After delivering on the promise of rehearsing, filming, and streaming the first two production of the season, Queens Girl: Black in the Green Mountains and Cry It Out, the staff and artists at Everyman look ahead to four additional filmed and streamed mainstage productions, a spring fundraiser, and a summer play reading series. Everyman Theatre Founder and Artistic Director Vincent M. Lancisi and Managing Director Marissa LaRose have also announced that Everyman Theatre plans to return for in-person performances this summer with Steel Magnolias.
LaRose explains: “We’ve become experts in modifying plans in order to keep producing during this time and we’re thrilled to announce dates for the remainder of what we have in store for our 30th-anniversary season. We’re incredibly proud that we have been able to provide a full season of plays to our audiences at a time when storytelling and connection is so important — and we cannot wait to bring that storytelling back in person, too!”
To continue the season, Everyman is pleased to announce the streaming dates for its next two productions, Angelica Cheri’s Berta, Berta, and Dominique Morisseau’s Pipeline. Berta, Berta, a riveting love story, streams April 26 to June 6; Morisseau’s profound and lyrical Pipeline streams May 31 to July 11.
Lancisi reflects on experiencing at-home streaming himself, and the organization’s first two performances: “When I first envisioned offering filmed versions of our plays this season, I feared it would be a poor replacement for the live theater experience. I’m happy to report that is not the case. Although nothing compares to live performances, the filmed plays have been beautifully captured and patrons are very happy with the quality. They are also loving the ease and freedom to watch the plays in their homes at their convenience.”
Because the artistic team at Everyman wanted audiences to experience “in-person” the costumes, sets, and grandeur that only a period play like Sense and Sensibility can bring, Everyman will replace it in the season with Heather McDonald’s Pulitzer Prize–nominated play, An Almost Holy Picture. Featuring the magical Bruce Randolph Nelson of Everyman’s Resident Company, the production will be filmed at the theater and available to stream into homes from July 12 through August 22. An Almost Holy Picture takes a timely look at one man’s spiritual search for solace and meaning, and his quest toward understanding — and impacting — his own destiny. Associate Artistic Director Noah Himmelstein will direct. Sense and Sensibility will be rescheduled sometime in the near future.
Rounding out the season, the company is planning for its first foray back to live theater in 18 months with Robert Harling’s fan favorite, Steel Magnolias. Directed at Everyman by Casey Stangl, the heartwarming and hilarious play will welcome patrons back to the West Baltimore theater with in-person performances starting August 10 and running through September 5. For those who prefer to access the play from home, the streaming option will begin August 23 and continue through October 3. Single tickets for Steel Magnolias will be limited under capacity restrictions and physical distancing.
In addition to the season’s performances, now that spring is in the air at Everyman Theatre, the staff and Board are busy planning a joyous fundraiser, the Spring Soiree. Join the artists of Everyman for a night of theater and community on Saturday, May 22, 2021, at 7PM. This online/at-home fundraiser supports Everyman’s mission and spirit, both onstage and in the greater Baltimore community, and will feature musical and theatrical performances throughout the evening. Fundraising efforts support the Resident Company of Artists, ongoing programming, and theater education opportunities for Baltimore City students. Watch this space for more information – everymantheatre.org/soiree
Also confirmed for the 30th-anniversary season is the company’s adventurous new Summer 6-PACK Series. From Memorial Day week to the week after Independence Day, patrons can enjoy some hot fun in the summertime with this weekly offering of new play readings, all with the comfort and flexibility of watching from home. The Summer 6-PACK Series is included in the purchase of both the Everyman Essentials and Subscribe@Home subscription packages.
SUMMER 6-PACK Series
The Lifespan of a Fact | Streams May 31 – June 6
by Jeremy Kareken, David Murrell, + Gordon Farrell, based on the book by John D’Agata + Jim Fingal
Bedder | Streams June 7 – 13
by Caleen Sinnette Jennings
Dinner and Cake | Streams June 14 – 20
by Tuyet Thi Pham
Blood Dries Brown | Streams June 21 – 27
by Patrick Du Laney
Behold, A Negress | Streams June 28 – July 4
by Jacqueline E. Lawton
Crying on Television | Streams July 5 – 11
by R. Eric Thomas
For additional information on the organization’s COVID safety plan, Frequently Asked Questions about returning to live theater, or other classes and events, call 410.752.2208 or visit everymantheatre.org.
The 2020/21 reimagined season at Everyman Theatre is sponsored by The Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org), The Baltimore County Commission on the Arts and Sciences, the Citizens of Baltimore County, Mayor Brandon M. Scott, the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts and the City of Baltimore Creative Baltimore Fund, P. Flanigan & Sons, and University of Maryland, Baltimore. Individual production and programming sponsors included John and Marsha Ramsay, National Endowment for the Arts, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Lee and Bea Robbins for Queens Girl: Black in the Green Mountains; Sandy and Mark Laken, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Lee and Bea Robbins for Berta, Berta; Susan W. Flanigan, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Lee and Bea Robbins for Cry It Out; and the University of Maryland, Baltimore, Dr. Larry and Nancy Fishel for Pipeline. All digital programming is supported by grants from the Sheridan Foundation, France-Merrick Foundation, and Galanthus Foundation.
Everyman Theatre is a professional Equity theater company celebrating the actor, with a Resident Company of Artists from the Baltimore/DC area. Founded in 1990 by Vincent M. Lancisi, the theater is dedicated to engaging the audience through a shared experience between actor and audience seeking connection and emotional truth in performance. Everyman is committed to presenting high-quality plays that are affordable and accessible to everyone. The theatrer strives to engage, inspire and transform artists, audiences, and communities through theater of the highest artistic standards and is committed to embodying the promise of its name, Everyman Theatre. Everyman Theatre is a proud member of the Bromo Tower Arts and Entertainment District, the Market Center Merchants Association and the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance. Lancisi partners with Managing Director, Marissa LaRose in leading the organization.
Everyman Theatre stands in solidarity with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and AAPI communities and is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive atmosphere at every level of our organization. To learn more, read the full statement of solidarity on our website at https://everymantheatre.org/everyman-theatre-stands-solidarity.
