Jonathan Bragg in Creep. Photo: courtesy of WaterTower Theatre

Addison’s WaterTower Theatre’s 2015-’16 season features the world premiere of Dallas playwright-composer Donald Fowler’s Jack-the-Ripper-inspired musical, Creep, as well as the regional premiere of One Man, Two Guvnors, the West End and Broadway hit comedy (updated to swinging London in the ’60s from Carlo Goldoni’s classic farce, The Servant of Two Masters). The National Theatre stage show made James Cordden a star — and eventually, the host of The Late Late Show.

Creep had been given a staged reading at WaterTower’s Out of the Loop Festival in 2010 when its title was Creep (the very, very sad but unfortunately true and completely fabricated tale of Jack the Ripper), and then received a workshop production upstairs at the Kalita Humphreys Theater in 2013. WaterTower announced its intention to present the musical thriller’s world premiere two months ago.

The only non-premiere of the new season will be the return of WaterTower’s hit production of Sexy Laundry, starring Bob Hess and Wendy Welch. The other regional premieres include Nigel Williams’ stage adaptation of Lord of the Flies, William Golding’s novel of human beastliness among young boys trapped on an island, Outside Mullingar by Pultizer Prize-winner John Patrick Shanley (Doubt) and Dan LeFranc’s The Big Meal, a play set in a restaurant that rushes through some three generations of family life in 90 minutes. 

And, of course, the Out of the Loop Festival returns.

The full release:

WaterTower Theatre Announces its 2015-2016 Season With Six Main Stage Productions

The season includes a World Premiere Musical and Four Regional Premieres
Addison (TX) –Terry Martin, WaterTower Theatre Producing Artistic Director, today announced details of the Company’s 2015-2016 Main Stage Season. Some highlights of the Season include one World Premiere Musical and four Regional Premieres. WaterTower Theatre is expanding its regular Main Stage subscription series from five to six shows next season.

The season opens with the World Premiere of the musical Creep (October 2 – 25, 2015. Preview Gala Sunday, October 4), written by Dallas playwright/composer Donald Fowler. The season continues with the return of the hit WaterTower Theatre production of Michelle Riml’s Sexy Laundry (November 20 – December 13, 2015) which played to sold out audiences in a limited run in our studio series earlier this season. The New Year kicks off with the Regional Premiere of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies (January 22 – February 14, 2016), adapted for the stage by Nigel Williams. The fourth show in the season will be the Regional Premiere of Dan LeFranc’s The Big Meal (April 15 – May 8, 2016) followed by the Regional Premiere of John Patrick Shanley’s Outside Mullingar (June 3 – 26, 2016). The final production of the season will be the Regional Premiere of Richard Bean’s comedy One Man, Two Guvnors (August 5 – 28, 2016). The Company will not produce a holiday show in the 2015-2016 Season.

Kate Galvin will direct Creep; Terry Martin will direct both Sexy Laundry and One Man, Two Guvnors; Kelsey Leigh Ervi will direct Lord of the Flies; Emily Scott Banks will direct The Big Meal; René Moreno will direct Outside Mullingar. All productions will be staged at the Addison Theatre Centre at 15650 Addison Road, Addison, Texas 75001.

There will be no price increase in single tickets for the 2015-2016 six Main Stage productions. The six-play season subscriptions range in price from $90 (Previews) to $180 (Saturday evening/Sunday matinee). This year, subscribers will be offered a free Subscriber Rewards Card which will entitle them to discounts at various area restaurants and businesses. The renewal deadline for current subscribers to keep their same seats is July 1. Subscribers who renew by June 19 will have the normal handling fee of $7 waived.

WaterTower Theatre gratefully acknowledges the support of our Season Sponsors including The Town of Addison, TACA, Texas Commission on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Shubert Foundation. Production Sponsors for the 2015-2016 Season include Atmos Energy, The Nissan Foundation, Bob and Barbara Bigham: the Baylor Oral Health Foundation, Frost Bank, Liberty Capital Bank, Pinnacle, Rainmaker Advertising, TACA, Women of WaterTower Theatre and The WaterTower Theatre Board of Directors.
THE 2015-2016 SEASON:

CREEP
World Premiere
October 2 – 25, 2015
Preview Gala on Sunday, October 4 at 7.30 pm.
Music, Book & Lyrics by Donald Fowler
Directed by Kate Galvin
Sponsored by Frost Bank, Pinnacle, WaterTower Theatre Board of Directors,
Creep Producer’s Circle (as of May 1, 2015): Nicholas Even (Chair), Heather and Scott Alexander, Shannon Brame, Anita and Tom Braun, Barry W. Cowan and Felicity A. Fowler, Stan Graner and Jim McBride, Callan and Juli Harrison, Julie and Ken Hersh, Carrie Huff, Tara Lewis and John Swords, Georgie and Jack Madden, Holly and Tom Mayer, Karol Omlor, Greg Patterson, Table 13, Clair Tompkins

Creep is the world premiere of Dallas playwright/composer Donald Fowler’s original thriller musical. Exploring many of the dark truths surrounding the fabled “Jack the Ripper,” and metaphorically examining how the individual, when dehumanized, will adapt, or hide from truth in order to survive, Creep is sure to take your breath way. Nationally-acclaimed director Kate Galvin will direct this thrilling season opener. Mature subject matter.
SEXY LAUNDRY
November 20 – December 13, 2015
Written by Michele Riml
Directed by Terry Martin
in collaboration with Stage West

Michele Riml’s hit romantic comedy comes to our main stage by popular demand following its limited sold-out run in our studio series last season. Henry and Alice, married for 25-years are trying to find a way to spice up their dormant love life with a weekend in a swanky hotel room. Alice brings a copy of ‘Sex for Dummies’ and a willingness to try new things. Henry brings only his bad attitude. They share their fantasies, exchange recriminations, and take turns confessing the details of their personal midlife crises as the play moves from comic to serious and back to comic again. Sexy Laundry is a touching and hilarious journey that will resonate with many.

LORD OF THE FLIES
Regional Premiere
January 22 – February 14, 2016
Written by William Golding
Adapted for the stage by Nigel Williams
Directed by Kelsey Leigh Ervi
Sponsored by Atmos Energy

When a group of schoolboys survives a catastrophic plane crash, what starts as a desert island adventure quickly descends into a struggle for survival in a darkly sinister world of superstition and immorality. As the boys slowly explore their new-found freedom, their fun and games turn into vicious battles for power. When the group splits into two opposing tribes: one that strives for civility and another that delights in savage violence; the competition escalates into a dangerous, frightening climax. Based on the groundbreaking 1954 novel, this gripping classic looks into the darker sides of human nature where it’s civilization vs. savagery and the mob vs. morality.
THE BIG MEAL
Regional Premiere
April 15 – May 8, 2016
Written by Dan LeFranc
Directed by Emily Scott Banks
Sponsored by Table 13

Somewhere in America in a suburban chain restaurant on an average night, a young couple Sam and Nicole meet for a drink. Sparks fly, setting in motion the extraordinary tale of five generations of an ordinary family. In this theatrically inventive and beautiful play about the love, trials, and resilience of families, we experience – over the course of many mealtimes – the moments, both mundane and milestone, that make up a full life. The Big Meal is big-hearted, stunningly ambitious and richly satisfying. Reservations recommended!
OUTSIDE MULLINGAR
Regional Premiere
June 3 – 26, 2016
Written by John Patrick Shanley
Directed by René Moreno
Sponsored by Liberty Capital Bank, Women of WaterTower, Barbara and Bob Bigham: the Baylor Oral Health Foundation

Pulitzer, Oscar and Tony Award-winning author John Patrick Shanley, whose play Doubt: A Parable was a hit at WTT in 2008, now brings us a new romance about Anthony and Rosemary, two introverted misfits in rural Ireland. Now nearing their middle years, Anthony has spent his entire life on a cattle farm oblivious to the longing of his neighbor Rosemary, who hopelessly pines for him. With Anthony’s father threatening to disinherit him and a decades old land feud simmering between the families, Rosemary fears romantic catastrophe. These two beautiful, eccentric souls scramble their way towards happiness in a delightful tale about love and its many surprises.
ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS
Regional Premiere
August 5 – 28, 2016
Written by Richard Bean
Directed by Terry Martin
Sponsored by Rainmaker Advertising and Million Air Dallas

Set in swingin’ 1963 London, One Man, Two Guvnors is a unique, laugh-out-loud mix of satire, songs, slapstick and glittering one-liners. The disarming and doltish Francis Henshall finds himself trapped into working for two bosses—who are connected to each other in wildly improbable ways. He just has to keep them from discovering each other. Easy, right? Inspired insanity, high-low antics, and nimble wordplay ensue—all backed by live musicians paying homage to rockabilly and a certain Fab Four. This topsy-turvy world of love triangles and mistaken identities has been a huge hit ever since it opened at London’s National Theatre in 2011 and on Broadway in 2012. It’s more than a sassy update of Carlo Goldoni’s classic knee-slapper, The Servant of Two Masters – it’s a brilliantly delicious mash-up of splendid comedy, British pantomime, and music-hall revues.
OUT OF THE LOOP FRINGE FESTIVAL
February 25 – March 6, 2016
Season Extra
Sponsored by The Town of Addison and The Texas Commission on the Arts
Media sponsor: TheaterJones

Over the past 15 years, WaterTower Theatre has hosted more than 125 artists and companies in its nationally acclaimed 10-day fringe festival of music, dance and theatre. Now recognized as one of the most important fringe festivals in the country, the Out of the Loop Fringe Festival has been instrumental in providing a forum for new works, new artists and emerging voices in the arts.
SUBSCRIPTION SERIES:

WaterTower Theatre offers a host of subscription options, in addition to the standard six-play, full series subscription (Creep, Sexy Laundry, Lord of the Flies, The Big Meal, Outside Mullingar, One Man, Two Guvnors) which offers the best seating and greatest discounts over individual tickets. Subscribers will be able to order a Loop Pass when they renew their subscription or order a new subscription. Continuing again next season are the following series designed to enhance the theatre-goers experience:

ENHANCED THEATRE EXPERIENCE SERIES:

Conversation with the Artists:
A six-play series on all Wednesday nights and Sunday matinees that includes a post-show discussion with the actors.
Sampler Series:
An introduction to theatre, this three-play package includes Creep, Lord of the Flies and Outside Mullingar.

Design Your Own Series:
This series provides the most flexibility of all of WaterTower Theatre’s subscription packages. Patrons can choose their own plays and dates creating a series specifically designed for their needs. Design Your Own subscriptions do not go on sale until September, 2015.

Teachers’ Night:
This new series will give teachers an inside look at our productions with pre- and post-show talks specifically created for teachers. These talks will allow and encourage teachers to take what they experience on our stage back to their classroom. There are four shows in this series: Creep, Sexy Laundry, Lord of the Flies and The Big Meal. The dates are Oct. 7, Dec. 2, Jan. 27 and Apr. 20. The cost is $60 per person.

Student Subscription Series:
A student subscription series will be offered, including a special student Design Your Own Series.

Hero’s Subscription:
Firefighters, police officers, EMTs, veterans and members of the armed forces and their immediate families will be offered a special subscription of 50% off any six-play subscription package (excluding DYO, special affinity programs, special miniseries).
SEASON OVERVIEW:
Creep
October 2 – 25, 2015
Previews: Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3
Preview Gala Performance: Sunday, Oct. 4
Opening Night: Monday, Oct. 5

Sexy Laundry
November 20 – December 13, 2015
Previews: Friday, Nov. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 21
Pay What You Can: Sunday, Nov. 22
Opening Night: Monday, Nov. 23

Lord of the Flies
January 22 – February 14, 2016
Previews: Friday, Jan. 22 and Saturday, Jan. 23
Pay What You Can: Sunday, Jan. 24
Opening Night: Monday, Jan. 25

15th Annual Out of the Loop Fringe Festival
Feb. 25 – March 6, 2016
(not included in the six-play subscription series)

The Big Meal
April 15 – May 8, 2016
Previews: Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16
Pay What You Can: Sunday, April 17
Opening Night: Monday, April 18

Outside Mullingar
June 3 – 26, 2016
Previews: Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4
Pay What You Can: Sunday, June 5
Opening Night: Monday, June 6

One Man, Two Guvnors
August 5 – 28 2016
Previews: Friday, Aug. 5 and Saturday, Aug. 6
Pay What You Can: Sunday, Aug. 7
Opening Night: Monday, Aug. 8
2015-2016 Season Ticket Prices:

Six-play season subscriptions range in price from $90 (Previews) to $180 (Saturday evening/Sunday matinee).
Tickets to the Gala Preview performance of Creep on Sunday, October 4th are not available on subscription (an alternate ticket option will be made available).
2015-2016 Season Performance Schedule:

Ticket Information:
Current subscribers are able to renew their season subscriptions by mail, fax (972.450.6244) or by calling the Box Office at 972.450.6232. Online ordering for new subscriptions will be available in June.

New subscriptions are on sale now. However, seating will not be assigned until mid-July.

The Out of the Loop Fringe Festival is a non-subscription event.

About Terry Martin
Multi-award winning Director Terry Martin is entering his 16th season as Producing Artistic Director of WaterTower Theatre where he has overseen more than 100 productions. In his role as WaterTower Theatre’s Producing Artistic Director, Terry oversees both the administrative and artistic aspects of the Company’s nearly $1.5 million annual operating budget.
Under his leadership WTT has grown from a small local theatre company to one of the leading regional theatres in Texas. While consistently maintaining the artistic integrity of the work WTT produces and gaining much critical acclaim, he has – through keen business acumen – managed to keep the theatre in the black and maintain a large paid capacity for the past many seasons.
Some of his more than 65 directing credits at WTT include Dogfight, Full Gallop, Sexy Laundry, The Grapes of Wrath, Putting it Together, On the Town, Spring Awakening, The Diary of Anne Frank, Smokey Joe’s Café, As You Like It, Almost, Maine, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Man of La Mancha, Humble Boy, The Crucible, Take Me Out, A Country Life (which he adapted from Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya and won the 2005 Rabin Award – Best New Play), Cabaret, It Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues, Company, An Inspector Calls, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The Laramie Project, You Can’t Take It With You, Book of Days, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2002 Rabin Award – Director of a Play), Sweeney Todd (2002 Rabin Award Nomination – Director of a Musical), Desire Under the Elms, Ravenscroft, Rockin’ Christmas Party (2000, 2001), Enter the Guardsman (2001 Rabin Award Nomination – Director of a Musical), Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill and Little Shop of Horrors (2000 Rabin Award Nomination – Director of a Musical) among others. During the 2014-2015 season, he directed the WaterTower Theatre production of Dogfight for which he received a Dallas Fort Worth Critics Award for Best Director of a Musical.
He has appeared on stage recently at WTT in All My Sons and previously in Our Town. In 2008, Terry won a Dallas Fort Worth Theatre Critics’ Forum Award as Best Actor for Blackbird. His other WTT acting credits include The Woman in Black, Dinner with Friends, The Guys, Bash: Latter-day Plays (2002 Rabin Award Nomination – Actor in a Play) and at Plano Repertory Theatre in The Only Thing Worse You Could Have Told Me… (1998 Rabin Award – Actor in a Play, 1998 Dallas Theater Critics Forum Award), The Woman in Black (2000 Rabin Award Nomination – Actor in a Play), and Lonely Planet.
After growing up in south Alabama, Terry spent 12 years in New York City working in theatre, television and film. While there, he directed and acted at The Village Theatre Company, Carnegie Hall Studios and Theatre at St. Marks as well as television appearances on ABC’s One Life to Live and NBC’s To Serve and Protect. He holds a BFA from the University of Alabama and has trained professionally with Sanford Meisner, Fred Kareman, Wynn Handman, Sally Johnson and Lehmann Byck. Terry presently teaches on-going acting classes in the Sanford Meisner Technique at WTT, as well as having served as Adjunct Professor of Acting at the University of Texas at Dallas.
About WaterTower Theatre:

WaterTower Theatre is one of the leading regional theatres in North Dallas and Texas. The Company’s 2015-2016 Season will be its 20th season. It is consistently recognized for its artistic excellence by the Dallas Theatre League, Dallas/Fort Worth Theatre Critics Forum, The Dallas Morning News, The Dallas Observer, D Magazine and The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, among others. WaterTower Theatre has a subscription base of more than 2,120 subscribers and serves an audience of over 28,000 patrons annually.

WaterTower Theatre is 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization as designate by the IRS. Like all arts organizations, WaterTower Theatre relies on both ticket income and donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, organization and government to produce world-class live professional theatre and offer community outreach and arts education programs. WaterTower Theatre is grateful for the support provided from The Town of Addison, TACA, The National Endowment for the Arts, the Texas Commission on the Arts, the Schubert Foundation and the hundreds of individuals, corporations and foundations whose annual donations make live professional theatre possible in the Town of Addison to be enjoyed by all in North Texas.

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