Actor’s Theatre’s fall lineup includes a diverse set of stories — and one surprise

The theatrical phoenix is not only risen from the ashes but crowing about its resurrection: Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte, which faced its potential end after 31 seasons earlier this month, has announced Season 32 – well, most of it, except for a teaser in the last slot – and put flex-pass tickets on sale at atcharlotte.org.

The city’s only full time professional theater for adults put out a cry for help earlier this month: It needed to raise more than $70,000 to be able to guarantee a 2020-21 season and $200,000 to put itself on a stable, long-term footing. The first goal has been reached, and the second is almost halfway to its target.

That means ATC, which had to cancel one show in its current season to stay afloat, will roar back with seven shows next season at Hadley Theatre, including an old favorite and a big musical that will get its local premiere. (ATC will also be able to do the last two shows in its current season: “One Man, Two Guv’nors” from March 26-May 2 and “Head Over Heels” from June 4-27.)

Early bird flex passes cost $220 for premium seating and $180 for standard seating and entitle you to seven tickets; those can be used in any combination, and the prices include taxes. (There are no handling fees.)

You can even use them for lower-priced preview performances on the weekends before the official openings. You’ll find flex passes online or at 704-342-2251.

Here’s what’s coming:

“American Dreams,” Aug. 20-Sept. 12: Lebanese-American playwright Leila Buck has framed the immigration controversy as an interactive game show, where contestants try to convince the audience _ which votes on their fates — that they deserve a life in the United States.

“Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” Oct. 1-31: ATC veteran Ryan Stamey dons the glam costume most recently worn by Billy Ensley. Hedwig, the victim of a botched transsexual operation, shares his woes and wisdom in this rock musical by Stephen Trask and John Cameron Mitchell.

“The Ultimate Christmas Show (Abridged),” Dec. 1-23: Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor make a living by “reducing” Shakespeare, the Bible, American history, Western Civilization, Hollywood and other topics in comic condensations. Now Santa Claus and Jesus Christ get their turns.

“Crowns,” Jan. 28-Feb. 20: Six African-American women share their journeys in Regina Taylor’s play with gospel music, based on a book of photographs by Michael Cunningham and journalist Craig Marberry. The title refers to hats worn in church, which help us understand who they are.

“Ghosts of Bogota,” March 11-April 3: Diana Burbano won the fifth ATC nuVoices festival with this comedy about siblings who return to their parents’ birth country after their grandfather dies. Burbano describes it as “a universal story about family secrets … and a story about that unique immigrant experience of never feeling fully at home in any country that can claim you.”

“Becoming Dr. Ruth,” May 6-29: Before Ruth Westheimer became a dispenser of advice on how to have “good zex,” she was a Holocaust survivor and Israeli Army sniper, among other things. Mark St. Germain’s dramatic comedy introduces you to a Dr. Ruth you never knew.

Mystery musical, June 17-July 10: ATC’s brochure describes this as the “winner of every major Best Musical award, including six Tony awards. This fabulous show is a celebration of friendship and the belief that you can change the world when you embrace our differences.” The title will be revealed by April, when contracts go through. If you want to speculate, go to the Tony Awards database at tonyawards.com/winners and guess.

This story is part of an Observer underwriting project with the Thrive Campaign for the Arts, supporting arts journalism in Charlotte.

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This story was originally published February 19, 2020 at 5:03 PM.