Actors Theatre of Louisville 2022 season: 'Dracula,' 'Christmas Carol.' What to know
Maggie MenderskiFeminist vampires, a musical take on civil rights activist and a twist on a classic Charles Dickens story are coming to the Actors Theatre of Louisville this season.
The 2022 season, which was announced Thursday, will welcome three productions to the physical stage — "Dracula: a Feminist Revenge Fantasy," "FANNIE: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer" and "A Christmas Carol: Ghost Story."
Dracula by Kate Hamill, which will run Sept. 7-18 at the Bingham Theater, at Actors Theatre, 316 W. Main St., is a feminist revenge fantasy based loosely on the novel by Bram Stoker. This adaptation uses a combination of humor and horror to reimagine the vampire classic.
"Kate Hamill's funny, dark and insightful adaptation of 'Dracula' will subvert expectations of this long-standing annual tradition," Actors Theatre Executive Artistic Director Robert Barry Fleming said in a press release.
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Next up is "FANNIE: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer" by Cheryl L. West, which runs Oct. 12-23 in the Pamela Brown Auditorium. This music-filled story was inspired by the legacy of voting rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, who was born into a family of Mississippi sharecroppers. She went on to serve as a leader in the civil rights movement and co-founded the Freedom Democratic Party.
It's an important story that shines "a spotlight on voting rights issues that continue to affect many Kentuckians to this day," Fleming said.
Finally an adaption of the holiday classic "A Christmas Carol" will run Dec. 14-23. This innovative mixed reality production tells the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his experience with the spirit world that transforms his greedy indifference into grace.
Spring 2023 live in-theater productions will be announced at a later date.
Beyond the physical stage, Actors has also continued to expand its digital presence by streaming productions through its Member Library, which is open to the public through a no cost membership.
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The most recent addition to the Member Library collection is the puppet film "The Other America: An Anne Braden Story" by Louisville-based Squallis Puppeteers. The film tells the story of two families who challenged Louisville’s segregated housing market in 1954.
Actors Theatre of Louisville 2022 Season
All productions take place at Actors Theatre of Louisville, 316 W. Main St. Tickets can be purchased at actorstheatre.org/box-office
'Dracula: A Feminist Revent Fantasy'
WHAT: "Dracula" by Kate Hamill is a feminist revenge fantasy based loosely on the novel by Bram Stoker. Louisville’s Jennifer Pennington will direct this thrilling new adaptation, which bounces between humor and horror to reimagine the vampire classic.
WHEN: Sept. 7-18
WHERE: Bingham Theater
CREDITS: The cast features LaShondra Hood as Doctor Van Helsing, Justin Jackson as Jonathan Harker, Abigail Bailey Maupin as Renfield, Mark Mozingo as Doctor George Seward, Brittany “Beebee” Patillo as Lucy Westenra, and Dara Jade Tiller as Marilla/Maid. They are joined by Alanna Darby as Drusilla/Merchant/Miller, Nick Jordan as Dracula, and Lipica Shah as Mina Harker. The creative team includes fight Choreography by David Anzuelo, voice and dialect coaching by Joy Lanceta Coronel and dramaturgy by Miss Hazel Jade.
TICKETS: Tickets go on sale to members July 12. Sales open to the public on Aug. 2.
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'Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer'
WHAT: This musical tells the life story of voting rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, who was born into a family of Mississippi sharecroppers. She went on to serve as a leader in the Civil Rights Movement and to co-found the Freedom Democratic Party.
WHEN: Oct. 12-23
WHERE: Pamela Brown Auditorium
CREDITS: This production is co-produced with Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company of Atlanta and with the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, City Theatre Company, and DEMASKUS Theater Collective of Pittsburgh. Atlanta-based artist Joy Vandervort-Cobb is the director.
TICKETS: Tickets go on sale to members July 12. Sales open to the public on Sept. 6.
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'A Christmas Carol: Ghost Story'
WHAT: This Christmastime classic has been adapted to tell the story of Ebenezer Scrooge's evolution from greedy indifference to grace using mixed reality technology.
WHEN: Dec. 14-23
WHERE: Bingham Theater
CREDITS: This story was adapted and directed by Robert Barry Fleming, in collaboration with Agile Lens and Heavenue, which is an entertainment-focused platform that delivers high-fidelity, immersive live shows.
TICKETS: Tickets go on sale to members July 12. Sales open to the public on Sept. 6.
The Courier Journal's Maggie Menderski can be reached at mmenderski@courier-journal.com or 502-582-4053. Follow along on Instagram and Twitter @MaggieMenderski.