex with Strangers" (April 13 through April 30)
Other shows and events announced:
Festival of New Theatre (October 12 through October 23)
"A Christmas Carol" (November 23 through December 24)
"Sister's Back to School Catechism: The Holy Ghost and Other Terrifying Tales" (March 7 through April 2)
