American Players Theatre’s (APT) in-person season began May 14 with Katori Hall’s The Mountaintop in the 201-seat indoor Touchstone Theatre. The first performance of James DeVita’s world premiere of An Improbable Fiction took the Hill Stage on May 27. These two plays will run in repertory until The Mountaintop closes on June 19, and An Improbable Fiction closes on June 26. These will be the first in-person performances since APT was forced to cancel the 2020 season, and the company is beyond thrilled to be welcoming audiences back to the theater.
Seats have been added to performances within the 25% capacity cap, and tickets are available now for most performances of these first two plays at americanplayers.org, or by calling the APT Box Office at 608-588-2361. Filmed performances of the plays will be available for people who can’t make the trip to APT this year. More information at americanplayers.org/apt-at-home.
May 14 – June 19, Touchstone Theatre The Mountaintop
By Katori Hall
Directed by Ron OJ Parson
The night before his assassination, Martin Luther King, Jr. returns to the Lorraine Motel after delivering his last impassioned speech. A mysterious maid delivers his room service, though she seems to have more on her agenda than a simple meal. As their conversation progresses, true intentions come to light in a story that proves that a person doesn’t need to be superhuman to be a hero. Featuring Gavin Lawrence and Sola Thompson.
May 27 – June 26, Hill Theatre An Improbable Fiction
By James DeVita
Directed by Tim Ocel
The world-premiere staging of James DeVita’s new play, told largely in Shakespeare’s own words. It’s plague time, and Shakespeare’s characters are out of sorts (and out of work). Several of our favorites reunite at The Boar’s Head Inn to celebrate life, and ruminate on the state of the world. Featuring Tracy Michelle Arnold, Sarah Day, Chiké Johnson, Brian Mani, Melisa Pereyra and Ronald Román-Meléndez.
Artistic Director Brenda DeVita said, “We are so incredibly grateful that the world is moving in the right direction and we are able to be working on these stories for our audience. Just thinking about being back in our theaters – on our Hill – after the year we’ve had, is such a relief. We can hardly contain our excitement! The past year we were doing everything in our power just to stay connected to each other, and find some hope, some joy and some inspiration. And now to be together in person?! So we have a wonderful, original season planned. And, to be honest it will be a little weird that our rotating repertory has dropped from eight plays at a time to two at a time. But I also think there’s opportunity in this structure – first and foremost SAFETY. But also some things we have not been able to do in the past. So we are going to exploit all the changes and warm up to this idea of normalcy again. The actors and artists are so excited to be back, and to perform for our incredible audience again.”
2021 Ticketing
Tickets are currently on sale for The Mountaintop and An Improbable Fiction. Tickets for the second rep – An Iliad and Rough Crossing – will go on sale to the general public on June 7. Tickets to the rest of the 2021 Summer Season plays will go on sale 3 – 4 weeks before the first performance. For more information on the 2021 season, visit americanplayers.org.
Safety Protocols on the APT Grounds
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, safety protocols will be in effect in APT’s theaters, as well as on the grounds. The current protocols are included below.
- Masks will be required in the theaters and other indoor spaces.
- We ask that people socially distance from people outside of their party. Picnic tables will be distanced to accommodate.
- APT’s ticketing software will be automatically distance seats in the theaters when tickets are purchased.
- In case of illness, we ask patrons not to attend their performance, and to contact the Box Office for options.
For the latest in safety updates, visit americanplayers.org/covid-rules.
The 2021 Plays
In the Hill Theatre
May 27 – June 26
An Improbable Fiction
By James DeVita
Directed by Tim Ocel
July 1 – August 7
Rough Crossing
By Tom Stoppard
Directed by William Brown
From an original play by Ferenc Molnár
August 12 – September 11
Cymbeline
By William Shakespeare
Adapted by Marti Lyons & Sara Becker
From an original adaptation by Henry Woronicz
Directed by Marti Lyons
In the Touchstone Theatre
May 14 – June 19
The Mountaintop
By Katori Hall
Directed by Ron OJ Parson
June 25 – August 15
An Iliad
By Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare
Translated from Homer’s The Iliad by Robert Fagles
Directed by John Langs
August 26 – October 3
A Phoenix Too Frequent
By Christopher Fry
Directed by Keira Fromm