IRTLIVE!: Indiana Repertory Theatre announces 2021-2022 Season, in-person shows
The upcoming live, six-play season features hybrid offerings, return of missed plays
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Indianapolis, Ind.—After a season of producing an entirely virtual experience, the Indiana Repertory Theatre is excited to welcome patrons back in-person for the 2021-2022 Season. The upcoming six-play season will open in October 2021 and run through June 2022.

“We are so thrilled to be able to share these productions and plan for a season where we can be together again in the Theatre,” IRT’s Margot Lacy Eccles Artistic Director Janet Allen said. “We look forward to welcoming our multi-generational audiences back into the IRT to see these thought-provoking, entertaining stories truly come to life on our stages.”

In an effort to continue to provide accessibility and comfort opportunities to audiences, the IRT will once again partner with WFYI to film the productions and provide streaming options for each production, while also following existing safety guidelines for in-person performances.

The new season will begin with The Book Club Play, a fizzy comedy about why we gather and why we love books, written by Karen Zacarías. Next, the Indy holiday tradition Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol returns in a reimagined version of Tom Haas’ adaptation and will feature a new actor playing the lead of Ebenezer Scrooge: Indy favorite Rob Johansen.

When the IRT was forced to cancel the 2020-2021 Season, a few remaining shows never reached the stage. Of those, three will be making their debut this season, including the much-anticipated The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin by Jessica Huang, the pop-culture hit Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling, and Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, adapted by Tobias Andersen.

Through these productions, the IRT is hoping to reunite many of the design teams and cast members who were originally slated to create these plays. The remaining production of the season will join The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin in the INclusion Series, which celebrates diverse storytelling, and will be announced this summer.

The 2021-2022 Season is generously supported by OneAmerica Financial Partners. Seated packages are available now.  Flexible and Virtual packages will be available this summer, and single tickets, both in-person and virtual, will go on sale in the fall.  To learn more about season package benefits and to purchase, visit irtlive.com.


2021 - 2022 SEASON AT THE INDIANA REPERTORY THEATRE

The Book Club Play
by Karen Zacarías
October 6 – October 31, 2021
OneAmerica Mainstage
fizzy, funny delight

Can a book club be more than just a book club? When a documentary filmmaker sets up a camera and the wine starts flowing, a lot more than literature gets discussed. Truths are told and secrets are revealed as six young professionals find that there is more to a book—and life—than the cover. A sweet, tart comedy with all the feels.


Charles Dickens’
A Christmas Carol
adapted by Tom Haas
November 26 – December 26, 2021
OneAmerica Mainstage
Indy’s holiday tradition returns

Now more than ever, we need to gather together to celebrate the joy of the season. A Christmas Carol shines a light on the power of kindness and love in this uplifting tale of one man’s journey to redemption. As the weather turns cold, warm your heart with the IRT as we joyfully reimagine and tenderly bring this annual holiday treasure to new life.
 
 
Ray Bradbury’s
Fahrenheit 451
adapted by Tobias Andersen
January 26 – February 20, 2022
OneAmerica Mainstage
searing sci-fi tale

In a dystopian future where the written word is forbidden, firemen are paid to burn books instead of fight fires. But when Montag starts to read the books he is supposed to burn, he begins to question the life he leads. Now he must choose between continuing his regimented existence or risking everything for the right to think. Published in 1953, this science fiction classic is even more relevant today. 
 
 
TBD: March 23 – April 16, 2022
OneAmerica Mainstage
 
 
The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin
by Jessica Huang
April 20 – May 15, 2022
Upperstage
a surreal journey through past & present
 
Despite the US ban against Chinese immigrants, Harry Chin forged a new identity to earn precious American dollars to send home to his starving village. Now he is trapped between two families and two worlds. Seasoned with magic and mystery, this hauntingly theatrical tale from our overlooked history considers the personal and political repercussions of making a group of people illegal.
 
 
Steel Magnolias
by Robert Harling
May 10 – June 5, 2022
OneAmerica Mainstage
strong and sassy

Before it was a movie, this pop culture favorite was an off-Broadway hit. With sharp, witty banter and memorable one-liners, six women from all walks of life celebrate the everyday joys and tears of small-town living while gathered at their favorite hair salon. When tragedy strikes, the play reveals the steely bonds of compassion and love that hold true friends together.


For more information contact Kerry Barmann, Marketing Communications Manager at kbarmann@irtlive.com or 317.916.4824.


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ABOUT THE IRT
Founded in 1971, the Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) is the largest professional not-for-profit theatre in the state and one of the leading regional theatres in the country. The mission of the Indiana Repertory Theatre is to produce top-quality, professional theatre and related activities, providing experiences that will engage, surprise, challenge, and entertain people throughout their lifetimes, helping us build a vital and vibrant community.

In The House That Jack Built, the setting of Thanksgiving dinner prompts audiences to reflect on family and loved ones, gathering together, and what they’re grateful for in their lives. In a year that also prompted many of these reflections as we stayed apart, we’ve asked some of the cast of the show to share what they’re thankful for and how they stay connected with loved ones during these times. 
 
Aaron Kirby, who plays Eli in The House That Jack Built, shares his responses—with a little help from a furry friend!

What are you most looking forward to when gathering with your loved ones again?
Hugs. All of the hugs please.
 
How did you stay connected with your loved ones this past year? Zoom birthday parties, weddings, etc? Weekly meet-ups socially-distant or virtually? Letters?
A lot more phone calls, facetimes, zooms, virtual game nights... you name it - I happily took what I could get. 
 
What have you been most thankful for this year, either personally or professionally or both?
My wife Emma and I adopted a rabbit named Philbert (or Phil to his friends), and he is by far the best thing to come out of this dark time. 
 
What family/friend traditions are you looking forward to this year?
Being able to share live theatre together again.
 
 
Today and tomorrow are the final two days to stream The House That Jack Built! Tickets available irtlive.com.